Kanye Comes At 50
Artist:
Kanye West
Kanye West held a listening party in New York recently, and RWD were there to catch the playback. With people like Q-Tip, Mos Def, legendary DJ Mister Cee and LA Reid in the house, you knew it wasn't going to be just any night. Add in the free hot buttered popcorn flown in from Chicago, and endless alcohol-flavoured milkshakes, and we were more than happy to sit around for a couple of hours to hear Kanye talk - and spit- some shit.
After playing the album - which is either totally amazing, or pretty boring, depending on your point of view - 'Ye fielded a few questions from the gathered NYC industry heads. While he refused to directly address going head-to-head with 50 ("I gotta be politically correct," he joked), he did take time to make a few snidey comments. "It was cool. But, it would've been better with just me and Hov like we planned," he said of 50's unexpected appearance at the Scream show at Madison Square Garden last week.
He also jokingly mentioned about being ahead of Fif in the iTunes album pre-sales before talking about MTV's Top 10 Hottest List. Kanye was saying that his work was only comparable to those artists 'on the Top 10 list...no, scratch that, from No. 7 and down." Cent infamously took No. 8.
Other than that, West appeared to be very excited about Graduation, claiming it was not only his best album, but sure to get into the Top 10 best hip hop records of all time. "I want that 5 mikes, that XXL, that five out of five," he admitted. He also talked about the electro/ pop record as being 'one of my whitest...and blackest records yet."
The album is certainly his most mainstream to date and looks like it might actually beat 50 when it is released a week Monday. Our money might just be on Kanye's David to 50's Goliath. Go little guy, go!
Kanye West held a listening party in New York recently, and RWD were there to catch the playback. With people like Q-Tip, Mos Def, legendary DJ Mister Cee and LA Reid in the house, you knew it wasn't going to be just any night. Add in the free hot buttered popcorn flown in from Chicago, and endless alcohol-flavoured milkshakes, and we were more than happy to sit around for a couple of hours to hear Kanye talk - and spit- some shit.
After playing the album - which is either totally amazing, or pretty boring, depending on your point of view - 'Ye fielded a few questions from the gathered NYC industry heads. While he refused to directly address going head-to-head with 50 ("I gotta be politically correct," he joked), he did take time to make a few snidey comments. "It was cool. But, it would've been better with just me and Hov like we planned," he said of 50's unexpected appearance at the Scream show at Madison Square Garden last week.
He also jokingly mentioned about being ahead of Fif in the iTunes album pre-sales before talking about MTV's Top 10 Hottest List. Kanye was saying that his work was only comparable to those artists 'on the Top 10 list...no, scratch that, from No. 7 and down." Cent infamously took No. 8.
Other than that, West appeared to be very excited about Graduation, claiming it was not only his best album, but sure to get into the Top 10 best hip hop records of all time. "I want that 5 mikes, that XXL, that five out of five," he admitted. He also talked about the electro/ pop record as being 'one of my whitest...and blackest records yet."
The album is certainly his most mainstream to date and looks like it might actually beat 50 when it is released a week Monday. Our money might just be on Kanye's David to 50's Goliath. Go little guy, go!
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Comments
unknown
30 Aug 2007, 19:09
30 Aug 2007, 19:09
i dont even like kanye west i thought he was shit but this album >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>....
Hannah Smith
30 Aug 2007, 19:46
30 Aug 2007, 19:46
the popcorn wasn't flown in from chicago...
Curtis Jackson
30 Aug 2007, 21:44
30 Aug 2007, 21:44
Kanye West - Graduation >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 50 cent - Curtis
zain
30 Aug 2007, 21:56
30 Aug 2007, 21:56
Okay come on kanye is the shit
you can listen to EVERYONE of his songs
they are all amazing
and he produces
and he raps
what the fuck
dont compare him to 50
50 is weak
only had 1 good album
fuck 50 and his gay marketing schemes
kanye quotes 5o in good life
haha 5o always wants to beef
for no reason
HEs SOFT
you can listen to EVERYONE of his songs
they are all amazing
and he produces
and he raps
what the fuck
dont compare him to 50
50 is weak
only had 1 good album
fuck 50 and his gay marketing schemes
kanye quotes 5o in good life
haha 5o always wants to beef
for no reason
HEs SOFT
Mr PropaGanda
31 Aug 2007, 02:13
31 Aug 2007, 02:13
RWD you crack me up. Why do you HATE 50 so much? Is Def Jam feeding you???
When 50 comes to the UK he's in your magazine faster than you can say "we love Americans"
Allow da favouritism, your making jokes of yourselves.
When 50 comes to the UK he's in your magazine faster than you can say "we love Americans"
Allow da favouritism, your making jokes of yourselves.
star9 elmer st
31 Aug 2007, 14:40
31 Aug 2007, 14:40
mr propaganda go walk across a busy freeway
yolanda
31 Aug 2007, 16:00
31 Aug 2007, 16:00
"Is Def Jam feeding you???"
yep, they pay. everything you see featured in rwd is paid for - it's an openly payola mag.
don't believe a damn thing you read in it!
yep, they pay. everything you see featured in rwd is paid for - it's an openly payola mag.
don't believe a damn thing you read in it!
hattiecollins
31 Aug 2007, 19:19
31 Aug 2007, 19:19
You know that's actually incorrect. Certain parts of the mag ARE paid for - we're a FREE title after all and need to pay for printing, wages, office space etc. However, those pages are CLEARLY marked with RP. In case you didn't know, pretty much every single magazine you read makes deals with clothing/film and record companies, it's the way things work, unfortunately. The difference with RWD is that we don't hide it, it's there for all to see. If a page doesn't have RP on it - over half of the mag, not inc ad's - then that's someone we CHOSE to write about. And besides, the RP is a chance for lesser-known artists who we wouldn't normally feature, to get actual coverage rather than just pay for an ad. I don't see anything wrong with that. In fact, I think it helps much more than just taking money off someone for a page that tells you nothing about an artist. At least this way, they get an interview and the chance to explain themselves to readers.
And we definitely don't hate 50 - I was one of the first people to interview him, way before In Da Club even came out and he was still a mixtape artist. It's just interesting to see the underdog do well.
For those that continue to go on about us being payola led, why do you still come on the site? It's cool though, we like our undercover lovers!
And we definitely don't hate 50 - I was one of the first people to interview him, way before In Da Club even came out and he was still a mixtape artist. It's just interesting to see the underdog do well.
For those that continue to go on about us being payola led, why do you still come on the site? It's cool though, we like our undercover lovers!
mikey slik
01 Sep 2007, 03:37
01 Sep 2007, 03:37
yo i gotta go wit ma man Mr PropaGanda.. i said that a few days ago. RWD posted some bullshit chattin bout 50 beefin wit eminem, n basically jus trashing 50. it's like you dont even need an opinion in RWD articles about 50, cos its already clear who you backing. we all know 50 got the heat. even to all those pick a sign slaves- including RWD as Mr PropaGanda said, when curtis comes out you'll get it faster than you can say 'we love america'. when he come hear its a completely different tone. def jam funds this whole thing!!
mike jonez slim version
01 Sep 2007, 03:44
01 Sep 2007, 03:44
RWD is just paid to trash 50. my proof is the 3 articles until this one. read them and you'll clearly see, its all clear who RWD is backing. I know you have to get funded and that but seriously, thats just not the way. yea you saying you interviewed him in the past, excuse me but that was 6years ago. we talking about now, especially that eminem beef article. how can 50 beef with the man that found, helped and produced him.? and why do i some to RWD? to check out BRITISH rap. i wana check out kano, skepta, nasty jack etc. leave the american shit to XXL, thats where i go when i wana see american tingz.. its clear you paid to chat bullshit
SILKY
01 Sep 2007, 13:45
01 Sep 2007, 13:45
if 50 and kanye joined forces and made a "DOUBLE CD 50-KANYE" album, you never know... they may sell more than MICHAEL JACKSON THRILLER!!!!
wHAT DO YOU ALL THINK??
SILKY
wHAT DO YOU ALL THINK??
SILKY
Big Thugga
02 Sep 2007, 14:22
02 Sep 2007, 14:22
"he RP is a chance for lesser-known artists who we wouldn't normally feature, to get actual coverage rather than just pay for an ad."
i had no idea about that. so you feature acts who aren't any good because they pay? i guess i'll go back to just reading echoes...
i had no idea about that. so you feature acts who aren't any good because they pay? i guess i'll go back to just reading echoes...
B Fedz
02 Sep 2007, 14:29
02 Sep 2007, 14:29
damn thats some foul payola business!
H Dagg
02 Sep 2007, 14:30
02 Sep 2007, 14:30
RWD - more payola than Semtex!
Soldier Dann
02 Sep 2007, 20:19
02 Sep 2007, 20:19
how much does it cost to get a feature then? do you need to pay cash? How does it work?
bean sprout
03 Sep 2007, 19:19
03 Sep 2007, 19:19
ill give u ppl at rwd 78p for a centrefold of my bare white ass. see if that aint a money making spread ;)
Mr PropaGanda
03 Sep 2007, 21:09
03 Sep 2007, 21:09
Wow my comment led to a post by Hattie Collins!!!! But, I think you misunderstood my point.
I don’t think there's anything wrong with your RP system, its good if up and coming artists can get some magazine space.
What I don’t agree with is the tone of your articles covering the 50 vs Kanye album releases, coz you’ve OBVIOSLY chosen a side. I would expect a magazine on your level of circulation to be neutral in this and ALL situations, which is why I was questioning your intentions.
Maybe that G Unit check for ad space they bought months ago STILL hasn’t arrived yet.
I don’t think there's anything wrong with your RP system, its good if up and coming artists can get some magazine space.
What I don’t agree with is the tone of your articles covering the 50 vs Kanye album releases, coz you’ve OBVIOSLY chosen a side. I would expect a magazine on your level of circulation to be neutral in this and ALL situations, which is why I was questioning your intentions.
Maybe that G Unit check for ad space they bought months ago STILL hasn’t arrived yet.
hattiecollins
04 Sep 2007, 19:19
04 Sep 2007, 19:19
Hey Propaganda,
I guess there's a few of us doing the stories so maybe they are sometimes biased one way or another - but trust me, I swear 100% that it has nothing to do with money when it comes to these news stories. We do put a slant on thigns, cos that's our style - we encourage all of our writers to have a personality, rather than dry standard reporting on a story.
I think for me, who was once a BIG, BIG fan of 50, that he's lost it a bit. I just don't think his music is that great anymore - or at least not as good as it was. You can't deny that he's released 5 singles - 5!!!! - and none of them have reallyl hit. That said, I actually love Ayo Technology and I Get Money and prefer them to Stronger, so I don't understand why they didn't 'connect' as they say. I don't think people like him as much anymore, but that's normal. Artists have highs and lows...
But i don't think 50 is as good as he was, and I don't think that sales are what defines a person. His argument is that, well I sold more so I must be better, but I don't agree.
And yeah, I like seeing Kanye, traditionally a 'smaller' artist coming behind him and giving him a run for his money. To me it makes hip hop exciting again. On first listen I hated the Kanye album but I have to say it's actually pretty amazing. The new 50? Well, I have to listen a bit more, and I think lyrically 50 might have stronger stuff, but as a piece of work - musically, conceptually etc - Kanye's album, to me, is the better of the two. So far....
Anyway, gotta go, got Def Jam cheques to bank....(I wish!!)
I guess there's a few of us doing the stories so maybe they are sometimes biased one way or another - but trust me, I swear 100% that it has nothing to do with money when it comes to these news stories. We do put a slant on thigns, cos that's our style - we encourage all of our writers to have a personality, rather than dry standard reporting on a story.
I think for me, who was once a BIG, BIG fan of 50, that he's lost it a bit. I just don't think his music is that great anymore - or at least not as good as it was. You can't deny that he's released 5 singles - 5!!!! - and none of them have reallyl hit. That said, I actually love Ayo Technology and I Get Money and prefer them to Stronger, so I don't understand why they didn't 'connect' as they say. I don't think people like him as much anymore, but that's normal. Artists have highs and lows...
But i don't think 50 is as good as he was, and I don't think that sales are what defines a person. His argument is that, well I sold more so I must be better, but I don't agree.
And yeah, I like seeing Kanye, traditionally a 'smaller' artist coming behind him and giving him a run for his money. To me it makes hip hop exciting again. On first listen I hated the Kanye album but I have to say it's actually pretty amazing. The new 50? Well, I have to listen a bit more, and I think lyrically 50 might have stronger stuff, but as a piece of work - musically, conceptually etc - Kanye's album, to me, is the better of the two. So far....
Anyway, gotta go, got Def Jam cheques to bank....(I wish!!)
