But that was done by 96 (97 tops).

Let's be real.





>If he wasn't first market with that, he was the certainly the
>dude who became the poster boy for it.
>
>Others built on that with the singing and whatnot, but James
>Todd Smith built that foundation- and then popped up years
>later with a string of smashes that perfected it.
>
>He's an icon, a pioneer who's immediate, discernible relevance
>lasted through multiple decades. There's nothing middle of the
>road about that.
>
>This is insane to me.
>
>
>You straight up said he didn't have a run near as long as
>Drake.
>
>RADIO DROPPED IN 1985. It went platinum.
>Bigger & Deffer, 1987: 2X Plat
>Walking With A Panther, 1989: Plat
>Mama Said Knock You Out, 1990: 2X Plat
>
>He came out the gate with four platinum albums in 6 years,
>selling 5 mil total. Those were still huge numbers for hip hop
>at that time.
>
>14 Shots To The Dome, 93: Gold. Slippin, but gold.
>
>Mr Smith, 1996, 2X Plat
>Phenomenon, 1997: Plat
>GOAT, 2000: Plat
>10, 2002: Gold, and still had a single that charted in the
>Billboard top 5 and hit #1 in rap.
>
>The Definition, 2004: Gold
>Todd Smith, 2006: Gold
>
>Exit 13, 2008: Doesn't reach gold.
>
>Over the course of 21 years, LL dropped 12 albums. 4 went
>gold, 4 went plat, 4 went double plat.
>
>He finally ran out of gas on album 13, from a sales
>standpoint.
>
>And keep in mind... he fucking dropped in 1985.
>
>To stay that relevant for that long, for an artist of his
>generation, is mind boggling. Yes, there are a few others, but
>let's not pretend that this is the norm.
>
>Meanwhile, Drake's first album dropped in 2010. 2021 just
>started. If you're talking longevity, Drakes got another
>decade to go.
>
>No, LL, even at his peak was never the all-encompassing entity
>Drake has become. Yes, Drake's sales dwarf LL's.
>
>There are definite, credible arguments Drake's favor on
>certain fronts. But you're grossly underselling LL's career
>here.
>


**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"