European Charts Favor 50 Cent Over Kanye West

[Meho]

September 20, 2007 - Global

By Paul Sexton and Juliana Koranteng, London

Kanye West may have trounced 50 Cent in the battle of the heavyweight rappers on The Billboard 200, and indeed in the United Kingdom, but across Europe as a whole the tables are turned.

Cent's "Curtis" (Aftermath/G-Unit/Interscope) debuts at No. 1 on European Top 100 Albums, while West's "Graduation" (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam) can only enter at No. 3.

Cent's release scores a chart-topping debut in Switzerland and Ireland, while West is on top only in the United Kingdom, where sales of 84,000 outdo his rival's 72,000. But "Curtis" scores five other top five entries, in France, Germany, Austria, Holland and Norway, versus three for "Graduation," in Norway, Ireland and Switzerland.

Coming after his last-minute cancellation of his European promotional visit (Billboard.biz, Sept. 18, 2007), 50 Cent's regional chart-topping status could yet provide encouragement if he considers reversing his recent pledge to retire as a solo act if rival rapper Kanye West outsold him in the charts.

Billboard's European Top 100 collates data from charts in 19 European territories. In major markets such as Italy, Germany, and France, "Curtis" respectively reached No. 9, No. 2, and No. 3. The album reached No.2 in the United Kingdom, and No. 3 in both Flemish-speaking Belgium and the Netherlands.

West, on the other hand, could only manage No. 3 in Billboard's European Top 100. He was particularly vulnerable because of his showings in Italy (No. 33), Germany (No. 10), France (No. 9) and Spain, where he has not yet charted.

Both artists are also in the top 10 of the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, with "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland holding at No. 4 and West's "Stronger" at No. 6.

In between 50 Cent and West on the Top 100 Albums, French star Manu Chao dips 1-2 with "La Radiolina" (Because). The title adds a No.1 entry in Greece, a 3-1 climb in the Belgian region of Flanders and a No.3 start in Hungary.

Away from the Fiddy/Kanye contest, "Back To Black" (Island/Universal) falls 2-4 on the composite chart for Amy Winehouse, as it does in the United Kingdom, and Mika's "Life In Cartoon Motion" (Casablanca/Island/Universal) also falls 3-5 overall. Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" (SRP/Def Jam) drops 4-6 on Top 100 Albums, despite climbs of 13-2 in Greece and 10-8 in Germany.

The other newcomer to the pan-European top 10 is K.T.Tunstall's sophomore album "Drastic Fantastic" (Relentless/Virgin), at No. 7. It's new at No. 3 in the United Kingdom on sales of 56,000, in contrast to its predecessor "Eye To The Telescope," which took 16 weeks to reach the top 10.

German rapper Bushido's "7" (Ersguterju) slips 6-8 on the composite survey, despite keeping top spot in Germany ahead of the 50 Cent album. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value" (Interscope) falls 7-9 on Top 100 Albums and Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals' "Lifeline" (Virgin) 8-10.

Australian actress-turned-singer Natalie Imbruglia celebrates a decade of recording with "Glorious - The Singles" (Brightside/Sony BMG), which hits the pan-European chart at No. 16, having started at No. 5 in the United Kingdom on sales of 22,000.

The Eurochart also has a new leader, as James Blunt's "1973" (Atlantic) climbs to No. 1 after two weeks in runner-up spot behind Timbaland's "The Way I Are" (Interscope) featuring DOE and Keri Hilson. That's now No. 2 after four weeks at the top. Blunt's single holds at No. 1 in Austria and Switzerland, No. 2 in Italy and No. 4 in the United Kingdom.

A slow-paced Eurochart shows only one other climber in the top 10, as Mika's "Relax Take It Easy" moves back 12-9, after spending five weeks at No. 2 in July and August. Ora Mate's "Kamate" (Music One) is up 18-12 after climbing 5-2 in France, while Rihanna has the Eurochart's highest new entry as "Don't Stop The Music" arrives at No. 13.

[Traumatized]

No suprise at all.

[Styles1]

I'm sure he will take some comfort from that, however, who wants to get beat on their home turf? The American charts were his home stomping grounds and someone else just became King of his yard...

[big mat]

i would like to see overall who sold most, cuz in canada kanye is number 1. And europe don't buy as much as american, you can be number 1 in hungaria with 10 000 album sold.

[Liquid-Dogg]

the only reason for this is because most the continent can't speak english so they can't actually listen to how shit 50's lyrics are! doesn't anyone else think that? do you honestly think he would sell so much if it wasn't for the formula music video's and the marketing and promotion.

[The King]

Yeah Kanye beat 50 first week, but 6 months from now, who do you think will of sold more world wide and in the US? First week sales are over-rated, it's longevity, if you can stay in the top 20 for a few months, you'll sell triple what you sold in your first week.

[SmokinDro520]

Yeah Kanye beat 50 first week, but 6 months from now, who do you think will of sold more world wide and in the US? First week sales are over-rated, it's longevity, if you can stay in the top 20 for a few months, you'll sell triple what you sold in your first week.

I dont think 50 will pass Kanye in the U.S maybe worldwide.Kanye is ahead by more than 300,000.

[K.Dub]

the only reason for this is because most the continent can't speak english so they can't actually listen to how shit 50's lyrics are! doesn't anyone else think that? do you honestly think he would sell so much if it wasn't for the formula music video's and the marketing and promotion.

True that

[Styles1]

Unfortunately the first week sales (just like the movies) has become the measuring stick and standard for the music industry....

Remember when EPMD said, "30 days later, the LP went Gold, so what chu sayin?".... that was definitely a different time.

[big mat]

the only reason for this is because most the continent can't speak english so they can't actually listen to how shit 50's lyrics are! doesn't anyone else think that? do you honestly think he would sell so much if it wasn't for the formula music video's and the marketing and promotion.

True that

It could be true, The dj at my local radio station said the same thing. In canada and Quebec city (where i live) kanye is number one. In the rest of the province 50 is first though. They got that guy who's well connected to the music business and he talks about the new stuff and make some reviews and he plaid like all the gunshots of 50's album in a row just to prove how pointless dude is and how shitty his album is.

[jeromechickenbone]

Unfortunately the first week sales (just like the movies) has become the measuring stick and standard for the music industry....

Remember when EPMD said, "30 days later, the LP went Gold, so what chu sayin?".... that was definitely a different time.

It fits their retarded business model that way.  They somehow think that putting out bullshit product will make their industry stronger.  Its ass fucking backwards and I can't wait for the day the majors crumble.

[virtuoso]

Lol, i take it you are not impressed with either album then Jrome?

[Adam Donnelly]

Get over it mate
Kanye won 

[Sikotic™]

You fucking herbs are still talking album sales. You ain't making shit off any of them so who gives a fuck? Fuckin stans. Some of ya are all excited about a rapper's sales like you're his girl and he's gonna buy you a tennis bracelet or somethin'.

Disgusting.