Kanye Crushes 50 Cent In Huge Album Sales Week
After a much hyped battle of the titans, early leaks of both Kanye West and 50 Cent's albums proved to be a non factor as fans came out in full force, helping West graduate at the top of the class, surpassing 50 Cent in first week sales.
According to Billboard, the Chicago-bred MC/producer debuted at No.1 on the charts, as the Louis Vuitton Don managed to push 957,000 copies of his third solo disc, Graduation. That total crushes 50's Curtis first week numbers by more than a quarter of a million records, with Curtis' first week totals rounding out at 691,000 copies sold. Both records outsold country singer Kenny Chesney's Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates, whose album was seen by some as a possible threat, with his final numbers coming in at 387,000 copies, scoring a No. 3 position on the charts.
Graduation has now become the largest seling CD since 50 Cent's last album, The Massacre, opened with 1.1 million copies in it'd first week in March 2005. Kanye's sophomore release, Late Registration, released in August of 2005 was the last album to surpass 800,000 copies in first weeks sales, when it scanned 860,000 also in '05.
Possibly sensing defeat, 50 recently accused West's recording home, Def Jam, of inflating the rapper's numbers by purchasing copies of the album.
"He's never had a fraction of the sales 50 Cent has," Fif said. "They could have only one scan and have it count four times. West's entire career hasn't sold half what I sold on my first album."
But disputing Fiddy's claims was Billboard's Geoff Mayfield, who rebutted 50's accusations by saying that there is a slim chance that Def Jam would have doctored the sales figures.
"The people who built SoundScan put safeguards in place to track sales that don't look kosher," Mayfield explained.
Fat Joe Renews Deal With Imperial Records; Preparing Eighth Album
Imperial Records, a division of Capitol Music Group and Terror Squad Entertainment have signed a new deal to distribute Fat Joe's next album entitled The Elephant in the Room, slated for release in early 2008. Fat Joe's new release is a follow-up to his previous critically-acclaimed album, Me, Myself & I, featuring the double platinum single, "Make It Rain."
Fat Joe's The Elephant In The Room will feature production by the multi-platinum powerhouses that previously worked with Fat Joe on his earlier hits, including Scott Storch, Cool and Dre, DJ Khaled, Danjahandz and the Runners, as well as guest artists P. Diddy, Rick Ross, Fabolous and more.
This news comes on the heels of Fat Joe's hit single, "Make It Rain (featuring Lil' Wayne)" which surpassed 1 million ring tone sales and was certified Platinum in RIAA's Digital Ringtone program. Me, Myself & I, released on Imperial Records/EMI in 2006, continues to sell and make a strong statement for independent music. Some of the other impressive milestones Imperial has accomplished with Fat Joe and Terror Squad include Imperial's first Top 10 single in more than 40 years, "Make It Rain (featuring Lil' Wayne)" on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Chart, peaking at #6. The single also reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The album Me, Myself & I, peaking at #3 on the Billboard R&B/Hiphop Album Chart, debuting at #14 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. The album also received rave reviews in VIBE, the Source, Washington Post and the LA Times, among other publications.
Fat Joe said, "Working with Imperial is one of the greatest moves I ever made in my life! I never made as much money in my career as I have since I went independent. The Elephant in the Room is guaranteed to be a classic! Believe Dat!" Imperial Records will again spearhead the marketing and promotion efforts for the album.
Neil Levine, Imperial's Senior VP/GM says, "Fat Joe is in a zone on this album which is now his 8th solo work and I think it's his strongest to date. It's truly amazing to be working with an artist that's getting better and better over time. He's never sounded more confident. I'm extremely pleased to be working with Joe once again and we're getting ready to do big things!"
Lee Trink, President, Capitol Music Group comments, "I couldn't be more thrilled to continue working with Fat Joe. Three things are certain: death, taxes, and Fat Joe delivering hit records. He is Hip Hop royalty and a jewel in the (Imperial) Capitol Music Group crown."
Ronnie Johnson, Executive Vice President adds, "I'm excited to be working with Joe again! He's a great ambassador for the label and a great partner."
Twista, Killer Mike and Others Hold Benefit Concert for "Jena 6"
Twista and Killer Mike are just two of many hip hop artists slated to perform Saturday Sept. 29 at the "Jena 6 Empowerment Concert," which is a part of the "Let Freedom Ring Weekend."The "Let Freedom Ring Weekend" will be used to raise awareness and show support for the Jena 6 - six black students facing what many people believe are unfair charges for an attack on a fellow white student in Louisiana.
The six black teens were charged with attempted second-degree murder after they allegedly assaulted their classmate. The violence was in result of racial tensions being high at the school due to three nooses being hung under a tree at the school, which was believed to be a response to one of the black students sitting under the tree.
The "Let Freedom Ring" weekend will begin on Friday Sept. 28 with a press conference at the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum at 1 PM, followed by a peace rally at Parker High School at 4 PM.
The concert, which will feature Twista, Killer Mike, Rasheeda, B5, Lloyd, Kandi, Jagged Edge, Baby Boy, Tank and Sean Paul of the Youngbloodz, will begin on the 29th at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center at 6 PM.
"What's happening to the Jena 6 is not an isolated incident; it could happen to any of us," commented Baby Boy.
Tickets for the concert are available at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.
Akon In The Studio with Madonna, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson
Multi-platinum superstar Akon is currently in the studio working with Pop legends Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Madonna.
"He's incredible," 'Kon testified to MTV News of M.J. "He's a genius. Just to be in the same room [with him], I felt everything I wanted to accomplish in life has been achieved. That aura ... that's how incredible that aura is. We about to shake the world up, man. You know how you be with somebody and you can't even explain [the feeling]? I used to sit and think, 'How does somebody sell so many records and dominate a whole business genre, to a point [where] nobody can't be a part of that without associating with you?' The way he thinks ... some artists think regional, some think national, I was thinking international. He thinks planets. It's on another level."
Akon has yet to get in the studio with Madonna but says he expects to shock the world with her new material. As he works with the King of Pop, Akon is also putting in time with Whitney Houston.
"I'm starting on Whitney's project," he said. "She's the truth. She's undeniable. She's got so much to think about, sing about. This album is going to be one of the biggest albums she decided to put out. She has so much energy, so much happiness and sadness to incorporate into the album. Her voice is strong enough to deliver any message she wants to sing to the world. It's outta here."
Timbaland to Perform on ABC Soap Opera, One Life to Live
Super producer Timbaland and R&B singer Keri Hilson are scheduled to perform on an upcoming episode of the ABC soap opera One Life to Live.
The pair will perform their hit single “The Way I Are” during the episode, which is scheduled to air on October 9. “This is a new experience for me,” Timbo said in a statement. “I am looking forward to having a great time and sharing my music!”
“The Way I Are” appears on Timb’s latest LP, Shock Value, and is currently ranked No. 4 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles chart.
Scratch Magazine Calls It Quits, 50 Cent & Timbaland Grace Last Cover
After a recent attempt to expand its audience, Scratch magazine has officially announced that it will no longer be publishing the producer-friendly magazine.
The final cover will feature 50 Cent and super-producer Timbaland on its 20th issue with additional stories on Just Blaze, David Banner, The Alchemist, Irv Gotti, The RZA, 9th Wonder and a special feature on Chicago "Juke" music.
Editor-In Chief of XXL magazine Elliot Wilson had recently taken over an advisory role over the publication as the magazine was transformed into XXL Presents: Scratch. The move was intended to revamp the mag to appeal to a wider audience while still keeping its core fan base of DJ, producer, and engineer enthusiests. The first issue of the newly fused magazine hit newsstands on February 6 and saw XXL online editor Brendan Frederick as the editor-in-chief.
"We're taking XXL's savvy take on hip-hop one level deeper with the new Scratch," Frederick explained. "While XXL focuses on MC's personalities, Scratch will dissect the art of making music. Since the magazine already has a solid foundation with producers and DJs, we're focusing on attracting the everyday hip-hop fan who wants to discover the blood, sweat and tears that goes into popular music's most innovative genre."
According to the magazine's Myspace page, the Scratch staff is positive about the magazine's end, saying, "But don't mourn us, remember the good times, rap nerds!"
After a recent attempt to expand its audience, Scratch magazine has officially announced that it will no longer be publishing the producer-friendly magazine.
The final cover will feature 50 Cent and super-producer Timbaland on its 20th issue with additional stories on Just Blaze, David Banner, The Alchemist, Irv Gotti, The RZA, 9th Wonder and a special feature on Chicago "Juke" music.
Editor-In Chief of XXL magazine Elliot Wilson had recently taken over an advisory role over the publication as the magazine was transformed into XXL Presents: Scratch. The move was intended to revamp the mag to appeal to a wider audience while still keeping its core fan base of DJ, producer, and engineer enthusiests. The first issue of the newly fused magazine hit newsstands on February 6 and saw XXL online editor Brendan Frederick as the editor-in-chief.
"We're taking XXL's savvy take on hip-hop one level deeper with the new Scratch," Frederick explained. "While XXL focuses on MC's personalities, Scratch will dissect the art of making music. Since the magazine already has a solid foundation with producers and DJs, we're focusing on attracting the everyday hip-hop fan who wants to discover the blood, sweat and tears that goes into popular music's most innovative genre."
According to the magazine's Myspace page, the Scratch staff is positive about the magazine's end, saying, "But don't mourn us, remember the good times, rap nerds!"
Havoc Blesses NYC With Free Concert
Mobb Deep's Havoc will be holding a free concert in New York City this week in support his indie debut The Kush.
Havoc's show, which will be part of LiveNDirect's 10th Anniversary, will take place on Friday (September 21) at The Highline Ballroom. Hav is scheduled to hit the stage at midnight.
200 free tickets will be issued at the door on a first come, first serve basis. Free tickets can also be obtained at Fat Beats, ALIFE and Supreme.
The Kush hit shelves yesterday (September 18) and is produced entirely by Havoc. The album feature appearances from 40 Glocc, Nyce, Un Pachino, Nitti and his group mate Prodigy.
Mobb Deep's Havoc will be holding a free concert in New York City this week in support his indie debut The Kush.
Havoc's show, which will be part of LiveNDirect's 10th Anniversary, will take place on Friday (September 21) at The Highline Ballroom. Hav is scheduled to hit the stage at midnight.
200 free tickets will be issued at the door on a first come, first serve basis. Free tickets can also be obtained at Fat Beats, ALIFE and Supreme.
The Kush hit shelves yesterday (September 18) and is produced entirely by Havoc. The album feature appearances from 40 Glocc, Nyce, Un Pachino, Nitti and his group mate Prodigy.
Yung Joc to Perform at Controversial Fraternity’s 100th Anniversary Celebration
Atlanta’s Yung Joc has signed on to perform at the upcoming 100th Anniversary celebration of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity’s Cornell University chapter on October 12.
Atlanta’s Yung Joc has signed on to perform at the upcoming 100th Anniversary celebration of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity’s Cornell University chapter on October 12.
According to The Cornell Daily Sun, while the University itself has sponsored shows by big name artists in the past, there is “no precedent” for a fraternity itself booking such a major artist. “Not everyday does a frat have an opportunity to bring in one of top hip-hop artists in the world,” said Kevin Mendel, social chair of ZBT. “We had an opportunity and decided to run with it.”
Proceeds from the show will go to the Children’s Miracle Network, an alliance of premiere hospitals for children. The Cornell chapter of Zeta Beta Tau came under fire in 2004 when the largely white brotherhood threw a “Ghetto Fab” themed party, at which attendees were encouraged to dress up in hip-hop style clothing and emulate rappers. A party attendee lodged a complaint with school officials about the “apparent disrespectful stereotypes regarding people of color.”
The frat later issued an apology.
Baltimore Jumps Aboard Baggy Pants Ban?
Baggy and sagging pants seem to be the latest target to the hip-hop generation.
After a highly-publicized attempt to make it illegal to show your boxer shorts of thongs in Atlanta, Georgia (see "Atlanta Considers Outlawing Sagging Pants"), it seems that Baltimore is one of the latest cities to attempt to follow suit, but they aren't -- at least at the moment -- considering citations.
According to the Baltimore Sun, councilwoman Helen L. Holton has introduced a resolution to implore the city's youths to pull up their trousers, due to adults feeling uncomfortable with the youth exposing their underwear.
"There is a wide sentiment across lines of people in this city that have a problem with young people wearing these baggy, low-hanging pants," Holton told the paper. "They're offended by the fact that they have to look at their underwear.
"Perception is reality. When they see young people out like this, there's a heightened sense of, 'Oh, they must be up to no good. They must be selling drugs. They must be a part of this violent crime that is plaguing the city.' So it sends a very negative message," she continued.
Despite her concerns, other people higher in the city's food chain aren't pressed to force a mandatory law against baggy pants, but do agree with uniforms in schools. "Right now I'm dealing with more, in my opinion, important issues," Mayor Sheila Dixon said. "I believe in uniforms for schools. And that's what I'm pushing. Every kid needs to be in a uniform."
Others like Antonio Gray, a buyer for popular urban chain store DTLR (Downtown Locker Room), told the paper that Holton's proposal to do away with low-dipped pants may have worked better five years ago when the trend was bigger, but nowadays, hip-hop is moving to a "slimmer, sleeker look."
"She's completely late," he said. "My fashion-forward customers are guys who four or five years ago might have had on a jersey or a bigger T-shirt, and today that same guy is going to have on a more form-fitting T-shirt or track jacket with a slimmer jean."
The styles change and so do the ladies' opinions of what looks good on a man and a lot of young women aren't feeling the baggy look any longer. "I don't like the baggy look myself. I don't think it's attractive," 20-year-old Sierra Myers, a senior at Morgan State University, told the Baltimore Sun.
Gray however is concerned when politicians try to legislate fashion, arguing how you can regulate something as general as "baggy pants." "How do you say what's too baggy? Are you going to measure it by the inch? Are you going to measure it by how much underwear is showing?" he asked. "If that's the case, you'll be fining plumbers."
Proposals to ban sagging pants have popped up in several cities over the past few months. At the extreme end, wearing pants low enough to show your underwear in one small Louisiana town means six months in jail and a $500 fine, according to the Associated Press. A crackdown also is being pushed in Atlanta. And in Trenton, getting caught with your pants down may soon result in not only a fine, but a city worker assessing where your life is headed.
Baggy and sagging pants seem to be the latest target to the hip-hop generation.
After a highly-publicized attempt to make it illegal to show your boxer shorts of thongs in Atlanta, Georgia (see "Atlanta Considers Outlawing Sagging Pants"), it seems that Baltimore is one of the latest cities to attempt to follow suit, but they aren't -- at least at the moment -- considering citations.
According to the Baltimore Sun, councilwoman Helen L. Holton has introduced a resolution to implore the city's youths to pull up their trousers, due to adults feeling uncomfortable with the youth exposing their underwear.
"There is a wide sentiment across lines of people in this city that have a problem with young people wearing these baggy, low-hanging pants," Holton told the paper. "They're offended by the fact that they have to look at their underwear.
"Perception is reality. When they see young people out like this, there's a heightened sense of, 'Oh, they must be up to no good. They must be selling drugs. They must be a part of this violent crime that is plaguing the city.' So it sends a very negative message," she continued.
Despite her concerns, other people higher in the city's food chain aren't pressed to force a mandatory law against baggy pants, but do agree with uniforms in schools. "Right now I'm dealing with more, in my opinion, important issues," Mayor Sheila Dixon said. "I believe in uniforms for schools. And that's what I'm pushing. Every kid needs to be in a uniform."
Others like Antonio Gray, a buyer for popular urban chain store DTLR (Downtown Locker Room), told the paper that Holton's proposal to do away with low-dipped pants may have worked better five years ago when the trend was bigger, but nowadays, hip-hop is moving to a "slimmer, sleeker look."
"She's completely late," he said. "My fashion-forward customers are guys who four or five years ago might have had on a jersey or a bigger T-shirt, and today that same guy is going to have on a more form-fitting T-shirt or track jacket with a slimmer jean."
The styles change and so do the ladies' opinions of what looks good on a man and a lot of young women aren't feeling the baggy look any longer. "I don't like the baggy look myself. I don't think it's attractive," 20-year-old Sierra Myers, a senior at Morgan State University, told the Baltimore Sun.
Gray however is concerned when politicians try to legislate fashion, arguing how you can regulate something as general as "baggy pants." "How do you say what's too baggy? Are you going to measure it by the inch? Are you going to measure it by how much underwear is showing?" he asked. "If that's the case, you'll be fining plumbers."
Proposals to ban sagging pants have popped up in several cities over the past few months. At the extreme end, wearing pants low enough to show your underwear in one small Louisiana town means six months in jail and a $500 fine, according to the Associated Press. A crackdown also is being pushed in Atlanta. And in Trenton, getting caught with your pants down may soon result in not only a fine, but a city worker assessing where your life is headed.
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