I just want to mention real quick, I also got some flack back in early HS (2002-04) about JJFP being my favorite hip-hop group. The flack ceased when Lost & Found dropped and "Switch" literally blew up iTunes and the radio. I realized during that time most "kids" don't know about the history of rap and all the greats artists, albums, songs...etc. Dialogue exchanged between a bunch of 15 year olds really doesn't have the background knowledge and ultimately is rather stupid. I was in HS when 50 Cent, Fat Joe, Jay-Z (Although I'm a huge Jay fan) were all blowing up, so this was really all of the "rap" people were familiar with. I'm unfortunately part of a generation that thinks 2pac and Biggie were the first rappers and greatest rappers of all-time. Very narrow-minded and not willing to even listen to older music without dismissing it.
Man I used to sit online and just discover music. My method of exploring hip-hop or music in general (pre-YouTube) was going on Wikipedia or Rockonthenet.com , reading the history and going to Amazon.com and listening to samples. Once 2005 ushered in the YouTube era, discovering music just becomes so much easier.
It's funny all these years later, I don't get any flack and people respect Will as a rapper. It just doesn't help when he hasn't released anything in 9 years....! lol