The upcoming chart face-off between Kanye West and 50 Cent, both scheduling their album releases for Sept. 11, is heating up, and it seems as though the industry can’t stop talking about. But more interesting than that is what the artists have got to say.
During a recent interview with Hot 97’s Funkmaster Flex, 50 Cent had assumed that Jay-Z, the current president of Def Jam, would move his Roc-A-Fella signee Kanye’s album Graduation Day so that it would not collide with Curtis, the upcoming album from 50 Cent.
He said, “I hope they see and understand what’s getting ready to happen. I’m not moving, I’m coming September 11, and if Kanye come that day, then he come that day. I mean that would be great if he actually stayed in that date. I think his people are smart, and I think he’s smart too, and I think they’ll move. But I’m coming September 11….Jay’s not gonna let that happen anyways.”
Seems like Jay is going to let it happen. “I think it’s great. I think it’s a fantastic day for hip-hop,” Jigga told MTV earlier this week. “I remember having those dates [facing against] OutKast a couple of times.
I actually had one with G-Unit. It’s great.”
Jigga’s confidence mirrors that of Kanye West. Since the annoucement of the impending battle, speculation has been swirling about whether either man would back down and switch up his release date. During a recent performance in New York City, West declared he had no intentions of backing down.
“I’d rather come out on day like that, up against 50 where people are excited about going to the stores and it’s an event and people talk about it and be #2 on that day, rather than come out and be #1 on a day nobody cares about,” West said.
Jay echoes that sentiment, adding that retailers should be happy for the friendly competition between the two. “I know they’re loving it. You’re driving people to the store,” he added.
(08.02.07)
