50 Cent Blames Album Delays On Eminem, Speaks On Benefits Of Rick Ross Beef

Before I Self Destruct, the upcoming album from 50 Cent, won’t be released until after Eminem’s Relapse, according to an interview the rapper did with the Associated Press yesterday (Feb. 25).

The disc was originally scheduled for a December 9th release with two of its singles—“Get Up,” and “I Get It In,” - already serviced to the radio. However, the G-Unit front man explained, “Because Dre is mixing Em’s album, Em will be completed entirely before we get a chance to finish the pieces that me and Dre did together.” [Watch Below]

Promoting his new video game, 50 Cent: Blood On The Sand - which hit stores on Tuesday - 50 also visited Hot 97’s Angie Martinez yesterday, where he discussed his on-going beef with Rick Ross. The war of words, initiated by the Miami Boss’ record “Mafia Music,” has transformed into a multimedia battle. Through various web videos and diss records, 50 claims to have successfully driven fan interest to his site, ThisIs50.com, so much so that traffic has “increased by 60%.” As a result, the site has become more attractive real estate for advertising space, with 50 commenting about Ross, “He’s turning my website into a network.”

The hip-hop mogul is also looking to capitalize on the beef with the release of Tia’s Diary: Deeper Than Rap, a memoir from Tia Kemp, the mother of Ross’ son. Contrary to reports, the book, set to drop the same day (March 24) as Ross’ third album Deeper Than Rap, will not be published by 50. He did, however, admit to retaining a financial stake in it while on the air with Martinez.

In the same interview, 50 went on to say that he had every intention to continue sparring with Ross, while also pondering his future, post-Before I Self Destruct. “I’ll go be the president of Def Jam,” he said. “I don’t see that as a bad idea to go there to get rid of Khaled and a few other artists over there I really don’t like.”

As of press time neither 50 or Eminem's new discs have received release dates. - Devin Chanda