I can agree with more than a few replies on here, no doubt.
My opinion would be, yes the "mainstream" is watered down, no talent yada, yada, yada, BUT! That should be a clear sign that "keeping it real" rappers are trying too hard. It's become crystal clear for quite a few years that the majority of "real fans / consumers / world" is not interested in listening to your hardcore / real stories told on wax. Yes, we can call it corporate America, blame it on the budgets, labels, artist etc etc.. but most people are stuck in the 90's where "keeping it real & not selling out" was a term most lived by.
Welcome to the new millennium. It's a new era and people are on a different vibe. Even on how underground artist are pushing their music now a days is on a whole other level oppose to 5 years ago. Everything changes and sometimes we fail to step outside the box and realize our time / generation has had it's run. It's a new day and a new generation. Even rap changed in the early 90's (Death Row Era) and the world accepted it, but soon realized that business and "keeping it real / gangsta" don't mix (and will never mix). Perhaps that, amongst artist getting locked up after getting major record deals, smoking weed & flashing guns on camera is the reason "Corporate America / major labels" won't dish out money and accept your music to be on the airwaves. Because they been there, made good money and done that, but noticed "thugged out artist" are not in this music business for the long haul. The key is to keep making money, not throw it all away once you reach a few mill.
Having "fake" artist? Hey! The way "Corporate America / majors" might see it is, we can all make money cause those artist are indeed what they seek.. business people that know how to draw in the crowd and make money. Yet, stay focused.
At the end of it all folks, it's dollar signs and those that can keep bringing it in.