Search - 50 Cent :: Before I Self Destruct

Not a comeback, but not terrible.

David R. Tisdale, II | Haughton, LA United States | 11/18/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Fanboys will listen to "Before I Self Destruct" and proclaim that 50 has returned. Detractors will listen to it and say that it's more of the same. The truth is that the album is somewhere in the middle, displaying elements of both at different times.



Fifty's flow has definitely improved on this album. While there are a couple of rhymes that will make you cringe ("I got more guns than a gun store", "When I say I'm ballin' I'm not talking `bout a ball"), for the most part, 50 has responded pretty well to those who say his flow fell off. His flow on "Psycho" is some of his best.



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.



As an aside, rappers need to figure out that personifying a gun as in "Hold Me Down" or drugs as in "A Baltimore Love Thing" off "The Massacre" has been done to death. Nas and 2Pac were original in the 90s when they did it, but it's played out now. Please stop.



The beats themselves range from great to just stupid. The beat on "The Invitation" is raw and grimy, and that song is one of my favorites. Same for "Crime Wave." Even though it's the album's "chick song", "Do You Think About Me" is probably the standout track on the album. The beat is slow and grooving, 50's flow is good and he's actually talking about something interesting. On the flip side, "Get It Hot" is probably the weakest track on the album. It is lyrically and musically so similar to "Fire" from the previous album that it can't be coincidence.



In all, I wouldn't call this album, nor would I call it terrible. It's that same middle-of-the-road fare that we've seen this year, from "Relapse" to "The Blueprint 3". Nothing on these albums is terribly bad, but these rappers are definitely not pushing the boundaries of their careers, either."

Strictly Gangsta Rap!!! Proud of this Album!!

Regina Molina | 12/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i have waiting a long time for this album, but some cuts like baby by me, made me insecure that i was expecting of the album, but i would take it anyway, but we cannot judge a album for 1 song, then when crime wave came to the light i was Hell Yeah this hit hard, but in a few words to not making too long this is THE BEST ALBUM OF 2009 its extremely gangsta lyrics and production theres only like RnB 2-3 songs but these are not so bad, Before I Self Destruct is so different in the good way, comparing to these days corny hip hop and with an A-list of infinite guest rappers use in his albums (these albums better call for example "Jay-Z and Friends present The Blueprint 3"), 50 with Em in one Song in his Album its ENOUGH for it, and the production its extremely good even than the only A-List producer is Dre in 3 songs the and rest is at the same quality with not A-list producers, for last i have to say I am very proud of this album FINALY some Gangsta Rap to the media."

"Be a millionaire"

Mikeisha Best | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 03/04/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was so excited to listen to 50 Cent's "Before I Self Destruct" because I had just seen his movie, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" and listening to a lot of his music because my iPod's shuffle mode loves to surprise me with 50 Cent songs. You may think that I was let down because I gave this LP 3 stars and while I was expecting more, I still like the release as a whole. What I dislike most about 50 is that he will not branch out and work with other producers. I am not a fan of Dr. Dre's beats. I realize that he and Dre are close friends and that 50 is in his comfort zone working with him, but his music could be so much better if he worked with a better producer.



This album is lengthy; 16 tracks. It took me some time to listen to the entire work, but I never have a problem with lengthy albums because it means the artist gave you your moneys worth. Most of the tracks are mid-tempo. Out of the 16 tracks, only two stood out: "Psycho" and "Baby By Me." Those tracks are fantastic; 50 really did well. "Psycho" features one of the best to ever do it, Eminem, and together they made magic, even atop of a Dr. Dre beat. "Baby By Me" is 100% radio friendly. This song features Neyo and they both do a fine job. The beat is hot, too! In "So Disrespectful", he talks about Jay-Z, The Game and Young Buck. I like the track.



I recommend this album to fans of 50 Cent for it is not bad, it's just not his best work. His lyrics are still great and basically he's still the same 50 that we know and love.



Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Baby By Me"

2. "So Disrespectful"

3. "Psycho"

4. "Do You Think About Me"

5. "Stretch""