unfortunately, they're mooted by the fact that some of the acts named in this thread who were born out of a heavy emphasis on "lyricism" in rap music SOLD HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF COPIES OF THEIR RECORDS.

quite frankly, somebody who's first album purchase was ll cool j - phenomenon is way too much of a casual fan to even engage this conversation with any sort of authority or to even bother validating with a response to try to show them their oblivious err of their perceived authority on the subject.

but again, thanks for replying to my thread.