50 Cent: Piracy Is Part Of The Marketing
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50 Cent: Piracy Is A Part Of The Marketing
from the they-end-up-at-the-concert dept
Famed rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) was apparently on CNBC recently talking about his "business acumen." I have to admit that having three different people all trying to interview him at once is rather annoying -- as they almost never let him complete a thought. However, when they ask him about piracy, and whether or not it makes him angry (around 2 minutes), he responds that: he sees it as a part of the marketing of a musician, because "the people who didn't purchase the material, they end up at the concert." He says that people can fall in love with the music either way, and then they'll go to concerts. He notes that you can't stop piracy either way, so why try to fight it? He also talks about other business opportunities for musicians.
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Not bad
by RDDont really care for him or his music, but he comes across very well here, and seems to take the whole "piracy" thing in stride. Notice the interviewer REALLY wanted him to be "angry" about it. Gotta love media bias in favor of the big poppa media company owner.
Hmmm. Interesting Guy
byDerek Kerton (profile)
I never gave this guy a second's thought. As a pop entertainer, most aren't worth even that much time. But his ideas are quite impressive. Despite the fact that his diction reveals a dis-privileged upbringing, what he says reveals a true thinker.
Makes me want to check out the book.
I need to listen to his lyrics, though. Too many rappers that I've found to be very smart STILL fill their rap songs with low-life mantas, misogynist claptrap, braggadocio and vulgarity. When I see such a rapper in a good interview, I am saddened that they pander to the lowest-denominator in their music, even as they are clearly capable of higher discourse.
The man turns out to be a very common sense guy. I have never heard him performing (for me rap is not music, so I am not into it), but he speaks as a smart educated person. Respect!
He was on Opie & Anthony a few months ago and I was taken aback at just how lucid and intelligent he was in terms of business (no, not because he's black but because of his music). He's one the few that actually gets it.
Re: Hmmm. Interesting Guy
There are plenty of rappers who have thoughtful lyrics that don't glorify violence, misogyny or the "thug" lifestyle. Unfortunately, they're usually not the ones in the top 40.
Re: Hmmm. Interesting Guy
There's always KRS-One for the quintessential "conscious rapper". Mos Def tries to raise awareness over creating a thug persona. And Eminem goes back and forth between moments of inspiration, and slips with Slim Shady.
Whatta loser
bystat_insig (profile)
Now we know why he is 50 cents and not 100. He lost the other 50 due to piracy.
Re:
by ZavenSame here. I'm completely surprised. His music while entertaining seems very shallow. But him talking seems so well thought out.
Re: Re: Hmmm. Interesting Guy
by ZavenWe're all aware that there are rappers with thoughtful lyrics; we just never thought of 50 Cent as one of 'em. This interview is a shock.
Re: Hmmm. Interesting Guy
byDark Helmet (profile)
"Too many rappers that I've found to be very smart STILL fill their rap songs with low-life mantas, misogynist claptrap, braggadocio and vulgarity. When I see such a rapper in a good interview, I am saddened that they pander to the lowest-denominator in their music, even as they are clearly capable of higher discourse."
Take two doses of Del The Funky Homosapien and Common and call me in the morning...
message to 50 cent
by GZAYou ain't nothin' but a pig in a blanket
Hoghead, the deadliest food at the banquet.
All this rap crap that's trapped in your colon
Only means, get rid of the wack sh-- ya holdin'He's a businessman
by JasonSay what you will about his music, 50 Cent has always had a firm grasp on the business side of his celebrity. 2 words: Vitamin Water
Bravo
byI'd like to congratulate the regulars here for NOT giving some of the comments on this thread a response.
There are some, above, that clearly either didn't pay attention to the interview, or didn't even watch the video at all. Those people prove, by their comments, that ignorance is NOT bliss. If it were, they wouldn't be so negative all the time.
that was funny
by ScottNYC"recessions are predominently for the middle class, where I come from people are always in a recession" lol that was good.
I download music, and would NEVER EVER EVER EVER even dream of going to a concert. Who the hell would go to a damn concert? All the fucking "people" (if you can call that sort of sub-human trash 'people'), excessive noise level, ridiculously expensive food and drinks, etc, etc... I download it to enjoy in the quite comfort of my home. I'm sorry, but I will not pay $20 for a CD just to get one song. Not gonna happen. The musicians need to eliminate the record labels, and set up shop in their house. With today's technology, it is no longer necessary to have record labels. Spend a few grand on a soundproof room, and record direct to mp3 format. Sell it for under a buck per song, and you will make billions.
Well, as a geek, rap and hip hop lover (I do like 50 cent... His first CD is pretty good, don't like the new stuff) this is awesome. If only more entertainers thought like this instead of labeling pirates as criminals and thieves. Although it would be a little hypocritical if most of these rappers did get pissed about people "stealing" "their" music.
Leading question
by fogbugzdThe thing I found entertaining was the way the anchor person asked the question about piracy. See obviously thought she knew he would dislike piracy and started asking the question framed in that manner. I have to give her credit for a quick switch in the tenor of the question when she got feedback from his expression.
Re: Whatta loser
by Lawrence D'OliveiroHe’s still richer than you are, asshole.
Re: Hmmm. Interesting Guy
by PeterI agree on all accounts, but as far as I understand, it's just a business model that sells. Just as big corporate slim bags resort to all sort of shady business deals to get "rich quick", and banksters trade money like in a monopoly game -- many of these rapper guys just use this platform as a vehicle to make a name for themselves and get rich.
The few conscious rappers out there with some substance, well, they still drive and carry their own stuff, can't support a family of what they do, and are more in line with the starving artist.
Right or wrong, there it is.
Re: Not bad
by Anonymous CowardThus the great divide in the world... Someone is singing about their pain and struggle and you dont give them a second thought... when they look you want them to look you listen to them. I hope white America remains this ignorant forever...
Re: Hmmm. Interesting Guy
by Anonymous Cowardlow-life mantas, misogynist claptrap, braggadocio and vulgarity...
Like so many beer, car, clothing, vacation etc advertisements... Power and Sex sells... It was sold to them.. now they are selling it back... get off you high horse...
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