I don't really know where to start with 50 Cent's new album Before I Self Destruct. 50 Cent always finds a way to generate (false, maybe) interest in his cd releases . Whether it is made up beefs, sales ploys and empty promises, endless chatter about every other music artist except for himself, or in this case two movies packaged with the release of the album. Through all the interviews where he talks it up about JayZ, Rick Ross, or Lil Wayne amongst many others and in between making fun of Fat Joe, and dropping "street" albums. 50 Cent found time to record a new album. Because when all the dust settles the only thing left is the music....Right?


While 50 Cent does upgrade from the obvious low point in his career, his last effort CURTIS, the album is underwhelming to say the least. One thing about 50 Cent that has become very apparent is that he has simply NOT grown musically, content-wise or lyrically. With 50 Cent being one of, if not the biggest name in hip hop, I expect more from him. But instead immaturity rears it's ugly head yet again. Instead I get some average gangster lyrics (you're like 35 now...) and pedestrian by the numbers beats. There's no exciting moments to be had on this cd. There's no growth. There's no chances taken lyrically, musically or in song structure, features etc. It's just a safe album that turns into a chore to listen to.

As far as the content of the lyrics, 50 is at his best when he's talking about something specific. In the beginning of "The Invitation," he talks a little about the specifics of when he was shot. In "So Disrespectful," he disses Game and Young Buck. When he's actually rapping about a specific topic, you hear the cocky candor that we've all come to love about him. Unfortunately, there are a lot of times when he falls back into making vague threats against anonymous foes while bragging about money and cars. Those are the moments when I find myself pressing "Next" on my CD/MP3 player.


For examply, Hold Me Down is a concept that's been beat to death and it's 50 Cent talking about his gun as if it were his woman. Baby By Me is just ridiculously bad. Could've Been You has a decent beat but even R.Kelly phoned in his part it seems like. OK You're Right is a failed attempt by 50 Cent to recapture his old sound but ironically the song just turns out sounding old. Get It Hot is just flat out wackness. The Eminem collaboration Psycho is disappointing as well and sounds like a leftover from Relapse (which is not a good thing by the way and with the song title Psycho it's not hard to see why that's the reference) that should have remained a leftover. With lyrics like "beat the octomom to death with a cabbage patch kid" from Eminem you can see that he's still on his useless drivel/rapping because it sounds nice to say tip. But if you like that type of stuff then you may enjoy that song.


Thankfully, there are some songs that keep this release from being a complete disaster. The Invitation and The Day Went By are both bangers. So Disrespectful is a nice diss to Young Buck & The Game but if you follow hip hop like I do you would recognize the beat jack from KILLER MIKE's I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind Vol. 2 (a classic representation of real street hip hop) and it loses some of its luster and appeal because throughout the song all I could think about was "Killer Mike and Ice Cube PUT THE PRESSURE ON EM!". But it's still a decent song nonetheless. Crime Wave is another banger with a great beat and vibe from 50 Cent. Stretch I Got Swag and Do You Think About Me ride out well although ironically the latter sounds like something Rick Ross would attempt.


Overall, I feel the album is UNDERWHELMED and unsatisfied. There haven't been many releases this year that I've not enjoyed a majority of the songs but Before I Self Destruct is one of them. Next time 50 Cent releases an album(assuming he doesn't retire) he needs to switch up his sound, upgrade his lyrics, content, flow or something because right now it seems as if he's gone on autopilot and getting support just because he's 50 Cent. I'd only recommend this album for his die hard fans. 2.5 Stars.

*The movie included is decent and worth the extra 2 dollars for it. I don't have the version with the JMJ documentary though.


November 17, 2009
Enlightened "Both Eyes Closed"
(In Da A)