cRap music’s biggest story this week on the internets was the proposed rescheduling of KANYE WEST’s third studio album tentatively titled ‘Graduation’. Instead of pushing the album backwards due to productions delays (read: no buzz) it was reported that the album would be delivered to retail outlets several weeks forward. The date also coincides with the scheduled release of the latest 50 Cent project, aptly named ‘Curtis’. The date falls on the second Tuesday in September. This year that would be September 11th.
Think of the history that date has for Hip-Hop from Public Enemy’s ‘911 Is A Joke’ to Jay-Z’s release of the ‘Blueprint’ on the same day that terrorists attacked New York City. The Twin Towers were like a beacon for me when I was driving north on I-95. They let me know I was almost home. They also represented the height of commerce. When FISTY say that he put quarter water in a bottle and sold it for two bucks he wasn’t lying. There’s is prah’lee some place on the internets where people are discussing the mystic ramifications of releasing these records on that fateful day. Then again, prahlee not. One thing is for sure, ‘Clash Of The Titans’ is a teh ghey film classic, and so is this battle.
Let’s look at a tale of the tape and see if we can predict the winner of this mega-star matchup…
FISTY SCENT is a record selling monster and he represents himself mostly as the MIKE TYSON of rap music. Ornery and unpredictable. The public persona that always wears the du-rag, even when conducting an orchestra, is so popular in the red states you would think it’s the sequel to ‘Birth Of A Nation’. What else would you expect for a guy that has sold a billion million records? KANYE, not so much. KANYE WEST though, has skills on the microphone. In a few years he has upgraded his flow from pedestrian to McClaren S55. That’s like going from Polo bear sweaters to R.L. Purple Label suede car coats.
KANYE has transformed himself into a compelling artist. FISTY appears headed in the reverse direction. Until he saved his ‘Curtis’ album with the summer street anthem ‘I Get Money’, FISTY SCENT was scrambling from the effects of the unfavored early singles. I liked the ‘Amusement Park’ video, but ultimately it was too formulaic and therefore it couldn’t push the single. Meanwhile, KANGHEY has been killing shit on the internets and the television. The ‘Stronger’ video is the joint and ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’ is another winner.
I never forget the time I went to see Def Poetry Jam at the Supper Club and MOS DEF introduced KANGAYE as the savior of Hip-Hop music. I thought MOS was shooting hyperbole like a basketball and he was giving this dude props like MAGIC JOHNSON *pause*. Here I am six years later looking through that past prism and seeing what he meant. There is a balance that Hip-Hop must employ to be it’s best. It has to match it’s own desire for conspicuous consumption with a conscious consideration for all the people that don’t have the means. It has to have a witty ignorance. More than anything else, Hip-Hop has to make you inspired to dream about a better life.
I give this matchup to YE TUDDA because he makes the freshest music, and because these ‘College Dropout’ Air Max 180’s are fucking chuuuurch!
Kanye actually wins this battle because regardless of record sales Curtis had to reach out to Kanye for his newest album. This already wafts the stinky cologne that is called “Desparation” in the air. Boo-Boo Jackson (aka “Urban Action Coon”) often prided himself on all of the in-house production of all Minstrel Unit projects, however for this album coming out he did the ultimate move of a desparate pop-star and went for the all-star line up of producers and guests… Including KANYE who I believed incurred the ire and wrath of Boo-Boo for being a little “ghey” and too “happy”. Last I checked Mr. West never appeared on a mag cover wearing Bedazzled Body Armor. I guess Anthony Yayo has found his creative outlet with rhinestones since his album flopped…
Overall Kanye’s the better artists. F*cked up part is that the masses will gravitate to what they already know….50’s gangsterism and Coonery. The decline will have him somwhere at 3 million – 4 million this time around depending on how close his leak date it to actual release…..But the true Hip Hop heads know what it is
I remember seeing that def poetry jam with “we so self-conscience” rhyme which in turn ended up being the first verse in all falls down. I like Kanye but I do remember the time when 50 would drop mixtapes with remixes of the original song and his version was hotter than anal lube *pause*. I like how you do that right thurr, they call me the new york city mayurrr(c) 50 cent on his dean…1 and DP what can I do for you to let me hold those 180’s …..air max 180’s = goat of air maxes
kanye may be a better artist, but 50 will sell more period. I wouldnt be surprised if Hov stepped in a pushed it back. 50s not gonna allow himself to do shitty on the charts he has too much to prove to himself, and he talks too much shit so he works day and nite to back it up. plus i didnt pick kanye on my cRappers Roster, if he does better, ill have to go kill myself.
This right here just inspired me to do something that I wanted to do for weeks now but I didn’t think I had time.
But I’m gonna do it even if its just one post a week.
I wonder if other bloggers are speaking to this very interesting situation? Lets see…
@ Redd
I do not agree. Kayne has been selling consistently while 50 is more consistent at a lower selling rate (both are still high but kayne is better)
And yeah Young Hov be working behind the scenes not saying a word. I think we looking at the new beginning of Hip Hop IF things go right.
@ I Fux
50 Cent was real good like 2 albums ago but he got soft in rhyme. He cam back hard with I Get Money but the question is why wasn’t he doing that all the time?
LOL @ “Bedazzled Body Armor”
Don’t forget about the GQ magazine cover. 50 had on a button-up with the sleeves cut off. He was also striking the gayest pose ever.
Both of their first albums were their best albums.
It’s like before 50 signed with aftermath, his buzz in the streets was crazy. And he was killing the mixtapes.
Same with Kanye. The buzz he had before College dropout came out was crazy. And Through the Wire was the shit. He also had mad features during that time.
Long story short. Kanye wins easily as far as being the better artist. However, 50 will prahlee win the #1 spot on the charts.
Considering how lyricism doesn’t matter to the average hip hop fan nowadays.
Yo Dallas, the dude over at nahright is biting your style.
Posting pics of dunks and air maxxs. Errbody round here know you started that shit. But He got the back to school dunks up on his site before you did.
man long time to say graduation>curtis
summer of chi-town
^ Fatboy,
Them back to school Dunks is fireworks. Nah’Right has more exclusive sneaker connects than DP Dot Com, but I don’t do drops about kicks that I don’t own. Get that crack from Nah’Right and then come thru here and get that crack mixed with the LSD.
I have to say that I’m looking forward to Kanye West’s “Graduation” LP and I don’t give a damn about 50 Cent’s upcoming shit sub (with toasted bread and mayo) “Curtis”. Aside from that a face off against 50 and Kanyeezey would be slightly gayer than 6 dudes blowing 9 dudes. Just put out the LP’s and shut the fuck up, y’all. Ain’t nobody interested in seeing General Urko and The Conceited Bastard talk greasy to each other for another month and a half.
I heard that interview Flex did with 50 a while back..I’m just curious as to how Flex could talk while 50’s cock and balls were in his mouth? One
“I’m just curious as to how Flex could talk while 50’s cock and balls were in his mouth?”
Are you kidding me?!? Flex has mastered that sideways talking shit.
the_dallas Says:
July 21st, 2007 at 5:28 pm
“I’m just curious as to how Flex could talk while 50’s cock and balls were in his mouth?”
Are you kidding me?!? Flex has mastered that sideways talking shit.
True! © Spandau Ballet
One.
They both reach out to diffrent types of audiences so they both should do some great numbers. I sense album leaks a week prior to the release dates, but who knows. Definitely Kanye’s album will be better as far as quality, but 50’s singles arent that bad in my opinion
I look foward to that Lupe ‘The Cool’ album
Sean Price – Master P mixtape is whats hot (no homo)