1: I envy anyone who knows anyone that knows KMK. lol.

2: If you want to get anywhere in the Rap industry...go BEYOND Tupac. Believe it or not, there are rappers out there that blow him away, lyrically. Listen to NAS. Especially his first album. SPM, Baby Bash, they are ok. Lil rob is decent. But not something I would shoot for.

Probably best to set your goals for a label that you feel to be the easiest route, but I wouldn't always try that. Not all latin artists are limited to Dopehouse. Pit bull isn't. He is pretty much a joke, but still lol. If you strive to make it in the business, then strive to make it to a label that actually sells. Baby Bash didn't get his 3-4 radio hits with Dopehouse, but with Universal and RCA. Like Tech Nine. He is on his own label for the most part, but STILL wants a contract with Universal, RCA, or Def Jam.

As for Paul Wall, he is on Swishahouse/Asylum. Not dopehouse. Another label group that is doing just above average for former underground labels.

Getting back to artists you should listen to, in order to get better lyrically, (because that's what SHOULD sell. Sadly with people like Lil Wayne who rhyme any and every word they can if it makes any sense or not ruined that.)

Lyfe Jennings, NAS, Common, Outkast, B-real(cypres hill), SOME Tech Nine...the rest is just comedy. Tech Nine is GREAT to get the speed down. Makes busta look slow lol. uhh...Del the funky homosapien, KRS-one, Public Enemy...

You want to get good, and get somewhere...meet someone who can take you places in the biz, and avoid sounding like the new main-stream rap. Because it is garbage.