Ain't no money in this rap shit for cats who put out albums that don't cater to the fans...simple as that. Master P wasn't selling units when rap music was still movin' HARD! Matter of fact, Master P stopped moving major numbers before 50 Cent blew up...and 50 goes platinum. Don't tell me Master P is independent either, dude's been a "Major" since Ghetto D dropped...but then fell back 'cause he wasn't changing his formula.
Rap is in a state of constant change right now..when artists figure it out, the music will sell again. Thing about indie artists in the Bay, is they cater to the Bay. Ok ok, so some hyphy shit was on the radio and video stations...and the albums still didn't move. Is it because rap is not selling? No, it's because the fans across the country and beyond aren't diggin' it. All the other rappers in different regions eat off their art.