Def Jam tried to make him something he's not. It hurt his musical output. Mef is one of the best emcees of all time (lyrics, delivery, engaging flow/personality). His discography doesn't reflect his true talent.
Nah,Def Jam did well for him and got the most out of him.
Meth is Meth. He displays more of his personality in interviews than in his albums.
Unless RZA was doing/coordinating the bulk of the beats or he is paired up with Red, he is inconsistent on his solo albums. His best albums were with RZA (Tical) and Red (Blackout!).
It is not just Meth. It is most of the Wu. They lack the ear for what does and what doesn't work for an album. Ghost has the best ear for beats in the Wu, and even his best work was with RZA (Ironman, Supreme, and Bulletproof). Like a lotta talented MC's, dope lyrics/flows and dope albums aren't always one and the same.