“Crime Wave” – Review Of 50 Cent’s Before I Self Destruct
ALBUM REVIEWS By TC on November 21, 2009 at 7:36 pm
It’s been a long yet lucrative road to the release of Before I Self Destruct, 50 Cent’s much documented final record on his Interscope contract. Possibly the genre’s last mega-star before Hip-Hop was regressed by the digital age, 50 saw endless mounds of success through business ventures, movies and of course, platinum plaques. Although less notably, popular opinion reads that the caliber of his albums have slipped considerably since his towering debut, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. Especially when factoring the runaway success of the lead single “In Da Club”–a phenom 50 has been obviously been trying to duplicate ever since. Taken all this into account, the G-Unit general retreads his steps to familiar waters for his 4th LP.
At times, 50 appears to bask in his trip to memory lane, given the majority of the record’s overly aggressive undertones. If that what it takes to make good music, however, then so be it. Before I Self Destruct’s fuse is lit instantly once the needle hits, taking 50 in a state of psychosis as he spazzes on ignited gems like Dr. Dre’s “Death To My Enemies” and the bone-chilling “The Invitation” where 50 openly begs for drama.
And when there’s drama, there’s murder. There’s no restrictions (or tact) in Fiddy’s tongue when it comes to being “So Disrespectful.” Over Tha Bizness’ sinister mix of escalating key chords and machine gun fire for decoration, 50 throws a few of his former associates under the bus and puts it in reverse to ensure he doesn’t miss. Eminem shows up as the only featured rapper on “Pyscho,” but the duo proceed to make Norman Bates proud as they make a killing with flows seemingly boosted with adrenaline.
Content-wise, BISD is mostly consistent in outlining the fabricated precedence 50 sets from the beginning. Typical fare like the requisitite my-girl-is-my gun “Hold Me Down” and intimidating “Crime Wave” round out the edges rather nicely. Quality wise though, the album’s mechanics begin to self destruct midway when Fif deems a “Rapper’s Delight” remake is acceptable in 2K9 on the lame “Gangster’s Delight” and tries to sneak in a potential club hit with the weaker “Get It Hot.”
Perhaps a more disorderly contradiction is the fact some of the more “cleaner” records serve as the more focused ones, despite not necessarily fitting in the tracklist. “Baby By Me” marks an umpteenth radio-ready sizzler for Mr. Jackson; strengthened by a crooning Ne-Yo and snazzy bassline. Same goes for “Do You Think About Me,” a reflective look back on past loves which is sure to cater to the female listener who is otherwise alienated for the greater part of the album. Even the inexplicable closer “Could Have Been You” is a polished record that save for the fact its positive attributes, has no business on the block with the rest of the wolves.
The next step in 50’s career crossroads still remains unclear but BISD is indicator Curtis Jackson is still capable of channeling his original sound. Maybe when he fades to black, he can put together all the pieces in their entirety.
BONUS
Download — 50 Cent – “Man’s World” (Before I Self Destruct iTunes Bonus Track)
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, GENERAL — Tags: 50 Cent, Aftermath, Before I Self Destruct, Dr. Dre, Eminem, G-Unit, Interscrope Records, Shady Records, Tha Bizness
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
42 Comments
i just read the “12 ways to tell if you bought good weed” or whatever it’s called in the web trends. yeah, that shit was written by 15-year-olds. what a waste of time. oh yeah, good review. but “more ‘cleaner?’” come on, tc.
I haven’t listened to the album yet so I can’t comment on thye review, even though I’m sure it’s brilliant lol.
But has there been a review for Wale’s album yet? Or BlakRoc or anything else lately
What a bad mixed metaphor…retreading steps to familiar waters? Smh.
fuck that it should have got a whole pack.
4 Cigs in my book. Every song on the album has either an aggressive vibe or a cynical vibe and that works well for this renewed fan.
i agree with dean, this album deserves no less than 4 cigs.. either way it’s a banger.
how you review this before wale?
i liked this.. ubto it still wasnt at 3 n a half… No way it gets the same as bp3… n im not a bp3 fan
Is there a specific order that reviews are supposed to go in? Better yet, any post for that matter?
Some days yall really got the game twisted lol.
As for the rating, I never expect to satisfy everyone. I think a 3.5 is honest & accurate.
I’m not sure this review accurately assessed the actual amount of harsh realities that the album actually presents to the general public.
What realities are those? Everyone speaks in general terms w/o being specific. “It was a great album.” What “harsh realities” did this joint present that haven’t been shown before or how did he present them that’s different than so many other cats out right now?
http://localityswitch.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sarcasm.jpg
:(
im sayin like 3 alone… that wouldve been more accurate lol…
http://localityswitch.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sarcasm.jpg
:(
==================================
LOL.
dud lol.
Upon first listen it’s a pleasent surprise: You get nostalgic and remember GRODT a little bit, it’s a fun listen in the car and you can vibe to it… It made me look back over his first 3 albums and compare, and this is easily the second best of the bunch.
But like all other 50 records, production takes over and after a few spins, you really just want the instrumentals.
Over the span:
Get Rich or Die Tryin – 5/5
Beg For Mercy – 4/5
Before I Self Destruct – 3.5/5
Massacre – 3/5
Curtis – 2/5
Other G-Unit Record from last year, that I don’t remember its name, and don’t care to – 1/5
IMO, of course people will look at it from other angles but that’s how I see it… The Massacre is a car bumping classic, but in terms of the quality of the record, it wasn’t exactly jaw dropping… Curtis is easily forgettable and had maybe a palm of great songs… I included the G-Unit records because they shouldn’t be forgotten… well, one of them.
Oh, and Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was a classic album, no debate
http://localityswitch.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/sarcasm.jpg
^^^^^^^
Gotty got got. Roffle…
______________
No-sign on classic status for Get Rich or Die Tryin. Its as close as you get though…
Yo Fifty speaks the truth, the album sounds like the same thematically. Lyrically its good.
I love that interview he did wit flex this week. When he spoke on bloggers.
“Its easy to talk tough on the Keyboard baby”- Fifty
Fif is that dude , he speaks complete honesty in interviews. I love that interview he did wit flex this week. The album sounds the same thematically but improves lyrically.
LOL at wat he said about bloggers.
“Its easy to talk tough on the keyboard baby” -50
Some days yall really got the game twisted
……………………………………………….
word life son, shit is real in the field B.
I have a huge cock
In other news, nice review.
I feel like 50 is in a tough spot right now. I think people are just tired of his buffoonery. His shenanigans were funny and “cool” at first, but the gimmicks get old. It’s hard to concentrate on the quality of his music (which is pretty good right now) when he keeps trying to stir up beef.
It seems like if 50 were more likable at this point, he would’ve (dare I say) gotten more cigs.
whaddup everyone, out of the blue and off topic. everytime i see a good cooler picture i save it and use it as my descktop background. now with the windows 7 i can have as many pictures as i want and they change by themselfs, tonight im home bored as fuck and found out i could make a theme for the smoking section . heres the link for the windows 7 girls from the smoking sections animated, oh yeah and the sounds are from gears of war 2.. enjoy
http://www.mediafire.com/?wijhney2y5d
I thoroughly enjoyed BISD but that being said, sequencing issues and a mid section that kinda loses it’s way knock this one down to 3.5 (give or take a .5 for personal preference lol).
Dead on review.
Here are those instrumentals…
http://turbobit.net/20sbjpbnvuoa.html
i gotta listen all the way through, but “death to my enemies”, “Stretch”, “crime wave”, and “do you think about me” areall nice. ain’t giving calls on the cigs, but it is enjoyable.
“what would you say if Jay/Kanye/Wayne/T.I. etc did those numbers? FLOP! They’re all in the same league”
——————————————–
——————————————–
They are NOT in the same league (except Kanye West). Period.
Hip-Hop in India = 50 Cent
and now go and take a look at World’s Population chart.
for hip-hop purists 50’s latest offering might seem like a step in the right direction but for me I thought it was quite bland, boring even. curtis was a far more entertaining affair in my opinion despite its obvious flaws. neither are anything special.
if you look at 50’s whole volume of work it is comparable in quality to all his peers — his solo efforts, g-unit/game, his soundtrack for GRODT i think is especially underrated. but aside from a few decent singles dude hasn’t done anything special in 4-5 years. time to start focusing on a movie career.
BISD>BP3
^ Enh… I’d say that they’re about the same. I liked this one a lot better than I thought I would.
I thoroughly enjoyed BISD but that being said, sequencing issues and a mid section that kinda loses it’s way knock this one down to 3.5 (give or take a .5 for personal preference lol).
^^^^^
Co-sign that. The album is 50 doing 50. The shit talking, gun toting, crazy/psycho person. He has never been lyrical (IMO), but he has been believable at times. He kinda loss some of that aura about him since GRODT however I think he got it back.
50’s has a knack for picking knocking beats (props for that). Some of the RnB flavored songs should be spread out through the album and not at the end. “I Got Sway,” “Gangster Delight,” and “Get It Hot” drag the album down. If I was him he should put out that R. Kelly song as a single. Flames all away around. Kinda remains me of the Snoop/R. Kelly song from Blue Carpet Treatment.
Fucking horrible album. Really though, how can you not see the god awful production?
Oh forgot Bp3>BISD
Other G-Unit Record from last year, that I don’t remember its name, and don’t care to – 1/5
^^
Seriously??? TOS was at least a 3 bru
This album is dope! Of course there are a few tracks that I feel indiferrent about, but overall I’m knocking it in the crib consistently. Fuck Blueprint 3, 50 is bringing the streets back!
@ Gotty™
‘Is there a specific order that reviews are supposed to go in? Better yet, any post for that matter?’
The best way is surely the order that the CDs are released?
At least the ones worth reviewing… and Wale’s got to be worth reviewing right?
Crime Wave? fuck outta here. It’s Coke Wave muthafucka.
French, Max u know what it is bitch.
CokeWave>yourlife>crimewave
The best way is surely the order that the CDs are released?
At least the ones worth reviewing… and Wale’s got to be worth reviewing right?
=======================
Yes and no.
Yes, Wale’s is well worth reviewing.
Nah, I don’t necessarily agree w/that logic that says reviews should follow an order. But then again, I’m always the stick in the mud when it comes to reviews anyways, here and online period. I think…nevermind, I’ll save it til a later date.
few too many big weirdy wordy words in there for my liking, but this is a good, aggressive rap record. thats what counts isnt it.
its a good rap record.
i’ve listen to it a few times already, which is more than i can say for BP3, or anyone elses shit right now except for 1017 or ‘no ceilings’ which is fucking fire and straight up tips its hat to 1017 etc
i like where shits at these days to be honest
Yeah @ Frank… it’s definitely a Hip Hop year… there’s nothing happening elsewhere.
The only reason people are moaning here is cos we’re buzzin off each release.
Like for me, I’m loving the Go-Go feel in Wale’s CD. It’s a good crossover for him… that was a sound I always loved – weird how it never quite went over.
Just found out there are a lot of hip hop albums on sale for $4 at http://us.7digital.com – inlcuding this one. Check it out. Here is a direct link to the hip-hop page.
Is there a rapper that “fell off” as fast as Fiddy?
I honestly do not believe 50 Cent cares anymore.
Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was his best album. By far.