"The underground legend is finally unleashed in his first major label album."
Best Tracks: In Da Club, Many Men, What Up Gangsta, Back Down
"If I Can't Do It/ Then It Can't Be Done." Well at least that's what 50 Cent wants you to think on "If I Can't". In a way 50 Cent is a blessing and a cruse
to the rap genre. Judging by how hyped he is, it's good to hear that he's bringing back the ghetto realism back to the mainstream. But on the other hand, he's
no Eminem, 2Pac or Notorious B.I.G.. His rhymes can be good (examples: Many Men, Back Down) but also can be quite poor and feel like they've been done a million
times ("P.I.M.P.", "Poor Lil' Rich"). His voice fluctuates occasionally from being rapid fire to just being way too slow and slurry.
With a few exceptions it also seems like the production from Dr. Dre, Eminem, Dj Clue and others seem lackluster especially considering the hype that they've been given. They are either right on the mark
or just way too slow for its own good. And the major thing 50 Cent needs on the album are slicker, faster tracks for him to showcase his fabulous skill (like his classic 1999 underground hit "How To Rob").
To 50's credit he does keep things real most of the time with his autobiographical "Many Men (Wish Death Upon Me)" and "Heat".
For a debut album this is pretty decent but could be a whole lot better. It doesn't compare to debuts such as Eminem's darkly comical "Slim Shady LP" or Snoop Dogg's "Doggystyle" but will probably sell just as many
if not more. 50 Cent has shown potential and with the right producers and frame of mind he can definately show us what he's got the next time around.
