Defsounds

Some people say it's better to have something late; then never getting it at all. The older I get I find myself agreeing with that statement more and more. Any fan of 50 should know that this album should have been out a long time ago, but because of constant pushbacks and other issues we may not have known about. We had to wait, so on November 16th of this year, fans were finally given the exact thing they have been waiting for, Before I Self Destruct.

50 Cent's "Before I Self Destruct" will offer what many fans of 50 will call a return to the gritty style that he started with. For others it will bring the same old concept he's had his entire career; and for the rest of us it will either be a hit or miss. If fans take out the time to listen to the music, and really give an unbiased opinion, this just may be the project that makes them a fan of 50 all over again.

Lyrics-8.0

The same description of 50's lyrical skills can be used for every album that has come out for him. For this review; The statement remains the same. 50 has mastered the art of painting the perfect picture. He brings those street tales to life; and his aggressive voice and pace bring the lyrics alive for the listener. And in the rap features that are on the album, he easily holds his own. His album is a bit of an adjustment because his rhymes wont have your head spinning with any crazy rhymes in particular, but the finished product of a track is definitely almost always a satisfying experience.

Production-8.0

Besides three songs that were produced by Dr. Dre, Before I self Destruct has very diverse production list. Everyone from Rick Rock, to Havoc have some sort of production work on here. The tone that the production offers is bit darker then some of his most recent works. Despite what many categorized as heavily commercial singles. This album gives you heavy guitar chords with deep soul shaking bass filled drum beats. The kind of beats that influence the notorious head nod. The production breeds aggression, and 50 offers aggression and tough talk. The mood of the production is so dark that even the songs notoriously meant for the female fan base has a dark edgy feel to it.

Songs-8.0

50 Cent has suffered since the release of "Get Rich Or Die Trying". Fans and haters alike keep looking for him to put out the same kind of album that the previous was. Unfortunantly its almost impossible for 50 to do so. He's not in the same space, not in the same mindset. Everything is completely different, he's a different man, a different artist. So album after album fans say that he's gotten soft, or he's not as gritty as he used to be. If after listening to this album you can say that 50 is soft or isnt gritty anymore, you are truely biased or just plain deaf.  The songs on this album were not formated for the weak, women or children. This is a straight gutter, smoke a blunt go smack up a couple of punks music. This is the type of music you listen to when posted up on the corner. 50's song making abilities stand out the most on Crimewave, Death To My Enemies, and of course my personal favorite's So Disrespectful, and Psycho. You listen to some of the songs on this album, like "I Got Swag" shows that although 50 has become very rich and even cockier then before. He still has some of the same disrespectful and gangsta mentalities that he came into the game in.

Conclusion-8.0

Everytime a new 50 album comes out; fans are always so fast to either say that they are happy because he's going back to his gritty style, or they cry foul because they think he's gotten soft and dosent care about his humble beginings. But in all honesty 50 has never gotten soft, at least not on his albums. He's been rapping about the same things since he came into the game. The only difference is that now when he makes an album, you can tell he's trying to make a club friendly hit so that he can help improve his sales. Before I self Destruct is definitely grittier then his previous two albums, but if  you really listen to those last two albums they were both decent albums. You as a fan, probably wasn't feeling it at the moment. 50 really impressed on this album. He definitely kept it to his usual gangsta talk, but he also broadened the topics at time. You can hear his thoughts on his baby mother and son, something that is a bit closer to home then shooting a block up. That shows major maturity and growth. If this is his last album as an artist under Interscope, this is definitely not a bad way to go. Over the years 50 has done a lot for the game. He's changed it, helped it and hurt it in his own way's and as one chapter is about to close in his career, everyone should be very excited to see what the next one will bring. Its no Power of the Dollar, or GRODT, but its definitely not a Curtis either.