Rapper Killer Mike Says 50 Cent’s Success Hurt His Rap Career

In a recent interview with Spin magazine, acclaimed rapper Killer Mike delved into his personal journey within the music industry, sharing invaluable insights and life lessons along the way.

During the conversation, Killer Mike candidly discussed his struggles with self-doubt during the early stages of his career, attributing a portion of his setbacks to his initial record deal with Columbia Records, which he believes had a detrimental effect on his progress.

While his debut album, “Monster,” garnered respectable sales figures, surpassing 500,000 copies in the United States, it failed to generate the same level of excitement as some of his contemporaries, most notably 50 Cent. The latter’s 2003 major label debut, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” experienced remarkable success, selling an astonishing 872,000 copies within its first week and eventually reaching nearly 10 million copies sold.

Reflecting on his experiences, Killer Mike confessed, “My first record deal left an imprint on me. It instilled fear and held me back. Although my achievements were not abysmal within the major label system, I found myself overshadowed by the explosive success of 50 Cent, who sold a staggering 10 million records in the same year. Meanwhile, I managed to sell a modest 500,000 copies.”

It was at this juncture that the rapper came to a significant realization, discovering his comfort and affinity within independent circles, where he could navigate his career on his own terms.