According to a report by MTV News, the New York-born rapper went ballistic after learning that the audio and video for “Follow My Lead” featuring Robin Thicke (and starring actor Dustin Hoffman) surfaced online last Thursday — weeks before it’s scheduled release.

50 Cent, who’s given name is Curtis Jackson III, reportedly ripped a giant plasma TV off the wall when he heard the news from his G-Unit office. He also threw his cell phone through the window, said he’s going on vacation and is not speaking with any reps at Interscope, who he believes is behind the leak.

I think someone needs to learn how to control their temper. Sure, having your video leaked to the net before you wanted it to may be upsetting, but look on the bright side Fiddy: You now have about a third of your album out there for fans to enjoy before it officially comes out on September 11th!

His first two singles for the upcoming album, “Straight To The Bank” and Amusement Park”, obviously didn’t blow up as well as 50 thought they would, which is the main reason for the multiple delays of the of Curtis album release. Back from the studio, his current single, “I Get Money” is doing well, and so is “Ayo Technology” featuring Justin Timberlake. So, four singles into his new album, plus the leaked collaboration with Robin Thicke… I guess I could probably see why Fiddy flipped out.

On the flip side, contender Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Stronger” have been positively received and he’s about to drop “Good Life” featuring T-Pain. West’s Graduation is set for release on September 11th as well, and Fiddy is betting his rap career that he’d outsell Kanye on the blocks.

In an interview posted on SOHH.com last Friday, 50 stated:

Put it like this… Let’s raise the stakes. If Kanye West sells more records than 50 Cent on September 11, I’ll no longer write music. I’ll write music and work with my other artists, but I won’t put out any more solo albums.

Do I sense publicity stunt? Let’s hope he’s true to his word. Let the battle begin!

This entry was posted on Monday, August 13th, 2007 at 9:25 am and is filed under Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.