So both of their new albums drop today. It was set up on purpose by their label so that they could have a showdown and see who would come out on top. They're both very competitive about it. So competitive in fact, that 50 Cent claims that he will quit the rap game if he loses. I smell BS there.

I like some of their music, and I'm eager to hear the new tracks.

So far I've heard one track from each of them. on the 50 side, I've heard "I get money". Great song overall.

From Kanye, I've heard "Stronger". Great song as well (probably a little better than "I get money".

However, I give 50 more props for his song because it's original. The Kanye West song is just Kanye rapping over a slowed down Daft Punk track (harder, better, faster, stronger). What rap really needs right now is originality. The songs tend to be redundant (Sean Paul anyone?), and furthermore, the whole genre is redundant within itself. I've heard so many rap songs based off the same track or beat with consecutive lines and phrases in common it's ridiculous. For instance, I've literally lost count of how many rap songs are based off of the Knight Rider theme.

Anyway, back on point. They're both talented rappers, both popular. On a personal level, I think Kanye is a nut job, but I have a good amount of respect for 50. He seems more down to earth. I think I'd like to see 50 come out on top, but I have a feeling that Kanye will, especially with the success of "Stronger".

What do ya'll think?

I agree on most everything. One thing that I feel will happen is that Kanye's album may sell slightly more because he seems to be more marketable. For some reason, everyone is eating up the sampled remake songs.

I definitely agree that originality is needed in rap. It may get me to listen to more of it again. It's just my opinion as a musician, but I've noticed that the stereotypical American music listener isn't interested in a big change. That's one reason I feel that the remixed / sampled remake songs are overly popular. They're easy to slap together, produce, and get an album out, bringing in more money for the record companies. Now, as many of you know, I listen to literally everything. Some of the most amazing music I've ever heard will never make it big in the States, because it is something different than what's popular today. A new view on the genre could really help rap.

Eh...I'll shut up now. I can go on and on about music.

I agree on most everything. One thing that I feel will happen is that Kanye's album may sell slightly more because he seems to be more marketable. For some reason, everyone is eating up the sampled remake songs.

Because 90% of the audience is so unfamiliar with other types of music that they've never heard the Daft Punk song, for instance.

And PS - fuck me...apparently Fiddy's "I get money" sampled some old Audio Two (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Two)track.

I definitely agree that originality is needed in rap. It may get me to listen to more of it again.

Yeah. That and some different subject matter as well. When I was growing up, rap was pretty positive. Now it's just about how much money they have and how big their rims are.

You have to look for originality in any music genre... Often times its too far out there for most. Good rap artists: Masta Ace, Atmosphere, Talib Kweli , Mos def, Common, Lupe Fiasco and many more... and for the most part their albums are pretty positive. Some tell a story and other give you a catch beat.

I love how people talk as if producing a track is simple, taking another song and producing to please an audience who otherwise might of never heard it.

As I said in the other thread... Kanye appeals to a much broader audience. I hope he wins out b/c I'm def tired of 50.

I do like Lupe Fiasco. So you're definitely right about the good postitive message rap existing. Just need to find a way to get it to be more widely listened to.

When it comes down to the production of the songs, in sampled songs, most of the hard work is already done. The song already exists. Just add a drum machine beat to it, cut out most of the vocals, hack and slash where required, and have a vocalist / rapper / whatever lay some tracks over it. People that do that sort of thing day in and day out can do it with ease. Similar to session musicians. I've spent quite a bit of time in recording studios, meeting the people, learning how it all works. Even some of the studio engineers I've met say that actual bands have a more difficult time producing a song that sells because the song needs written. But, as well all know, these are all opinions. Take them as you wish.

You still need an ear for these things... I've seen people hack and create things that I would nod my head too but it still requires a "lyrical mastermind"

Early Sales Projections Put Kanye Ahead Of 50, Chesney
Kanye West

September 11, 2007, 7:00 PM ET

Ed Christman, N.Y.
It looks like 50 Cent is headed for retirement, if store reports continue to trend the way they were by mid-afternoon today (Sept. 11). 50 Cent had told SOHH.com that he would quit the rap game if his new G-Unit/Interscope album, "Curtis," was outsold by Kanye West's Def Jam set "Graduation," both of which were released today.

Sales data is finalized Sunday at midnight when the Nielsen SoundScan week officially ends, but early indications are that West will be the victor, at least in the first week.

According to executives with three of the major labels, whose job duties include projecting first week scans based on early store sales reports, "Graduation" could come in at the 575,000-700,000 range, while "Curtis" is being projected in the 500,000-600,000 range.

Meanwhile, Kenny Chesney's "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates," also released today, is projected to arrive the 400,000-550,000 range, with one sales projecting guru putting the country star neck and neck with 50 Cent.

A check with one Northeast urban-oriented store selling both the 50 Cent and West albums found the former outselling the latter seven copies to three copies today.


But when asked why there was such a light turnout for the two biggest urban music stars, the store owner admitted selling 144 copies of "Curtis" and 91 copies of "Graduation" over the weekend, "Of course, you realize Sept. 11 wasn't the release date in my store," he said.

Kenny Chesney ftw. lol.. :godance:

I'd laugh my ass off if Chesney won overall...

yee haw.

I live in hick town... It happens.

I'd laugh my ass off if Chesney won overall...
word... i might just have to go buy it myself.

I don't really buy albums anymore, I just get them from friends for free.

I'm downloading them both...

are you paying for them?

no I am not (boo min word requirement)

me (to aco worker who is in his 30s): So whaddya think...Kanye or Fiddy?
him: No idea, I don't follow boxing.

me (to aco worker who is in his 30s): So whaddya think...Kanye or Fiddy?
him: No idea, I don't follow boxing.
buawhahahahahaaa

me (to aco worker who is in his 30s): So whaddya think...Kanye or Fiddy?
him: No idea, I don't follow boxing.

hahahahahah.are you serious.

100%

So what was the outcome of this anyway?

Results come out sunday.

Like Dana said in post #1, If 50 loses he will not quit, as much I was would like to see him be good on his word.

And the same goes for Kanye with never working with MTV again.

:bsflag: