Before I Self Destruct
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LP / Format
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Critic Reviews
75
On the lyrical side of things, 50 seems to have his edge back. Whether he’s orchestrating a robbery or bucking (pun intended) shots at his foes, it seems apparent that the criticisms got to him. For the hard core fans, the softer songs are skippable, but I can’t hold that against him too much. I mean, even “GRODT” had “21 Questions” on it.
1y
70
With surprisingly little filler, renewed energy, and the unique glimpse Before I Self Destruct offers into the psyche of a public figure as intriguing as Curtis Jackson, 50 Cent has crafted easily his best album since Get Rich or Die Trying.
15y
70
Before I Self Destruct is still a fantastic juggernaut of a 50 album if you exit early, and a very good one even if you don't.
10y
70
Call it voyeur. Call it artificial. Call it exploitative. Just don’t call it boring. It’s the first 50 Cent album in some time that can boast that.
14y
70
The upside ... which is pretty much consistent with all of 50’s albums, is that the singles are great enough to carry the low points in the album.
14y
67
If Destruct qualifies as a pleasant surprise, it’s only because 50 Cent’s last few releases set the bar so low. Still, for the first time since The Massacre, it’s once again intermittently fun to root for the bad guy
14y
67
Growling violent threats over hard beats, 50 sounds the hungriest he has in years. Of course, there’s nothing remotely original about the formula he’s returning to, but at least he’s going through the motions with gusto.
10y
60
After two huge misses and a bleeding of good will, 50 steps back and makes a record designed to appeal to listeners who still might be rooting for the guy.
15y
60
He clearly yearns to evoke the mixture of fun and grit that made "Get Rich or Die Tryin’" such a remarkable effort, but he’s misguided in his approach.
7y
60
Before I Self Destruct plays as a prudent step back. It's not that 50 has suddenly become terrifying, but the album possesses a sense of latent menace that's been left unexplored since his early mixtapes.
10y
60
On Fiddy's fourth album, the muscle-bound-warrior routine is the only one he trusts, so he keeps milking it.
11y
60
Albums like Before I Self Destruct are simply another financial feather in 50 Cent’s cap.
10y
50
It seems doubtful that this will really be the end of his musical career, but if it is Self Destruct is a resounding “MEH” of a swan song, putting it about on par with the rest of 50’s post-Get Rich Or Die Tryin‘ career. That’s okay…there will always be a place for his brand of offensive hip hop that doesn’t really offend anyone.
14y
50
Before I Self Destruct starts with 50 Cent literally growling, and it ends, on 'Could've Been You,' with Kelly crooning about sniffing his own excrement. Both sound equally laughable.
14y
40
When he's not threatening to kill people on the shimmering Psycho, which features a cameo from Eminem, he's bragging about his inordinate wealth over blaring synths on OK, You're Right. The only problem is: we've heard it all before.
5y
10
Listening to this album you begin to wonder whether the man himself has grown tired of being 50 Cent. He has nothing to say.
15y
Before I Self Destruct is like if someone went up to 50 Cent and was like “wow you had some classic albums. Do you still do that rap stuff or are you all dried out?” and then 50 making this to try to prove that other guy wrong and fails miserably proving that yes, he is in fact dried out.
This is pure garbage. What happened to 50? Between his successful business ventures and his feud with Interscope you can really tell that he lost his passion to make music around this time. Curtis was already a disappointment but this album is even worse. Literally the only great songs on here is The Eminem track Psycho and Baby By Me with Ne-Yo. Everything else is mid and garbage plus it’s funny how he had R. Kelly on this album especially given his long feud with Diddy. The track with ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | The Invitation 2:54 | 55 |
| 2 | Then Days Went By 3:44 | 50 |
| 3 | Death to My Enemies 3:46 | 45 |
| 4 | So Disrespectful 3:39 | 53 |
| 5 | Psycho 4:45 feat. Eminem | 80 |
| 6 | Hold Me Down 3:19 | 47 |
| 7 | Crime Wave 3:44 | 48 |
| 8 | Stretch 4:07 | 42 |
| 9 | Strong Enough 3:02 | 51 |
| 10 | Get It Hot 2:59 | 35 |
| 11 | Gangsta's Delight 3:14 | 42 |
| 12 | I Got Swag 3:34 | 46 |
| 13 | Baby By Me 3:33 feat. Ne-Yo | 66 |
| 14 | Do You Think About Me 3:26 | 48 |
| 15 | OK, You're Right 3:04 | 50 |
| 16 | Could've Been You 4:20 feat. R. Kelly | 37 |
Total Length: 57 minutes
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