The race is over, and it wasn't even close.Kanye West sold a staggering 957,000 copies of his 'Graduation' CD last week, according to Neilsen Soundscan, squashing rival 50 Cent, whose 'Curtis' CD sold a respectable but inferior 691,000 copies. The hip-hop titans were embroiled in a friendly battle of words and egos for weeks leading up the Sept. 11 release of their albums, with Fiddy even saying that he would retire if Kanye outsold him. Not only did West win the rap war, he also scored the highest first-week sales of any artist so far this year, topping Linkin Park, who sold 623,000 copies of their 'Minutes to Midnight' CD in May.
"To be a champion, you've got to take out a champion," gloated West to an all-star crowd at GQ's 50th anniversary party hours after his victory was declared. Moments later, he called for his "theme music," then launched into a performance of his new single 'The Good Life.'
"It feels overwhelming," West told the Associated Press earlier in the day. "Everyone is coming up to me and telling me how proud they are of me."
Fiddy may be eating his words a little, but with a world tour in the works, and the second-highest debut of the year under his belt, we doubt he'll be putting down his mic any time soon. "I am very excited to have participated in one of the biggest album release weeks in the last two years," he said in a statement yesterday. "Collectively, we have sold hundreds of thousands of units in our debut week. This marks a great moment for hip-hop music, one that will go down in history."
"I think it's great," echoed Diddy, who partied with Kanye at the GQ event along with Jay-Z and Beyonce. "They made it fun. A lot of things in hip-hop have been sold on negativity, but they kept it a positive thing. But I'll plead the 5th on [who's side I was on]. I like to keep the peace. That's wise in the world of hip-hop."
Katy Perry Divorce: With No Prenup How Much Will Russell Walk Away With?
Madonna Super Bowl Halftime Show: Romans, Cheerleaders and MIA's Middle Finger
Randy Travis Apologizes for Public Intoxication
M.I.A., Fiance Benjamin Bronfman Split, Singer Rarely Sees Son -- Report
Alori Joh Dead: Singer and Kendrick Lamar Affiliate Dies at 25
Josh Powell's Last Words: 'I Am Not Able To Go On Anymore': Report
Powell 911 Call Released: Cops Declare Investigation Of Missing Mom A Murder Case
Thudda Boy Dead: Rapper Brondon McDaniel Dies From Gunshot Wound
American Heart Month: 17 Celebrities Who Faced Heart Problems
Chi Cheng Improving: Deftones Bassist Raises Leg After Three Years in Coma
PHOTOS: Anti-Gay Protesters Getting Pwned
Puddle of Mudd Singer Arrested in January for Drug Possession
Syrian President's Wife Speaks Out
Miranda Lambert Makes Emotional Return to On Fire Tour
Dead Man Found In Foreclosed Home Four Years Later
Laura Linney's Colorful Frocks
Teen Describes Killing As 'Ahmazing' And 'Pretty Enjoyable'
PHOTO: Miley Cyrus Wears Racy Garters
Post 50 Celebrity Dream Homes on the Market (PHOTOS)
PHOTOS: She's Back!
The Best And Worst Burgers
PHOTOS: Massive Whale Shark Reeled Into Harbor
Is Social Media Causing The Mystery Illness?
Powell Boys Suffered 'Chop Injuries' Before Explosion
CNN Suspends Roland Martin For Controversial Tweets
Prop 8, California's Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Declared Unconstitutional
Missing Alaska Barista Had Filed Restraining Order Against Man
PHOTOS: Rihanna Shows Off Everything In Sheer Top
Boys Blown Up By Dad Allegedly Talked About Mom's Disappearance
LIFE BEHIND BARS: 'Thrill Killer' Teen Sentenced For Girl's Murder
17 Comments