FYI - I suffer from some 'gangsta rap fatigue' during this listen, which is my bad. I was so focused on not picking a trap album this week (having done 2 last week) and wanting to sit down with a huge album, I forgot to consider the kind of content this album would hold. However, I'm going to use this as an opportunity to give The College Dropout a good, fresh listen and see how that shift in sound effects said fatique. Enjoy!
That is a brilliant idea. Contrasting 50 Cent with College Dropout puts the two albums in context and in conversation. You have the heart of a historian.
Love 50 cent because while he doesn't have the fastest flow or the most complicated rhymes, every line in every song feels like a punch to the face (in a good way)
“Life’s on the Line” was a single from 50 Cent’s shelved original debut album, ‘Power of the Dollar.’ It was recorded before he got shot nine times, including one shot to the face/mouth, which is why his voice and flow are different. Columbia dropped him after the shooting and never released the album despite a handful of songs/videos having been put out; and then Em and Dre signed him to make this album. (‘Power of the Dollar’ did leak in full tho and was sold via bootleggers)
Get rich was such a big album because the lyrics were raw and deliberate and his delivery and production matched it. Listening to it from your perspective its easy to miss the gravity of the lyrics he's saying but everyone knowing where he came from and living in the reality of what he's saying they hit a bit harder. The album was played all through he streets for a long time.
this album is supposed to invoke a sort of power fantasy in you. its not conscious lyrical master level wordplay. its just strong solid ego boosting music.
For me the best and emotional line of this album is: „He got hit like i got hit but he ain’t fucking breathing“ I take so much strength and power from this line everytime I hear this line.
FINALLY! Ive been following your channel since the Ready To Die Review, and Ive been waiting for this video, this was the first album I ever owned, much love from Spain. Edit: 50 Cent's catchy hooks, straight forward lyrics, amazing voice and the great production is what made this album so succesful internationally. Life's On The Line was recorded in 1998-99 before he got shot. U Not Like Me & Wanksta was recorded shortly after he got shot.
@@loutzzzz I don't know what it is about 50 Cent but he's lowkey one of the most overrated rappers of all time. Up there with Eminem, Jay Z, and Drake in terms of overratedness
Heat's one of my favorite rap songs of all time- very chilling; but this is the second reaction I've seen recently where the reactor is totally out of depth on or just not feeling Heat; it doesn't even feel like typical gantster rap song in my opinion. Espeically the second verse, there's a lot of passion and the beat works for me. The organs especially.
Bob youre the GOAT of reactors. Ive been with you from the very start of your journey and its been such a joy to watch you grow and appreciate the genre. Bob youre part of the culture now and your kdot reactions are certified hood classics. On that note, i highly recommend the album Free 6lack by 6lack. Imo one of the most criminally underrated debut albums there is.
I love how you went on the Drake rant and then immediately listened to 21 questions which is the exact reason I love Drakes music. I remember first hearing 21 questions and realizing how much I enjoys melodies and Nate Dogg with the voice of an angelic gangster, less than 10 years later drake took that blueprint and perfected it, in my opinion Great listen Bob!
I think another album for you to listen to that would contrast between the “Bling/Gangsta” era of rap with 50 Cent and a more internal perspective is “The Black Album” by Jay-Z. It’s sort of Jay Z’s response to 50’s dominance of hiphop in New York with Get Rich Or Die Trying with his own spin on it that I think you will enjoy listening to and have more to pick apart. It also has some of Kanye’s best beats imo so it would be fun watching you react to that. Great reaction as always!
This album is a big part of my childhood. Love 50 even now. But now it has a tinge of nostalgia obviously. Love that you lyrically analyze the music even if you don’t always love it. Subbed!
This was all we were playing in high school back in 03’. You could hear this damn near in every car. I can’t believe this is 20 years old cause I was 15 when this came out. I feel old at 35 lol
Oh man, you gotta deep dive into the ja rule/50 cent beef and the crazy energy they brought anywhere they went. There’s PLENTY stuff on UA-cam to show u how crazy it got. Then add the toll this took on Eminem and Benzino (the source magazine owner) career. 50 was, and still is one of the VERY few rappers that was legit about the stuff they were rapping about.
Oh and btw, I’ve been goin thru some stuff man and ur reactions and deep dives into a lot of the music I grew up on just brings a smile to my face and keeps me distracted which I need rn. It’s so authentic, it doesn’t pander to popular artists fan bases which a lot of reactors do for clicks. Even songs that I like, I love hearing why u don’t like it. Like this “heat” song on this album, prob one of my favs on this album. Appreciate the authenticity mah dude. .
In 2003, I was ten years old. For Christmas, I got a nice non-skip portable CD player. Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park, The Eminem Show and Get Rich or Die Tryin. Best Christmas ever and really sent me into the stratosphere of hip hop. The first song I remember hearing at 3 or 4 years old is "Can't Touch This" MC Hammer
In a documentary about this album they said dre and Eminem would send 50 skeleton tracks with just the drums and 1 or 2 sounds on it then they would build the beat around 50s lyrics
1 - blasphemous to not heart Wangsta 2 - G units first album is a GREAT listen 3 - you were spot on with noticing his voice change , that was part of him going mainstream, the south had almost taken over hip hop by then so he put a little country in his voice to capitalize off that demographic
It’s funny when so many ppl don’t like heat. It’s one of my favorites because it’s just so outlandish and grimey at the same time. Fight music for sure lol.
50 came up big as a hip hop bully but was so smart to have other business ventures. 2 video games, the vitamin water, a movie. Now more movies and TV Series, hate or love em gotta respect him.
It was a big album because rap at the time was mostly baller fake stuff. There wasn't a big gangsta rap album since 2Pac. Him getting shot 9 times, being cosigned by Eminem & Dr. Dre(who were on a big run with 2 eminem albums, chronic 2001, eminem's movie), dissing Ja Rule and basically ending his career and getting Eminem involved in the rap beef is what made this album big and a breath of fresh air at the time. Then it was packed with hard bangers, lived up to the hype. The album sold out in stores day 1, you couldn't find a copy anywhere. Radio stations would report where copies were restocked. Bootleggers burning CD's were making lots of money. It was a massive hit and a great experience hearing it for the first time while everyone else was listening.
I appreciate what you said about unconditional love. I struggled with my relationship with my father before cutting off contact with him two years prior to his drug addiction ending his life. Without those two years of freedom from the chains of unconditional love, I could have never achieved the personal growth I needed to deal with his death and move on with my own life. It was absolutely a selfish thing to do, but sometimes you must be compassionate for yourself.
One of my top of all time. For the exact reason u said... it just sounds great...u just throw it on from the coin drop and enjoy the ride. 50 isn't the best rapper, but he is one of the best songwriters. All the choruses....they really carry the album along with the production. Mix that with surviving being shot nine times...instant star
50 CENT vs JA RULE Long story a little less long, 50 & Ja are both from Queens. Ja being from Hollis & 50 being from Southside Jamaica Queens. A stick up kid named Troy robbed Ja Rule at his video shoot for his chain. Ja saw Troy hanging out with 50 Cent in the club once & then viewed 50 as an enemy. Not knowing Ja’s feelings towards him, 50 appeared at a Murder Inc music video shoot to show love but was blown off by Ja. From that moment the feud intensified. While in Atlanta 50 & Ja ran into each other at a radio show concert. While arguing Ja swung a miniature bat at 50. 50 blacked Ja’s eye & took his chain. Few months later 50 was in a studio recording, Ja got wind of it & had his crew jump 50. One of Ja’s associates Black Child stabbed 50’s hand. From then the streets felt like Ja’s life became endangered & Ja’s street cred was taking a hit once 50 started dissing him on his records. Street OGs attempted to squash the beef but 50 refused. This made the older street guys feel disrespected. Once temperatures got too high, Supreme ordered a hit on 50, resulting to him getting shot 9 times in 2000 by Mike Tyson’s bodyguard & friend Hommo, who was murdered 3 weeks after 50 got shot. IT GETS DEEPER (extra context) Murder Inc was funded (and extorted) by infamous Kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, who was also from Jamaica Queens like 50. He ran the street crew, Supreme Team. Supreme & 50 always had a weird dynamic, being from the same hood. Supreme actually knew 50’s mother, who was a known drug dealer before she was murdered when 50 was 8 years old. It’s rumors that Supreme might’ve murdered her but there’s no evidence of that. In the mid 90s The Supreme Team was pretty much ruined by the Feds, ushering a new generation of drug dealers. 50 became one of the biggest dealers in Southside at the time but decided to pursue a career in music once his son was born. 50 looked up to Supreme but felt slighted that Supreme didn’t embrace him like he embraced Ja Rule, being that they were from the same hood & the fact 50’s raps were actually authentic. Supreme being in a jam financially after getting out of jail chose working with Ja Rule & Murder Inc in exchange for street cred & protection to them over embracing a young 50 who he couldn’t control. So putting a hit on 50 to get him killed was Supreme protecting his investment (Ja Rule).
Back Down is one of the tracks that is just so good to listen too, especially when verse 2 comes. "The rap game is all fucked up now, what are we gonna do now? How we gonna eat man? 50 back around" and just yelling the next line like THAT'S JA LITTLE PUNK ASS THINKIN OUT LOUD S'SIDE 'TIL I DIE LMAO love the reactions!
Another great reaction! Consider doing a reaction to the BEEF series. It's a short Hip-Hop documentary from the 2000s that covers rap beefs. They go deep into lyrics and will explain the 50/Ja beef! I think there are 3 BEEF episodes and you should be able to find them all on UA-cam! (Beef 1, Beef 2, Beef 3) 🤘🏿
This time in hip hop saw a change. More commercial pop rap to get on MTV's TRL program. The music industry churned out wannabe gangsters to capitalize on the streets. 50 pretty much dominated the game for 2 -3 years. Then came along Kanye and that really began the emotional rap and gave new rappers an avenue to get into the rap game.
So, this album leaked online a couple weeks early - I was in 6th grade with a CD burner at home, and made a KILLING selling copies of it for $5 a pop at school. Used that money to buy a PS2, thanks 50!
Bob no worries everybody has years in there life where they have to do there own thing. But I’m crying just by the way he said F**k’n you cursed so much more after that
I waited till the end to comment, this was my high school album and it was interesting to see how you would react lyrically. 50 strength is in the hook and choruses the lyrics are not meant to overpower the beat. But it’s nice to see you want more substance in your music. But I am glad you enjoyed the last few tracks that came off of his earlier mixtapes
In your down time watch the TV Series “Power” that’s the show produced by 50 Cent. It’s one of the most popular series on TV. 50 Cent has successfully transitioned from music to TV.
Hey Bob, I think something that could really help your perception of Gangsta rap would be to watch some biopics and movies like straight outta Compton, get rich or die trying, notorious, hustle and flow (not a biopic but still one of the greatest hip hop movies of all time). Would love to see you do a review of straight outta Compton after watching the movie which was incredibly well made and well acted.
Quick 50/Ja beef breakdown: 50 claims he had a friend who robbed Ja Rule and Ja Rule saw 50 at a club hanging out with the guy who robbed him. Which sparked the initial tension. Ja Rule claims that 50 walked through a Ja Rule music video set one day and was jealous of all the love that Ja/Murder inc. was getting while 50 himself wasn't getting any. 50 and G-unit had way more diss tracks about Ja before he ever met Em or Dre but Ja didn't respond (lyrically) quite yet. The EXACT details of what started the beef initially are still up in the air and it's hard to really confirm it one way or another. But later on, there would be a fight between 50 and Ja at a club in Atlanta; 50 got stabbed by Ja's camp in a recording studio, Dr. Dre got attacked at an awards show, etc. Later, when 50 signed to Shady/Aftermath, Ja released a diss track called "Loose Change" where he disses 50; Dre, Em, Dre's label artists, etc. but it was the line at the end where he disses Em that REALLY ignited the beef to a whole new level. 50 said he didn't want to got at Ja at first, because he didn't want Em and Dre to think they were "buying into a problem". But Ja mentioned Em's daughter on the diss track and that's when Em told 50 to go all out. 50; G-unit, Em, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Obie Trice, etc. all went at Ja and Murder Inc. on albums; features, and mixtapes. During that time, Ja Rule slowly faded into obscurity and Shady Aftermath pretty much dominated the early 2000's hip hop scene. It's important to note, there was a lot of street politics before all of that music shit happened that I didn't mention. That would give some context to the situation. But also, Ja Rule was a BIG artist during his time in the late 90's-2002(ish). and Murder Inc. was a really big label. I don't care for most of his music but Ja had some really big R&B/Hip-Hop cross overs and a few really good street bangers that ended up on a few movie soundtracks. He's worth a listen but he certainly isn't a "go-to" name for hip hop heads. He did have some bangers though.
Damn youve been hearing some dumb opinions about Eminem. He's definitely evolved as any artist does over 25 years, but its absolutely not only about lyrical miracle speed. There's an outrageous amount of story and meaning to his stuff still. I think the biggest difference is that he's more focused nowadays on being technical, trying to be perfect as far as his syllables and internal/external rhyming goes. Thats the challenge for him 25 years later now that he's made it, and thats not for everyone. But he's still absolutely masterful as an emcee imo.
It’s not surprising that the only verse and you went back and read line for line was from Banks. The PLK’s albums won’t be a suggested reaction but he’s top 5 dead or alive at this. So glad he gave away the limelight to make music that he enjoys.
I just saw a clip of Jay Z talking about this album debuting and telling his people “Yo just flood the streets now with tracks cause 50’s comin and once he drops, we gotta sit on the sidelines and wait it out”
"Life's on the line" was an older song and recorded before he got shot in the face, that's why his voice is different. If you watch the videoclip you'll see he's a lot younger.
Wanksta does sound different because kinda like Kanye on “through the wire”…50 has the lisp because one of 9 bullets hit 50 in the face, and bullet fragments are in his tongue
Hey rob, yes in da club is a club banger even till this day. Believe me was going crazy to this in the club not to long ago. Crazy to think this cameout 20 years ago. I was a kid then, now that i can understand the song it just hits different
I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet. Although this was his debut album this was the album 50 made directly after being shot 9x. He had a couple mixtapes and beef with Ja Rule already. Although he had nothing to do with it personally, people close to Ja & his management team were the ones that ordered the hit on 50. After getting hit 50 still has a bullet fragment stuck in his tongue which is why his voice is like that. 50 pre shooting sounds different. You can hear it on the last 3 tracks, his voice was higher. Love the content ❤ Ps. I was 5yrs old in NYC when this came out, this album was EVERYWHERE. My dad had the CD too so I knew every word by my 6th bday😂
His vocals on "Life's on the line" sound differently because it was before he got shot. When he got shot he lost piece of his tongue causing the drawl in his new sound
FYI - I suffer from some 'gangsta rap fatigue' during this listen, which is my bad. I was so focused on not picking a trap album this week (having done 2 last week) and wanting to sit down with a huge album, I forgot to consider the kind of content this album would hold. However, I'm going to use this as an opportunity to give The College Dropout a good, fresh listen and see how that shift in sound effects said fatique.
Enjoy!
will u ever listen "Donda"? and the new albums that's coming? or u are still offended by Ye's statements?
College Dropout 😍
Will there be a second rection to TCD? or is it more for a pallete cleanser
That is a brilliant idea. Contrasting 50 Cent with College Dropout puts the two albums in context and in conversation. You have the heart of a historian.
@@georgesummer536I mean if he’s gonna listen to College dropout I don’t see why he wouldn’t listen to donda
When he said “I don’t know if I’ve heard this one” to In Da Club I gasped 😭
😂 this is exactly why this is the best reaction channel with his love for music
I said to myself " Oh you've heard this song"
@@kevoncoxturns out he had, in fact, heard it before
Same. I was like is Bob really living under a rock.
@@kevoncoxEven if he doesn't know he heard it he heard it. The thing was so massive.
21 Questions is an all time classic song. 40 years from now, it will still sound good. Super relatable as well.
It's not even top 3 on this album, gtfo of here.
@@Teraxx23 it’s ok to be wrong
@@Teraxx23trippin’ champ
@@Teraxx23”LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER SOUND”
@@milagomez55 says the loser who has no clue on rap history, get lost young.
Heat is one of the most cold songs ever 🥶 the beat is so hard 😂
Classic album, classic beats, "Patiently Waiting" is one of the great tracks from the last 25 years or so
yes man W
lmao its a good track but greatest in 25 years is crazy and absolutely not true
@@bigdraco2390they say that because Em had a nice verse on it lol.
@@TheSizNation Eminem fans rly damned if they do and damned if they don’t
@@TheSizNationno one mentioned Eminem. He rent free in your head 😂
Love 50 cent because while he doesn't have the fastest flow or the most complicated rhymes, every line in every song feels like a punch to the face (in a good way)
“Life’s on the Line” was a single from 50 Cent’s shelved original debut album, ‘Power of the Dollar.’ It was recorded before he got shot nine times, including one shot to the face/mouth, which is why his voice and flow are different.
Columbia dropped him after the shooting and never released the album despite a handful of songs/videos having been put out; and then Em and Dre signed him to make this album. (‘Power of the Dollar’ did leak in full tho and was sold via bootleggers)
Power of the Dollar has some actual fin bangers on it too. Super underrated. Getto Quran an all time fav.
@@DeeLuxistIt was an underground fav as a bootleg 'mixtape' at the time that gave him all his buzz. how to rob was all over the internet.
@@mediumvillainoh man there's some bangers on there hey. And because it's not on streaming services people really are missing out.
Get rich was such a big album because the lyrics were raw and deliberate and his delivery and production matched it. Listening to it from your perspective its easy to miss the gravity of the lyrics he's saying but everyone knowing where he came from and living in the reality of what he's saying they hit a bit harder. The album was played all through he streets for a long time.
Watching this man react to hip hop brings me so much joy. We love you Bob!
I wonder if Bob knows how likeable guy he is. I mean every streamer has his following and compliments. But Bob really is special.
One line you didn’t really talk about on Many Men “cause he got hit like I got hit but he ain’t ****** breathing” that line hits so hard
One of the hardest lines in hip hop history
goosebumps every time.
Was waiting for that line then he just showed the chorus after
this album is supposed to invoke a sort of power fantasy in you. its not conscious lyrical master level wordplay. its just strong solid ego boosting music.
This is the album that really got me into listening to hip-hop/rap music. I love this whole tape so much! Shoutout 50!
Dope album! Lloyd Banks is one of the most underrated lyricists of all time btw, that deep dive on his verse was dope.
Yeah. Banks was definitely the best pure rapper in G Unit. He still drops fire. Definitely underrated.
This is in my opinion one of the best rap albums of all time.
100% this album took over the industry when it came out.
This is quite literally one of the most perfect rap albums its not even a matter of opinion
One of the few you can start and never skip a song
My brother bought the album when he was 13 i was 10 at that time. i saw 50 a couple weeks back in Amsterdam. The show was great
For me the best and emotional line of this album is: „He got hit like i got hit but he ain’t fucking breathing“ I take so much strength and power from this line everytime I hear this line.
Bruh that line hits hard to this day.
and the dude aint even show it in the clip
FINALLY! Ive been following your channel since the Ready To Die Review, and Ive been waiting for this video, this was the first album I ever owned, much love from Spain.
Edit: 50 Cent's catchy hooks, straight forward lyrics, amazing voice and the great production is what made this album so succesful internationally.
Life's On The Line was recorded in 1998-99 before he got shot.
U Not Like Me & Wanksta was recorded shortly after he got shot.
Bought the illegal copy from an African dude on the Costa Brava. Worth every euro. Just 10.
One of the best hip hop albums ever,glad you got witness it for the first time!.
It’s a classic for sure but I wouldn’t go that far saying it’s one of the best hip hop albums OAT now that’s a stretch
@@loutzzzz I don't know what it is about 50 Cent but he's lowkey one of the most overrated rappers of all time. Up there with Eminem, Jay Z, and Drake in terms of overratedness
@@default3252don’t forget Kanye
Heat's one of my favorite rap songs of all time- very chilling; but this is the second reaction I've seen recently where the reactor is totally out of depth on or just not feeling Heat; it doesn't even feel like typical gantster rap song in my opinion.
Espeically the second verse, there's a lot of passion and the beat works for me.
The organs especially.
Plus the gun getting cocked adds so much to the beat
Bob youre the GOAT of reactors. Ive been with you from the very start of your journey and its been such a joy to watch you grow and appreciate the genre. Bob youre part of the culture now and your kdot reactions are certified hood classics.
On that note, i highly recommend the album Free 6lack by 6lack. Imo one of the most criminally underrated debut albums there is.
I love how you went on the Drake rant and then immediately listened to 21 questions which is the exact reason I love Drakes music. I remember first hearing 21 questions and realizing how much I enjoys melodies and Nate Dogg with the voice of an angelic gangster, less than 10 years later drake took that blueprint and perfected it, in my opinion
Great listen Bob!
The weight of Patiently Waiting coming out a couple years after 9/11 was so crazy at the time. Record still holds so much weight. Timeless song.
I think another album for you to listen to that would contrast between the “Bling/Gangsta” era of rap with 50 Cent and a more internal perspective is “The Black Album” by Jay-Z.
It’s sort of Jay Z’s response to 50’s dominance of hiphop in New York with Get Rich Or Die Trying with his own spin on it that I think you will enjoy listening to and have more to pick apart.
It also has some of Kanye’s best beats imo so it would be fun watching you react to that. Great reaction as always!
This album is a big part of my childhood. Love 50 even now. But now it has a tinge of nostalgia obviously. Love that you lyrically analyze the music even if you don’t always love it. Subbed!
This was all we were playing in high school back in 03’. You could hear this damn near in every car. I can’t believe this is 20 years old cause I was 15 when this came out. I feel old at 35 lol
Checks to see what Bob posted this Friday and sees he’s about to hear arguably the most accessible gangsta rap album ever….LFG
When I die they'll say a genius wrote it.
Facts.
Seminal album.
Patiently waiting was the standout track for me.
Bob, you did it again!! Top Tier Video. I enjoyed all 3:08:24 on Patreon. You are the man 👊
Let this album play straight through at the gym, a religious experience
It's amazing how 50 sounded different on every track, So Majestic.
Oh man, you gotta deep dive into the ja rule/50 cent beef and the crazy energy they brought anywhere they went. There’s PLENTY stuff on UA-cam to show u how crazy it got.
Then add the toll this took on Eminem and Benzino (the source magazine owner) career.
50 was, and still is one of the VERY few rappers that was legit about the stuff they were rapping about.
Oh and btw, I’ve been goin thru some stuff man and ur reactions and deep dives into a lot of the music I grew up on just brings a smile to my face and keeps me distracted which I need rn.
It’s so authentic, it doesn’t pander to popular artists fan bases which a lot of reactors do for clicks. Even songs that I like, I love hearing why u don’t like it. Like this “heat” song on this album, prob one of my favs on this album.
Appreciate the authenticity mah dude. .
In 2003, I was ten years old. For Christmas, I got a nice non-skip portable CD player. Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park, The Eminem Show and Get Rich or Die Tryin. Best Christmas ever and really sent me into the stratosphere of hip hop. The first song I remember hearing at 3 or 4 years old is "Can't Touch This" MC Hammer
i was born in 98 and 50 cent was like a hero to me lol as crazy as that sounds. i had all the g unit gear and no one could tell me shit about him
In a documentary about this album they said dre and Eminem would send 50 skeleton tracks with just the drums and 1 or 2 sounds on it then they would build the beat around 50s lyrics
1 - blasphemous to not heart Wangsta
2 - G units first album is a GREAT listen
3 - you were spot on with noticing his voice change , that was part of him going mainstream, the south had almost taken over hip hop by then so he put a little country in his voice to capitalize off that demographic
Lloyd Banks first albums is fire as well
Jarule had a number 1 album "Pain is Love." It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album. He was huge.
And then came bully 50
'Finally Rich' by Chief Keef is probs the closest thing we have to a modern companion to this
“All those other hard ninjas, they come from Yonkers” he talking about Jadakiss , Styles P, Sheek Louch, and DMX , The lox and Ruff ryders
Listening to Many Men makes me want a Pop Smoke reaction! I know the chances are slim but I'd love a song reaction. RIP WOO
Nah Meet the Woo will probably happen.
The chances aren't slim at all. He's said that Meet the Woo is on his list
Oh shit really???
@@default3252Really? I hope he makes it before the year ends
You mentioned the chorus or hook quality all through the album. That's what 50 was really known for. He has always been the hook king.
This was bling era at it's finest.
Damn I completely agree with the unconditional love thing.
God damn he got me. I comment as I watch lmao.
Early but 21 questions my fav song of all time and I’m 16 lmao never gets old can listen to over an over greatest album ever
i love Heat cuz its so hard its peak "50 cent violent gangster"
It’s funny when so many ppl don’t like heat. It’s one of my favorites because it’s just so outlandish and grimey at the same time. Fight music for sure lol.
Happy Veteran's Day! Thank you for your service! Love the reactions! Keep it up!
Jarule was huge in the early 2000s
That's a certified CLASSIC!
54:04 50 had beef with like 90% of the rap game. Not a surprise, if you listen to "How to Rob" that came out before this
I love that you’re reacting to this
50 came up big as a hip hop bully but was so smart to have other business ventures. 2 video games, the vitamin water, a movie. Now more movies and TV Series, hate or love em gotta respect him.
This was a cool era because there were a lot of mixtapes and skits around this that mention 9/11 and real ominous events….
It was a big album because rap at the time was mostly baller fake stuff. There wasn't a big gangsta rap album since 2Pac. Him getting shot 9 times, being cosigned by Eminem & Dr. Dre(who were on a big run with 2 eminem albums, chronic 2001, eminem's movie), dissing Ja Rule and basically ending his career and getting Eminem involved in the rap beef is what made this album big and a breath of fresh air at the time. Then it was packed with hard bangers, lived up to the hype. The album sold out in stores day 1, you couldn't find a copy anywhere. Radio stations would report where copies were restocked. Bootleggers burning CD's were making lots of money. It was a massive hit and a great experience hearing it for the first time while everyone else was listening.
I appreciate what you said about unconditional love. I struggled with my relationship with my father before cutting off contact with him two years prior to his drug addiction ending his life. Without those two years of freedom from the chains of unconditional love, I could have never achieved the personal growth I needed to deal with his death and move on with my own life. It was absolutely a selfish thing to do, but sometimes you must be compassionate for yourself.
Power of the Dollar (his actual debut album) will always be the best 50 album to me, but its very hard to find, at least the full version
The thing with 50 Cent's vocals is that he's voice and speach changed after he got shot, remember he said that he also got shot in the jaw aswel
Not too long ago I was on a 50 concert where he performed the album,also there was busta rhymes as a special guest and it was great
Man, watching you react to this album takes me back to when I first heard it. Love watching your vids.
One of my top of all time. For the exact reason u said... it just sounds great...u just throw it on from the coin drop and enjoy the ride. 50 isn't the best rapper, but he is one of the best songwriters. All the choruses....they really carry the album along with the production. Mix that with surviving being shot nine times...instant star
50 CENT vs JA RULE
Long story a little less long, 50 & Ja are both from Queens. Ja being from Hollis & 50 being from Southside Jamaica Queens. A stick up kid named Troy robbed Ja Rule at his video shoot for his chain. Ja saw Troy hanging out with 50 Cent in the club once & then viewed 50 as an enemy. Not knowing Ja’s feelings towards him, 50 appeared at a Murder Inc music video shoot to show love but was blown off by Ja. From that moment the feud intensified. While in Atlanta 50 & Ja ran into each other at a radio show concert. While arguing Ja swung a miniature bat at 50. 50 blacked Ja’s eye & took his chain. Few months later 50 was in a studio recording, Ja got wind of it & had his crew jump 50. One of Ja’s associates Black Child stabbed 50’s hand. From then the streets felt like Ja’s life became endangered & Ja’s street cred was taking a hit once 50 started dissing him on his records. Street OGs attempted to squash the beef but 50 refused. This made the older street guys feel disrespected. Once temperatures got too high, Supreme ordered a hit on 50, resulting to him getting shot 9 times in 2000 by Mike Tyson’s bodyguard & friend Hommo, who was murdered 3 weeks after 50 got shot.
IT GETS DEEPER (extra context)
Murder Inc was funded (and extorted) by infamous Kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, who was also from Jamaica Queens like 50. He ran the street crew, Supreme Team. Supreme & 50 always had a weird dynamic, being from the same hood. Supreme actually knew 50’s mother, who was a known drug dealer before she was murdered when 50 was 8 years old. It’s rumors that Supreme might’ve murdered her but there’s no evidence of that. In the mid 90s The Supreme Team was pretty much ruined by the Feds, ushering a new generation of drug dealers. 50 became one of the biggest dealers in Southside at the time but decided to pursue a career in music once his son was born. 50 looked up to Supreme but felt slighted that Supreme didn’t embrace him like he embraced Ja Rule, being that they were from the same hood & the fact 50’s raps were actually authentic. Supreme being in a jam financially after getting out of jail chose working with Ja Rule & Murder Inc in exchange for street cred & protection to them over embracing a young 50 who he couldn’t control. So putting a hit on 50 to get him killed was Supreme protecting his investment (Ja Rule).
You are absolutely correct in da club is on every hood party or club playlist. If it’s not your playlist isn’t valid & you shouldn’t be allowed on aux
Back Down is one of the tracks that is just so good to listen too, especially when verse 2 comes. "The rap game is all fucked up now, what are we gonna do now? How we gonna eat man? 50 back around" and just yelling the next line like THAT'S JA LITTLE PUNK ASS THINKIN OUT LOUD S'SIDE 'TIL I DIE LMAO love the reactions!
Another great reaction! Consider doing a reaction to the BEEF series. It's a short Hip-Hop documentary from the 2000s that covers rap beefs. They go deep into lyrics and will explain the 50/Ja beef! I think there are 3 BEEF episodes and you should be able to find them all on UA-cam! (Beef 1, Beef 2, Beef 3) 🤘🏿
I think you would love the new sampha album man. One of the best soul and r&b artists out of the past decade
Greatest Album OF ALL TIME
Power Of the Dollar was gonna be his first ablum, its on youtube but the label never released because of the dramma being shot
This time in hip hop saw a change. More commercial pop rap to get on MTV's TRL program. The music industry churned out wannabe gangsters to capitalize on the streets. 50 pretty much dominated the game for 2 -3 years. Then came along Kanye and that really began the emotional rap and gave new rappers an avenue to get into the rap game.
So, this album leaked online a couple weeks early - I was in 6th grade with a CD burner at home, and made a KILLING selling copies of it for $5 a pop at school.
Used that money to buy a PS2, thanks 50!
I started watching this at midnight and ima watch the whole thing been waiting for this reaction 💪🏼 bob you the man
Bob I love the vids, Keep up the great work! Always makes my day better!
first time my youtube notifications have been on time lol
Bob no worries everybody has years in there life where they have to do there own thing. But I’m crying just by the way he said F**k’n you cursed so much more after that
It's crazy to see this pop up in my recommendations list after going to the 50 cent concert last night 😮❤
You need to watch "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" film, you may appeciate this album more when you watch it
❤❤ think this is best album written in that era. I freaking love 50❤❤
Bobbbbbbbbbbbb!!!!!! Thanks Sir!!!!!!!
I waited till the end to comment, this was my high school album and it was interesting to see how you would react lyrically. 50 strength is in the hook and choruses the lyrics are not meant to overpower the beat. But it’s nice to see you want more substance in your music. But I am glad you enjoyed the last few tracks that came off of his earlier mixtapes
In your down time watch the TV Series “Power” that’s the show produced by 50 Cent. It’s one of the most popular series on TV. 50 Cent has successfully transitioned from music to TV.
Common - Be ??
Hey Bob, I think something that could really help your perception of Gangsta rap would be to watch some biopics and movies like straight outta Compton, get rich or die trying, notorious, hustle and flow (not a biopic but still one of the greatest hip hop movies of all time). Would love to see you do a review of straight outta Compton after watching the movie which was incredibly well made and well acted.
I remember seeing the ipod for the first time in the PIMP music video 😂 had me shook
Quick 50/Ja beef breakdown:
50 claims he had a friend who robbed Ja Rule and Ja Rule saw 50 at a club hanging out with the guy who robbed him. Which sparked the initial tension. Ja Rule claims that 50 walked through a Ja Rule music video set one day and was jealous of all the love that Ja/Murder inc. was getting while 50 himself wasn't getting any. 50 and G-unit had way more diss tracks about Ja before he ever met Em or Dre but Ja didn't respond (lyrically) quite yet. The EXACT details of what started the beef initially are still up in the air and it's hard to really confirm it one way or another.
But later on, there would be a fight between 50 and Ja at a club in Atlanta; 50 got stabbed by Ja's camp in a recording studio, Dr. Dre got attacked at an awards show, etc. Later, when 50 signed to Shady/Aftermath, Ja released a diss track called "Loose Change" where he disses 50; Dre, Em, Dre's label artists, etc. but it was the line at the end where he disses Em that REALLY ignited the beef to a whole new level. 50 said he didn't want to got at Ja at first, because he didn't want Em and Dre to think they were "buying into a problem". But Ja mentioned Em's daughter on the diss track and that's when Em told 50 to go all out. 50; G-unit, Em, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Obie Trice, etc. all went at Ja and Murder Inc. on albums; features, and mixtapes. During that time, Ja Rule slowly faded into obscurity and Shady Aftermath pretty much dominated the early 2000's hip hop scene.
It's important to note, there was a lot of street politics before all of that music shit happened that I didn't mention. That would give some context to the situation. But also, Ja Rule was a BIG artist during his time in the late 90's-2002(ish). and Murder Inc. was a really big label. I don't care for most of his music but Ja had some really big R&B/Hip-Hop cross overs and a few really good street bangers that ended up on a few movie soundtracks. He's worth a listen but he certainly isn't a "go-to" name for hip hop heads. He did have some bangers though.
Damn youve been hearing some dumb opinions about Eminem. He's definitely evolved as any artist does over 25 years, but its absolutely not only about lyrical miracle speed. There's an outrageous amount of story and meaning to his stuff still. I think the biggest difference is that he's more focused nowadays on being technical, trying to be perfect as far as his syllables and internal/external rhyming goes. Thats the challenge for him 25 years later now that he's made it, and thats not for everyone. But he's still absolutely masterful as an emcee imo.
It’s not surprising that the only verse and you went back and read line for line was from Banks. The PLK’s albums won’t be a suggested reaction but he’s top 5 dead or alive at this. So glad he gave away the limelight to make music that he enjoys.
I still know this album word for word💯
I just saw a clip of Jay Z talking about this album debuting and telling his people “Yo just flood the streets now with tracks cause 50’s comin and once he drops, we gotta sit on the sidelines and wait it out”
THIS THE ONE BOB I WANTED THIS SO BAD!!!!!
working a double shift right now bob perfect album/reactor to waste the time wit
"Life's on the line" was an older song and recorded before he got shot in the face, that's why his voice is different. If you watch the videoclip you'll see he's a lot younger.
Wanksta does sound different because kinda like Kanye on “through the wire”…50 has the lisp because one of 9 bullets hit 50 in the face, and bullet fragments are in his tongue
Hey rob, yes in da club is a club banger even till this day. Believe me was going crazy to this in the club not to long ago. Crazy to think this cameout 20 years ago. I was a kid then, now that i can understand the song it just hits different
its the best gym album... since forever
The very first concert I went to was 50 cent, during the tour following this album
My uncle got me this album bootlegged on a cassette from Hungary, I was 9 and I knew what I wanted to listen to for the rest of my life.
I haven’t seen anyone mention it yet. Although this was his debut album this was the album 50 made directly after being shot 9x. He had a couple mixtapes and beef with Ja Rule already. Although he had nothing to do with it personally, people close to Ja & his management team were the ones that ordered the hit on 50. After getting hit 50 still has a bullet fragment stuck in his tongue which is why his voice is like that. 50 pre shooting sounds different. You can hear it on the last 3 tracks, his voice was higher. Love the content ❤
Ps. I was 5yrs old in NYC when this came out, this album was EVERYWHERE. My dad had the CD too so I knew every word by my 6th bday😂
This is the greatest debut hiphop album of all time, maybe the greatest first listen album of all time
50 cent vs Ja Rule is one of the biggest rap beefs of all time
His vocals on "Life's on the line" sound differently because it was before he got shot. When he got shot he lost piece of his tongue causing the drawl in his new sound
There are so many good songs on this album, many men is my favorite ❤
"You Not Like Me" was recorded before he got shot which is why he sounds so different.