im not gonna go back and forth about singles vs radio b/c thats not important, but lets be clear, i know the difference b/t a song that was crafted explicitly for radio play, and songs that fans gravitate towards that become singles to be played on the radio
now that we got that out the way
the bolded is my biggest issue with your perspective. Music is just such a broad spectrum that you just sum up his career under this broad umbrella
So this is where im going to agree with you for the millionth time.
Lupe is a wordsmith, he is a great lyricist, and he can rap his ass off. As great as he is at those things, no, he cannot craft songs that appeal to a wider audience to the point to where it translates to sales or exposure to folks outside of the people that currently enjoy his music.
I feel he has questionable beat selection that often overshadow what he is trying to say b/c the beat, for better or for worse, its probably the very first thing that catches a listeners ear.
I JUST listened to Humble, and be honest, that song has a beat that just catches you and doesnt let go, but Dot not saying anything thought provoking to the point where you like "damn, he was killing it"...he did the beat justice, and its a good song. But i can listen to both. I can listen to Dot make Humble, where he really not saying shit, then listen to "money trees" where he spitting some real shit.
but i know this is apart of your hip hop persona so im not actually bothered by it