Get Rich or Die Tryin'

He's been stabbed, he's been shot, he's even been arrested. Born into a troubled life, 50 Cent IS thug. Other artists try to play it off as though they are, but 50 Cent is one of the few that really is, which is what makes Get Rich or Die Tryin' stand out from other gangster albums; it's honest, not hype.

50 Cent is now under the production wings of Dr. Dre and Eminem after years of underground work. Much of his previous work has been released by DJ's on mixtapes. Even though Eminem makes a couple appearances, this is 50's show. Dre's and Em's influence never really become apparent.

50's lyrics are more creative than most about his subject matter, mostly crime, women, and money (recurring themes these days in urban music). However, at times his delivery of them becomes lazy, almost as though it's an effort to get the words out. This is 50's style, and he does keep things understandable. And when it comes to beats, well, Dre holds his own as usual. But that's where the postives come to an end.

In it's genre, gangster rap, 50 Cent is definitely "the one to beat" as his website perpetrates. However, in the music scene in general, Get Rich or Die Tryin' is not a good thing. Just when you thought gangster rap as a mainstream music was dead, Get Rich... is sure to inspire some competition, giving gangster rap a revival of sorts.