50 Cent has survived shootings, a humble upbringing and a swarm of criticism from music insiders. So it’s no surprise he’s confident he’ll clobber Kanye West when their competing albums drop Tuesday. 50 Cent is certain “Curtis,” his third album, will not only outsell West’s “Graduation,” but will eventually become a classic. With production work provided by the legendary Dr. Dre and Timbaland, and guests that include Eminem, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige, it’s easy to see why the 32-year-old appears so cocky.
Plus, up to this point he leads West in overall sales of their prior two records – 11 million to 6 million. The rapper has also landed a slew of plum acting gigs, including turns in two films slated for release in 2008, “Righteous Kill” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, and “The Dance” with Nicolas Cage.
Q: What did you think when you heard Kanye had moved the release of “Graduation” to the same day as “Curtis.”
A: I think it’s great for music. Plus, there’s nothing better than competition.
Q: Originally, you talked some trash and threatened to hang ’em up if he outsells you. Then you were spotted knocking down shots with him at the 40/40 Club along with Jay-Z, Diddy and T.I. What’s the deal with that?
A: We are good friends. We met up a few months back and listened to the tracks on each other’s albums and gave our opinions. But just because we are friends doesn’t mean I want him to beat me.
Q: Will he?
A: No way. I’ll beat him in first-week sales and overall sales. My first two records outsold his first two, and this won’t be any different.
Q: Even though Kanye’s singles are rocking the charts and he just made a cameo on “Entourage” in which they played snippets of his record?
A: It doesn’t matter. People are going to listen to this album and see how much I’ve grown as an artist. You can tell just by the people I collaborated with. I mean for the first two albums I only worked with Eminem, Dr. Dre and G-Unit. Now I’m working with people like Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke and Mary J. Blige.
Plus, it’s more of a personal album. There are a lot of lyrics that talk about my childhood and allow for people to get more of a sense of where I’ve come from. Songs that I haven’t released yet, like “Follow My Lead” and “Come and Go,” are going to surprise people. I think it will be a classic.
Q: Rumor has it you suffered a bit of writer’s block this time around.
A: I did. The worst thing that can happen to an artist is confusion – it makes you very vulnerable. I decided to move into my old grandmother’s house in Queens for motivation, and the lyrics started flowing. Being there and thinking about things growing up, and looking at old photos, gave me direction. I wanted to make an album that showed more of my emotions and would be a lot more personal than my previous ones.
Q: The ideas must have been abundant. You wound up with enough material for a double album.
A: I did. I’m going to put out another record, “Before I Self Destruct,” in April. I also plan to release a greatest-hits album shortly after that and take a break. I feel that my requirements will be done then and will only work on select things like [Dr.] Dre does now.
Q: What has it been like working with Pacino and De Niro?
A: Al and Bob play cops, and I play the villain – ya know, your favorite bad guy. I’ve only been to two table readings, and I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be part of it. I mean, c’mon, those are two of the greatest actors ever. I think I’ve seen “Scarface” a hundred times. I also loved “Heat” when they had to hunt each other down. [De Niro] and I have been talking for a long time now about working on a project together. I can’t wait to start shooting.
Q: Wow! First Samuel L. Jackson and producer-director Irwin Winkler gush over your acting skills in “Home of the Brave” and now you’re telling us that Bobby D. is a fan. What’s next?
A: [Laughs] I think people see that I’m not just a rapper that they threw into a movie. These big stars are beginning to respect me because they see how serious I’m taking it.
Q: You also got to work with Nicolas Cage. What actor or actress that you haven’t worked with intrigues you the most?
A: Leonardo DiCaprio. I am a huge fan of his work. He was unbelievable in “The Aviator.”
Q: I’d say he was better in “The Departed.”
A: That was one of the best movies made in the last 10 years. That cast was amazing. [DiCaprio] did such a great job, especially with his dialect. I really hope I get to work on something with him soon.
Q: The last time we spoke, you had about 10 side projects you were working on, from developing a laptop with Apple to expanding your G-Unit clothing line. Any new exciting ventures?
A: A few. The big one right now is creating a fragrance.
Q: What’s it called?
A: Power by 50. I’ve gone to Paris a few times to meet with people there who are working on it. It’s the same company that made one for Jennifer Lopez and David Beckham. I just basically give them feedback and stuff. It’s almost ready.
Q: As if you needed any more of an advantage getting girls.
A: [Laughs] That’s a good one.
THE SCORE
Birthday: July 6, 1975, in Jamaica, Queens
In the ring: 50 began boxing at the age of 11, and in the mid-1980s he competed in the Junior Olympics as an amateur boxer.
No wanksta: 50’s name stems from a real-life gangster in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, who is now deceased.
Don’t sweat the technique: 50’s favorite MC of all time is Rakim, whom he praises in “Hate It or Love It.”