In depth Review
Opening Opinion:
9.5/10
Well you’ve got to know that in early 2003, my cd player had
this album in HEAVY ROTATION. 50 Cent came through like hurricanes do. So let’s
get into 50 Cent’s major label debut.
The intro is just change hitting the table or whatever. The
first song, “What Up Gangsta” is a perfect opener. The hook is fire and the
bars are good too. 50 Cent is known for his hooks…u know, choruses lol. The
song gets me hype all the time. “Patiently Waiting” is arguably the best track
here. The beat sounds dangerous and ominous; which fits 50’s style well. He’s
joined by Eminem who spits, “The rap juggernauts of this rap shit like it or
not”. “Many Men” is a great kind of introspective song. 50 raps about many men
trying to kill him. I noticed the edited version of the album skipped all the
gunshot parts in the beginning. It’s a sad sounding song but really effective.
You already know about “In Da Club”. I must say it’s a terrific
song. Fairly simple by todays standards but awesome. The beat is hot, the
verses are dope, and that hook…..50 was a star with this one. “High All the
Time” is my personal favorite. It’s just dark and somewhat cinematic. 50 is
spitting that fire, “If David could go at Goliath with a stone, I could go at
Nas and Jigga, both for the throne.” The next song, “Heat” does not appear on
the edited version I had and for good reason. Its mad explicit but better than
some similar songs I’ve heard on his later albums (Gunz Come Out from The
Massacre).
“If I Can’t” feature more Dr. Dre production. I really like
it. “Blood Hound” featuring Young Buck is actually one of my least favorite
tracks. The beat is hot but it’s kinda standard Fitty. “Back Down” is the
notorious Ja Rule diss. Needless to say after this Ja was done…or his career
was on immediate life support. Its that damn good of a diss record! “P.I.M.P.”
is one of those really dope songs. 50 spits well and the hook is so damn hot.
“Like My Style” and “Poor Lil Rich” are similar songs and
well placed on the album. I mean the latter is better and the former features
Tony Yayo. “21 Questions” is a great song. It’s like 50 was beating Ja Rule at
his own game…or at least equaling his ability to get in touch with the ladies.
Throw Nate Dogg on the hook and their you go. I really like the video for it. “Don’t
Push Me” is good, but not great. Lloyd Banks joins the party here along with Eminem.
I like Eminem’s verse here despite the fact he’s rapping without any sense of
humor.
“Gotta Make it To Heaven” is the closer song, and you know
what it’s really dope. That beat is almost too much though but sounds right at
home on this really well produced album. “Wanksta” is the first of 3 bonus
tracks. It’s really simple and effective. “U Not Like Me” Is my 2nd
or 3rd favorite song. It’s got great bars from Fif. I love the beat
here as well. I have a funny story on “Life’s on the Line”….I actually thought
this was different rappers. I’m serious bruh. 50 changes his tones a lot on
this track. Great final track.
Closing Opinion:
9.6/10