User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Before I Self Destruct Image
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

  • Summary: The fourth album for the rapper is finally released and features appearances by Eminem, Ne Yo, Lloyd Banks, and R. Kelly.

Top Track

Baby By Me
Have a baby Have a baby by me, baby! Be a millionaire Have a baby by me, baby! Be a millionaire Have a baby by me, baby! Be a millionaire Be a... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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."
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. On Fiddy's fourth album, the muscle-bound-warrior routine is the only one he trusts, so he keeps milking it.
  7. 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.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Negative: 2 out of 14
  1. May 3, 2021
    10
    Pulls off the violent aggressive songs with the love songs quite well. Nothing amazing like his first album but nothing bad apart fromPulls off the violent aggressive songs with the love songs quite well. Nothing amazing like his first album but nothing bad apart from could’ve been you. Overall a pretty consistent decent album Expand
  2. ValeriyS
    Dec 6, 2009
    10
    I do think that it is the best thing he did except brilliant Massacre, and among the best rap albums of this year.
  3. GarzaBlood
    Nov 24, 2009
    10
    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. 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. Expand
  4. RyanK
    Nov 28, 2009
    9
    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.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! Expand
  5. May 27, 2023
    8
    some obvious fake 50 cent fans out there - dont recognise good music when they hear it

    not the best album but defiantly up there
  6. Apr 22, 2015
    8
    After a boring album, 50 returns in is 2003's prime with Before I self destruct. He comes back to his aggressiveness and explosive rhymes onAfter a boring album, 50 returns in is 2003's prime with Before I self destruct. He comes back to his aggressiveness and explosive rhymes on the mic and seems to polish it off with dope beats and a retrieved ability to let loose the animal inside him. Death to my enemies and Psycho are highlights of the album. Expand
  7. TwinV
    Nov 26, 2009
    0
    Truly dreadful, waffly nonsense. This man has been exposed big time. A billion miles away from the great first album.

See all 14 User Reviews