Apparently Kanye West is not taking his own advice and brushing off his recent VMA loss. Though his new single "Stronger" boasts- "now th-th-that that don't kill me, Can only make me stronger," another year of loss, and his absence from the main stage sent him into such a rage that he has cut all ties and is "banning himself" from the highly popular music channel.
Kanye's highly anticipated record, "Graduation" dropped today, as everyone seems to know- the same day as 50 cent's junior album "Curtis". The two rappers have gotten an influx of press lately after 50 cent threatened that if Kanye's album sold more copies than his- he would quit his "solo career." Trying to understand what all the drama was about, I purchased Kanye's album, rushing past the 50 cent CD clearly in the distance. Rap is definitely not my forte, but the hype surrounding the record made it worthwhile to drudge out in the pouring rain to best buy so I could grab my own copy off the shelf.
I have to admit- I feel bad for 50 cent. He's not the first musician to make outlandish statements, and probably sticking his own foot in his mouth. I mean if Sufjan Stevens can make such a claim as to make an album for every 50 states, and then just brush it off and act as if its okay he isn't, I think it's going to be okay when 50 cent does not retire. I mean seriously, that has to be a lot of pressure to make one statement that could define your career forever.
The whole 50 cent/ Kanye West showdown is in my opinion- just another way for each of them to make more money, and promote the aggression and friction in rap. There was a time, I think, in the rap industry, when music wasn't about expensive cars, "bitches", and booze- but that’s definitely in the distant past. I do think Kanye tries to, in some respects; take the glamour out of his rapping. I mean, his single about the diamond trade in Africa definitely wasn't something I think every rapper would attempt.
Though mainstream rap, is definitely not my prerogative- Kanye's new record seems pretty interesting. Personally, I hope that once this week ends and the numbers for sales are out that Kenny Chesney's "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" comes out of left field and beats both 50 and West's records. Now that would be something worth talking about!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
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