The Massacre (Shady/Aftermath, 2005) by 50 Cent

50's sophomore album seems like a natural extension of his debut.  And because of that, the album falls a bit flat.  The tough talk is all the same and so the artistry didn't seem to show much growth from before.  However, that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining.  My favorite lyric is in "Piggy Bank" wherein 50 dissects Fat Joe's success with Terror Squad's "Lean Back," "That fat n***a thought 'Lean Back' was 'In Da Club'/ My shit sold 11 Mill, his was a dud."  That line is crazy because "Lean Back" was a huge hit.  And yet, it didn't translate to record sales the way 50's smash single, "In Da Club" did.  Then there's "Ryder Music" where Fif claims to have slept with a lot of famous actresses, "Last year I woke up with good luck, damn it feels good/On the low, I done fucked like half of Hollywood."  I really like to beat for "Ski Mask Way" (R.I.P. Disco D) too and Dre's heavy drums on "Outta Control" still bang today.  This album isn't nearly as impressive as his earlier work, just evidence of who was unquestionably one of hip hop's biggest stars at the time.  Hate it or love it.

Get Rich or Die Tryin' (Shady/Aftermath, 2003) by 50 Cent

This album is a modern day classic.  It benefited from great timing and came out at a time when sing-songy rap (i.e. Ja Rule) was dominating the airwaves.  The drop of the coin for the introduction was a great set-up for "What Up Gangsta".  Not only does that track set the tone for the rest of the album, but it is a song with great energy that smoothly transfers to an amazing live performance.  And "Patiently Waiting" is the best song that 50 has ever done with Eminem.  Other highlights include "Heat" [gun-shot snares = genius] and "Many Men".  Then, last but not least, there is "In Da Club".  At first look, it appears to be a materialistic rhyme that's been heard too many times.  However, after one listen, it becomes clear that it is anything but that.  Dre's masterful production makes for one of the most memorable beats of his career.  And the "Go Shorty, it's your Birthday" ad-lib that 50 put in at the beginning made this a timeless song because everyday is somebody's birthday and they're always going to want to party.