By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
The streets have spoken.
The verdict is in.
Kanye West has outsold 50 Cent in first week sales of their respective new albums, which were both released Sept. 11.
The hip-pop music wunderkind – who tends to address social and political ills through his music and his media outburst bested the chiseled-chest, gritty thug rap icon – who fashions most of his music with tales of gunplay, foreplay and braggadocio -- by over 250,000 units.
According to preliminary Nielsen Soundscan figures, West's third opus 'Graduation' sold 957,000 copies, while 50 Cent's third set 'Curtis' racked up 691,000 in sales.
During the promotion of a much buzzed about "rap war," 50 Cent (legally known as Curtis Jackson) took the media induced frenzy up a notch by declaring if West outsold him, he would retire. (The Interscope Records chart-topper later amended the stake saying he would record in a limited capacity.)
West, a multiple Grammy Award winning Def Jam rapper, on the other hand, reduced the rivalry for what it truly was: a marketing ploy.
And apparently it worked in his favor.
But what does this mean for 50 Cent, who – via a whirlwind affair with actress Vivica A. Fox and some choice acting projects – have further seeped into the mainstream consciousness?
Has he strayed from his hardcore rap fan base?
If you have him tell it, the books were cooked.
In an interview with UK music magazine Uncut, the brazen rap star said: "He's never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has. They could have only one scan and have it count four times. West's entire career hasn't sold half what I sold on my first album."
"To be a champion, you've got to take out a champion," West declared last night upon learning about the news during a star-studded bash in London, where he was the featured performer at GQ magazine's 50th anniversary party.
Well alrighty then.
Comments: (129)
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By: Themthereeyez on 9/19/2007 10:30AM
I'm not the biggest Kanye fan because I get sick of him crying and whining all the time, but good for him. He is talented ... now let's hope 50 makes good on his promise and carries his black ass back to the hood where it belongs.
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By: Q on 9/19/2007 10:32AM
I wonder if all the people who bought those cd's made the same effort to read a good book, or are keeping abreast with current affairs....you know...things that REALLY matter.
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By: Andrea on 9/19/2007 10:38AM
Hey, all I can say is they makin, money. Ain't my albums. So dah, I don't care cause I ain't buyin' neither one of their albums. I did rake out some cash for 50's Get Rich or Die Tryin' when that came out. It was a pretty good album.
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By: Sherette on 9/19/2007 11:01AM
I have to admit, i never buy cd's! Only if it is a quality artist and that ain't much! The music industry is full of fluff! Anyway, my point is I would rather support Kanye as oppse to 50 because 50 makes the SAM MUSIC OVER AND OVER AND I AM SOOOOO TIRED OFF IT! Atleast Kanye takes chances and I am glad he sold more than 50...maybe now we will be rid of this repeated junk 50 seems to keep re releasing over and over and over!
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By: Angela on 9/19/2007 11:22AM
I agree with Q(#2).
They are both great artist in their own right. Why should it be about who is better. There are enough folks listening to rap/hiphop for everyone to eat. Stop letting music politics run the show. When others took over OUR music, it became THEIR verison of our music.
Have you heard some of these stupid lyrics on the songs lately? They are programming our children to be stupid. That's why I dont allow mine to hear it. What happened to the messages????
There are more important things going on like the JENA 6. Did you know that they hung more nooses at a college in MD.
Man --- GROW UP!!
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By: t-nicole on 9/19/2007 12:02PM
you know what im not the biggest kanye fan either but this c.d has some good tracks,ans i bet 50 is in hidindg like b.spears fot being on almost every late night show and music show frontin like he's the best rapper out there-serves him right in jay-z's words"numers talk"case closed...
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By: stocks up on 9/19/2007 12:17PM
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By: Char on 9/20/2007 7:41AM
How about this I don't care about either of them. What they should be doing is going down to Jena and Marching with the people. They should also pay for the legal defense of the boys there. They should help that woman in West Virginia who was rape while being called a nigger. Black folks or I should say Niggaz need to keep there priorities straight.
FREE THE JENA SIX
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By: Natalia on 9/19/2007 2:43PM
Great marketing strategy. My personal favorite hands down Is KANYE WEST!!
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By: markeese Jones on 9/19/2007 5:09PM
I still say 50cent should of sold more albums than Kayne West because all Kayne do is whine like a lil simp. 50cent can get my vote any time, but Kayne can never get my vote because for one he acts like a lil simp, two he always expect to be on top, and three he's weak rapper to me only so I like that he made is "Wait til I Get Money Right" other tham that he's weak. He needs to step his game up. 50 I'm with u, and whoever didn't vote for 50 yih some simps to 50 should of sold more copies then Kayne West, thats alright Kayne still a lil crybaby, he still act like he's wet behind the ears. Grow up and stop whining punk!
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