His music has took a twist, but I kinda like it. R.E.D. is sort of mixed, with some deep songs like 'California Dream', but also those tracks like 'Martians vs Goblins'.
Having said that, his LAX days, and his California Republic mixtape were when he was in his prime.
You're right, he needs to get back to his roots.
Tupac did the same thing tho,
Started out as a poet (literally he has written poetry books before he blew up!)
Went with Digital Underground (with there different style)
Then went to his positive raps (dear mama, changes, etc etc)
When he blew up off that shit he went to the "im a gangsta" music
i liked some of his gangsta shit but alot of it was garbage =/
he is another that lost his roots =(