Ready for a Hip-Hop conspiracy theory? Well a week ago, G-Unit dropped their second album Terminate On Sight (T.O.S.) and if you don’t know that, stop reading and go find something better to do with your time. Anyways, after the album dropped, initial reports were stating that based on first day numbers, T.O.S. was slated to move about 700k units in the first week.

Then, MediaTakeOut (renowned for posting bullshit) “leaked” this supposedly internal email:

From: xxxxxx@umusic.com
Sent: Fri Jun 27 16:13:53 2008
Subject:

Guys we understand u are pissed, all we can say is 2nd week #s will be out of here.

We acknowledge we SIGNIFICANTLY underestimated the G unit fan base and online awareness. Therefore we have ordered an immediate increase in production, effective 9am today. Early first week estimates stand at around 700K to 800K US…. We are working to rectify the international shortcomings and put product in place by early next week. Don will be in touch.

Other reports were stating that they’d only shipped about 100,000 copies. Now this could just be a rumor started by the G-Unit camp or MTO, but we won’t argue that here. Note though that they only mention INTERNATIONAL shortcomings (does that include the U.S.?)

Here we are at week 2, and the numbers posted above from HDD (which usually underreports a little bit - they put the carter at just under a milli when soundscan said over a milli), and we see that T.O.S. actually sold almost exactly 100k copies… exactly what Interscope was to have shipped? Interesting.

Now the counter to that? Well, I don’t buy albums in the stores anymore so I can’t comment on that, but I don’t remember ever seeing Amazon.com out of stock on the album, and the last time I checked, they were included in soundscan (speaking of, why aren’t iTunes and Amazon downloads included?). Add to that, T.O.S. was the #1 rap album on iTunes and #3 album overall and then dropped to #13… But… perhaps people don’t like buying albums online. You decide.

To close out, goddamn Wayne’s still going! Doing more than T.O.S.’s first week a month after its own release. Well… at least they outsold John Mayer… and before you guys on about who cares about sales… remember that 50 started it.

For an album that was “rumored” to sell 700k first week, this is a fucking shame.

Granted, Weezy had a huge buzz, and Rihanna did just re-release her album a few weeks ago, but for the once-mighty unit, it’s embarrassing to be below an album that came out weeks ago, and only slightly above an album that is only a year old.

Early soundscan numbers typically only reflect the sales of the more mainstream music accurately, so we’ll see how things ago as the numbers pile in.

*update*
To add to the irony, 50 recently told MTV he thinks he’s gonna sell a million first week:

“Fourth quarter,” he said of the release date. “I got some music. But I’mma make music until I reach a closing date. I’mma stay creative and continue to try and progress.

“I want to focus on the positive, and I feel I’m one of the more vocal people in hip-hop,” he added. “Even when it’s not about music, people pay attention to me, because I have something to offer. I’ll continue to create quality music at a pace they haven’t seen.”

Sounds like Boo Boo is a bit jealous of Wayne

*Sigh*…. No one seems to realize it’s Joe Budden… no S!

Our guys over at DefSounds went to the listening party and wasn’t too impressed. On the other hand, Miss Info reports that the album is “More for those who liked Sabrina’s Baby Boy more than Curtis” (throw me into that bunch). In any case, with their rep under fire, one would think that the unit would be going all out on this one.

50 also reportedly took shots at T.I. on the album, putting into words what we all were thinking:

“Nowaways this rap shit aint adding up. How n—-s get caught with 10 machine guns, only get 12 months?

Oo-weee, don’t talk to me. If you talking to him, you talking to them…

I got the best lawyers that money can buy….they say at best they woulda got me 10 or maybe 9.

I said, how do you explain how the homie breezed? They said, you keep your mouth shut or you eat the cheese.”

Other than that, expect a few shots at Wayne from Buck, and a lot of grittiness.

Peep the tracklist and run down here:

Live From the Terminate On Sight Listening Party

Jokesta heads into the G-Unit offices for a peek at their upcoming album.

I like how banks responds to the “The Whole G-Unit” comment with “Yeah, Me, Yayo & 50″. Sadly, even when asked questions, Yayo has no other purpose than to be a hype man. Nothing new there.

…well, in a way:

Since his departure from the G-Unit camp, ousted member Young Buck has revealed he no longer has beef with Fat Joe and The Game. Last year Buck and Game bumped heads in Vegas which led to a brief non-violent situation; Fat Joe and Buck reportedly had a few run-ins as well. Buck says these rivalries stemmed from his allegiance with G-Unit (which no longer exists.)

I’m not sure if I’d admit my beef with someone was purely because of the next man, but that aside, Fat Joe I can understand, but didn’t Game straight diss Buck MULTIPLE times?

Lord… please don’t let me ever have to hear Young Buck yelling “WE DA BESSSSH!”

Will I buy it? Nope. Do I respect his insane hustle? Chea. No Buck, guess he missed the tourbus.

Browse through craigslist and you may find this gem:

I have all of these G-Unit CDs for sale. I’m no longer a G-Unit fan. I can deliver or you can pick up. There all in good condition, and no scraches. Selling for $50 OR YOUR BEST OFFER.

The ex-fan then begins to list all his CDs for sale. I guess after Game, he just couldn’t handle the Buck situation.

His Collection:

…I guess his first single didn’t make a big enough buzz….

Can anyone explain wtf this is? Considering the last two hotass mixtapes they released, why the F*CK would you go back to this generic sh*t for your first single? Good job, all that buzz work down the drain.

Here’s some GOOD sh*t to wash that taste out your mouth:

Seeing how Kanye not only waxed dat ass in domestic record sales, but scooped up a grammy or two like they were candybars at the checkout line — I guess it’s only fair to throw Mr Cent a friggin bone.

Rap superstar 50 Cent won an Echo Award for 2008’s Best International Hip Hop/R&B artist. The German music awards show, which also nominated Ciara, Kanye West, R. Kelly and the Beastie Boys in that category, took place on Friday in Berlin.

Congrats Fiddy. It’s fitting seeing how overseas is the only place he outsold Kanye.

As if to rain on his parade though, G-Unit’s album has been pushed back to June (way to effectively utilize gained buzz genius) and his movie “Righteous Kill” has been pushed back from April to late fall. Ouch.

So for this week anyways, looks like things are cool. Again.