Thereās levels to it for sure. Ced Gee from Ultramagnetic MCs has some very interesting info about Sony and the situations that ultimately lead to the rise of Biggie Smalls etc. all. On the flip side, Iāve also been to talks with the exec from Sony who made an absolute shit tonne of money buying up rap labels in that era.
Long and short is some people became extremely wealthy and some talented kids end up dead.
Currently the most amplified voices are some of the lesser talented ones. Probably itās always been so.
Iām not going to chat anyoneās business that isnāt in the public domain but thereās some first hand accounts Iāve heard that are very interesting.
Iāve huge respect for those leaving that world and doing things on their own terms. They may not have the same bank balance but they define entire genres of music.
Interesting times ahead as the industry no longer requires the front person to sell product (bands and session musicians mostly been cut out already).