50 Cent 'The Big 10' Mixtape and New Album?

Fiddy has just announced that next week he'll be dropping a new 10-track project to celebrate the 10th anniversary since his first mixtape '50 Cent Is The Future' was released and he's promising a video per track too! Lets see if 50 can bring his rap game back to his hay-day or if he should maybe stick to selling vitamin water and making castles with his money.

He's also suggested his new LP will see the light of day in December although Interscope hasn't confirmed any official release dat. Patiently waiting...for the time being, here's 'What Up Gangsta' Part 2:

In related news, Fiddy has been sort of 'tweefing' with T.I. about Tip's incarceration and whether his wife Tiny should've taken the rap and only get probation. Anyway you can check the 'dispute' right here and respect to T.I. for knocking twitter beefs...

*Update*

The mixtape will be released Friday December 9th at 12pm - peep the cover art below:

10 Things that Shook Hip Hop in the last decade

Image Credit

By KNL

The last decade has seen a massive shake up for the world of hip hop. In this article KNL looks at how the culture has transformed and what monumental occurrences have changed the way we as fans, and the rest of the world, see hip hop. Deep KNL, deep...(editor's note)

1. Hip Hop Hits the Web - Main Dominator: 50 Cent

This has brewed throughout the decade and is now reaching heights which are quiet frankly – silly. We’re all for hip hop sites and places where we can view and listen to the latest stuff but one has to wonder how far is too far. The last decade has seen hip hop transform itself from more than just music into promotional blogs, videos, articles and websites set up just to promote specific albums. The lateral rise of Twitter, Facebook and MySpace was good news for Stans across the world as they could now synchronise their sleeping, eating and toilet patterns with their favourite rapper.

Furthermore the internet is aptly linked to our other topic, Beef. The internet has made beefing so easy and remote that it has transformed from a lyrical war or words, into a matter of online humiliation and finger pointing. 50 Cent has actively used ‘Thisis50.com’ to destroy many of his rivals, and whilst it’s funny as hell, one has gotta ask why they’re not destroying careers lyrically like they used to.

Finally, Youtube has been a saving grace, providing us all with a way to upload our own or leaked material (I’m not condoning this…!) oh of course not KNL (editor's note) and has also allowed artist’s epic fails to be readily available to millions – who remembers that dude from Pretty Ricky dancing in his underwear?!

2. Beef – Main Dominator: 50 Cent

Since 2000 we have seen more beef than a Maccie Ds in an obese town – off the top of my head, these are just some of the highlights I can remember...

Jay-Z vs Nas

50 Cent vs Ja Rule

Dr Dre vs Jermaine Dupri

Eminem vs Canibus

LL Cool J vs Canibus

Benzino vs Eminem

DMX vs Ja Rule

Kurupt vs Daz

Lil Wayne vs Gillie da Kid

T.I vs Lil Flip

T.I vs Ludacris

T.I vs Alfamega

50 Cent vs Nas

50 Cent vs Fat Joe

50 Cent vs Jadakiss

50 Cent vs Sheek Louch & Styles P

50 Cent vs Cassidy

50 Cent vs Rick Ross

50 Cent vs Jay-Z

50 Cent vs Lil Kim

50 Cent vs The Game

50 Cent vs EVERYONE

Goddamnit – now let us remember that out of these beefs probably 2 or 3 of them actually resulted in hot tracks. The most high profile battles were probably between 50 Cent and Ja Rule, Jay-Z and Nas and Eminem vs Canibus & Benzino. However the rest of this stuff was either a war of words, a war of blank threats and punches and in the case of the last 10 50 Cent beefs – just straight up clowning. I like Fiddy, but this section belongs to him too.

3. Return of the Remix – Main Dominator: Lil Wayne

Damn just about every Radio friendly song that hit our airwaves required some sort of remix to re-release the buzz and capture everyone’s imagination. Whether it was the frenzy created around Touch It or A Millie – or the crazy re-styles of Usher’s Confessions, everybody seemed to want to jump on the remix bandwagon. However the main prize has to go to Lil Wayne, who made it a personal mission to jump on as many tracks as possible – it got to the point where over the last 2 years it was impossible not to hear him remix something!

4. Death of the Super Label – Only Dominator: Aftermath

So it turns out the 90s was the time where Def Jam, Bad Boy, Rocafella and Deathrow to name a few were doing well and providing real music power houses. The last decade however has seen a decline – unfortunately there is probably only one label that lives up to the Music Powerhouse and that’s Dr. Dre’s Aftermath studios, but don’t forget it’s only because they have 3 multi-platinum, now legendary artists.

However, remember the days of a video where you saw more famous cats popping Crystal in a club or by the pool than you thought necessary? They’re gone. No more Lox in shiny suits behind Diddy, no more Dogg Pound, Kurupt, Daz etc. lounging in the club behind Snoop…it looks like merchandising is the way to go. Sad times.

5. ‘So it’s ok to wear white boy clothes now?’ – Main Dominator: Kanye West

People rejoice, for now you can wear a pink Ralph Lauren Polo shirt and not be questioned about your sexuality. You can wear the tightest jeans, with the tightest shirt, and a little red bowtie and no one will question your credibility as an artist. Ever since the arrival of our beloved College Graduate and 10,000 Louis bags later, Mr West has introduced classy attire to an undeniable number of artists who now follow his style.

With the rise of the ‘hipster’ fans it seems mature and sexy is the new way to go. But is this hip hop opening its' doors and becoming more tolerant of the outside world or is it that money and extravagance has taken the main stage in our once gritty genre? I don’t know about you – but the increase in bow ties and suits seems to be directly correlated with a decline of that hard ish...

Part 2 to come, stay tuned people

The Hip Hop Government Dream Team - Part 1

Image Credit

By KNL

With Barack Obama taking over office, I’ve been meaning to do this for a long, long time. Now it’s here; the answer I’m sure you’ve all been looking for...what would happen if Hip Hop’s royalty decided to take the step for a Presidential race?! Well folks, here it is!

Department of State: Shawn Corey Carter

With previous experience in seeing Roc-A-Fella elevate to hip hop stardom, and a breif stint in the Def Jam hot seat; Shawn is not short of experience when it comes to leadership. He is just short of leading the campaign due to his knack of annoying certain sections of hip hop’s elite factions ensuring there is never enough support for him to take the higest throne. Positive attributes include a good relationship with important people both inside and outside the hip hop community, crossover appeal and an ability to fatten the party’s pockets through unlimited ventures. Controversies include the fact he is constantly accused of quoting a certain deceased central figure; and his ability to break strong ties with some of his strongest fans leaving some with the opinion that he should be kept at arm’s length only. Internal power stuggles between him and other members of the Cabinet have also increased jealousy among his rivals.

Department of the Treasury: Sean Combs

Sean Combs comes with not only a wealth of experience and important historical consensus thanks to his previous ties with Sir Wallace; he also comes with an ability to look after money better than most of his associates. Who better to look after the economy than one of hip hop’s richest? Known to be extravagant, close sources suggest that Mr Combs will strengthen the budget with some eyebrow raising commercial ventures. Often inviting some of the world’s elite to his famous parties, Sean Combs is reportedly in friendly competition with Secretary of State Carter; however recent popularity stakes have made him less electable and so he has to stick with running hip hop’s economy.

Department of Defense: Curtis Jackson

Young, fresh and relatively new to the game. Curtis’ ability to tie down enemies through good old American repression and threats of violence have made him famous as a force to be reckoned with. Surely rogue nations will think twice before launching those test nukes with Curtis calling the shots? His cocky attitude has had its moments of brilliance, but he is not shy of controversy and confrontation both in and out of the cabinet. He will surely smile for the cameras, and many outsiders may not know it, but in the back of Curtis’ mind is a surefire plan to oust Combs and Carter for the future big spot; watch this space.

Department of Justice: Russel Simmons

With a huge wealth of experience behind him, and one of the very beginners in hip hop’s world domination, Russel is now a famously inept peacemaker and a firm beleiver in honest and peaceful resolutions. His running of the justice department includes famously recruiting Curtis Jackson in his Yoga program to help calm his war starting instincts and hanging up leadership of a powerful venture only to find it slowly dying in the wake of competition. Famous for bringing Todd Smith into the hip hop’s elite, he has since lost his strong ties with many of his once close associates including Todd Smith and Clifford Smith.

Department of the Interior: DMC

Looking after the interior means looking after the indigenous people of hip hop, and who better than one of the freshest originals to grace our ears. DMC’s responsibilities include maintaining a healthy relationship with the original fans of hip hop and trying to make sure the hip hop ideology doesn’t exclude this endagoured minority; his strong relationships with much of the hip hop elite and an all-round respect put him on a plateu unmatched by his peers. Perhaps not feared, but he is definitely respected.

Department of Agriculture: Bubba Sparxxx

Rarely focussed on by the hip hop cabinet, the suprise appointment of Bubba Sparxxx was fuelled mostly by the fact there was not much competition for the job. Roles include ensuring hip hop’s appeal doesn’t escape the countryside and ensuring a healthy crop of future country-rap talent. His close ties with Timothy in the Cabinet mean he is often respected despite his humble and unconventional origins.

Department of Commerce: Pharrell Williams

Focussing on future growth of hip hop, Pharrell is constantly bringing a new sound and nurturing new talent to ensure the genre expands and grows as far as possible. With his respective group the Neptunes, we have witnessed not only 5-star quality but brilliant album releases designed to appeal to the masses. Whilst some purists disagree with the tactics, Williams is an integral piece of the puzzle; not only is he respected by Carter, Combs and Young, he’s also seen as a huge pinnacle in the music industry as a whole.

Part 2 coming soon...

The Perfect 50 Cent Album - Part 2

By KNL

Track: Gunz Come Out

Album: The Massacre

Why?

Simple really. Listen to the beat and feel the sheer aggressiveness of it. Then couple such dopeness with Mr Angry himself and you got a sure fire banger. Produced by the good doctor, it leaves no guesses as to who was behind the boards. Whilst the track may be pretty mindless in certain aspects, this is essentially what 50 does best *anything is better than one of the ladies *. The chorus is also undeniably a catchy one, go on try to stop yourself from humming along…!

Killer Opening Lines:

“I do this all the time, stuck with a little shine/ Walk with a little nine, case I get in a bind/ They say I'm fuckin' crazy, they think I'm out my mind/ Cause I'm down to bust a nigga head all the time…”

Track: I’m Supposed to Die Tonight

Album: The Massacre

Why?

Here 50 takes us into dark scenery and it almost seems like a movie coming out of your stereo. The track on its own is bare and pretty ordinary as an instrumental, it’s Curtis who managed to add an undeniable magic from the catchy hook to the haunting lines, showing the bare truth of what goes on behind the glitz and glamour. Listening to this track puts you in the same mind frame that Many Men did on Get Rich…it seems 50 has never had to stop watching his back.

Killer Opening Lines:

“This is nothin' new, I been in the position before

Grandma crib, niggas outside of her door

Different day, same shit, old mac, new clip

Thirty two hollow tips, gloves, no rubber grip

I'm a boss, but niggas never show no respect

I catch 'em slippin', I have 'em tongue kissin' my tec

Wanna come, test me, pussy boy don't try it

Police response never fast enough to shots fired”

And now on to Curtis, by far 50’s biggest disappointment…musically and commercially. But nonetheless there’s some shit on there that’s worth taking note of.

Track: Ayo Technology

Album: Curtis

Why?

Yeah I know it’s a Justin collabo, but don’t deny you weren’t feeling it before you had to hear it 3 million times everywhere you went. Timbaland backed 50 with a superstar collabo that was guaranteed to be a success. Hate it or love it, the clubs love 50 and he’s going to need to keep up the pace with his commercial fans and what better than another sure fire collabo backed by a fine beat ready to hit the clubs and make 50 even more of a household name. 

Killer Opening Lines: (Not really such a killer thought…)

“She work it girl, she work the pole

She break it down, she take it low

She fine as hell, she about the dough

She doing here thing out on the floor

Her money money, she makin’ makin’

Look at the way she shakin’ shakin’

Make you want to touch it, make you want to taste it

Have you lustin for her, go crazy face it…”

Track: Man Down

Album: Curtis

Why?

So I hear 50’s coming back hard right? Those joints with Premo etc seem to see him checking his past and coming back to what made him famous…bullet proof gangster shit! And so why not push the boundaries yet again by referencing things most rappers today are too scared to put in their lyrics. This track was so explicit even the Parental Advisory labelled album had to have it censored. With references to murdering police officers, this track is almost impossible to find in uncensored form…I have it though, and trust me the kid doesn’t know when to stop!

Killer Opening Lines:

“These cocksucking police got it in for me

They flash their lights the wanna rough me up

Frisk me find my burner, then cuff me up

But history repeats itself, they never learn

The Unit’s the new people who gon be able to burst

Huh, we’ll find out when niggaz let off the rounds

And this partner screamin officer down…”

Track: 187

Album: Curtis

Why?

Because it’s the same generic hardcore shit that 50 does best, honestly the beat is fire thanks to Havoc and takes us way back to the old 50 once again. Shame the lyrics weren’t on point, but I wanna see something like this as an album filler rather than the throwaway beats 50 tends to pick these days. Lyrically this was quite a bit better than the rest of the Curtis album…with all the time Before I Self Destruct is taking, let’s hope to see something along the lines of tracks like this!

Killer Opening Lines:

“I was a snotty nose, nappy head, dirtball nigga

Sayin I can't wait 'til I get a little bigger

After niggaz jumped me, bumpin my head

Thinkin I wish I had a gun I fill a nigga with lead

Took a kitchen knife to [censored] fin' to poke me a nigga

Wishin I had a gun so I could smoke me a nigga

Sold my first five quarter gram pieces in the alley

Where Bizzy had the Bondeville and Kev had the Caddy

Now those were the days, when crime really paid

The nine milli sprayed, I got the fuck out the way

From shootout to shootout, the bricks went fast

Robberies went bad, niggaz got blast”

The Perfect 50 Cent Album - Part 1

By KNL

Ok so you don’t need to be a genius to work out that 50 Cent has an album coming out soon. With numerous freestyles and admittedly hot promotional tracks circling the internet and radio, there is much talk of the old 50 being back.

Now as much as this would be appreciated, we gotta wonder if Mr Cent can really capture that gutter-appeal magic he graced us with when he first hit the scene…some of us are sceptical, but for the most part we’re hopeful. To celebrate the fact that Mr 2 Quarters is returning to old form, I’ve decided to go back and revisit his old albums and pick the best cuts to construct my own perfect 50 cent album! I’m going to start with his pre-‘Get Rich’ days and then finish off with his last effort, “Curtis”…so let’s see what it would take to make me really Self Destruct!

Track: F*** You

Album: Guess Who’s Back

Why?

With 50’s back to the wall and constant criticism of how he’s fallen off, not to mention the fact that G-Unit’s sales have been really shit, whilst losing out in sales to foes Kanye and Wayne…what better way to strike back by putting up a middle finger and just spitting straight aggressive bars at the competition? This has got be one of my all-time favourite tracks from any artist, never mind 50 cent…it combined thoughtful and deep lyrics with a typically testosterone filled aggression that 50 Cent has become famous for. There is no better way for 50 Cent to bite back at critics and enemies alike than by saying these very simply 2 words. And even if the lyrics aren’t incredible, the flow is undoubtedly one of the best we have ever seen from the rapper you love to hate.

Killer Opening Lines:

“Either I’m tripping off of ecstacy, or I can feel the world turning/ I’m having flashbacks, I can feel the shells burning/ Coming up, I was taught never back down/ That’s why I act the way I act now/Hold the Mack Down…”

Track: Heat

Album: Get Rich or Die Trying

Why?

In my opinion, this is when we see 50 Cent at his best. He may sound clumsy on a love track, and he may look stupid when trying to relate to a pop audience…but when it comes to ‘shoot em up’ appeal, he fits his acclaimed niche nicely. This track was perfect before he spat bars, purely down to the fact the good Dr. Dre was behind the boards…50 Cent however managed to kill this track with some suitably hardcore lyrics that did this beat justice. I want to see this track so he can remind us of how good his story telling techniques once were, and how he was able to do an Andre Young beat pure justice. The track Heat is pure fire!! (no pun intended)

Killer Opening Lines:

“Keep thinking I’m caine/ Till your skull get popped/ And your brain come out the top/ Like Jack in the Box/ In the hood, summer time is the killing season/ It’s hot out this bitch, that’s a good enough reason/ I see gangsters get religious when they start bleeding/ Saying Lord Jesus help me…coz they’re ass leaking…”

Track: Life’s On the Line

Album: Get Rich or Die Trying

Why?

So I hear Lil Wayne recently mentioned Fifty in one of his tracks? Let me ask you something interesting…if we saw the old 50, the one that super-hoed Ja-Rule, do you think Weezy even stands a chance if the 50-cent of old is let out the cage? I severely doubt it. This is not only one of my favourite 50 tracks, it’s one of my favourite diss records period. How can you not love the aggressive lines, catchy hook and the way he almost seems to toy with the idea of fucking with Ja-Rule as if it really means nothing to him. With the beef with Ricky Ross getting more serious, Kanye being a constant thorn in the side and Lil Wayne referencing him yet again, we need a track like this to set the tone once again. Come on Fiddy, get them gloves out!!

Killer Opening Lines:

“I came into rap humbly/ I don't give a fuck now I'll serve anybody like niggas who hustle uptown/ The coke price go up/ Cats just come down/ The D's run in my crib/ I'm nowhere to be found/ Niggas who hustle for me/ They don't even stash cracks/ They keep it on 'em/ Right there in they ass crack/ I don't like a nigga/ I don't pretend to/ I'll Have the paramedics wrappin' your fuckin' head like a Hindu”

Track: In Da Club

Album: Get Rich of Die Trying

Why?

Look we’re not stupid, 50 needs to hit commercial success too whilst keeping hip hop fans at bay, and with nemesis Wayne currently hitting billboard charts with hits such as A Millie and Lollipop, he needs to find something that will appeal to as many people as possible. He needs Dr. Dre. He needs to get back in the club. To be honest, 50 cent hasn’t been able to recreate such a club anthem since this track (Out of Control remix came close). He was still talking tough, but he was being cheeky and chilled at the same time. The most played out song of all played out songs is still a classic in any club you bump it in, face it Wayne/Fat Joe/Camron/Nas/Rick Ross (who was ‘working’ in prisons at the time) you were all rubbing yourself over this when it came on. 

Killer Opening Lines:

“When I pull up out front, you see the Benz on dubs/ When I roll 20 deep, it’s 20 knives in the club/ Niggas heard I fuck with Dre, now they wanna show me love/ When you sell like Eminem you get plenty of groupie love..”

Track: Many Men

Album: Get Rich or Die Trying

Why?

Given 50’s clear history of violence, Many Men set the tone of 50’s struggle and a constant sense of dangerous living thanks to a brilliant beat and catchy but depressing hook. On the track 50 cent bites back at his enemies and gives a peak of life from the eyes of the man behind the gun. It would be nice to hear the same deep 50 come back, especially if the moral of “more money, more problems” is true because we all know he’s got shit loads of the good stuff. Come on 50, let us in to what’s going on in your mind again…

Killer Opening Lines:

“Now these pussy niggaz putting money on my head/ Go on and get your refund motherfucker, I ain't dead/ I'm the diamond in the dirt, that ain't been found/ I'm the underground king and I ain't been crowned…”

Track: In My Hood

Album: The Massacre

Why? 

I gotta be fair to 50, I didn’t think the Massacre was such a bad album, it just had some really shitty cuts lying here and there (Candy Shop, Disco Inferno et al)…but dig deep and skip the commercial hits and you will find that the Curtis never left. In My Hood is a deep and provocative track that gives you a sneak peak into Southside Queens and the many ills and tragedies that occur in his native hood. Despite the modern content, the beat is absolutely incredible giving it an old gangster like feel. The lyrics are on point and it seemed 50 needed this track to remind us just where he came from, I wanna see him shout out Queens again. Not in the LL Cool J way (irrelevant), but in the Nas way…and this is the way to do it. Go ahead and represent.

Killer Opening Lines:

“I'm from Southside mothafucka, where the gats explode/ If you feel like you on fire, boy drop and roll/ niggas'll heat ya ass up cause they heart turns cold/ Now you can be a victim or you can lock and load…”


Part 2 coming soon...