Well, it looks like Kanye West won … in my mind at least.

Now I’ll admit I was a little biased going into Tuesday’s face-off between West and 50 Cent — both releasing their albums on the same day to see who could sell more in the first week. I prefer West (the well-known producer who first made waves in music as a rapper with “Jesus Walks”) over most other rappers because of his originality and lyrical wit and rhyme schemes.

West’s much-anticipated “Graduation” and 50 Cent’s “Curtis” both hit stores on Tuesday. I reserved my copy of “Graduation” at f.y.e in Bonita Lakes Mall. And when I stopped by the store to pick it up about noon Tuesday, West had outsold his rival. It’s not like that means much in the overall scheme of things, but it made me feel good.

While Tuesday was the release date, it was hardly the first anyone had heard of their respective albums. Both artists released songs to radio and on the Web in the months prior to the release.

Two of West’s songs — “Stronger” and “Can’t tell me nothing” — already have received a great deal of radio play (even topping as one of iTunes most downloaded songs many days). And “Good Life” — a song featuring 2007 Hip-hop mega star T-Pain — hit the Web and West’s Myspace page last week. It’s a catchy club song that is sure to be an instant hit on mainstream radio as well.

To me, there’s no comparison. West’s album is much better from a lyrical and musical standpoint. His wit and candor easily make it outshine 50 cent’s “Curtis.” I’m not against 50 Cent, I just prefer a little originality. And while a few of 50 Cent’s songs are good, they don’t sound much different than his previous stuff. But we’ll have to wait to see who sold more next Tuesday.

I’ll leave you with a portion of West’s song, “Everything I am,” which illustrates why he’s different from a lot of rappers, particularly 50 Cent. The song talks how people critique him for his originality. He’s the “preppy” rapper, known for wearing more pink polos than baggy t-shirts. The song also addresses the fact that he refuses to rhyme about killing.

I know that people wouldn’t usually rap this

But I got the facts to back this

Just last year, Chicago had over 600 caskets

Man, killin’ is some wack (stuff)

Oh, I forgot, except for when (people) is rappin’

Do you know what it feel like when people is passin’?

— Kanye West

“Everything I am”