It is a little distracting, but I don't necessarily think it kills the image. I think it would be better if it were shot from a slightly lower angle so that his head completely blocked the sun (giving a nice hair light effect).Think the flare works in the second one?
Regarding the pic in the OP, He looks like a "she"
Sorry, that was my honest first impression.
The others just give an aire of pretentious irritating attitude. Some people like that in the music biz...... Others, not so much. A personal opinion thing for sure.
Most of ya'll prolly don't even listen to hip-hop though, and possibly even look down upon it. lol