i'm not sure which one you're referring too so i'll clarify my position then explain the original post hehehe
to me pearl jam did help educate my generation into seeing the corporate machine for what it was. they tried to help a new generation of kids consider mass media with a critical eye and ear and i think they were fairly successful in that regard. that critical element seems to be sorely lacking in the bulk of younger people i meet.
as for the kanye or 50 deal. i get my mainstream info from this site
http://www.weeklydig.com/arts-entert...usic/burn-unit
it basically boils down to 50 running his mouth and claiming he'd stop making solo albums if he failed to outsell kanye during their first week of sales. he's since rescinded on that comment since he also claimed he'd be a failure if he didn't outsell his first record (both aspects of this statement are ironically true though)
the real winner in this case is
universal music group since they're directly releasing the 50 disc and they own the roc a fella label that will be releasing kanye west's disc. too bad their average fans are too dumb to pick up on the fact that THEY are the ones being played in this 'competition'.