New CD Releases, September 11th: Kanye West, 50 Cent, Kenny Chesney
Kanye West “Graduation”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock recently–or been avoiding all music news–you’ve probably heard that there’s a feud going on between Kanye West and 50 Cent. The rapppers are beefing over whose new album (both of which hit stores today)–will sell better.
Those rooting for Mr. West will certainly mention his track record at the Grammy Awards. He’s scored double-digit nominations and actually won six Grammy Awards, three apiece for his two solo records, 2004’s “The College Dropout” and 2005’s “Late Registration.” He’s also one of the most critically acclaimed rappers of all time.
Furthermore, the 30-year-old rapper is no slouch in the sales department, having moved more than 6 million CDs in the US.
West has plenty of help in his corner on “Graduation.” Notable contributors include Daft Punk, Edwin Birdsong, T-Pain and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
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50 Cent “Curtis”
The big 5-0 has a lot riding on this release. He’s promised that he will retire as a solo artist if West’s “Graduation” outsells “Curtis,” but he later backed down a bit.
Given his past performance on the charts, “Fitty” could end up on top in this matter. His previous outings–including 2003’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and 2005’s “The Massacre”–have been multi-platinum smashes that posted huge numbers in their first weeks on the shelves. All told, 50 Cent has sold more than 20 million records worldwide.
The 32-year-old rapper has enlisted a powerful posse to help him try to knock out Kanye. The list of contributors includes Dr. Dre, Eminem, Timbaland, Akon, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke.
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Kenny Chesney “Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates”
If, as some have predicted, Kanye West and 50 Cent split the vote–with the rap-lovin’ public buying one or the other of the two releases, but not both–the real winner could be Kenny Chesney. Indeed, Chesney might turn out to be the week’s top-seller regardless of what happens with West and Fitty. That’s because Chesney is arguably the top name in country music, a genre that is in a whole lot better health than hip-hop.
The country crooner–who recently was nominated for four trophies at the upcoming 41st annual Country Music Association Awards–has sold more than 25 million records. And it looks like he should add to that tally handsomely with “Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates.” The album’s first single, “Don’t Blink,” has already set a new record for the highest-ever debut on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
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Ann Wilson “Hope and Glory”
The legendary vocalist for Heart, known for such classic rock staples as “Barracuda,” “Never” and “Crazy on You,” is ready to drop her first-ever solo album. “Hope and Glory” features such guest stars as Elton John, Shawn Colvin, Gretchen Wilson and Wynonna. The album is a covers-set that includes the likes of Neil Young’s “War of Man,” Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” and Pink Floyd’s “Goodbye Blue Sky.”
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Ani DiFranco “Canon”
The indie-folk singer/guitarist is set to release her first-ever career retrospective. The two-disc “Canon” includes such fan favorites as “Fire Door,” “God’s Country,” “You Had Time” and “Coming Up.”
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More new releases:
Animal Collective, “Strawberry Jam” (Domino)
The Birthday Massacre, “Walking with Strangers” (Metropolis)
Black Francis, “Bluefinger” (Cooking Vinyl)
The Go! Team, “Proof of Youth” (Sub Pop)
Joe Henry, “Civilians” (Anti)
Iced Earth, “Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Pt. 1” (Steamhammer)
Pinback, “Autumn of the Seraphs” (Tough and Go)
Chris Potter Underground, “Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard” (Sunnyside)
Trisha Yearwood, “Greatest Hits” (MCA)
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