Kanye #1

957,000 copies sold for Kanye West's Graduation make it the number one album this week, the year's best first week sales, and, oh yeah, 266,000 more than 50 Cent. 50's sales, however, are the second best first week sales this year. The whole rivalry was great drama and made for renewed interests in release dates. I think it shows that clever and unique marketing strategies will keep people interested in buying actual albums. As you know, I love Graduation; I've also listened to 50's Curtis a couple of times and, well, I don't really like it. The songs are just missing the spark of past singles like "In Da Club," "21 Questions" and "Window Shopper." There is one, though, called "Follow My Lead" which sounds like a rap Tony Bennett. I guess it's actually a testament to 50 Cent (the brand) that he can still have such a strong debut despite weak singles and bad publicity (his temper tantrums just aren't as endearing as Kanye's). 50's already got an excuse for the number two finish, accusing Kanye's label of buying up copies to ensure a number one finish. However, if 50 really does "Got Money," couldn't he have done the same thing. Now the fun should really begin - MTV reports, "50 most recently revealed plans to release his Before I Self Destruct album early next year. And he has also vowed to release one G-Unit project for every Def Jam project if West's first week sales top his."