Article Why 50’s Mixtapes Are Better Than His Albums

zuluking · 07-17-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Why 50’s Mixtapes Are Better Than His Albums

By Malice Intended

Sometimes what ends up on the cutting room floor is better than what makes the final cut. This is true in music as well as movies. In the world of film, director’s cuts and extended cuts have become the norm. Sometimes the extra footage enhances the film by adding layers and in terms of characterization and plot points. More often than not, however, these longer versions are merely cash-ins. Ways to fool the fans into buying the same DVD twice. In the world of music, the songs that don’t make the final cut of the official release can end up as mixtape fodder. Upon hearing them, one wonders why they were not included.

Enter 50 Cent. He emerged on the scene in 2003 with an album and image that breathed life back into Gangsta Rap and made him arguably the single most marketable artist in pop music. He did so on the strength of the mixtapes that made him a household name in NYC.

A lot has changed in 6 years. Beginning with the release of Curtis in the fall of 2006, 50 has found himself becoming increasingly irrelevant in a changing pop music landscape and marketplace. Record buyers are no longer captivated by war stories and tough guys. They’d rather dance and sing along to auto-tune assisted choruses. 50 has made various attempts to adapt, with varied levels of success. Even his penchant for beef has become stale.

The only thing that hasn’t atrophied is 50’s penchant for dropping good music via his mixtapes. So far this summer we’ve seen him do this twice with War Angel and Forever King. The contrast between the 50 Cent of these mixtapes and the one we were presented with on Curtis is staggering. Both War Angel and Forever King reveal an artist completely in his element, doing what he does best and having fun. Curtis, which hasn’t aged well in three years, showed us 50 at his least confident and self assured. He seemed to sense the rapidly changing market and allowed that to shake his vision. The album wasn’t exactly bad, but it was much less cohesive and focused than the previous two. 50 seemed to be trying a number of different approaches. hoping that something would finally stick. The fact that Curtis failed to produce more than one hit is a testament to the disjointed feel of the LP.

Fast forward almost three years to the release of War Angel. In that time, 50 produced any number of G-Unit mixtapes that capture the raw alpha-male style arrogance of his earlier material, but something about War Angel seemed to put the period at the end of the sentence. From the cover art to the song titles and production choices, War Angel plays very much like an official release. It achieves everything that Curtis was aiming for with seemingly less effort. From the sinister bassline of “Talking in Codes” to the raunchy humor of “London Girl”, it was apparent that 50 had retained what made him interesting to us in the first place. He hadn’t changed, we did. Pop culture is a fickle beast, and popular tastes can change on whim, often many times in a single generation.

So why does 50 give away his best material while trying to sell the mediocre and less inspired stuff? The answer is simply that studio albums require the artist to be self conscious and cautious in a way that mix tapes and CD’s don’t. Mixtapes are a promotional tool; a way to tease fans for an upcoming album, or to give them an extra treat to keep them satiated. They offer a chance for the artist to cut loose and be himself. Simply put: Curtis was 50’s idea of what would sell, War Angel is 50’s idea of what’s dope.

A suggestion for Curtis Jackson: For your next studio album, focus on what you like as opposed to what you think record buyers want. The game has changed. Your instincts are suited for an earlier age, and these young bucks (no pun intended) have a much better grasp of current trends and tastes than you do. You’ve already made your money and filled your walls with plaques. Now you can begin a new phase of your career. Now it’s about maintenance. You’ll probably never be the star you were in ’03-05’, but that is as it should be. There is still a market for what you do. Focus on it, and you may find the stability that has eluded you in the past three years

hatemenow · 07-17-2009, 08:54 PM

50 cent is finished.. get over it..

BWS Pacific · 07-17-2009, 09:00 PM

At least his album have better production, his Mixtapes got some cheap ass wack ass beats with Same Rhymes "Pop the Chop, Block, Get Popped, Get the Chedda, Sickest Vendetta,Gettin Nine, Pop The Dime"

harddly ever any dope lines...

Only DOpe Line 50 Did was in TOS, That T.I Shot, That was hella smart. The rest is trash.

50 aint Never been a lyrical MC,even his GRODT rhymes were simple. Go Line for Line...He aint actually That Smart!It was just The Hype and Hooks, with Production.

3percent · 07-17-2009, 09:14 PM

lol ok bud, 50 has punch lines, and more then ur alphabet style rap ur claiming he has.
the music changed the era changed, meaning EVERYTHIGN CHANGES.
the world hit recession? but it will bounce back? 50 went Strong, then slow.... now with war angel he is back at good grace again,

this article was a good read. and is quite true, mind u i think personally 'curtis' was a good album. i liked it.
to me it seems as if he was worrying with Releases, and more in his ZONE when droppin his mixtapes. when a mixtape drops its his, when a cd drops its label + ect ect ect
pressure causes failure, and thats all guys that do millions get after they do millions, critics think wow he didnt do the millions he once did boom its not as good?
lol... real fans follow...
even the bad tracks i listen to .....
50 is good, yall jus gave up on a dude who cuddnt push the same numbers as his 1st. LOL
thats not a real fan, thats a dick ryding motion of the ocean followers, when u actually like something you can tell, u can tell when ur jus following what others dig.

Losers.
50 is still as good as b4,
my opinion

BornIntoThis · 07-17-2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWS Pacific

At least his album have better production, his Mixtapes got some cheap ass wack ass beats with Same Rhymes "Pop the Chop, Block, Get Popped, Get the Chedda, Sickest Vendetta,Gettin Nine, Pop The Dime"

harddly ever any dope lines...

Only DOpe Line 50 Did was in TOS, That T.I Shot, That was hella smart. The rest is trash.

50 aint Never been a lyrical MC,even his GRODT rhymes were simple. Go Line for Line...He aint actually That Smart!It was just The Hype and Hooks, with Production.

this...../thread

hatemenow · 07-17-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3percent

lol ok bud, 50 has punch lines,

yeah true.. he be crazy with those punchlines

"when i say im ballin im not talkin bout a ball"

black ice 07 · 07-18-2009, 12:50 AM

Hell its true Curtis only had a few good tracks and these last two mixtapes are several steps higher than Curtis in quality. I agree 50's made his money now he's at a point where Jay was a while back make the shit he want to make, good music, or try to outsell everybody. I think he can walk the line between commercial and hardcore.

BuckFan77 · 07-18-2009, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatemenow

50 cent is finished.. get over it..

fareel homie

S.P.I Cripin · 07-18-2009, 04:45 AM

it was released fuckin 2 years ago

LangJayKevin · 07-18-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWS Pacific

At least his album have better production, his Mixtapes got some cheap ass wack ass beats with Same Rhymes "Pop the Chop, Block, Get Popped, Get the Chedda, Sickest Vendetta,Gettin Nine, Pop The Dime"

harddly ever any dope lines...

Only DOpe Line 50 Did was in TOS, That T.I Shot, That was hella smart. The rest is trash.

50 aint Never been a lyrical MC,even his GRODT rhymes were simple. Go Line for Line...He aint actually That Smart!It was just The Hype and Hooks, with Production.

yeah that's why you guys gotta stop making him like hes on lyrical dude. he was never really one, he was all beats and hooks with a flow but never lyrical so stop giving him so much hate about the lyrics.

LangJayKevin · 07-18-2009, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatemenow

yeah true.. he be crazy with those punchlines

"when i say im ballin im not talkin bout a ball"

LOL get at the PLK if you want punches. if you can find them. go at someone lyrical with punchlines not 50. 50's 50 money gun its all good as long as it sounds good im good with it

Street Disciple · 07-18-2009, 08:08 AM

50 never really been a lyrical dude except for the POTD era, where he was actually smart with his lines and some type of meaning to em.....

Anyways, I agree with the article; 50 been on the downfall, no-one stays at the top and Lil Wayne is runnin' things now but I bet you a bottom dollar he gonna be in the same position as Fif 3-5 years down the line. He just gotta really focus on his market that fell in love with his music and he gotta just relax and make music that he likes, have fun with it.........hence the quality of War Angel and Forever King........

But to keep the G-Unit brand going, he needs to sign fresh young talent that has everything to succeed in the industry instead of signin' some bums cos you can't really market them......

Hakaroodi · 07-18-2009, 08:51 AM

totally agree..!! but Ayo Tech and I Get Money were big hits from Curtis you can't jus discredit Curtis like that..

1125csl · 07-18-2009, 10:53 AM

well it not all 50, the labels push everyone to make "sellable" records not what they want to do artistically, maybe besides indies but 50 releases his mixtapes w no backing from the labels

chickenwings · 07-18-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWS Pacific

50 aint Never been a lyrical MC,even his GRODT rhymes were simple. Go Line for Line...He aint actually That Smart!It was just The Hype and Hooks, with Production.

thats hilarious coming from the kid who admits to being a huge game stan-groupy. and to make it worse 50 wrote the songs that set games career off in the first place and got him 4.5 million sales off his debut album. seems you find any reason to bash 50 and any reason to e-jack game off. how does it feel to know your pussy gets wet over a rapper/fake gang member?

ggggunit89 · 07-18-2009, 10:23 PM

the record lables have a lot to do with it, it's not just 50. The lable wants certain thing that's why 50 dissed jimmy once.

hatemenow · 07-18-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggggunit89

the record lables have a lot to do with it, it's not just 50. The lable wants certain thing that's why 50 dissed jimmy once.

good music, is all they want, if 50 cant provide that then of course the labels gonna get mad

keepitgangsta · 07-19-2009, 02:07 AM

I never understood this saying, its not true

The comparison is off, 50 drop wayyyyyyyy more mixtapes than albums. He only has 3 albums, technically 4

Only mixtapes is better than Curtis. Damn sure not better than massacre, get rich, or power of the dollar. Bisd hasnt dropped to compare yet

BrooklynZ Finest · 07-19-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Street Disciple

50 never really been a lyrical dude except for the POTD era, where he was actually smart with his lines and some type of meaning to em.....

Anyways, I agree with the article; 50 been on the downfall, no-one stays at the top and Lil Wayne is runnin' things now but I bet you a bottom dollar he gonna be in the same position as Fif 3-5 years down the line. He just gotta really focus on his market that fell in love with his music and he gotta just relax and make music that he likes, have fun with it.........hence the quality of War Angel and Forever King........

But to keep the G-Unit brand going, he needs to sign fresh young talent that has everything to succeed in the industry instead of signin' some bums cos you can't really market them......

WORD UP!

LadyValentine · 07-19-2009, 07:49 AM

50 has a really good discography between his LPs (exc. Curtis) and Mixtapes...that is all.

BWS Pacific · 07-19-2009, 08:01 AM

Something is wrong with this kiwifruit..yuk.

AdamRogers · 07-20-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatemenow

yeah true.. he be crazy with those punchlines

"when i say im ballin im not talkin bout a ball"

.........lmao

CEO254 · 07-20-2009, 11:59 AM

When 50 is doing mixtapes, he is pretty much free to rap about anything he wants

But when he is making an album, he has to deal with all of the industry politics

52watts · 07-20-2009, 12:58 PM

Lol at people considering Massacre a good album. That shit was so weak. Compared to Curtis it was ok but it would be like comparing AIDS To the Clap.

YounG AleX · 07-21-2009, 03:01 AM

07-17-2009, 09:14 PM	#4
3percent Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: K-Dubbz - Ya Hear'd Me Posts: 2,533 Repped: 203 Repped 119 Times in 55 Posts Neg Reps: 175 Neg Repped at 45 Times in 31 Posts	lol ok bud, 50 has punch lines, and more then ur alphabet style rap ur claiming he has. the music changed the era changed, meaning EVERYTHIGN CHANGES. the world hit recession? but it will bounce back? 50 went Strong, then slow.... now with war angel he is back at good grace again, this article was a good read. and is quite true, mind u i think personally 'curtis' was a good album. i liked it. to me it seems as if he was worrying with Releases, and more in his ZONE when droppin his mixtapes. when a mixtape drops its his, when a cd drops its label + ect ect ect pressure causes failure, and thats all guys that do millions get after they do millions, critics think wow he didnt do the millions he once did boom its not as good? lol... real fans follow... even the bad tracks i listen to ..... 50 is good, yall jus gave up on a dude who cuddnt push the same numbers as his 1st. LOL thats not a real fan, thats a dick ryding motion of the ocean followers, when u actually like something you can tell, u can tell when ur jus following what others dig. Losers. 50 is still as good as b4, my opinion __________________ I Have Lots To Say When I Say IT! But For Now Chill....Cause I Didn't say IT! BUT I WILL! http://3percent.evony.com <<< not a bad lil game....

07-18-2009, 08:08 AM	#12
Street Disciple iLLmatic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: London.W10! Posts: 1,733 Repped: 415 Repped 314 Times in 103 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 20 Times in 15 Posts	50 never really been a lyrical dude except for the POTD era, where he was actually smart with his lines and some type of meaning to em..... Anyways, I agree with the article; 50 been on the downfall, no-one stays at the top and Lil Wayne is runnin' things now but I bet you a bottom dollar he gonna be in the same position as Fif 3-5 years down the line. He just gotta really focus on his market that fell in love with his music and he gotta just relax and make music that he likes, have fun with it.........hence the quality of War Angel and Forever King........ But to keep the G-Unit brand going, he needs to sign fresh young talent that has everything to succeed in the industry instead of signin' some bums cos you can't really market them...... __________________

07-18-2009, 08:51 AM	#13
Hakaroodi G-UNIT SOLDIER Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 30,523 Repped: 14,431 Repped 952 Times in 224 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 49 Times in 45 Posts	totally agree..!! but Ayo Tech and I Get Money were big hits from Curtis you can't jus discredit Curtis like that.. __________________

07-19-2009, 07:49 AM	#20
LadyValentine Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Throw A TV At You Crazy Posts: 3,948 Repped: 82 Repped 1,918 Times in 381 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 36 Times in 31 Posts	50 has a really good discography between his LPs (exc. Curtis) and Mixtapes...that is all. __________________ Why In The Hell Would You Let Your Fingers Type Such Absurdity? - Me

07-20-2009, 11:59 AM	#23
CEO254 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 3 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	When 50 is doing mixtapes, he is pretty much free to rap about anything he wants But when he is making an album, he has to deal with all of the industry politics __________________

07-17-2009, 08:54 PM	#2
hatemenow Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cali Posts: 312 Repped: 35 Repped 102 Times in 53 Posts Neg Reps: 21 Neg Repped at 134 Times in 67 Posts	50 cent is finished.. get over it..

07-17-2009, 09:00 PM	#3
BWS Pacific Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pacific Posts: 1,541 Repped: 0 Repped 519 Times in 288 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 1,305 Times in 591 Posts	At least his album have better production, his Mixtapes got some cheap ass wack ass beats with Same Rhymes "Pop the Chop, Block, Get Popped, Get the Chedda, Sickest Vendetta,Gettin Nine, Pop The Dime" harddly ever any dope lines... Only DOpe Line 50 Did was in TOS, That T.I Shot, That was hella smart. The rest is trash. 50 aint Never been a lyrical MC,even his GRODT rhymes were simple. Go Line for Line...He aint actually That Smart!It was just The Hype and Hooks, with Production.

07-18-2009, 12:50 AM	#7
black ice 07 Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Memphis Tenn Posts: 1,916 Repped: 923 Repped 841 Times in 137 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 11 Times in 10 Posts	Hell its true Curtis only had a few good tracks and these last two mixtapes are several steps higher than Curtis in quality. I agree 50's made his money now he's at a point where Jay was a while back make the shit he want to make, good music, or try to outsell everybody. I think he can walk the line between commercial and hardcore.

07-18-2009, 04:45 AM	#9
S.P.I Cripin Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,075 Repped: 360 Repped 75 Times in 24 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	it was released fuckin 2 years ago

07-18-2009, 10:53 AM	#14
1125csl Straight G Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY Posts: 2,059 Repped: 516 Repped 1,079 Times in 191 Posts Neg Reps: 2 Neg Repped at 14 Times in 11 Posts	well it not all 50, the labels push everyone to make "sellable" records not what they want to do artistically, maybe besides indies but 50 releases his mixtapes w no backing from the labels

07-18-2009, 10:23 PM	#16
ggggunit89 King Of The Chi Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,187 Repped: 87 Repped 579 Times in 73 Posts Neg Reps: 3 Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post	the record lables have a lot to do with it, it's not just 50. The lable wants certain thing that's why 50 dissed jimmy once.

07-19-2009, 02:07 AM	#18
keepitgangsta Veteran Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Wire Posts: 4,447 Repped: 395 Repped 1,610 Times in 179 Posts Neg Reps: 20 Neg Repped at 30 Times in 19 Posts	I never understood this saying, its not true The comparison is off, 50 drop wayyyyyyyy more mixtapes than albums. He only has 3 albums, technically 4 Only mixtapes is better than Curtis. Damn sure not better than massacre, get rich, or power of the dollar. Bisd hasnt dropped to compare yet

07-19-2009, 08:01 AM	#21
BWS Pacific Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pacific Posts: 1,541 Repped: 0 Repped 519 Times in 288 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 1,305 Times in 591 Posts	Something is wrong with this kiwifruit..yuk.

07-20-2009, 12:58 PM	#24
52watts Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New England Posts: 604 Repped: 144 Repped 258 Times in 125 Posts Neg Reps: 7 Neg Repped at 120 Times in 66 Posts	Lol at people considering Massacre a good album. That shit was so weak. Compared to Curtis it was ok but it would be like comparing AIDS To the Clap. __________________

07-21-2009, 03:01 AM	#25
YounG AleX AleX iS Like... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Where haven't we been yet? Posts: 3,195 Repped: 892 Repped 5,210 Times in 714 Posts Neg Reps: 66 Neg Repped at 13 Times in 8 Posts	__________________ I learned that everybody is not your friend. You have to watch who you associate with and surround yourself with positive things and people who want to do something positive.- Gucci!

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