As another black male who has always had a sense of style and individuality... I don't believe the problem is execution but timing.

If every R&B/Rap star had started their career as Bowie/Prince/Little Richard etc, it would be a completely different conversation. Joc, the ever-so-irrelevant August Alsina, Miguel and many others were not considered innovative and "straight-forward" upon arrival. Now it comes across as contrived and predictable.

Stick to what you know.