KANYE WEST is winning the battle of the rap albums against 50 CENT in the US, early figures show.

Perhaps tempted by 50 Cent’s threat to stop releasing solo material if Kanye beats him in sales, album-buyers have been turning to Kanye’s GRADUATION rather than his rival’s CURTIS over the last two days.

Figures suggest Kanye’s album could shift some 700,000 copies in the first week, outstripping 50 Cent’s third album, which was released on the same day.

Meanwhile, the outspoken rapper has again slammed BRITNEY SPEARS’ comeback performance at the MTV awards this week, after whinging that he should have been allowed to open the show instead.

He told US radio show Sirius Satellite Radio’s Morning Mash Up: “Man, they were trying to get ratings. They knew she wasn’t ready and they exploited her.”

He added: “They exploited her, they played me and I really don’t mess with MTV.”

Britney’s attempt at performing her new single GIMME MORE was universally panned as “embarrassing” and “zombie like” by critics.

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