WORDS:Christopher “Icey Jace” Campbell DATE: Sept 16, 2007
Competition in Music
Dancehallsoca.comPUBLICATION
Recently two of the most talented hip hop artists were the centre of attention in the entertainment media. Who you might ask? Let me tell you why first. In an industry were thousands of artist’s world wide release album compilations to promote and garner record sales it is uncommon not to have release date clashes. As common as the occurrence is it goes unnoticed because most times its only upcoming or unknown artists who grapple with such uncomfortable instances. But behold the unlikely has happened despite record label executives best efforts. The world was shocked Sept 11th 2001 when terrorists claimed the lives of over 3000 persons in a precision aircraft hijacking plot on American soil. As tragic as that day was 6 years later on September 11th 2007 the world was shocked all over again when Hip Hop giant 50 Cent known for selling millions of records world wide as well as several entrepreneurial ventures including a Video Game, pair of Movies, Clothing Line, Record Label and Brand Condom faced off in a fierce overly publicized race for the most records sold on release date with the College Drop out Kanye West known for winning multiple music awards as well as crafting some of the most successful beats productions for his “A” list Clientele.
Now the results are in but first let me tell you what was at stake for both competitors.
Both confirmed that they were pushing for the # 1 spot on the Billboard Album Sales Chart. With that said one made a daunting proclamation about what would happen post 1st day figures. 50 Cent was quoted as saying “if Kanye West out sells me I will discontinue writing music and rapping period”. Such a statement didn’t seem to faze Mr. West because to date all Kanye has done is acknowledge the challenge; he’s not quoted as saying any. With a line clearly drawn by 1 of the 2, egos, reputation, public perception and their musical career were all on the line. Whoever lost this album race would have to put up with press representatives and entertainment journalist for months to come with questions like Who, When, Why, Where and How. Both had everything to loose and a lot to gain from something that started out interesting but innocent.
I’m getting to the Juicy figures of the first day but first let me tell you why I saw it fit to write this article even though it has nothing to do with Caribbean Lifestyle or Media.
In our own little industry here in Jamaica many detractors always seem to find a niche to pull on and Dancehalls competitive nature is the most used, said to fuel violence among artists. They say probably DJ’s shouldn’t compete they should just coexist and be friends and nothing’s wrong with having associates but BUSINESS IS BUSINESS. In every industry there is some form of competition like it or not. Competition in music is blatantly fingered as dangerous and socially degrading only because it’s vocal. It’s not payouts for insider information or money laundering or poisonous chemical inclusion to increase product sales nor is it paying criminals to lockdown communities or awarding contracts based on own interest or favor. It’s simply because Dancehall is vocal and not tucked under the rug why we are scrutinized and unfairly singled out all the time. Competition is necessary, it ensures we stay on our P’s & Q’s when we know some is always eyeing own spot or place in the respective markets. So two rappers going head to head aside Competition in Music is genuinely innocent as long as it stays musical. Shoot… who wouldn’t want to see Beenie Man & Bounty Killa, Vybez Kartel & Assassin or Busy Signal & Aidonia battling for supremacy let alone Hip Hop 50 Cent & Kanye West. Yall better shut up andLET THE GAMES BEGIN.
And like all things in life a game has an END and the results of that 1st day album sales race is out. If you haven’t heard yet let me enlighten you.
According to Billboard.com“Nielsen SoundScan was reporting that first-day sales of Kanye West’s GRADUATION were 437,000 units sold while 50 Cent’s CURTIS came in second at 310,000 units sold”. This based on Nielsen data from retailers including Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Borders, CircuitCity, iTunes, Target, Anderson Merchandisers and Handleman Co. Its simple big man ting right, one man win one man loose. Nope, not the case this time around. Remember that comment 50 made about retiring musically if he lost well he’s backing out and is quoted as saying "To be honest, the process of selling this record hasn't been fun""I'm happy with the performance but I'm not happy with the set up". "We had conference calls and after we created this plan, nobody actually had a plan". "It was the label""They're dropping the ball all over the place". "I'll release my next album and then I'm a free agent". "Those reports may not count everything or be accurate," he explained".
Now I’m no University Lecturer but that sounds a lot like B*TCHING, pardon my language from an in the street thug like 50 Cent, But hey my Career, Ego, Public Perception or Reputation is not on the line. But in closing I would encourage 50 to man up and be a man because in life you may loose today and win tomorrow. This is what builds character in a person, it built character in me and now I feel like I’m the best writer alive though that may not be the case.
BUT PLEASE ENCOURAGE COMPETITION BECAUSE IT WILL ULTIMATELY FUEL VICTORY.Asafa Powell has that 100m Record @ 9.74sec. Let me see TysonGaye compete and top that.
- represents Jokes,Exaggerations& Jamaican Patois
ARTICLELAYOUT &DESIGN BY:Christopher “Icey Jace” Campbell
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