when i read what is being comapred to jay-z above i feel like i am back in 1996, wearing a backpack, and Payday is the hottest 'underground' label...how bout problemz, sir menelik, and RA the rugged man? and all the other shit that went no where on rawkus in 1997...
in the words of ODB's second LP...nigga please.
the wu shit you mention is timeless...fine...
please progress and reconize what jay-z has done beyond this 1996 backpacker shit you rate and why what he has put out will out live all this 'real hip hop' shit you rate...not to say the backpacker stuff isn't valuble in its time, but so is jay...
Holla back if you need more info...keep it real yo...