50 Cent, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” joined Ari Melber on MSNBC for an interview.
The rapper discussed his new television broadcast deal with Fox, the 2024 elections, and other topics. During the interview, he was also asked about Billboard and Vibe’s recently released top 50 best rappers list, which featured JAY-Z at the top.
“Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Nas top 3? Nah, they are still good artists but all time? No. I do not know who should be number one artist is,” he said at the 29:30 minute mark. “It depends on a time period. How do you not look at number one selling artist if we are in business? If we are in business, then you have to look at number one selling artist, because it’s a business.”
He continued, “I am talking about Eminem when I’m saying that. Em sold like 90 million records [in the US]. The bridge, when you see these Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bentleys, there are no Lamborghinis and Ferraris for you to buy from Hip-Hop culture if there is no consumer base. If they don’t see where they fit into the culture then there is no reason for them to support and buy it.”
“So, right now them guys at home are like ‘Ooo, 50 just loves Eminem so much,’ yeah… I love him to death. I do love Em to death. I am looking at it and I am saying why would people be interested in it enough to consume it without it being marketed to them directly for them to feel like they are part of it.”
Meanwhile, Ice Cube has expressed dissatisfaction with Billboard’s Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time lineup, arguing that his ranking on the list is evidence that the publication “ain’t Hip Hop.” “Who?” he asked rhetorically when the reporter mentioned Billboard‘s list. “I don’t fk with Billboard or the editor. Billboard ain’t Hip Hop so their opinion don’t matter. So who gives a fk?”
Check out the interview below.
