"The Invitation" kicks things off as 50 Cent lays down a scorching intro over beats by DJ Premiere. It's a taunting intro that sets the hardcore mood. "Then Days Went By" is 50 waxing nostalgic. It's appropriately backed by a soulful organ groove that grounds the track in the past -- a sample from The Jackson 5's version of "Ain't No Sunshine." The most commercial cut is also the dirtiest. "Baby By Me" is a booty rap track featuring Ne-Yo with melodic keyboard underpinnings that take it in a crossover-friendly direction. You may have already heard the remix version, as it's the album's official lead single. You know a gangsta rapper when is doing his job well when he can make you chuckle and threaten some dude's life in the same verse. Such is the case on the dope Dr. Dre production, "Death to My Enemies." And if we're reading between the lines properly, Kanye better watch his back...

Of particular note is a reworking of the classic old school joint "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. Re-christened "Gangsta's Delight" and given a beat conjured up by Dre and collaborator Mark Batson, the track takes the classic and flips the script with an edgy street sound and gangsta-appropriate lyrics. We love it.

"Psycho," which features a guest appearance from Eminem, is a sparse production (another one by Dr. Dre) which relies on the strength of the rhymes and distinctively staccato delivery.

Weakest link is "Do You Think About Me," a smooth jam of a track that isn't exactly wack, it just seems out of place here. Fif's softer side (which really isn't very soft) is better expressed on the superior "Could've Been You" featuring R. Kelly.

On the whole, Before I Self Destruct features 50 Cent at his hardest in years. Sample the cuts "Stretch," "So Disrespectful," and "Crime Wave" if you have any doubts about that. We expect it will ultimately be regarded as a solid record, an improvement on 2007's Curtis, and perhaps on par with 2005's The Massacre. But will we see the rapper recapture the hip-hop limelight from crossover stars of West's ilk? That remains to be seen.

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