I aint never heard of al howard, but that doesnt mean he isnt talented,Certain kinds of hip hop are a niche market,( I was just clownin on the replies ..kinda). Take canibus for example as far as a lyricist he is at the top(in my opinion).But even the labels cant put him on a bigger level, that doesnt mean there isnt a market, but with todays rap consumers its not a one size fits all, you cant try and sell meat to vegetarians, and this board(for the most part) is more street orientated.I was working with a guy who was in the killafornia group with chiil, eiht, tray dee, and producers who went on to do bigger things.Well this guy also had a deal on the table with mc ren and another partner.(his problem is he cant see it as a business (doesnt want to rap about this and that) he battled chino xl even. he can make songs so deep and multiple rhmes in each bar deep vocab, but I cant fuck wit him cause he is to set in his ways and , I would hAVe a harder time making any money.I respect him for staying true to "hip hop" but I feel you should get a foot in the door then throw in some of what you like, business is like a relationship- you gotta be willing to compromise at some point to be sucessful( for the most part.