In 2003, there was 50 Cent mania. He sold 11 million records and had an instant classic album. Although 50 Cent wasn’t recognized as the best brand new artist that year at award shows, it was certain 50 was the best in the industry.
Now it’s time to put all the speculation to rest and face the terrible sophomore jinx and answer the question on everyone’s mind: Can 50 Cent make an album better than “Get Rich or Die Tryin”? “The Massacre” tried to answer that question.
“The Massacre” opens up very aggressively. 50 Cent goes back to the ‘hood and brings out the hunger of the beast on tracks like “This is 50,” “I’m Suppose to Die Tonight,” and “In My Hood.”
People will believe 50 Cent has the potential to take it deeper than rap. The G-Unit captain yet again takes shots at his rap nemesis, Ja Rule, only this time he deals with the rapper’s associates: Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Shyne and Nas as well on the diss record by Needlez “Piggy Bank.”
The shots, though, are far from a massacre and more like grazing shots with 50 spitting only lyrical facts and nothing too creative in the flow about specific artists. Listeners will be pleased by the track but will be disappointed. It’s not a one-hitter quitter track like 50’s past diss track “Back Down.”
The climax to “The Massacre” comes in the form of arguably the best track 50 has ever created, “A Baltimore Love Thing.” Powerful verses will have 50 looked at as an emcee with noticeable potential and a deep message inside that he wants to let out aside from “I’m rich.”
“The Massacre” is a great album, but not classic or better than “Get Rich or Die Tryin.” The album will be a success because it pleases consumers with good music. You have your R&B cuts, your gangster cuts, pimp cuts, something for everyone to enjoy; however, the album just isn’t as explosive and doesn’t have that classic material we still talk about today like GRODT.
The fame may have satisfied 50’s hunger, and instead of a massacre, 50 gave listeners a murder attempt.