Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
50 Cent Vs. Kanye West: And the Winner is...
The numbers are in. My very unscientific hypothesis from last week was correct. Kanye West crushed 50 Cent in the battle of hip-hop heavyweights.
According to Nielsen's SoundScan, Kanye's Graduation sold 957,000 copies, the biggest first week total of 2007. 50 Cent's Curtis on the other hand only sold 691,000 copies.
While 50's nearly 700,000 copies sold is the second biggest total for week one sales, it is still a considerable drop-off from his two previous albums (50's last album The Massacre sold 1.1 million while 872,000 copies of Get Rich or Die Tryin' were bought in its first week).
Don't count on 50 Cent making good on his promise to retire if Kanye outsold him. Last week on the Howard Stern Show, Curtis admitted that the statement was made to help "hype the situation". The rapper turned beverage tycoon went on to say he isn't walking away from the mic anytime soon. Those who bought Graduation just to see 50's career 86ed might feel cheated. But they shouldn't. Kanye's album is good, very good.
And of course, he isn't afraid to say that.
Kanye told AP at last night's GQ 50th anniversary party:
"I think my music is really inspirational and I really made it for the people. I really understood that in this Internet age people are their own superstars ... the best bet that we had was to make a soundtrack to their own lives."
Sponsored message
Previously, Linkin Park's Minutes to Midnight held the top spot for 2007, with 623,000 albums sold in the first week. Guess that marketing scheme worked, and Universal Music Group is laughing straight to the bank.
AP Photo by John Smock
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
