In what is looking like a repeat of last year’s epic showdown, Kanye West and 50 Cent could be going head to head again this year as both artists prepare to release their new solo albums in December.

50 Cent has announced he will be releasing his "Before I Self Destruct" album on December 9, while Kanye’s "808’s and Heartbreak" is due the following week.

Last year’s clash was one of the most publicised Hip-Hop stories of the year, with 50 Cent at one point claiming he would retire from rap if he sold less albums to Kanye.

Kanye ultimately went on to win the battle selling around 300,000 more copies of his "Graduation" album than 50 Cent sold of his "Curtis" album in its first week on sale.

The competition between both artists is already heating up with 50 Cent taking shots at West’s new single "Love Lockdown" at a recent show to which Kanye replied "I guarantee this will be 50’s favorite album of mine," on his blog, adding, "this will be gangster’s album of the year."

"Love Lockdown" is now available on Apple’s iTunes and is already the top selling single on the site.