Marketing and positioning, that's all. Here's how everyone benefits or does not.
Farrakhan: Gets publicity whether or not there is a "meeting" between the two rappers. Gains more exposure and more possible recruits in his organisation as a result of this. Either way, he has nothing to lose. He promotes his agenda and gains more exposure making his organisation in tune with a newer generation. If something happens "he tried" and is still looked upon in a better light. From what I heard, all the statements he made alluded to a "larger conspiracy" which is in-line with The Source's stance.
50 Cent: Doesn't have to do anything. The chips are in his favour. He is on top, and if he lets Ja and Irv Gotti take advantage of him by ascribing to the meeting, he will lose face.
The only element is that Murder Inc. brought in is Louis Farrakhan in order to show that if 50 doesn't want to meet for peace, 50 Cent is disrespecting Mr. Farrakhan and his own community as well. Trust me, that Murder Inc. will play this card. People "respect" 50 more, and the dispute only elevates 50's marketable status as a thug even more, and he will sell more records due to this dispute. If he does collaborate or meet with Ja, things could escalate at the meeting, where Ja can at least demean 50 to his face, call him a liar. I'm sure 50 lied about a lot of things, and he doesn't want them to be aired out. My feeling is the meeting would hurt 50's credibility and marketability.
Ja Rule: Released the tape to time perfectly with his album release, and to create interest in his other album release later this year. Gotti makes it look like there is a want for peace, which is smart, because a meeting would gain Ja support, especially from his female fans, who are his core audience, not males. In fact, this want for peace is popular with females, and Ja gets more of his fanbase back. But Gotti then further states that if 50 doesn't want peace, then there will be "whatever." Doesn't sound like a peace calling to me, sounds like a way to bring 50 Cent down from his perch as the most marketable rapper next to Eminem.
Def Jam Def Jam despises Interscope since Interscope cuts into Def Jam's market share. Interscope continually has outshined Def Jam as of late in most of their releases. They should have never gotten rid of Rick Rubin. Def Jam works with The Source and the New York scene to continually undermine Interscope's hip-hop releases.
Dr. Dre He has seen this before, and will probably see it again. Continues to count his money while Irv Gotti hangs on to Ja's star. Gotti should be focusing on Ashanti and moving away from the dilemma.
The Best Outcome? There are obvious problems, Ja is probably lying about his connection to 50 and 50 is lying about other things. A reunion won't happen if they are personal enemies. I really don't see how 50 Cent would gain from this, because then 50 "gave in" to Ja Rule and agreed to a truce. Also, truces can be broken, or fake.
The real people hurting are Murder Inc, as their album sales have dwindled significantly from Ja Rule's side. 50 seems untouchable though he has compromised rapping skills.
This probably will go away, or won't end well. Who wins? Farrakhan, Interscope, Def Jam and Dr. Dre. If I was Ja Rule, I would quit, take my money, and live on an island somewhere far away. He's made it as a financial elite. He should move to Switzerland and forget about it. He would make more money off a large insured annuity than another record.
New found respect, you say? Read between the lines. This is a calculated method of positioning versus 50 Cent from Ja Rule's camp. Cunning usage of Mr. Farrakhan in the process by Irv Gotti. Cunning usage by Mr. Farrakhan of the situation as well.
I tend to be a pessimist about the industry. It's dog eat dog and money is the prize.
Sincerely,
God