Kanye 'Vs.' 50 'Vs.' Kenny

[renegade_killerbee]

You'd think today was Super Tuesday (Nov. 13) with the offerings being dished up at record stores: Kanye West's "Graduation," 50 Cent's "Curtis," and Kenny Chesney's "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates." These aren't just big name artists.

They're the creme of the crop when it comes to CD sales for this millennium. But who is gonna outdo the other and how do you determine something like this?

* Kanye West's last CD, "Late Registration" has sold 3 million units and his
combined sales for this decade stand at 5 million. And believe it or not, with
as much bellyaching as he does about not winning awards, the (black) man
owns 6 Grammys. His current single "Stronger" is the No. 2 single in the nation but
all that alone seems not enough to get him a No. 1 debut. Poor guy.

* 50 Cent. The guy has been unstoppable for this decade. His last studio album,
2005's "The Massacre" sold 5 million copies putting him at 13 million for this
decade. But 50 seemed to be showing signs of slippage when the movie and
soundtrack to "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" bombed in late 2005. Plus he has no
strong singles to support "Curtis" unlike "Candy Shop" (9 weeks at No. 1!) for
his last offering.

* Kenny Chesney. Leave it to the li'l guy (he's like what, 5'0"?) to come out on
top. If I was a bettin' man (and I am), I'd put the odds in Kenny's favor. Why?

1) HUGE SUPPORT AT RADIO. "Never Wanted Nothing More" recently spent 5
weeks at No. 1 and the second single from "Poets & Pirates," "Don't Blink,"
broke records when it debuted in the Top 60 at No. 16.

2) HIS TRACK RECORD. Chesney's last album, released in 2005, has sold more
than 3 million copies and for this decade alone, the li'l fella has moved 20-million
albums.

Am I wrong? Who does everybody else think will end up on top? Maybe "High School Musical 2" will make it a month at the top?

*** KEVIN IN SOUTH TULSA ***

http://www.geocities.com/okitalianboy/mypage

 

[G-Lexington]

I'm also leaning in Kenny's favor. His new material is rather "adult poppy", which means the soccer moms AND the country fans will be snapping up that CD while Kanye and 50 split the hip-hop buyers.

Lex

 

[renegade_killerbee]

That makes perfect sense G-Lex but as of this Wednesday morning post, we're both wrong: That cryin' shame Kanye West is actually in the lead with his CD while 50 Cent is a close second followed by Kenny Chesney.

Of course we have several days to go and anything can happen. Chesney is slated for a run on "The View" and that will help his sales.

Here's the complete story:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003638594


*** KEVIN IN SOUTH TULSA ***

 

[prettyboysing]

There was a time when people were more concerned with making good music than selling the most records. This business of "I'll stop making music if so-and-so outsells me" and crying to the media when you don't win an award really just ruins these "artists" for me.

 

[renegade_killerbee]

I totally agree prettyboyrising but I never have had appreciation nor respect for either 50 Cent or Kanye West so not much to lose there.

Would have been really interesting if Usher -- another one of the top 10 best selling acts of this decade -- had dropped his album in the same time frame. Wonder what kind of antics HE would have been up to?!

*** KEVIN IN SOUTH TULSA ***

http://profiles.yahoo.com/okitalianboy

 

[NomineDetracto]

i really don't see how people are surprised that Ye's album sold the best.
he has a huge, very diverse fan-base.
because his music is really good.

 

[cruz555]

Let's see.

As human beings both of them suck. 50 Cent "feels awkward around gay people and wouldn't have gay friends" and Kanye West is an overhyped moron who thinks he's Jesus.

As musicians they suck as well.

So neither?