When the man known as "50" graced us with his debut album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin', it rewrote the book on gangsta rap. Bringing it to a mass audience thrust him into immediate stardom that lasted through the remainder of the decade. As 2010 rolled around, 50 had released 4 albums, 2 additional albums with G-Unit and starred in a movie loosely based on his life. He was a top-5 male artist throughout the decade in terms of record sales and in addition to smart investments (Vitamin Water), 50 had enough money to walk away from the game for a few years and count his millions.
It was easy to forget about Curtis since he hardly appeared on any tracks for a 3 year span. Following him on social media, I'm aware that he's spent the last few years living lavishly without a care in the world. As expected, the urge to make music struck him again and he began to release single after single that were rumored to appear on his newest album, "Street King Immortal". Over time, it was announced that he would also be releasing an album months before entitled "Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire to Win". Released independently after severing ties with Interscope, 50 has tried to create hype through social media, public appearances and even his now famous disaster that was a first pitch at a recent Mets game. In my first official review for this blog, I will breakdown the album track by track, similar to the phenomenal job that Benny Fontana did with his Coldplay review (give it a read).
The album starts out with Hold On, a classic 50 Cent slowed down jam that has my attention from the first note. After my first listen it was by far my favorite song off of AA and I would proceed to listen to it several times after. This is the closest he comes to GRODT material and affirmed that 50 still has the capability to make hits since I was unimpressed with the singles he had previously dropped.
Track 2, Don't Worry 'Bout It (feat. Yo Gotti) simply serves as a song to remind everyone that although 50's been away from the game for a extended period, he's still has millions. Constantly stating in the song that he's wealthy is not what the album is about, it's the ambition and grind that got him there. In my opinion, it's a throwaway song. The production had potential but the repetitive lyrics weren't for me.
Next, we have the title track Animal Ambition, another odd song that deals with the themes presented in the album title. Jungle beat with growling in the background doesn't sound like a typical 50 track but it gives the listener a taste of what the rest of the album offers. The offbeat growls compliment 50's snarling vocals with his classic "warning shot" lyrics, giving those who stand in his way a violent ultimatum. This type of drive is what brought 50 to the top of the charts, hope to see more like this the rest of the way.
Pilot is another nostalgic 50 track, slowed down that talks about his wealth (in moderation) but also takes the time to properly call out his haters obtained in his long career. Besides Hold On, this is my favorite beat on the album as Shamtrax produces something in the style of Jay-Z on MCHG.
The followup was an underwhelming track, Smoke (feat. Trey Songz) and most importantly, produced by Dr. Dre. No further explanation needed on their chemistry over the years (Heat, If I Can't, In Da Club, Outta Control). However, the song's lyrics were corny at times in my opinion with a boring hook from the talented Mr. Songz. So now that we're 3 for 5 on this album, 50 has impressed at times but also disappointed. The last track seems like a huge opportunity wasted from a Dr. Dre & 50 Cent. This single is probably destined to be a club single but that's about it.
Everytime I Come Around (feat. Kidd Kidd) is a return to his earlier work once again, flaunting his wealth but in a passive-aggressive tone to boot. Kidd Kidd's verse may feature "boo-hoo" and "Blues Clues" but it surprisingly still fits the song. Lyrics are just too simple to make this song a hit.
In a whispering track that mirrors the song title, Irregular Heartbeat (feat. Jadakiss & Kidd Kidd) that perfectly captures the hustler's ambition. An old school hip-hop feel to it, all three featured send out their own threats with different tones but the theme remains throughout...watch out for 50.
Hustler features another throwback beat with witty lyricism to show his grind and determination to be back on top although he's currently thriving. "Stacking paper that could fix the national debt" might be hyperbole but is also to show that he isn't settled with wealth, he wants to reclaim the throne.
Twisted (feat. Mr. Probz) seems as though he took a play out of his former rival Kanye's playbook. A reflection track that features a plethora of instruments to represent an orchestra feel with a soulful hook. Mr. Probz's lyrics may be elementary but his perfect mix of autotune and smooth voice offers a soothing compliment to the track.
Winner's Circle is a song about triumph and the path taken to achieve it, that also resembles a track off of "Late Registration" just lacking the superb wordplay of a "Yeezus". However, the song still taps into the drive that continues to motivate Mr. Jackson even when he has nothing left to prove in his career. The natural feeling of conquering the obstacles placed in your way by critics spawned this song and quite frankly, the entire album.
Animal Ambition concludes with a G-Unit/Massacre era hit, Chase the Paper (feat. Prodigy, Kidd Kidd & Styles P) throwing blow after blow into the gut of their opponent with each additional verse. Each performer builds off the former rapper in the spirit of G-Unit's "Beg For Mercy". Only problem with this song is the placement on the album. Hold On was excellent starter and Winner's Circle was the perfect closer. This song belonged in the middle of the album but I can't complain too much since the LP ended on a very strong note.
The title of the album mirrors the sentiments of his early work and 50 does his best harnessing the energy of his classic debut album, a masterpiece in the gangsta rap genre that changed the game. His hard hitting hooks, stunning samples and production were flawless back in 2003 but one could say he's lost a step or two over the years. The experiences over a decade in the business sharpened his views and crafted a style that is second to none which remains true to this day. His vice at times may be to simply flaunt his wealth throughout songs nowadays but he's earned the right because he, unlike many others in hip-hop, can back it up. With that being said, the album is more enjoyable due to my admiration of his polished career and Animal Ambition still ranks above the mediocre rap music being made by a bevy of new artists. He may fall into tendencies of modern-day hip-hop at times but when it comes down to it, he sticks to his roots. Fans of 50 will come to appreciate this album and the upcoming one as well but if you're expecting another masterpiece, do yourself a favor and lower your expectations and enjoy the album for what it is.
I give 50's latest venture a 6.5/10 with a majority of my praise coming from the various music sampled in the album. The one thing that still rings through in his work are the smooth as silk R&B and Funk samples that complimented his aggressive lyrics perfectly. It's a different world from when GRODT was released but 50 does what he knows best, calling out his critics with a verbal assault.
The album starts out with Hold On, a classic 50 Cent slowed down jam that has my attention from the first note. After my first listen it was by far my favorite song off of AA and I would proceed to listen to it several times after. This is the closest he comes to GRODT material and affirmed that 50 still has the capability to make hits since I was unimpressed with the singles he had previously dropped.
Track 2, Don't Worry 'Bout It (feat. Yo Gotti) simply serves as a song to remind everyone that although 50's been away from the game for a extended period, he's still has millions. Constantly stating in the song that he's wealthy is not what the album is about, it's the ambition and grind that got him there. In my opinion, it's a throwaway song. The production had potential but the repetitive lyrics weren't for me.
Next, we have the title track Animal Ambition, another odd song that deals with the themes presented in the album title. Jungle beat with growling in the background doesn't sound like a typical 50 track but it gives the listener a taste of what the rest of the album offers. The offbeat growls compliment 50's snarling vocals with his classic "warning shot" lyrics, giving those who stand in his way a violent ultimatum. This type of drive is what brought 50 to the top of the charts, hope to see more like this the rest of the way.
Pilot is another nostalgic 50 track, slowed down that talks about his wealth (in moderation) but also takes the time to properly call out his haters obtained in his long career. Besides Hold On, this is my favorite beat on the album as Shamtrax produces something in the style of Jay-Z on MCHG.
The followup was an underwhelming track, Smoke (feat. Trey Songz) and most importantly, produced by Dr. Dre. No further explanation needed on their chemistry over the years (Heat, If I Can't, In Da Club, Outta Control). However, the song's lyrics were corny at times in my opinion with a boring hook from the talented Mr. Songz. So now that we're 3 for 5 on this album, 50 has impressed at times but also disappointed. The last track seems like a huge opportunity wasted from a Dr. Dre & 50 Cent. This single is probably destined to be a club single but that's about it.
Everytime I Come Around (feat. Kidd Kidd) is a return to his earlier work once again, flaunting his wealth but in a passive-aggressive tone to boot. Kidd Kidd's verse may feature "boo-hoo" and "Blues Clues" but it surprisingly still fits the song. Lyrics are just too simple to make this song a hit.
In a whispering track that mirrors the song title, Irregular Heartbeat (feat. Jadakiss & Kidd Kidd) that perfectly captures the hustler's ambition. An old school hip-hop feel to it, all three featured send out their own threats with different tones but the theme remains throughout...watch out for 50.
Hustler features another throwback beat with witty lyricism to show his grind and determination to be back on top although he's currently thriving. "Stacking paper that could fix the national debt" might be hyperbole but is also to show that he isn't settled with wealth, he wants to reclaim the throne.
Twisted (feat. Mr. Probz) seems as though he took a play out of his former rival Kanye's playbook. A reflection track that features a plethora of instruments to represent an orchestra feel with a soulful hook. Mr. Probz's lyrics may be elementary but his perfect mix of autotune and smooth voice offers a soothing compliment to the track.
Winner's Circle is a song about triumph and the path taken to achieve it, that also resembles a track off of "Late Registration" just lacking the superb wordplay of a "Yeezus". However, the song still taps into the drive that continues to motivate Mr. Jackson even when he has nothing left to prove in his career. The natural feeling of conquering the obstacles placed in your way by critics spawned this song and quite frankly, the entire album.
Animal Ambition concludes with a G-Unit/Massacre era hit, Chase the Paper (feat. Prodigy, Kidd Kidd & Styles P) throwing blow after blow into the gut of their opponent with each additional verse. Each performer builds off the former rapper in the spirit of G-Unit's "Beg For Mercy". Only problem with this song is the placement on the album. Hold On was excellent starter and Winner's Circle was the perfect closer. This song belonged in the middle of the album but I can't complain too much since the LP ended on a very strong note.
The title of the album mirrors the sentiments of his early work and 50 does his best harnessing the energy of his classic debut album, a masterpiece in the gangsta rap genre that changed the game. His hard hitting hooks, stunning samples and production were flawless back in 2003 but one could say he's lost a step or two over the years. The experiences over a decade in the business sharpened his views and crafted a style that is second to none which remains true to this day. His vice at times may be to simply flaunt his wealth throughout songs nowadays but he's earned the right because he, unlike many others in hip-hop, can back it up. With that being said, the album is more enjoyable due to my admiration of his polished career and Animal Ambition still ranks above the mediocre rap music being made by a bevy of new artists. He may fall into tendencies of modern-day hip-hop at times but when it comes down to it, he sticks to his roots. Fans of 50 will come to appreciate this album and the upcoming one as well but if you're expecting another masterpiece, do yourself a favor and lower your expectations and enjoy the album for what it is.
I give 50's latest venture a 6.5/10 with a majority of my praise coming from the various music sampled in the album. The one thing that still rings through in his work are the smooth as silk R&B and Funk samples that complimented his aggressive lyrics perfectly. It's a different world from when GRODT was released but 50 does what he knows best, calling out his critics with a verbal assault.
No comments:
Post a Comment