The reason it isn't in the stores is because there is a theory that only younger people are buying CD"s. Which may be closer to the truth. GZA fans are likely to be in their 30's at this point, and tend to not purchase hip hop any longer....as most people from that generation have probably given up on hip hop!!
It's funny, the people I'd like to listen to are classified is "not relevant" like De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Wu Tang, and the likes... it would be nice if hip hop music that was promoted in stores and on radio wasn't aimed towards zombies and people who don't listen to the words, they prefer music with good beats that you can dance to while in a club. It's funny that Hip hop is the only brand of music that doesn't challenge the listener to think any longer. I have my theories on why Elton John can make music forever, and Chuck D is put to sleep... but that's on another Board!!
you may very well be right, in that, does it have a beat I can bump is more important than what are these cats saying...
I really enjoyed Chuck D's solo effort the Diary of Mr. Chuck, and Public Enemy is the group that got me interested in hip hop (thus the 911 in my sn) - groups/artists like Gangstarr, De La, Tribe, Spearhead, Apathy, Celph Titled, Slick Rick, 7L/ES, La Coka Nostra, Immortal Technique, Talib Kweli et will always seem to take a backseat to the guys with loud bass and beats you can move to - some guys have transcended that though, JayZ, Nas, even Biggie and 2Pac, imo... but yeah I will always love love love the real hip hop and I hope it never dies