...at least the way I experience it is that younger people view them as important and an act that paved the way for later-and in their opinion better-rappers to make it etc. rather than a "band" that did powerful music in its own right that stands the test of time...

However, I still think their best songs-and there are many-cut it. Their pre-Rakim rhyme-styles do not make them dated IMO, just different and arguably more intense and energetic...