many gave them favorable reviews so I guess they were "good" (to them)

IMO his records tended to have all the depth of 2 Legit 2 Quit (the albums), w/none of the backlash until after the Assacre hit big and he bragged on it. big singles, multiple singles... but he basically Ja Ruled his way to the top.

edit: I guess a better example is 2Pac, but even Pac had a more diverse body of singles that hit