Is it OK if I don't care which particular retail and marketing sleights of hand LOGIC and VISIONARY/DEF JAM employed to give the rapper his first BILLBOARD #1 album, or KATY PERRY and CAPITOL have in store for her upcoming WITNESS, which will be her third US #1 if all goes according to plan? A sincere thumbs-up to the label, management and publicity teams working these albums and trying to create excitement, buzz and actual numbers in these somewhat difficult times. It's important work, and artists will benefit. And I'll follow the process, while reserving my cares for the actual music, which both artists have repeatedly proved themselves capable of delivering. That's the story for me. The sleights of hand that produce a perfect chord change or an unexpected lyrical twist or an indelible beat. That *is* why we're all here, right?... In related news, COMPLEX asked 10 writers "What Makes a Classic Rap Album?," and while a couple do talk about commercial impact, that's not a metric that matters for most of them. The best answer comes from RUSS BENGSTON, who raises a bunch of questions big (the test of time) and small (are skippable tracks allowed?) before concluding, "Honestly I'm not sure." (And then he crowns YEEZUS, GOOD KID M.A.A.D. CITY and JEFFERY as examples of relatively recent classics.) I have all day for these kinds of debates. Keep them coming please... If you've ever wondered what it's like to tour while awaiting the results of a US SUPREME COURT decision on the name of your band, the SLANTS are here to answer your questions... This one isn't going to make the Supreme Court, inasmuch as it was filed in the UK, but IRON MAIDEN has pulled a certified classic metal classic from its setlist because of a plagiarism suit. Hallowed be thy lawsuit... Love this SHAZAM Alzheimer's campaign.