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RapReviews.com

On the lyrical side of things, 50 seems to have his edge back. Whether he's orchestrating a robbery or bucking (pun intended) shots at his foes, it seems apparent that the criticisms got to him. For the hard core fans, the softer songs are skippable, but I can't hold that against him too much.

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PopMatters

With surprisingly little filler, renewed energy, and the unique glimpse Before I Self Destruct offers into the psyche of a public figure as intriguing as Curtis Jackson, 50 Cent has crafted easily his best album since "Get Rich or Die Trying."

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No Ripcord

Call it voyeur. Call it artificial. Call it exploitative. Just don’t call it boring. It’s the first 50 Cent album in some time that can boast that.

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All Music Guide

Before I Self Destruct is still a fantastic juggernaut of a 50 album if you exit early, and a very good one even if you don't.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

If Destruct qualifies as a pleasant surprise, it’s only because 50 Cent’s last few releases set the bar so low. Still, for the first time since The Massacre, it’s once again intermittently fun to root for the bad guy

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Entertainment Weekly

Growling violent threats over hard beats, 50 sounds the hungriest he has in years. Of course, there’s nothing remotely original about the formula he’s returning to, but at least he’s going through the motions with gusto.

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Pitchfork

After initially promising a return to form, 50 doesn't have the ability or initiative to hold the listener's interest over the long run.

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Prefix Magazine

He clearly yearns to evoke the mixture of fun and grit that made "Get Rich or Die Tryin’" such a remarkable effort, but he’s misguided in his approach.

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Rolling Stone

On Fiddy's fourth album, the muscle-bound-warrior routine is the only one he trusts, so he keeps milking it.

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Slant Magazine

Before I Self Destruct plays as a prudent step back. It's not that 50 has suddenly become terrifying, but the album possesses a sense of latent menace that's been left unexplored since his early mixtapes.

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Chicago Tribune

His rhyme battle with Eminem on 'Psycho' has zero redeeming value, but the two old pros fire away with glee trying to out-psychopath each other. But about halfway through the album, 50 Cent detours from the street to the bedroom.

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The New York Times

Taken as a whole this album has a pleasingly morbid tone, in keeping with the best moments from 50 Cent’s first two albums. But context is this album’s undoing.

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Spin

Before I Self Destruct starts with 50 Cent literally growling, and it ends, on 'Could've Been You,' with Kelly crooning about sniffing his own excrement. Both sound equally laughable.

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Boston Globe

50 really needed to make an essential record to regain relevancy. Being merely good at this point isn’t enough.

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Dot Music

Before I Self Destruct needs as many bells and whistles as it can muster, because the music isn't going to cut it on its own.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 7.1 (out of 10) based on 50 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Valeriy S gave it a10:
I do think that it is the best thing he did except brilliant Massacre, and among the best rap albums of this year.

Michael R gave it a9:
This album is a masterpiece showing 50 cent's true potential and writing and lyrical ability. He is more aggressive harder and lyrical. With the song Gangsta's Delight, So Disrespectful, Death to my Enemies, Psycho, Strong Enough, Get It Hot, Ok, You're right. Showing the darker and more lyrical side of 50 cent the you would of seen back when he made Get Rich or, Die Trying. The Best songs on the cd would have to be So Disrespectful, Gangsta's Delight, Psycho, and Death to My Enemies bringing out the best of 50 cent we have ever seen.

Caily D gave it a0:
He got rich and stopped trying.

Ryan K gave it a9:
I think this album has to be hip hop album of the year along with Raekwon's OB4CL2 this album is his best since get rich or die tryin. but the massacre is also a good record curtis is horrible. but every song on this album is top notch production is top class and 50 is back with his witty lyrics the critics just dont get the concept of the album. but there are 2 weak songs such as Baby by me & couldve been you with r kelly.i also think this album shudda sold more in its first week not 150k. its a very good album a must buy!

Twin V gave it a0:
Truly dreadful, waffly nonsense. This man has been exposed big time. A billion miles away from the great first album.

Garza Blood gave it a10:
The Album is sick!! The sound quality is state of the art and the Instrumentals are banging. I also like the Idea that he disses Jay Z. Overall Great Album!! Yes I am from the West Coast!! Diego City that is.

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Before I Self Destruct

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