Rapper 50 Cent is once again a victim of bootlegging and illegal downloading. The rapper\'s sophomore album, the Massacre, which was scheduled to come out on March 8, turned up online this past Monday (February 21). VH1.com reports that Interscope Records has decided to move up the album\'s release to March 3. This isn\'t the first time that 50 Cent has had to deal with the issue of bootlegging--in 2003, the rapper was also forced to push up the release of his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin\'.
When LAUNCH talked to the rapper before his latest album was leaked, he explained that bootlegging can help if you\'re a new artist, but that it might hurt your sales if you\'re already an established act. The rapper said: \"Like, if you\'re a new artist, it\'s effective. If you\'re an artist that\'s out, established, it\'s probably going to hurt your sales, you know what I mean? But being a new artist, once you get a buzz big enough for them to bootleg you, I think you should be bootlegged as much as possible \'cause I think consistency is the key to all success, so if they consistently hear good music, they\'re not going to feel like it\'s a bad buy when it\'s time to purchase your album.\"
The Massacre includes the controversial song \"Piggy Bank,\" where 50 Cent disses Jadakiss, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, and Nas\' wife Kelis. Fat Joe has already allegedly recorded a response, which will be included on his new album, All Or Nothing, that\'s due in April.
In related news, 50 Cent will begin shooting his semi-autobiographical movie, Locked & Loaded, in April. The film will be directed by Jim Sheridan and will also star Joy Bryant.