The idea of this or that act being 'mainstream' doesn't even cross my mind any more. More and more people are creating their own 'streams' and rejecting the limited choice methods we all grew up with. You and Kap used to argue a lot about the idea of a modern day 'chitlin circuit'... well over the last couple years I've seen more acts than I can count carve out a living by recording to promote, then going out and working for their check. It's not putting them on the mega star level or anything but then not many in the 'mainstream' are getting paid like that either.. for every Beyonce there are dozens and dozens of signed acts struggling. More and more wise up every day to the fact the old model only benefits the very few at the top.. it's a lot like the rest of this country's economy when you think about it.