A lot of times in life a person is forced to make a choice. North Carolina or Duke (UNC). Cowboys or Redskins (Cowboys). LeBron or Kobe (LeBron). McCain or Obama (ok, so maybe that wasn’t exactly much of a choice). Regardless of the entities, picking sides is never the easiest decision.

When Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane erupted on to the scene roughly around the same time some four years ago, I immediately sided with Jeezy simply because I gravitated towards his music easier. Quite frankly, I still do. Yet and still, I’d be foolish to not acknowledge the fact Gucci’s buzz is at a ridiculously high level…eerily mimicking the 2005 Jeezy.

But will this hood love equate to the same mainstream success his cross town rival has managed to garner? Who’s upcoming album will have hte bigger impact? While there is no official way confirm the results before hand, a simple SWOT analysis helps provide more insight on the situation, thus (hopefully) leading to a better decision. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to put this higher education to good use.

Gucci Mane

Strengths
1. One of the biggest documented street buzzes in a long time.
2. Recent success of crossing over to mainstream music (Mario, Mariah Carey)
3. Ability to make a commercial hit and hood anthem

Weaknesses
1. First bonafide attempt to break into mainstream as a solo artist
2. Economic climate can hinder album sales

Opportunities
1. Could finally arrive on national scene with impressive album
2. More features with more R&B/pop acts thus expanding his fanbase

Threats
1. Young Jeezy
2. Will mixtape success translate into record sales?
3. Legal history

Young Jeezy

Strengths
1. Proven track record of commercial success
2. Last album was critically acclaimed
3. Massive street following
4. Consumer confidence in product (quality mixtapes AND albums)

Weaknesses
1. Economic climate can affect record sales
2. Some fans may want to use this opportunity to side with Gucci because he’s “new” and “hot”

Opportunities
1. First three albums certified platinum. If TM 103 reaches this, Jeezy finds himself in very rare company of first four albums scanning a million copies.

Threats
1. Gucci Mane
2. Following up such an impressive album. Anything less could be considered a “let-down”. (Yeah, it’s a strength, but it’s also a threat.)

So, there you have it. I’m not sure how many people actually considered a SWOT analysis when looking at this situation, but in reality, it’s done all the time through casual conversation. The main question is going to come down to whether Gucci’s cult following will translate into Soundscan success. Jeezy’s going to do his numbers, that’s a given, but Gucci’s fans are the x-factor. In a sense, calling this the trapper’s version of ‘Kanye v. 50′ would be somewhat accurate. Too bad they don’t release on the same day, then we’d really be in for a show.

The real question still looms, however, who’s it going to be? By posting this, I’m deem it necessary to say in this post I am only referring to the qualities of their upcoming albums. All that street stuff, leave that in the street. That’s not for me to speak on because, well, I’m not from that environment. My only focus is the music.

And for kicks, let’s flashback to the days when it was all so simple.