I'm not sure what is going on, but music is not evolving at all. Regardless of how you look at it...Everyone is flowing/singing/producing like the next man, It is true that emulating greatness will allow you the opportunity to understand how "they" do what they do, but there should come a time when you ask yourself..."Why am I constantly making stuff that sounds like TIMBO?" I'm in no way illiminating myself from the list of people who have emulated producers or rappers that we personally respect artistically, but I was able to reach a point where I did branch off to define my own sound, and even though i'm still in search of "MY" sound, I am a whole lot closer than I was 2 years ago. And it feels a hell of a lot better for a rapper to purchase my vision, as opposed to something that has already been done a zillion times....just my thoughts people. lol ::Back to work I go. ;-)