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In what seems to be one of the biggest hiphop showdowns in the history of hiphop, September 11 will showcase both 50 Cent and Kanye West drop their respective third albums in stores.  Much "trash talk" has professed from both sides, mainly from the G-Unit general, who has taken every instance to denounce Kanye West as any form of real competition.  Ask Kanye West though, and the "Luis Vuitton Don" will tell you that his real competition is not with 50 Cent, but with another superstar whom many may not even suspect.

In the upcoming October 2007 issue of XXL, Kanye West revealed that his only "real" competition is R&B superstar Justin Timberlake, even comparing himself and Justin to the rivalry between Prince and Michael Jackson:  "My biggest inspiration and biggest competition is Justin Timberlake.  He’s the only other person that gets an across-the-board response and respect level — black radio, white radio.”

“If Justin hadn’t come out and killed the game, I can’t say that my album, singles and videos would be on the same level that they’re on,” Kanye continued.  “We push each other.  I look at me and Justin like Prince and Michael Jackson in their day.”

Kanye went on to explain that, unlike 50 Cent and his hardcore lyrical content, he has been able to connect with people without resorting to the "gun talk" and violent lyrics:  "I feel like my lyrics are, if not THE, then equal to, the realest lyrics out,” he says.  “I connected with so many people without talkin’ about guns and drugs....It’s harder to go to work 365 days than shoot a person in one day.”

Kanye also stated that "There’s nothing about wearing a pink Polo that would make anyone believe that I would hold a gun."