50cent War Angel LP

By Mehka

What can you really say about 50 cent. Since he broke onto the scene with “How to Rob” off the Mad Rapper “Tell Em Why You Mad” album, 50 has used the sensational to sell records. His debut album “Get Rich of Die Trying” made 50 cent a legend in hip-hop circles, but as of late, we’ve been left to seeing 50 become a walking reality show.

Millions of units sold and as many enemies made later, 50 cent is coming full circle in his career. His latest release, “War Angel” has 50 sounding like the hungry emcee from Queens and not the multi-millionaire living in Connecticut (no disrespect to the CT) More than a mixtape, 50 gives you 11 tracks that sound more like the 50 of old than the commercial artist that we’ve come to love and hate.

The first single off the disc “OK, Ya Right” produced by Dr. Dre has that classic 50 cent sound. Already pumping on the NYC radio shows that 50 still has some street in him. Jay would be proud of the level of violence that 50 has brought back to hip-hop with songs like “I Line Niggas” where he boasts that “Goons don’t use auto-tune, that’s Yeezy” or the grimy “Talk in Codes” where he lets you know “I’ll hit his fitted hat, he want have a chance to twitter that”

Along with Robin Thicke “Cocaine” brings a blaxplotation vibe to the LP with it’s overall 70’s feel and Thickes’ haunting vocals.

“London Girl” and “Cream 2009” are throwaway tracks but cuts like “Bring you’re A Game” and Redrum (murder) make up for those short-comings.

The last 3 years, you would think that 50 is happy being a filthy rich parody of himself, but “War Angel” shows that Curtis still has a passion for hip-hop and the ability to bring the streets to life with his lyrics and track selections.