Kanye West and Nicki Minaj have combined for what will be the biggest week of hip-hop albums sales since Eminem released Recovery in June. Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy will likely become the No. 1 album next week with sales that are projected to reach 575,000.
Minaj’s Pink Friday could sell 425,000, which will likely make it the No. 2 album on the Billboard charts.
West’s album has been praised by several notable music critics and Minaj is arguably the most celebrated female rapper since Eve.
However, both artists have benefited from controversial issues that have kept their fans passionate and created intrigue for those who aren’t ardent hip-hop listeners.
West was viewed as the ultimate villain by many after he interrupted Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs. And he recently faced more controversy after former President George W. Bush said that West’s comment after Hurricane Katrina was the worst moment of his presidency. Although Bush’s assessment was idiotic, the former world leader brought more attention to West and, in turn, helped keep all eyes on Kanye.
The most relevant female rapper in about five years, Minaj somehow got under the skin of several veteran female rap acts. Lil Kim turned out to be Minaj’s most fierce adversary and dissed her several times during radio interviews and released a few hateful songs that were aimed towards the Cash Money/Young Money artist. Minaj has also been criticized for her self-description as a black Barbie and choice to undergo plastic surgery.
Not many people are neutral about West and Minaj. The two artists are either loved or hated. Their ability to create controversy will keep them atop the album charts this holiday season. –amir shaw
