Friday, July 20, 2007

50 Cent & Kanye West: Dropping on 9/11

One raps about getting money, the other one raps about wanting to get his money right. They both can claim to be among the most popular rappers in the world, but who is going to sell more copies of his new album in its first week? That's what everybody wants to know.

On Thursday (July 19), sources confirmed that Kanye West's Graduation LP has now shifted from September 18 to September 11. You might remember that, not too long ago, Interscope Records pushed 50 Cent's album Curtis back one week from September 4 to September 11 (see "50 Cent's Curtis Is Bumped Again — Album Now Slated For September 11 Release"). Let the games begin.

One thing is for sure: It's going to be fun watching and listening to the two jockeying for position. Both are notorious for making controversial remarks to generate interest with the fans and media alike — and that's not to mention the hits they both have under their sleeves for their respective albums.

50 has released a slew of videos, but his latest, "I Get Money," has gotten perhaps the best reception so far. Oddly enough, Kanye said at Hot 97 in New York on Wednesday that 50's record is in fact his favorite song right now. He even did a freestyle over the instrumental.

On Thursday night, 50 told Funkmaster Flex on Hot 97 that he would embrace the competition.

"I hope they see and understand what's getting ready to happen," he said. "I'm coming September 11. If Kanye comes that day, he comes that day. That'll be great. I think his people are smart, I think he's smart too ... I think they'll move [their release date]. But I'm coming September 11."

50 also said that he's recorded eight new songs for Curtis since the album's original June 26 release date was postponed.

"I didn't like the response I was getting," he explained to Flex about the reception to his first two singles, "Amusement Park" and "Straight to the Bank." "I was like, 'Whoa.' Flat out, I put the music out, I'm getting the response, but it ain't what I'm used to. That ain't me. You ain't responding how you are supposed to respond to my records. I'm like wait a minute, I gotta regroup ... I'm at a point where they want to tell me no, so I give you something undeniable ['I Get Money']."

West is 2-for-2 in his own right, in terms of singles from his Graduation (see "Kanye West Says He's 'Ready To Take Over The World Once Again' "). "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Stronger" have been positively received, while a third single, "The Good Life" (featuring T-Pain), is on the way. A video for the song is already in the can.

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(image courtesy of yours truly)