50 Cent Versus Kanye

By Nate Adams
Collegian Editor
September 19, 2007

Two of hip-hop’s most vital and visual artists, Kanye West and 50 Cent, came together on Sept. 11 in opposition of each other, both looking to claim the title of The Best. Two impossible monoliths, whose personas are so grand that they cast a shadow over the rest of the hip-hop world, released albums on the same day to see who can sell more records. At stake are bragging rights, careers and perhaps even the hopes of a failing music industry-all will be affected when the final numbers are counted.

For those not up to speed on the situation, here is the Cliff Notes version of what’s been happening the last few weeks. West completed his long -awaited third album, Graduation, in the spring of 2007. The album was set to be released Sept 18, but the date got pushed up a week to the 11th, the same day that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was scheduled to release his third album, Curtis. 50 took the move personally and responded to West’s move by claiming that he would quit releasing solo albums if Graduation outsold Curtis in its first week. 50’s boast led to a media frenzy leading up to the 11th, and brought hip-hop to the forefront of everyone’s mind.

Regardless of whether this is a genuine feud or just a well-orchestrated publicity stunt, the competition between the two musical titans is good for the record industry, which has seen shrinking sales since the turn of the century.

Still, who will come out on top? Will West’s backpacking mentality and ’70s production prevail over 50 Cent’s crime dramas and club bangers? According to last reports from hitsdailydouble.com, West is on top right now by about 150,000 records. However, if history is any indication, 50 Cent will probably win the day financially while West will prevail creatively. 50 Cent’s last two albums Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and The Massacre have both outsold West’s The College Dropout and Late Registration. While 50 may have a bigger bank account, it’s West who has had more acclaim, getting top honors from critics year after year for his innovative use of sampling and his dual struggle between celebrity and honesty.

While critical acclaim doesn’t always translate into record sales, what’s really interesting about this feud is the context of the people involved in it. 50 Cent has successfully marketed himself better than most people dare dream. Between his music, record label, book deal, appearances in film and the 50 Cent video game, Curtis Jackson has a stranglehold on media. After his recent windfall from an endorsement deal with Vitamin Water, he could retire from music and still make money hand over fist for the next 50 years. Not bad for a guy who got shot in the face nine times.

West is just as focused as 50 Cent, but while 50 is focused on making money off his name, West’s focus is gaining respect. Since his work as a producer for Jay-Z in early 2001, West has strived to push himself forward creatively. He moved from sampling ’70s soul to reworking rock, blues, jazz and techno songs and plugging them into mainstream hip-hop with the creative touch of a subtle genius. His lyrics, a long-time weak point in his records, are improving with every album and threaten to match his production. Long a legend in his own mind, West will not stop, it seems, until the rest of the world agrees with him.

That might perhaps be the most interesting thing about this contest; while both men appear to be on complete opposite ends of the hip-hop spectrum, they both want to be seen as number one. Their ambition, while focused on different ends, is just a means to prove to themselves and the world that they are without rival.

And so, like God and the Devil playing chess for souls, Kanye and 50 wait for the numbers to be released and the winner to be decided. Without question this has captured the fickle attention of the country, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into record sales. It doesn’t matter who comes out on top in the end. West will still strive for respect, 50 will still reach for the sky, and the people will wait for the next publicity stunt. That being said, it is always a treat to watch two competitors at the top of their games go head to head against one another.

With the potential to be the musical equivalent of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, one hopes that this isn’t the last time 50 Cent and Kanye West cross paths, publicity stunt or otherwise.

adamsn1@lasalle.edu