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50 Cent: 'I Feel Like Kanye West Is Successful Because Of Me'
09.08.2005 1:39 PM EDT

50 may focus on working overseas in coming months, but film and G-Unit projects are on the way.
50 Cent
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

"Everybody feels a way about K/ But at least y'all feel something," Kanye West raps about himself on "Bring Me Down," a track from his new LP. Some detractors have said West talks too much. 50 Cent, however, is one person who says he wants to hear a little bit more from West.

"He puts together witty phrases and he's a great talent as a producer, but I still don't know who Kanye West is when I listen to him," 50 said recently in Miami. "By listening to the record, I don't know who he is — I know he's been in a car accident, that's what I know."

50 had been talking about how Mase was a perfect fit for G-Unit Records (see "50 And Mase: The Pastor Isn't Officially G-Unit Yet, But A Song Is Already Out"), but he then offered some unsolicited opinions about Kanye and why the Louis Vuitton Don has been one of the few MCs to sell major units in the last few years.

"I feel like Kanye West is successful because of me," he said. "After 50 Cent, [hip-hop fans] was looking for something non-confrontational, and they went after first thing that came along. That was Kanye West, and his record took off."Since his trip to Miami for the VMAs, 50 has taken off — to Europe, where he and the G-Unit are on a tour that's slated to conclude in London on October 16 (see "50 Cent Touring Europe To Make Up For Anger Management 3 Cancellation"). When 50 returns, he'll be promoting his movie, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," and its accompanying soundtrack. Afterward, rather than heading into the studio to record a new LP, 50 said he might return overseas to build up his international fan base.

"My next album, I don't know [when it'll come out]," he said. "You think [the people] need a break? I may have to give them a break. I want to see what they do if I sit down for a minute. When I say 'sit down,' I don't mean I won't be active — I'll leave the U.S. for a little while. I'll go outside the country and start developing my base outside the country a little more while they think I'm at home chillin' — then I'll come back and finish them off."

It's not like he's leaving his fans in the lurch, though: He just re-released The Massacre with bonus material, and "Get Rich" is slated for release on November 9.

"The music is great," he said, smiling, about the soundtrack. "I feel they should anticipate the soundtrack like they should anticipate the next 50 Cent album. I got great performances from each one of the artists: Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, Mobb Deep, Olivia, M.O.P. I was able to let them work, and while they're recording their albums, I took my favorite records from them, like, 'Oh, that's hot. Let me put that on my soundtrack.' I took my favorite records."

50 admits that collecting the hottest records for his soundtrack was a little selfish, but he wanted to make a soundtrack that stands the test of time — besides, he's the boss.

"I put the people closest to me on it," he added of the album. "I don't have a lot of friends. When I look around, I play a role different from the average friend. Your friend is somebody you have a personal relationship with, but your friend doesn't actually employ you. Sometimes I'm sure they would like to tell me '50, would you shut the f--- up!' Or 'Get out of here!' But they don't tell me that 'cause I employ them."

Tony Yayo's debut, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon, will debut at #2 on the Billboard albums chart next week. M.O.P. is in the studio. Mobb Deep say they have an abundance of material recorded and are in the process of discussing which songs to include on their next LP (see "50 Cent Wants To Sign Mobb Deep, M.O.P. To G-Unit Records" and "Mobb Deep Lose Label Deal — And They're 'Thrilled' "). Olivia just filmed a video for her next single, "So Sexy," in Miami with her entire musical family; her debut LP, Behind Closed Doors, is slated for release this fall.

For an excerpt from 50 Cent's book, see "From Pieces to Weight".

— Shaheem Reid

Chinny RECK-ON

Perhaps 50 Cent is succesful because of Ma$e. Lord knows he had a hand in making incoherent mumblings over tired samples pretty popular.

50 cent is a bitch. How the hell are you gonna say someone is successful "because of me" when the only reason his shitty albums are selling is because of the mainstream bullshit that teenagers listen to. They are gonna buy whatever is "hot" at the moment...20 years from now are we still gonna be listening to "in da club"? I sure as hell won't, and the reason why I like Kanye West is because he doesn't talk about the same shit in every fuckin' song or every fuckin' album he has, very much the opposite of 50. He talks about nothing interesting, he's fuckin' boring as hell, all 50 got is tight beats and thats it. And as for his crew, they might as well be viewed like how Junior Mafia was viewed while Biggie was on top....as a big ass shadow. Once 50 falls from the charts I seriously doubt anyone will be "excited" to see something from G-Unit (the group).

well gee..i thought people kinda jumped on the fiddy cent wagon because of his association with eminem, who was at the top of the charts...who kinda got put out there by dr. dre.

meltwithu said:

And I thought Kanye jocked himself too much. Anyone who is even more unjustifably egotistical than Kanye really DOES need to sit down.

are they bringing back the Clash Of The Titans movies? is this the next one? When Egos Collide.

why is fiddy still making music?

Rhondab said:

Because teens like it


Anyway... for him to say this just shows how high his head is. Kanye produced some hott ass beats befor I even heard of 50 Cents ass. The fisrt time was
"THis Cant Be Life" - Jay Z
and the rest on The Blueprint. Man i wanted to know who this guy was makin these hot ass beats right along with Just Blaze.

Plus from Kanye's 2 albums alone, I don't hear 50 Cent name in classic anywhere until he make some real ass music. Nas' "Street Desciple" (WHICH WAS LARGELY OVERLOOKED ) Jay Z "Black Album" Common "Be" all are more entertaining in my opinion.

Come on, haven't we all, in our own special ways, had our lives touched by 50 Cent?

50 cents sucks ass !
And so does Kanye West

I don't like that dumb gangsta rap , talking about bitches
and pimpin and being a thug , nor do i like that politically enlightened shit

Btw ,i'm surprised that moron can even talk

[Edited 9/8/05 22:59pm]

OdysseyMiles said:

Well Said.

Thunderbird said:

you avatar



i remember that 1

Thunderbird said:

Hmmmm. Let me think. No, I haven't even been especially turned on by the women in his videos.

Novabreaker said:

I see your point, but everytime I get shot nine times, nothing comforts me like an "In Da Club" voiceover loop on the radio.

Thunderbird said: