Kanye vs. 50
The day Hip-Hop fans have been waiting for is finally here — new albums from Kanye West and 50 Cent are officially going head-to-head. We’ve heard tracks from both albums over the past few weeks, but which one is the best? We break both of them down for you right here…
GRADUATION
Kanye’s “Graduation”Today, Kanye West’s 3rd solo LP, Graduation, drops worldwide, and no doubt everyone will be stacking it against 50 Cent’s “Curtis.”
You’ve almost certainly heard Kanye’s first two singles already, “Stronger” and “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” - both of which have been all over the radio for weeks. Both tracks are hot and are solid indicators of the quality of the rest of the album.
Another standout track is “Big Brother,” a tribute to his boss/mentor Jay-Z. On this one, ‘Ye display the ups and downs in the relationship and credits Jay for inspiring him and keeping his competitive spirit alive. A humble Kanye? Who knew? He shows his gratitude to Jay as he raps: If you admire somebody you should go ahead tell ‘em / People never get the flowers while they could still smell ‘em / A idol in my eyes, God of the game/ Heart of the city, Roc-a-fella chain / Never be the same, never be another / #1 Young Hov also my big brother.
Kanye also hits us with his usual expected dose of unabashed cockiness, as shown in “Champion”: You don’t see just how wild the crowd is / You don’t see just how fly my style is / I don’t see why I need a stylist, when I shop so much I could speak Italian.
And on one of my favorite songs on the album, “Flashing Lights,” Kanye shows his way with the ladies with lines like, “I’m just saying, hey Mona Lisa / Come home you know you can’t Rome without Ceaser.”
Overall, Kanye found a way to step up every aspect of his game with Graduation. Aside from his on-point rapping, the album also features a combination of sick samples, hot beats and features from Lil’ Wayne, T-Pain and Mos Def. Kanye raises the bar and sets a new standard for musical excellence. He displays his musical genius and clever wordplay in a way everyone can appreciate and he earns himself a strong A- with this one.
CURTIS
50’s “Curtis”In today’s music industry there aren’t too many names bigger than 50 Cent. Anybody who’s familiar with 50 knows he does it big every time out, and with his new LP, Curtis, Hip-Hop’s cash cow is back at it again with his 3rd release on Shady/ Aftermath/ Interscope Records. Curtis is a very complete and consistent album, definitely a “safe” buy for any Hip-Hop fan.
First of all, I’d like to point out that the beats on Curtis are bananas. Not only does the album flaunt the contagious club hit “I Get Money,” but it also has a nice blend of music for whatever mood you’re in. Curtis includes features from such artists like Akon, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, G-Unit members Tony Yayo and Young Buck, and Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. The album will supply us with hit after hit over the coming months, with songs like the soon-to-be club banger “Fire,” which has all the necessary ingredients to get you in the mood to party - namely the southern swag of Young Buck and the magnetic voice of Scherzinger.
My Curtis favorites (aside from “I Get Money” consist of “Follow My Lead,” which features smooth R&B newcomer Robin Thicke, “Straight to the Bank” featuring Tony Yayo, and “Peep Show” featuring Eminem, who also produced the track.
Aside from his unorthodox style and catchy hooks, 50 also has killer production on his new project. Eminem, Dr. Dre, Havoc, Timbaland, DJ Khalil and Tye Fyffe all put in work to keep your head bouncing from side to side.
As far as creativity goes, “Curtis” is definitely a step ahead of The Massacre, but isn’t quite as solid as the classic Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
In a school grading system, Curtis would earn a B-. Nevertheless, as long as you’re not expecting too much, the album is a solid add to your CD collection.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Mike says:
Kanye might have the better record but Fif will definitely trump him on sales.
Its like people buy 50 cent albums not because the music is good but cause he’s 50.
Kinda like how people still peep Nets games cause of Vince.. we know he’s not going to bring it all the time but its still Vince, so we gotta take a look.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Captain America says:
I got no dog in this fight.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Bobby B says:
Am I the only person sick of 50 aka Mr. Mumbles aka 50 Cents (as Mary J called him at the VMAs)? The rap game has been weak for quite a while now. Thankfully, Kanye’s album is kinda hot. But, you gotta listen to it a few times to truly appreciate it.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
adnan says:
the way it should be is ultimate victory> graduation>>curtis
September 11th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
nick says:
ye will win the sales just because he is more likeable by all.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Kudabeen says:
Kanye lyricism seems to be very underrated, because people feel strange quoting him. With Jay-Z, 50, Nas, Big, Pac, Snoop, Luda, T.I, and even Lil Wayne you know where they are coming from. It’s simple and plain. Then you have my personal favorites, Kweli, Common, Mos whose references people just don’t get all the time, so they don’t get quoted and won’t be followed by Pop fans. Then Kanye, He has a very clever flow that I can’t trace to any other MC. People really aren’t sure of his background, why is the way he is despite his repeated explanations. He is by all accounts “just a different dude”, which you either appreciate or feel uncomfortable with.
My opinion: His rhyme scheme is ridiculous when he is on. Case and point: Track 8 In the Mood on Kweli’s new album Eardurm (produced by Plain Pat) is sick. I would place lyrics, but if you love Hip-Hop you heard it or will make sure you do.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
smity says:
who wins in a one on one game? i’m almost giggling just picturing both of them shooting and dribbling like some of the most unorthodox and weak people i’ve had the fortune of playing against in my life. you all have played with and against them too…the ones who shouldnt have even bothered picking up a basketball..50 or Kanye to 12 by ones?
September 11th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Kyle aka "The Air Down There" says:
Kanye kills it on the Good Life and Big Brother joints. I think Kanye’s album is better but Curtis isn’t bad either. I hope they both sell really good.
Kenny Chesney (Country singer) is going to beat them both. That man sells records and his album drops today too.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
buckets says:
kanyes album for sure..50 fell off like right b4 the massacre..he had a couple hot tracks for the time on ther.then after that i haven’t really listened to anything hes dropped since.
‘the glory’ and ‘everything i am’ are 2 of the hottest tracks on kanyes album..he shouts out dwayne wayne,dwyane wade,gnarls barkley and charles barkley all in the same verse..sick man
September 11th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Bron42 says:
50 is completely overrated and weak lyricist.All his songs get hyped because of the beats and hes not even the one who makes them. Hes a average rapper with a strong production crew. I mean almost every hit hes had eminem or someone else has produced. you could listen to a instrumental and get just as much out of it. Not to mention he ripped ja rule (who i hate) for bein too mainstreem and then did the exact same stuff.
That aside…kanye is annoyin as shit but is stuff is catchy. and even if he don’t sell hes gased up enough to go out and buy all his own albums and listen to them all at once.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:18 am
E-ROC says:
I like Kanye, but his cockiness is getting annoying. I know everybody has it, but that doesn’t mean you flaunt everytime you get chance. I mean, damn, can’t u be humble? With that said, his album is probably tight. He does have some really good lyrical skills, but I would like for him to speed it up a little.
50 is consistent with the content that he puts out in every album. 50 is hip pop. Is that a bad thing?! No, not when you’re albums sell at least 5 million copies. I’ll probably buy it because I know what I’m getting. He has also been under pressure to produce this 3rd album with the leaked songs and flops of his artists on his label.
Anyway, I think Hip Pop will beat a complete lyrical album. That’s where the rap game is right now. It’s about “This is Why I’m Hot” and “Aye Bay Bay.” LOL, that’s just terribly sad.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:23 am
Vinsanity says:
I used to be a 50 addict, listening to GRODT alomst every single day. Then came the Massacre. No album could have been given a better name. 50 seems to get back to what he used to do, but still far away from the classic. This guy is now making music not for the love of the game, but only for big $$$$ and clubbers. He deserves his 50Cents gimmick…
On the other side, you got Kanye West. Real name, no gimmick, real game, his hip-hop is a clinic. This guy is along with Timbo the best producer around. He doesn’t need to have major featurings on his album (no Justin, No Eminem, No Mary J) to spit it and sell records. This guy is the real shit. I just love the Big brother song.
Just one thing if you’re still confused : one of the best to ever get a mic, if not he best (call him Jay-z, Jigga or Hova), chose to trust him and believe in him.
Conclusion : Fifty is an entertainer. Kanye is a musician.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Celts Fan says:
50 is good, but nothing special lyrically, with SICK beats from Dre. Kanye’s a bit better than 50 lyrically, with beats that are just as sick as Dre’s (and he’s always willing to take chances w/ it, which you definitely have to respect), only he makes the beats himself. Check mate.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Bust Jlaze says:
HOLD UP…this whole 50 vs. Kanye thing had me intrigued…that is, until I saw them both TOGETHER on the cover of Rolling Stone…and THEN together on 106 and Park (not that I watch that mess), and I started thinking…even though they’re repping different record labels, as far as PRODUCTION, aren’t they both technically under the same DISTRIBUTION LABEL? (Universal Records?) Was this “friendly competition” all just drumming up sales for the SAME PEOPLE?! Oh snap. Well, at any rate, I’m feeling Kanye; 50 is played out. One.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Jules says:
This whole ‘competiton’, along with Kanye’s fit at the VMA’s is just a promotional gimmick.
But damn if I didn’t go out and buy Kanye’s album yesterday, just in hopes that Fitty hangs it up for good…
September 12th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Kevin Fisher says:
the article was a good read…Im going wit 50’s cd
September 12th, 2007 at 11:55 am
T-Money says:
Kanye won this battle in my eyes!!! He has the better album. 50’s album sounds to commercial, and doesn’t really have any range. It sounds more like a compilation album than an actual structured project. I think 50 will win the first week sales race, cause of who he is alone. However, in the long run… Kanye might just have the last laugh in total sales, as the Graduation is worlds better than Curtis.
September 12th, 2007 at 11:58 am
bigdre says:
Fiddy’s album is solid. but graduation is hot!!!
September 12th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Mike says:
Nah, 50 will probably win in the long run as well.
Remember when the Massacre had crazy legs on the charts even though it was below-average album?
50 sells to females and he sells outside the U.S. as well.
Even though Kanye’s big here in the States, he don’t have no presence outside of it.
But as far as the quality of the album goes, yeah the Graduation IS better than Curtis.
After one day of listening that is..
September 12th, 2007 at 3:45 pm
J.T. says:
I’m sick and tired of 50.
The only member of G-Unit I can even stand is Youngbuck. The Game burnt him up as far as I’m concerned. Get the mixtapes Ghoust Unit and Stop Snitching Stop Lying. G-U NOT.
I like Kanye West though. I considered buying Kanye’s album just to support 50s retirement.
But really neither of their albums are going to have anything on Papoose’s debute album, comming out sometime in the next month or so. He’s the best rapper alive, whether you want to believe it or not. Just take my word for it, and buy it as soon as you see it on the selves. You’ll thank me.
September 12th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
J DUB says:
im thinkin fitty’s got hip hop in the bag. hes gonna sell more on the urban/gangsta/thug level…
but kanye’s gonna out sell fitty in overall sales he appeals to too many people on too many levels and now hes got japan in the mix ….
September 13th, 2007 at 8:13 am
J.T. says:
Kanye’s winning so far by about 100,000 records.
As far as 50 on the “urban/gangsta” level, I think people are realizing he’s a fake. I mean, he didn’t get shot 9 times, he lied about it. He’s a snitch. I don’t know how people who like gangsta-type rap can still respect him.
September 13th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Miles says:
August & September both have been great months for hip-hop: Common, Talib, Camp-lo and now Kanye. 50 and the like with their uncreative, unprogressive and unoriginal flows are done!
September 13th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Mike says:
Chamillitary mayne!
September 13th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Mike says:
Yeah it looks like Kanye will win the first week sales battle.
And it don’t look like Fif’ll ever catch up because there really isn’t a killer single on the album that can boost up interest in the coming months.
Still, I’ll take Get Rich over any of Ye’s albums any day.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
allen says:
50 Cent is for those who look at the hip-hop culture from the outside looking in. Wishing to be a part of it, or be cool or “in” they listen to 50. I have to agree with a previous poster in saying when you listen to Talib Qweli or Common, you can see how uncommon and how awesome true hip-hop is.
September 16th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
sandy says:
fifty over kanye anyday.
September 19th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
LaRocca says:
It doesn’t really matter! People thought 50 was the next Pac, but he might be the next JaRule!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 am
joeG says:
kanye has the better album and sold more, sorry fidddddy