The Word On... 50 Cent, Before I Self Destruct

"50 has said all this before, often better, and while this probably won't put off his legion of fans, at best 'Before I Self Destruct' is merely familiar, and at worst it's difficult to shake the sensation of diminishing returns." - Louis Pattison, bbc.co.uk/music

"About halfway through the album, 50 Cent detours from the street to the bedroom. With R Kelly waxing scatological on "Could've Been You," his soft-core porn rhymes are as mechanical as bad phone sex. Talk about self-destructing." - leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com

"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'." - Anthony Henriques, popmatters.com

"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... It's almost like even he's unsure of his hit-making abilities, and in a weird way, that sorta softens him. But who really wants that?" - pitchfork.com