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50 Vs. Kanye

Date: Nov 26 2007

Themes: Music

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

It’s been a while since there was a good rap rivalry. Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. tragically died because of their rivalry, but their distaste for one another pushed them and added to their fame.

Recently, rappers Kanye West and 50 Cent released their albums on the same day. The weeks before the release date saw a lot of trash talking between them. Some people believed they were the next great rap rivalry.

But others thought it was just guerrilla marketing. Nothing creates interest like conflict. With CD sales dropping, a healthy rivalry might be a good business decision. Listen to Devan and Beren talk about it.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Beren

Devan: So are on team 50 or team Kanye?

Beren: Dude, I’m totally on…team Kanye! I hate to admit it. The dude is a little arrogant...

Devan: He’s so arrogant! But 50 Cent, how arrogant was that saying that if Kanye outsells him he’s going to retire? Has he made a public statement yet now that Kanye outsold him?

Beren: No, they totally had a face off. Did you hear about the battle? It was at the MTV Video Awards? They came head to head and they talked about it. They both got on stage. It’s just basically a publicity stunt for both of them.

Devan: Alright.

Beren: I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re, like, guest rapping on each other’s albums.

Devan: So they’re like buddies drinking a bottle of champagne.

Beren: Exactly. 50’s not gonna retire. Kanye’s never gonna retire. Even though some wish he would…

Devan: So do you think that helped Kanye sell more albums by all the poeple that wanted 50 Cent to retire or do you think it was just genuine Kanye fans.

Beren: Genuine Kanye fans. My mom’s a Kanye fan.

Devan: Your mom’s a Kanye fan?

Beren: Yeah, totally!

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Discussion

Devan asks Beren which side she’s on, 50’s or Kanye’s. She hesitates and then admits she’s on Kanye’s side even though he’s a little hard to like sometimes.

But Devan points out that 50 is just as arrogant. He said he’d retire if Kanye’s album sold more copies.

It did. He didn’t.

Beren notes that the rivalry has been good for both artists. Although she believes that Kanye actually has more fans.

Do you think 50 and Kanye are actually rivals? Can you think of a time when rivalry pushed you to succeed?

Comments

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askim

Germany

Both r great ;)

maodcy

China

i like the rivaling,it can give me enthusiasm that can conquer all difficults, no rivaling our society will not go ahead

vamdhara

Zimbabwe

they want to have more coverage and sell their music quickly

brook-guo

China

it is a vary interesting topic .Both of them can benifit through a healthy revalry.so ,I hope that they can get along very well each other in futrue.

lbzb

China

I can’t see the phone

basheerktptb

India

I am starting today

thank you

basheerktptb

India

I am starting today

thank you

viktor105

Nigeria

i love 50 cent i thing he proud of himself and his music

iris_mera

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i dont like rap music,but i think rivalry can push us to succeed.

bazargan

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

It is big trick for marketing.

xiaoyuelinglong

China

i dont know about them,but i think there are revalries everythere. sometimes, the revalry exist in out life ,i think the real revalry can push us to suceed!

elfetoriahmed

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

i like competative, but should the competitors love eachother when finshing time come, it should be no argue.

kaushalyats

Sri Lanka

If the rivalry intense it means there are lot of opportunities in the market and if you can do better than your rivals definitely it will pushed you to succeed.when it's comes to face off situation most of the rappers try to be more arrogant to show their confidence and trying to protect their fame.Guerilla marketing is part of the game and trash talking and publicity stunts are also go along with that.no matter who out sells whome most of the rappers trying to stay as long as they could stay in the field.

kaushalyats

Sri Lanka

If the rivalry intense it means there are lot of opportunities in the market and if you can do better than your rivals definitely it will pushed you to succeed.when it’s comes to face off situation most of the rappers try to be more arrogant to show their confidence and trying to protect their fame.Guerilla marketing is part of the game and trash talking and publicity stunts are also go along with that.no matter who out sells whome most of the rappers trying to stay as long as they could stay in the field.