B.B. King and SRV:
This is an example of a phenomena that is played out across this country all the time. I will explain in a moment.
First ask yourself this question: Under what circumstances or scenario do you see B.B. King commenting on SRV?
1. Is he a big fan of SRV? Owns all his records. Praises him at every opportunity?
2. Did he see SRV perform Live, or on TV and then jumped up and called the media to tell them what a great blues player he is?
3. Was he asked by a member of the media, or interviewer, to comment on SRV?
Since you are an Oracle, you already know the answer. For the sake of any mere mortals that may be watching, the answer is #3.
Why would they do that you might ask. Well, it's done all the time, esp if it's an interracial thing.
IOW, The black person at the top of their profession, will be asked to comment on, up and coming, or lesser whites in the same profession.
Also, The white person at the top of their profession will be asked to comment on, up and coming, or lesser blacks in the same profession.
The comments will always be positive and encouraging.
It's a seal of approval type thing. It's a game that's played by the PR folks. If Mingus says you can play, YOU CAN PLAY!! That will be printed a billion times in countless articles.
I have other examples but this is too long.
Cheers