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Probably the most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade, most likely since Snoop's Doggystyle (1993) or perhaps Nas' Illmatic (1994), 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' certainly arrived amid massive expectations. In fact, the expectations were so massive that they overshadowed the music itself — 50 becoming more of a phenomenon than simply a rapper — so massive that you had to be skeptical, particularly given the marketing-savvy nature of the rap world. Even so, Get Rich is indeed an impressive debut, not quite on the level of such landmark debuts as the aforementioned ones by Snoop or Nas — or those by Biggie, Wu-Tang, or DMX either — but impressive nonetheless, definitely ushering in 50 as one of the truly eminent rappers of his era. The thing, though, is that 50 isn't exactly a rookie, and it's debatable as to whether or not Get Rich can be considered a true debut (see the unreleased Power of the Dollar [1999] and the Guess Who's Back? compilation [2002]). That debate aside, however, Get Rich plays like a blueprint rap debut should: there's a tense, suspenseful intro ("What Up Gangsta"), an ethos-establishing tag-team spar with Eminem ("Patiently Waiting"), a street-cred appeal ("Many Men [Wish Death]"), a tailor-made mass-market good-time single ("In da Club"), a multifaceted tread through somber ghetto drama (from "High All the Time" to "Gotta Make It to Heaven"), and finally three bonus tracks that reprise 50's previously released hits ("Wanksta," "U Not Like Me," "Life's on the Line") — in that precise order. In sum, Get Rich is an incredibly calculated album, albeit an amazing one. After all, when co-executive producer Eminem raps, "Take some Big and some Pac/And you mix them up in a pot/Sprinkle a little Big L on top/What the f*ck do you got?" you know the answer. Give Em (who produces two tracks) and Dr. Dre (who does four) credit for laying out the red carpet here, and also give 50 credit for reveling brilliantly in his much-documented mystique — from his gun fetish to his witty swagger, 50 has the makings of a street legend, and it's no secret. And 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.Read full review
I bought this cd because I had heard a couple of cuts from it that I liked. Plus the music industry and fans raved about this cd. Frankly, I should have just bought the cd singles of the songs I liked because I didn't like the rest of the cd. Too much violence and profanity for my taste. If someone wants their ears assaulted every other word or have violent tendencies, then they will love the cd. And this is coming from someone who listens to everything from classical to country music. You'll find Vivaldi and Beethoven, and The Phantom of the Opera and Christina Aguilera and India Arie and Maroon 5 and Rhianna in my collection. I truly love music, but this cd hurt my ears. Perhaps the version with all the expletives taken out would have been more palatable for me.
EVERYONE and I mean everyone has heard Up In the Club. You couldn't escape for a period of 6 months. Fitty brough the goods with his debut album. With production from Dre and a fresh style, Fitty grabs you with his gritty, street tough rhymes. I think this album is straight from the heart unlike the newer stuff he has been putting out. It is also solid from the standpoint that it stays away form the beefs that 50 has had.
Just got it and it was wrapped in a great way and in a great condition
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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