50 Cent states that Kanye West is prominent because he’s the anti 50. Although both MC’s are known for being their own best publicist, this time it seems ‘Half a dollar’ may actually be on to something. In this age of hip hop, most artists can’t complete an album without guest appearances from half of New York (and parts of Houston), despite all of the dubious pairings in recent history one pairing we could never imagine would be Kanye and 50.
So in honor of keeping shit going, we pit Time’s cover boy against G.Q.’s and let you decide.
» Hip Hop Credibility - It’s no secret that in order to move
units in hip hop - something horrific has to happen to create a buzz.
With Kanye, it was a career igniting car accident that left his jaw a
bit ajar - but with a hit single. But it’s 50’s iconic 9 bullets that
made him get rich, and almost die trying. (Fitty)
» The Look - The bulked up G-Unit soldier is rarely seen in
video clips without his designer uniform of spaghetti strapped wife
beaters and G-Unit jeans. Meanwhile Kanye’s iconic fashion sense,
(everything from lush designer suits to chic polo’s) makes his style
less ashy and more classy. (Kanye)
» The Vocals - Although neither are fodder for an MC top 10
list, both have an incredible knack for scoring billboard hits. While
50 loves to extol the values of money, hoes, and beef - its Kanye’s
conscience barbs about the diamond trade in Africa, American politics,
and dating gold-diggers that make him more than the rapper of the
moment. (Kanye)
» The Hustle - It’s no secret that 50’s either a marketing
genius or a gimmick whore. With his brands of shoes, apparel, vitamin
drinks, video games, porn prosthetics, and films, he’s likely to burn
out by the time his movie leaves the box office. But it’s Kanye’s knack
for carving out hits for rappers like Common & Jay-Z to R&B
icons like Janet Jackson & Alicia Keys that will keep him relevant
long after his hip hop shelf life expires. (Kanye)
» Pimp Juice - Sure, 50’s been linked to a revised Vivica A.
Fox, but that’s not saying much after she ‘dropped it like a salt
shaker’ for Lil’ Jon (remember the BET Awards). And while Olivia’s a
cute addition to G-Unit, honestly she bores us. Despite not having a
female member in his crew, Kanye will forever be lauded as the guy who
made a music video (All Fall’s Down) that was essentially about Stacey
Dash’s ass – priceless. (Kanye)
» Entourage - Although Kanye runs with some of the industry’s
most prolific power players (i.e. Jaime Foxx, John Legend and Common),
50’s G-Unit is almost legendary at this point. There’s Olivia’s sex
appeal, the henchmen Young Buck & Lloyd Banks, and the grimy
addition of Mobb Deep. But the coup for 50 was landing Murder Mase
(i.e. Pastor Mase) who actually should be chilling on the side of Jesus
with Kanye, but were sure the devil pays better. (Fitty)
Kanye wins. Despite 50’s innovation, Kanye manages to be one large step ahead.
Tags: 50 Cent, Mr. West, vs.
WHAT NOW?