2 gus heads out of 4

With the 2003 release of his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” Eminem protg 50 Cent arguably became rap’s most beloved newcomer. Not since the summer of ’94 – when Notorious B.I.G. dominated radio playlists – has hip-hop seen buzz like this. Or so says the thug rapper.

But it’s hard to argue. In the two years since “Die Tryin” first topped the charts, 50 has been seen on almost every television channel, heard on almost every contemporary radio station and plastered all over magazines. And that’s without mentioning his dominating of the Billboard charts.

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His debut sold 872,000 units its first week in February 2003, stirring a major buzz in the hip-hop industry. With his fierce lyrics, bold attitude and fearless demeanor, 50 made headlines across the globe. Hip-hop veterans either praised him for his talent or disliked him for his thuggish persona.

“Get Rich or Die Tryin'” was hailed by critics as an effortless album with thug beats and ghetto lyrics that soared to the top. It stayed in rotation on radio and television stations for months, regardless of its coarse content.

However, with his new release “The Massacre,” the artist doesn’t seem to kill anything except his once flawless reputation. While diehard fans may still toot “The Massacre’s” horns, those expecting an album better than the first are simply out of luck. The intro is a well-blended skit incorporating “What Up Gangsta” from 50’s first album. The rapper’s audience is fooled when a young lady unwrapping “The Massacre” reads a note from the rapper that reads “To all my fans, love 50 Cent, Happy Valentine’s Day” and then when a round of bullets are sprayed, she proceeds to scream her head off. Seeing how the intro takes a turn for the worst, there is no surprise the rest of the album follows its lead.

Unfortunately, there are only a few songs worth mentioning – and that’s only because of a few bass-driven beats, catchy choruses and funky deliveries. First on the list is “Gatman and Robin” featuring Eminem. The song’s purpose won’t surprise 50 or Eminem’s audiences. It’s another Batman and Robin theme that has been used in the past on “The Eminem Show.”

But the beat is hot, and Eminem’s delivery is much smoother than that of his gangsta counterpart. The difference between the two artists is what makes it work. Plus, after listening to “Encore,” it’s good to know Eminem hasn’t lost his talent; he just sent it on vacation. Still, one wonders why so many artists perform better when featured on another artist’s album instead of his or her own.

Moving on, “Candy Shop” is one of the hottest tracks on the album. The club banger features the R&B artist Olivia and has a bass-pumping beat. The song’s theme showcases provocative sex. The track that follows, “Outta Control,” is another bass-driven hit that’s all about the dance floor. The G-Unit leader singsong raps about hitting the club and partying all night long. “Get in My Car” is a funky array of instruments. The beat is smooth and the chorus pimped out and catchy. Here, 50 raps about his plethora of women and refers to his short relationship with Vivica A. Fox.

“Ryder Music” is a more laid-back track. The beat has an old-school feel. 50 still raps about murder, weapons and himself, but because the beat is unusual for him, it’s smooth sailing. For the most part, the rest of the album sounds like an underground artist’s debut that had a few good tracks. In other words – disappointing.

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Perfection, or anything close to it, takes practice. Several artists fail the second time around when they receive massive recognition from their first album and believe they are untouchable. Seeing as how 50 Cent has already been shot nine times and continues to dig a hole for himself with “The Massacre,” perhaps he should focus more on his talent and less on the streets because, apparently, his priorities are out of order. His much-anticipated follow-up would have been more like his debut and a lot less like his social life – a failure.