Though his numerous beefs have occasionally been labeled publicity stunts, 50 Cent has apparently turned his back on using such tactics to boost record sales. In a recent interview on Carson Daly's radio show, 50 said he's learned that beef alone doesn't really move the needle when it comes to commercial performance.
"Beef doesn't actually sell records," he said. "It creates that barbershop/beauty salon conversation. Hit records sell records."
Fif, of course, has been involved in some of the most notorious rap rivalries of the 21st century. In 2008, he promised to quit the music business entirely if Kanye West outsold him when their albums were released on the same day (he later reneged). And former members of his G-Unit clan, including Game and Young Buck, have had very public falling outs with the rapper and mogul. Speaking candidly on those situations, Fif sounded regretful at how events transpired.
"You can offer an artist an opportunity to have the audience that's interested in you become interested in them. You can let them perform on your stage and work in your music videos and everything but if they want what you have and they can't quite do that, they gotta establish that on their own," he said of his lost protégés. "The artists got uncomfortable and felt they wouldn't be as big as me with me. I never felt 'I have to get rid of Em to get big.'"
Rather, 50 said he was forever indebted to Eminem, even likening the supportive role he plays in his life to that of his grandparents.
"My career wouldn't even exist, I wouldn't even be talking to you if it wasn't for Em," he said. "It's amazing that later in your life you could find someone that means so much to the comfort in your actual life. My grandparents were that for me before Em."
Read the full interview over at HipHopDX.

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