The Massacre

1	Intro 0:41
2	In My Hood 3:51
3	This Is 50 3:04
4	I'm Supposed to Die Tonight 3:51
5	Piggy Bank 4:15
6	Gatman and Robbin' 3:46
7	Candy Shop / Olivia 3:29
8	Outta Control 3:21
9	Get in My Car 4:05
10	Ski Mask Way 3:05
11	A Baltimore Love Thing 4:17
12	Ryder Music 3:51
13	Disco Inferno 3:34
14	Just a Lil Bit 3:57
15	Gunz Come Out 4:24
16	My Toy Soldier / Tony Yayo 3:44
17	Position of Power 3:12
18	Build You Up 2:55
19	God Gave Me Style 3:01
20	So Amazing / Olivia 3:16
21	I Don't Need 'Em 3:20
22	Hate It or Love It / The Game Bonus Track / G Unit Remix 4:23

Barnes & Noble

The laws of physics predict that lightning rarely strikes the same spot twice. But Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson isn't big on abiding by the law. Following in the multi-platinum footsteps of his 2003 debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin', the G-Unit general prepares to dominate the charts once again with The Massacre. Backed by the production wizardry of Dr. Dre and Eminem, among others, 50 delivers another jolting collection of gritty street anthems ("Ski Mask Way," "In My Hood") and surefire radio hits ("Candy Shop," "Pimpin' Part 2"). While the disc adeptly navigates the requisite themes of urban strife and groupie love, the Queens native delves deeper with conceptual tracks like "Baltimore LoveThing," where he likens heroin addiction to falling in love. Then, on "Talkin' 'Bout Me," 50 takes a few cues from Eminem's "Stan" and rhymes about himself from his haters' perspective. The rugged rapper's introspective interlude, is short-lived, however, as his trash-talking persona takes over on "Piggy Bank," which takes unnecessary shots at rival rappers Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Shyne, and Nas. With his sophomore disc, 50 Cent makes it clear that he wants not only to reclaim his chart-topping status but also to massacre the competition in the process. Anslem Samuel

All Music Guide

Following up one of the biggest debuts in hip-hop history, crack dealer turned charisma dealer 50 Cent makes some bold moves, recycles plenty of old ideas, and sprinkles in some perfect party singles for The Massacre. Crafty man that he is, 50 must have known following up the massive Get Rich or Die Tryin' was going to be extremely difficult, especially for a rapper rightfully known more for creating headlines than rhymes. To cushion the blow, 50 released an album by his G-Unit crew, made numerous guest appearances on other artist's tracks, and helmed ten mixtapes in his G-Unit Radio series. It kept the debut momentum moving and it's half the reason why The Massacre doesn't feel like Get Rich's proper successor, the other half being the album's effortless attitude. That's the most frustrating thing about the otherwise satisfying Massacre. At worst, it feels unfinished, and at best, it feels like a mixtape cobbled together from mostly choice tracks but without that overseer's polish. At a stunning, slightly overstuffed 78 minutes, it's overwhelming, too, but without a perfect flow to hold the listener's hand the whole way through, it's also a testament to 50 and crew that The Massacre doesn't test the patience until after the one-hour mark. Silly and short intro out of the way, the slinky "In My Hood" gets down to business and gives way to four tracks of the same-old, same-old bravado and beats that are still just as stunning and catchy as hell. "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" and "Gatman and Robbin" are both great tracks from the quirky/macabre house of Eminem, but it's the Fat Joe-dissing "Piggy Bank" that steals the show. Like "Candy Shop," "Outta Control," "Disco Inferno," and on and on, "Piggy Bank" succeeds because of its serviceable rap, believable swagger, inescapable hook, and phatter than phat beats. For those who've had it with the gunshots, the Shady/Aftermath boasting, and the usual "G-G-G-G-Unit!" shouts, The Massacre has just enough surprises. Besides mentioning Kurt Cobain and Ozzy Osbourne, "A Baltimore Love Thing" is the big shocker as 50 poignantly tells the tale of a heroin-addicted girlfriend destroying all that's good. "Ryder Music" is more easygoing than expected, "Build You Up" (featuring Jamie Foxx) is actually sweet, and "God Gave Me Style" has just about the dreamiest beat in the G-Unit universe. Scott Storch, Dr. Dre, and Eminem are the only big names in the producer's chair, but everyone else serves up fine tracks, especially the great Needlz. Guest spots are kept to a bare minimum and besides the intro, skits are nonexistent. Trim a couple tracks and a couple beefs and rearrange the album and you have what sounds like Get Rich's lesser sequel, but The Massacre doesn't look back. It really just wants to challenge other rappers' albums and not its predecessor. Taken that way, it's an excellent effort. David Jeffries