Artist: 50 Cent Album: Before I Self Destruct

Year: 2009
Duration: 57:27

A of the Album: Before I Self Destruct by 50 Cent

Before the days of Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone, there was another rapper who dominated the early 2000s hip hop scene - 50 Cent. His debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' was a game-changer for the genre, and his music became a staple of the club scene. However, as his career progressed, his music began to lose its edge, and his fourth studio album Before I Self Destruct was a last-ditch effort to regain his place on top. In this post, we will take a critical look at the album and explore its place in 50 Cent's career.
Before we dive into the music, let's take a brief look at 50 Cent's career. Born Curtis Jackson, he grew up in Queens, New York, and was involved in drug dealing before he pursued a career in music. In 2003, he released Get Rich or Die Tryin', which quickly became a commercial success, selling over 800,000 copies in its first week of release. He followed up with several more albums, but his popularity waned as the years went on. Before I Self Destruct was released in 2009, and it was clear that 50 Cent was trying to recapture his earlier success.
The album is primarily gangsta rap, a genre that 50 Cent helped to popularize. The lyrics contain themes of violence, misogyny, and drug use, which are typical of the genre. The production is gritty and rough, with heavy use of synthesizers and auto-tune. While some critics praised the album for its return to 50 Cent's roots, others found it to be a tired retread of old ideas.
Despite the lukewarm critical reception, there are a few standout tracks on the album. Psycho features an intense beat and some of 50 Cent's best rhymes. Death to My Enemies has a driving bass line and provocative lyrics. Do You Think About Me is a departure from his usual subject matter, a love song that showcases 50 Cent's softer side. These tracks show that 50 Cent still had some talent left, but they are not enough to save the album from mediocrity.
The most innovative aspect of the album is its structure. In addition to the standard tracklist, there is a short film that accompanies the album. The film, also titled Before I Self Destruct, stars 50 Cent as a young man named Clarence who turns to a life of crime to support himself and his family. The film adds context to the themes of the album, and it is a unique approach to promoting the music.
As a critic, I cannot recommend Before I Self Destruct. While there are a few good tracks, they are not enough to save the album from being forgettable. 50 Cent's attempts to recapture his glory days fall flat, and the album feels like a tired retread of old ideas. While the short film adds an interesting aspect to the album, it ultimately cannot make up for the lack of quality in the music.
In conclusion, Before I Self Destruct is a disappointing album from a rapper who was once at the top of his game. While there are a few standout tracks, the album as a whole is forgettable and lacks the energy and creativity of 50 Cent's earlier work. However, the short film that accompanies the album is a unique approach to promoting the music, and it shows that 50 Cent still had some interesting ideas. Even though this album may not have been a high point in his career, 50 Cent will always be remembered as a trailblazer for the gangsta rap genre.
In conclusion, Before I Self Destruct is a disappointing album from a rapper who was once at the top of his game. While there are a few standout tracks, the album as a whole is forgettable and lacks the energy and creativity of 50 Cent's earlier work. However, the short film that accompanies the album is a unique approach to promoting the music, and it shows that 50 Cent still had some interesting ideas. Even though this album may not have been a high point in his career, 50 Cent will always be remembered as a trailblazer for the gangsta rap genre.