If he doesn’t, 50 is sure trying his best to get it. Yesterday marked the second freestyle in less than a week from the G Unit mogul, whose hoping his next album will get his name back out there for music and not what his latest sophomoric Twitter beef is. The first joint, “Old 2003 Ferrari,” had the signature name-dropping and cavalier attitude that made 50 a mixtape phenom in the early 2000s. His latest joint, “When It All Goes Down,” has the adopted southern drawl that’s colored a lot of his albums, including his most successful, Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
Since about 2007-2008, 50 Cent has been stagnant creatively. It’s not entirely his fault. Artists with his type of style tend to not have long shelf lives. Luckily for him, he’s one of the select few artists that’s truly used his music success to make his name a brand, and it solidified business opportunities in film, marketing and clothing. The marketplace has totally shifted from gangsta rap, and he finds himself in the “creative space” LL Cool J was in the late 80s; considered old news and corny. The question is, does 50 Cent have a Mama Said Knock Out comeback album in him?
He’ll have to admit the old formula is just that, an outdated model. Everyone knows 50 is a multi-millionaire, and the street aura that enthralled many initial fans has long since dulled. While not as talented as Notorious B.I.G. or Jay-Z, 50 could take heed from an LP like Life After Death, where Biggie revamped his content to focus on the struggles that came with his new lifestyle and wealth instead of attempting to completely relive, as 50 would phrase, the “harsh realities” of his previous life (Ready to Die).
50 Cent will always be one of Hip-Hop’s most memorable characters. It remains to be seen if he has the ability for another run that ensures he’s also remembered as an artist.
50 CENT “WHEN IT ALL GOES DOWN”
50 CENT “OLD 2003 FERRARI”
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 