some people still think its all about who's popular and who's not. But at the end of the day, music speaks for itself, if a song is really really really hot, catchy and fresh, it can become a hit easily. Whatever the artist is, imo.
I see plenty of hits today, and many of them are from people I NEVER heard about. either pop artists, dance, pop/rock... whatever. But I always hear the song on the radio and say: ok, I know why is a hit. its THAT catchy or sounds cool.
And this is where many many people fail in USA, at least in the urban market, in my honest opinion. The music is not IT. and sales speak for itself. Many artists just release whatever they get from this or that producer. There isnt a smart choise single wise, and then the same story happens, a flop, poor numbers... album push back or poor 1st single.
And this is not about just one specific artist, this happens A LOT. So.... artists have to step their game up, musically.