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EntertainmentThe Current September 20, 20079Music War of 2007Rappers battle it out on record50 CentOn a first name basisby MORGAN RYMANSelling crack and shooting peoplehas worked so wellfor the multi-platinumrapper 50 Centthat he decided totry it with his thirdstudio album, Curtis.The end product isabout as generic as amodern gangsta rapalbum gets, whichseems to be what themasses crave.The prevailingthemes of this albuminclude getting paid,as evidenced in “I GetMoney” and “Movin’on Up” which refersto his financial gainsin the streets and inthe boardroom. Onthe track “Straight tothe Bank”, 50 says, “I ain’t even got to rapnow.”On the killing anyone who gets inyour way end of things, “I’ll Still Kill” featuresAkon, rap’s go-to man for guest vocals.The guitar-driven “My Gun Go Off ”opens the record in a typical, driving fashion.“Curtis 187” and “Fully Loaded Clip”,two tracks producedby Havoc of MobbDeep, have the hardestfeel to them.Timbaland andJustin Timberlakedrop the most memorabletrack on Curtiswith “AYO Technology,”a hypnoticstripper anthem thatis undeniably catchy.With the rest ofthe record, we are remindedof why Eminemis retired, buthe still shows thathe can be gloriouslybland with “PeepShow.” Dr. Dre’saged talent goes towaste on “Come &Go” a rehash of the phenomenally popular“In Da Club” and “Follow My Lead,”see 50 CENTpage 7Kanye WestHas he graduated?Kanye West, in his first album since2005’s LateRegistration,advances to thenext class ofhip hop withGraduation.This classseems to focuson trimminghis product,which doesnot suffer fromthe absence ofskits. West hasreceived hisbachelors inorchestration,and is currentlyworking onby MORGAN RYMANan associatesin electronics,as evidenced inthe Daft Punk heavy single “Stronger.”The album draws from polar oppositesof the music world. “Barry Bonds”features Lil Wayne delivering his typicalbraggadocious flow. Coldplay’s ChrisMartin sings the chorus of Kanye’s odeto Chicago “Homecoming.” T-Pain’s synthesizedvoice croons over“The Good Life.” John Mayerprovides vocal support on aniTunes bonus track, the tooharsh-to-be-pop, too-sugaryto-be-the-blues“BittersweetPoetry,” the reflective andbright “Flashing Lights,” featuringneo soul artist Dwele,and the low down highlightof the album, “Drunk andHot Girls,” featuring streetpoet Mos Def in an unexpectedsinging role.Despite all the guest appearances,Kanye still standsout the most on tracks he solos.The whimsical “I Wonder,”the optimistic, Steely-Dan-laden “Champion,” hispowerhouse single “Can’t TellMe Nothing,” and his tributeto his friend and mentor Jay Z in “BigBrother,” where Kanye finally proclaimssee 50 CENTpage 7Conscious versus gangsta: Who will win the rap battle?by GREG FARLEYAn epic confrontation of musicalproportions occurred on September11, 2007. The much anticipated Curtisalbum, brought to you by rap star50 Cent, has arrived along with therelease of Kanye West’s Graduation.Over the past month and a half, it hasbeen among the hottest topics amongmusic fans and forums that these not afraid to take on bigger issues withhighly acclaimed albums would arrive songs like “Can‘t Tell Me Nothin’.”on the same day. That day came this This is the third album for both 50past Tuesday.Cent and Kanye, having both begunThere is not much separating the their trek in 2002. So it is easy to seetwo except for their styles. 50 Cent that 50 Cent has something to proveis the stereotypical gangster rapper now that show time has arrived. Thehailing from New York City, with hit media has attached to this competitionsongs like “I Get Money” and “Ayoof musical prowess, with numer-Technology.” Kanye is the more consciousous advertisements and updates. Evenrapper of the two, because he is Las Vegas is in on the action, takingwww.longviewcurrent.combets on who will sell more during thefirst week of sales.So will 50 Cent’s Curtis or Kanye’sGraduation win the war? Only timecan tell. So far, The figures as ofTuesday 11, at midnight EST, are thatKanye has sold 437,000 copies to 50Cent’s 310,000 copies.