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Beyonce performs "Single Ladies" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, September 13, 2009. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn

Pictures of the year: Entertainment

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    Kanye West extends sales lead over 50 Cent

    Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:40pm EDT
    Singer Kanye West (L) and Curtis ''50 Cent'' Jackson share a laugh during the taping of the BET Channel's show ''106th and Park'' on the day that both West and rival 50 Cent release their respective new albums in New York September 11, 2007. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

    By Geoff Mayfield

    Entertainment  |  Music

    LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Kanye West has increased his lead over 50 Cent in the much scrutinized battle between the rap stars, according to preliminary sales data issued Friday.

    West's "Graduation" had sold about 600,000 copies and 50 Cent's "Curtis" 430,000 copies, according to data reported to tracking firm SoundScan by eight leading accounts through close of business Thursday.

    West's margin of 170,000 units marked an improvement on his first-day lead of 127,000 units. Both albums went on sale Tuesday amid much media hype about the supposed duel between the two acts.

    Meanwhile, country star Kenny Chesney's "Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates" had sold 232,000 copies through Thursday, up from his Tuesday opening of 107,000.

    The numbers reflect sales only at the participating panel of Trans World Entertainment, Best Buy, Borders, Circuit City, iTunes, Target, Anderson Merchandisers and Handleman Co. The latter two companies place music in WalMart and other mass merchants.

    The final charts, with sales from the entire panel extrapolated to reflect the overall U.S. market, will be published Wednesday.

    Reuters/Billboard
    Entertainment
    Music


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