50 Cent Accuses Jay-Z Of Manufacturing Greatness With Marketing, Beyoncé And Eminem

50 Cent will never stop with Jay-Z.

Now, he’s saying the Roc King’s celebrated Hip-Hop legacy is overly hyped.

The G-Unit mogul has never been particularly interested in diplomatic relations with Shawn Carter, but damn. His latest comments are clear: he believes Jay-Z’s biggest accomplishments have benefited from clever positioning, powerful relationships and a great marketing. He said he could sell water to a whale. But I digress.

During a conversation with comedian Andrew Schulz for Interview Magazine, published October 9, 50 questioned everything from Jay-Z’s distinctive hairstyle to his stadium appearances alongside Eminem.

And he did not exactly handle the subject delicately.

“We see things like the Basquiat hair. When that comes, you go, ‘No, it was intentionally grown out for a Tiffany ad.'”

That’s a crazy claim that I have never seen validated. Jay-Z’s appearance is under fire.

And then Beyoncé entered the chat.

“If you have a strong enough relationship with the tour companies, they’ll do a touring deal with you because they’re securing the tour deal with Beyoncé,” 50 also said.

He then revisited Jay-Z’s 2010 Home & Home concerts with Eminem, suggesting the pairing was designed to elevate Hov’s perceived commercial stature.

“We do your hometown and then my hometown. That’s just to change perception and make him appear as big as Eminem,” he said.

Damn.

Jay-Z and Eminem performing together was a monumental Hip-Hop occasion. However, 50 appears to believe the arrangement served a purpose beyond music.

And now we are here, current day.

Roc Nation has been commemorating Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint with elaborate promotions, including subway campaigns, collectible merchandise and premium packages costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. I mean these are big anniversaries.

50’s not impressed.

“Bro, the album showed up number 23 on the chart when it debuted,” he said. “It was not a fucking big deal then. Why is it a big deal now? It’s great marketing.”

Reasonable Doubt wasn’t a commercial blockbuster, but that MF was classic. Over three decades it was more and more beloved like Illmatic. That happens in Hip-Hop. People catch on later. 50 had The Power of the Dollar. Then he got shot. Fig went crazy with the marketing after that. Slam dunk for Interscope with all respect.

Is Jay-Z’s legacy the product of extraordinary artistry, brilliant marketing or some combination of both?

50 Cent understands marketing better than practically anybody in the business. Maybe that’s why he recognizes the machinery so well.n ????

Jay-Z has built an empire. 50 Cent has built one too.

They disagree about whose empire comes with the best advertising. LOL!

Source: Interview Magazine conversation with 50 Cent and Andrew Schulz.