That's not the point though. The point is guardian readers (its a reductive archetype ok all caveats) transplant indie values of authenticity onto their musical consumption, although as Luke writely notes liberals of colour do this as well. At the end of the day these people aren't your mates, yet so much of this middle class criticism unhinges on these artists not being quote problematic unquote. This, I believe, was what
@blissblogger was railing against in the 80s when he was criticising music journalism as being a form of surrogate literature. I want to relate to different experiences, sure, but not to take people up as phantom role models to justify my own cosmopolitan liberalism, or whatever. I like a lot of nerdy shit, I like Kool Keith, Billy Woods, Elusid etc. But it's about liking them on the terms of hip hop. I also like Bandgang, Sata Baby, E-40, Missy, and yes, Lil John. For me there isn't a contradiction there because I try my best to treat rap as a social dialogue.
And bog off with the Migos thing, that's about 7 years out of date now lmao.