50 Cent

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Though he very well could be the rightful successor to the Biggie-Jigga-Nas triptych, Get Rich isn't quite the masterpiece 50 seems capable of, impressive or not. But until he drops that truly jaw-dropping album -- or falls victim to his own hubris -- this will certainly do.

Just go with the flow and enjoy Get Rich or Die Tryin' for what it is, not criticize it for not being what you want it to be.

Get Rich or Die Tryin' is so full of life, it makes you hope the only bullets 50 will need to fire from now on are metaphorical.

As his character presently lacks the dynamism and depth required for that elusive gangsta magnetism that's a prerequisite for notoriety, 50 goes down as simply a decent MC with a wrenching back story, whose potential landed him a gig with the world's dopest beatmakers and the hype machine that shot the Great White Way into the pop culture stratosphere.

There’s no sense of community on this unapologetic throwback to straight-assed songs about guns, girls and drugs which has already sold nearly a million copies in America.

Dr Dre's contributions stand out - the sparse orchestral samples and snaking chorus of single In da Club are irresistible - but the music on Get Rich Or Die Tryin' avoids risks, in much the same way that Jackson's lyrics seldom deviate from the well-worn gangsta path.