50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct
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CD Details
Artist: 50 CentEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: CD+DVD, Explicit Lyrics
CD Release Date: 2009-11-16
Music Label: Aftermath
Soundtracks:
- The Invintion
- Ten Days Went By
- Death to My Enemies
- So Disrespectful
- Psycho - feat. EMINEM
- Hold Me Down
- Crime Wave
- Stretch
- Strong Enough
- Get It Hot
- Gangsta's Delight
- I Got Swag
- Baby By Me - feat Ne-yo
- Do You Think About Me
- OK, You're Right
- Could've Been You - feat. R. Kelly
Music reviews of Before I Self Destruct
Music Review: Hardcore 50 is Back
Rating: 4 Stars
In a week filled with heavy-hitting debuts, I wasn't sure if 50 Cent's long promised Before I Self Destruct (CD + DVD) would materialize. Despite my worries, when I went to the store, as promised, on November 16, was Before I Self Destruct. Upon a first listen, I wasn't sure what my reaction of the quality of the CD itself was, but I knew that the 'hardcore' 50 cent that wowed with Get Rich or Die Tryin' was back. Sure, 2005's The Massacre was a good follow-up to his multi-platinum debut, but Curtis was doomed before it hit the shelves with multiple bombing singles released. Before I Self Destruct could've been doomed to the same fate as Curtis (which only went platinum I believe), but after single "I Get It In" failed to catch-on, 50 backtracked, which he probably should've done on Curtis (which gets a worse wrap than it probably should). To call Before I Self Destruct 2009's best Rap album is an overstatement , but it certainly finds 50 Cent back to a place where he first gained respect. The most positive aspect of Before I Self Destruct is the absence of many collaborators; that plagued Curtis.
The album opens with "The Invitation", the first hint that 50 cent is back in his hardcore zone. It doesn't 'blow me away' or anything like that, but it serves as a decent prelude to the album. The production is generally stripped down, nothing too flashy, but stylish enough that it doesn't sound 'cheap'. The Bill Withers sampling "Then Days Went By" is more inspired and more enjoyable. The production work (not by Dr. Dre) is strong and never overshadows 50's rhymes. The hook is definitely catchy and proves to be one of the album's best performances. Dr. Dre's instantly recognizable, bombastic production returns on "Death To My Enemies". "Death To My Enemies" definitely has a more 'East-Coast' sound that the production work Dr. Dre contributed on Eminem's Relapse, meaning there is more of a 'vintage' quality. While it isn't my favorite of Before I Self Destruct, 50 certainly conforming to the title of his album.
"So Disrespectful" is definitely 50 at his best; killer verses and catchy hook. He manages this without 'selling out' or appearing 'too popish', criticisms made of 2007's Curtis. He keeps up the streak with the excellent "Psycho", featuring none-other than Eminem. Again, 50 hits a home run and Shady is on his game as well. "Psycho", produced by Dr. Dre, is better production wise than "Death To My Enemies." "Hold Me Down" is solid by all means, finding 50's machismo and bravado at an all time high. "Crime Wave" lifts and excellent sample ("I Can't Believe You're Gone" by The Barrino Brothers) and again sounds like hard-core 50 with not one pop concession. "Stretch" is even better, finding 50 truly 'stretching' his artistry. Better yet is the Gladys Knight sampling "Strong Enough", which ranks among the best of the album. Here, 50 showcases why we loved him originally, providing one of his most impassioned performances to date. This album also proves that 50 doesn't have to have top-rate tried-and-true producers to be effective.
"Get It Hot" sounds a bit too similar to previous numbers, though it's ok. It sounds very similar to 2007's "I Get Money", only less effective. "Gangsta's Delight" is ok as well, but by this point, the album has lost a slight bit of its 'luster.' "I Got Swag" again conforms to repetitive, bravado laden hooks. Well produced, it's ok, though nothing earth-shattering. The true meat comes with "Baby By Mean", an out of character 50 cent single featuring smooth R&B standout Ne-Yo. With a killer hip-hop driven beat provided by Polow Da Don, "Baby By Me" is much more effective than 2007's Timbo produced "Ayo Technology", which was a bit 'undercooked' in my opinion. Catchy, its no wonder why "Baby By Me" is beginning to catch on on radio.
"Do You Think About Me" finds the gangsta rapping against a softer backdrop (among the first times of the entire album). "Okay, You're Right" finds 50 against a Dre production once again - bombastic and 100% gangsta. The R. Kelly featuring bonus track "Could've Been You" is an excellent closure to an overall strong return by 50. Sure, the album could've been cut slightly more or 50 could've provided slightly more meat at certain times, but overall, Before I Self Destruct is a 'hard core' rap album, something that 2007's Curtis wasn't. No, it's not Get Rich or Die Tryin' 2, but it is a better stab at 50 to reclaim his throne as one of the best rappers alive. The main problem with this album is that it is hard to connect to the material - it is an album that most will love, hate, or be slightly indifferent to.
Description of Before I Self Destruct
For the explosive Before I Self Destruct album, 50 Cent returned to working closely with DR. DRE and EMINEM as he did on Get Rich Or Die Tryin', his first official album. With DR. DRE and EMINEM producing and guesting, Before I Self Destruct is darker and harder than 2007's Curtis, as shown by the grimy single and video to "OK, You're Right" (produced by DR. DRE), which was released earlier this year. In early September, 50 released the hit single "Baby By Me" produced by POLOW DA DON (FERGIE, T.I., LUDACRIS). Before I Self Destruct continues 50 Cent's phenomenal rise from street culture hero to pop culture icon. Both album and film will be released on Shady/Aftermath on November 16, 2009.Pop CDs
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