Very interesting take. I did not know this guy until the news. Asked my kids, (22-29 yrs old) about him when this originally broke and got varied responses. They got me to realize who he was via his Geico commercial. The youngest did not like the music (even though a hip hop fan) but she said he is popular and a major influencer. My 26 yr old said “his best days are behind him” “none of my friends really listen to him anymore” and my 29 yr old did not have him on the radar as an artist nor an influencer. So even within that 8 year span the response was varied. I did not think of it much at the time, but I wonder if your points may be valid! He obviously has influence as the original story was covered by Rolling Stone and his last promotion of his clothing line overloaded the website.
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