You've probably heard his name and don't know what all the fuss is about, your probably not into hip-hop at all but believe me the 19 tracks on this cd can or should i say WILL turn your mind round. This is an album which includes humour (Back Down), seriousness which shows off his thug mentality (Don't Push Me) and the fun side of life (In Da Club, P.I.M.P.)
Two years ago i had never heard off this guy until Jay-Z said the lyric "I'm about a dollar, what the f**** is 50 Cent?" two things happened. Jigga jabbed back at an underground rapper who dissed him (along with practically everyone else in the rap game) on the cleverly crafted and daring single "How to Rob", and millions of Jay-Z's fans searched the Internet and underground mixes for more on the mystery man Jigga took the time to vent about. 50 Cent didn't have a name until Jay-Z gave him one, legitimizing the
man who at the time had more bullets in him than hits. But now, just a few years later, it's 50's turn to strike back, and strike back he does with one of the slickest rap records in recent history.
The name 50 Cent is a metaphor for making change, and 50 set out to make this change with two of the most influential men in hip hop, Dr. Dre and Eminem. 50 Cent utilized the best beat makers, writers, and producers in the business to deliver a CD that you can play through on repeat and never skip a cut. As always though, it's the four Dre tracks that blow the CD up. By now, everyone in the country's already bobbing their heads to the infectious "In Da Club" while the line "Hey shortie, it's your birthday" is the most heard one-liner in the club, "In Da Club" is playing. "If I Can't" has a beat just as likely to give you whiplash as 50 boasts of living the life of champagne and nine millis. Unfortunately, if there's a downside to 50's take on the world, it's that the man's a bit fixated on guns. And while that's not uncommon in today's era of hip-hop, 50 goes a bit overboard. There must be hundreds of references to guns, shootings, and getting shot throughout the CD. Sure, it's the talk of the street, and yeah, 50's been shot in real life, but lyrically, 50 can be so clever it's a shame his verses always returns to his fascination with glocks and at times doesn't stretch much deeper.
That being said, what 50 does best is spit rhymes, and whether he's spitting about guns or girls, 50 flows effortlessly and with the hunger of someone who knows this is his one chance to make it in music. And like his mentor Eminem, he wasn't going to let the mic slip through his fingers. This fact is never more poignantly stated as in "Patiently Waiting" where 50 raps alongside his "favorite white boy" to tell the tale of just how long 50's been waiting for that shot and how he doesn't plan to fall off now that he's arrived.
Other notable songs include the mandatory Nate Dogg appearance in "21 Questions" where 50 utters the classic "I love you like a fat kid loves cake," "Blood Hound" featuring Young Buck, "Many Men", a troubled look at 50's past and possible future, and "Back Down" where 50 goes the distance in insults for one of his least favorite MC's, the holla-man himself, Ja Rule. Speaking of disses, the latest Jay-Z dis track "Wanksta" is also included as a bonus cut for the CD along with two other titles, light on Jigga-dissing, heavy on the guns.
While I'm sure Jay-Z and Ja Rule are busy scrambling to release response tracks, 50 Cent has already accomplished something in his first CD that neither of the other two artists has been able to do in their careers, and that's release an album that top-to-bottom features little to no filler. Get Rich or Die Tryin' boasts 18 tracks that should appeal to the hardcore as well as to the mainstream. It's one of the deepest, dopest rap records since Eminem's "Welcome to the Eminem Show" and the must-own rap CD of the year so far.
It's also the first time a dollar is proved to be worth less the 50 Cent.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Welcome to Ciao. I never knew about the meaning of 50 cent. Maureen
Lancashire_Angel 10.05.2004 00:21
I love the way you captured the essence of 50 Cent here. However I will say that I for one wasn't dancing along to his music. I do like Eminem and I do like strong lyrics though, so you may have convinced me to give this a listen. I hope this wasn't copied as it sounded rather good.
Sheep1973 09.05.2004 23:34
Hmmm - yes - sorry for the low rating, but you really have copied most of this!
Intro (skit) What Up Gangsta Patiently Waiting - feat. Eminem Many Men (Wish Death) In Da ... more
Club High All The Time Heat If I Can't Blood Hound - feat. Young Buck of G Unit Back Down P.I.M.P Like My Style Poor Lil Rich 21 Questions - feat. Nate Dogg Don't...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (Special Edition) [ECD] [PA] - 50 Cent](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/normal/831/product-5331831.jpg)
![Overall user rating: Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (Special Edition) [ECD] [PA] - 50 Cent](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars40.gif)
May 9th, 2004
(May 11th, 2004)
very helpful by (41%):
helpful by (50%):
not helpful by (9%):
![Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (Special Edition) [ECD] [PA] - 50 Cent - review by Stan_313](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars10.gif)
