50 Cent

GOOD GRIEF, OH MY GOD, MERCY ME!

Ugh...

Honestly... I’m actually terrified. It scares me when someone claims 50 Cent is the greatest rapper to ever exist. It scares me when people say "X Gonna Give It To Ya" is DMX's absolute peak... 😢 it scares me when people say "rap" and the only names that pop into their heads are Nelly, 50 Cent, and Eminem 😢 but hey, what can you do?

Personally, I think Eminem is trash. Look, I’ll admit the guy is an incredible freestyler. I’ll even admit his production is solid. But he clearly knows how to play the market... and just because he's a massive star doesn't mean I'd call him a legendary rapper.

Then there's 50 Cent. The guy's got the physique for it, sure. But "In Da Club" is basically just a club banger meant for Bounce music (take a hint from my username and where I'm from, haha), and I live for stuff I can dance to. I love Bounce... that kind of music picks me up even when I'm in the worst mood. Don't get me wrong, I love hip-hop and R&B. 50 has other albums out from before this era; I've heard a few tracks and they are way better than this recent stuff. It's always the same story. I couldn't even finish his last album. Everything sounds identical. The beats feel cloned, his flow is totally lifeless... but I'll still admit "In Da Club" is a total vibe. 🙂 😉

Nelly? He’s got some decent tracks—catchy, easy to remember. That's clearly the goal. He can be annoying, but "Country Grammar" and those other hits are killer for the club, and I'm into that.

We're talking about commercial sounds here. I don't have anything against it, but it's just hilarious when someone comes up and goes, "Wooooow, 50 Ceeeeeeent is the best rapper in the world, and Eeeemiiinnnnem is sooo amazing!" 🙂 Just to be clear: I'm not hating on anyone because I respect all of them, I'm just giving my two cents. I'm actually glad rap became this commercialized, because at least it gets a segment of the population interested enough to maybe dig into the older stuff and find other artists beyond just Nelly, Eminem, and 50... and honestly, I'd much rather they listen to them than freaking Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, or NSYNC! 🙂

My only real regret is seeing legends like Black Onyx cave to the mainstream trend. I mean, their last two albums are... okay, I won't say they suck, but they aren't *it*. They lost that signature sound. Where are the heavy basslines? Where's the gritty beat? Where's that damn flow? 😢 But I still listen to them.

I love DMX so much... the man literally cannot release a bad song. But "X Gonna Give It To Ya" is definitely not in his top 10, in my opinion.

Anyway, I'm really glad we aren't just talking about metal and stuff here, because I was starting to get a little bored with that... haha...

I'm a huge R&B fan too—the modern stuff. I love Beyoncé, Ashanti, and Aaliyah is still my absolute queen... I would give anything if someone announced a concert near me. I'd pay whatever it takes just to be there. That's the dream. But life happens!

BTW, shoutout to Rebecca Collins5 🙂

Though, I wouldn't say Wu-Tang Clan doesn't count as "modern rap." There isn't really a distinction anymore. Everything revolves around the money and the charts now, which makes sense, I guess.

Bounce said:Honestly, it drives me crazy. It drives me nuts when someone claims 50 Cent is the best rapper ever. Or that "X Gonna Give It To Ya" is DMX's peak... 😢 It kills me when people talk about rap and immediately default to Nelly, 50 Cent, and Eminem 😢 but hey, what can you do?

Bounce, you aren't alone in feeling that way. The issue is today's generation doesn't know anything beyond Eminem, 50 Cent, Nelly, and a handful of others. Of course they think those guys are the best. Like you said, I guess it beats Britney or whatever... but I just don't get why they don't care how things used to sound. Honestly, in a place like NYC, there isn't a single club where you can actually hear the classics playing. There used to be a specific show on MTV, but that was ages ago. And don't even get me started on record stores—can you even find old albums in shops anymore?! People just aren't interested. Maybe it was our era and now it's theirs.

Bounce said:Eminem is trash to me. Look, I admit the guy can freestyle. I admit he knows how to make a solid beat. But he also knows exactly what sells... and just because he's a big-time rapper doesn't mean he's actually great.

👍

Bounce said:Though I wouldn't say Wu-Tang falls under "modern rap."

Sure, they count as modern rap, but it's not really *that* anymore. Compare their latest album to something like 36 Chambers. That raw energy from those sick beats, the aggressive mic work... it's gone. They totally shifted styles. They went from gritty hardcore rap to—I hate to even say it—funky stuff. Their current formula is basically the same as 50 Cent's. Back in the day, you knew who was HC and who was funky. Take Killarmy versus Warren G; night and day. Now? Everything sounds identical.

I think the biggest mistake the Wu-Tang Clan made was letting Ghostface handle the production. He steered them wrong, straight into the money chase. He always pushed for lighter beats. If O.D.B. had stayed on production, I bet the vibe would still be intact.

Just look at GZA's latest album. The guy completely distanced himself from the Clan and he's still out here pushing pure HC, but he's not pulling in $5 million per track anymore.

Later. 👋

Rebecca Collins5 said:Man, he totally split from the Wu-Tang Clan and he’s still out here chasing clout on local forums, but that’s exactly why he hasn't hit that $5 million mark with a fleet of five luxury cars yet. Like, seriously, how is he gonna get rich if he's still stuck in the past? Makes you wonder, right?

Just because they aren't dropping tracks about it doesn't mean it isn't there, you know? Like, seriously! You think just because it isn't in the lyrics, it doesn't exist? Please! It's all happening behind the scenes! 🙂

Rebecca Collins5 said:I mean, they technically fall under today's rap category, but it’s just not what it used to be. Just compare their latest record to something like 36 Chambers. That raw "energy"—those gritty beats and the aggressive mic work—is totally gone. They completely flipped the script; they went from hardcore rap straight into... I hate to even say it... funky stuff.

That’s exactly what I was getting at! Since you mentioned loving Wu-Tang and Killarmy but not this modern rap scene, I wanted to point out that Wu-Tang actually feels kind of like "modern" rap to me now. Even so, they're absolute legends. 🙂 I have a harder time vibing with RZA, but that’s a whole different conversation.

You won't find a club anywhere playing this kind of stuff, though I don't really have an issue with Aquarius or similar vibes. 😉 It's true that where I live, you don't hear much of this regularly... but hey, life goes on. Hopefully, better times are coming.

It’s honestly hilarious that this is the only thread like this on the forum. What happened to everyone? We’re seriously outnumbered by all these metalheads... ugh... 😁 😁 😁

Is there actually any real difference between Eminem and Britney Spears?🙄
It’s all the same garbage, just different packaging.

By the way, what’s your take on Cypress Hill? I happened to catch them on TV today, and they seem so weird compared to all those typical "gangsta" rappers you see constantly on MTV.

Also, one more thing.
It honestly drives me insane when I hear some (call me a rude kid, but that's why the mod censors me) rapper talking about a rough life, the ghetto, and all that crap, knowing full well the guy is loaded and living in a mansion in Beverly Hills.😠

I can get behind KRS-ONE, Public Enemy, DMX, and the Wu-Tang Clan, and honestly, Cypress Hill isn't half bad either.
50 Cent is nothing but pure commercial fluff, and Nelly is just an embarrassment—a massive step backward for the culture, especially since he’s barely even a rapper. As for Eminem, he's just another sellout.

I don't really dive into rap that much myself, though most of my friends are obsessed with it. 😁

bluecobra4 said:I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around RZA

Look, you just gotta have thick skin. 😁 😛 😁

feralgardener502 said:Just because he doesn't rap about it doesn't mean he lacks 🙂

You're missing the point... he raps about that stuff, just in a different way than the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan. Instead of a drum machine, he's using live drums and electric guitars... you know?

By the way, RZA isn't some big shot. He's not living in a mansion with a 20m pool and gold-plated pipes. He lives in a regular apartment, just like anyone else.

maquialdora said:It’s pretty obvious you haven't listened to much actual quality rap if this is the best you can find.
The guy can barely enunciate, his flow is non-existent, and the lyrics are pure garbage.....

Long live Ultramagnetic MC's!!!!!!!

Finally, someone with actual taste. Kool Keith is the man.

As for 50 Cent...
Once you've been in the scene long enough and actually grow up, you'll realize he's nothing special. "In Da Club" is just a club anthem for people looking to mess around; does the song have any depth? NO.
Just like his entire album—what is it even about?
"I'm the best," murders, death, and the same old nonsense we've heard a million times before. Nothing new here....

But hey, to each their own.🙂

Has anyone ever actually heard anything about Pete Pablo—or even just heard his name mentioned at all?

Look, you guys have to admit—even my fellow rockers and metalheads can’t really claim any moral high ground in our discussions. I mean, truth be told, I absolutely hate rap with every fiber of my being. To me, it feels like there's zero artistry involved, just someone listing words without any actual improvisation or soul. But hey, some people love it. I guess it's just one of those things... to each their own, right?

Look, Patrick Ramirez4, it wasn't actually that complicated😁

RUN DMC - Trickie, trickie👍

or maybe

2pac - Changes🙏 🙏

lol
It honestly feels like the author has zero clue when it comes to actual hip-hop
You seriously don't know the first thing about rap
Real rap is: 2pac, Public Enemy, Ghostface Killah, Obie Trice, Method Man, Gra, RZA, DMX...!! Man, get real!!

It seems like the author doesn't really get hip-hop at all.

He likes 50 cent while you're into 2pac, DMX, RZA... it's just a matter of taste.
Maybe we should just let the guy express his own opinion? Why does everyone have to love the exact same things you do? I mean, look, I don't really care for your taste either, so what am I supposed to do about that?
Are you seriously going to claim he has no clue about rap? Give me a break....

🙂

Kozla said:Haha.
It seems like this author doesn't have a clue about rap.
You clearly have no clue what rap actually is.
Real rap consists of legends like 2Pac, Public Enemy, Ghostface Killah, Obie Trice, Method Man, Gravedigger, RZA, and DMX. Period. You get me?

It’s honestly insulting to put Public Enemy and DMX in the same sentence when you're talking about "real" hip-hop. And what even defines real rap anymore? To lump those two together with Three 6 Mafia is just absurd.
DMX’s nonsense about dogs and being a "real nigga" doesn't even come close to the level of Chuck D and Flavor Flav. You can't compare that amateur stuff to their political weight and actual substance. Why even try?🙂

Watch your step.😉

They say you shouldn't argue about taste...
but 50 Cent? Seriously, the guy is a total clown and looks like he has the IQ of a goldfish. And don't even get me started on his lyrics...
"Hey shorty, it's your birthday, let's party like it's your birthday, drink Bacardi like it's your birthday and hope it actually is"...give me a break.
🙄
😁
I won't waste my breath on anything else since the topic is 50 Cent.

Gimme the mic so I can take it away....👍

50 Cent is honestly such an overrated, mid-tier rapper.

👎

Anyone catch this cover
Like 50 cents—In Da Club?
It’s basically the American version of his track, but way, WAY better!

Haha, I heard that one in a bar too... honestly, what a joke. It’s painful.

Has anyone actually listened to the Beyoncé version?👎

And look, 50 Cent is NOT an average rapper. I don't know how people can say that. Maybe he's "average" if you're measuring him against someone like, I don't know... Ja Rule... but you can't compare his music to something like Onyx, especially their old albums. But hey, that's just my take.

Luv2Bounce said:I honestly think you’re living on another planet. Look—if you truly believe someone is "half-recognized," then that’s your own perspective issue—have you even considered that? For me, Onyx carries way more weight than someone like 50 Cent... seriously, there's a massive gap between different artists...

It’s honestly sad that in two of the main threads on this topic, people feel the need to bicker over absolute nonsense! If we are here to discuss music, let's act like adults about it—rather than the whole "what do you know, this guy is better than that one" routine...

If someone feels another person should be more familiar with an artist's discography, suggesting an album or a specific track would be much more constructive and civilized!

I've been sitting on these two threads for a few days trying to figure out what to say—but I couldn't get into my old account, so I had to start this new one, and by the time I did, I'd completely lost my train of thought...

Oh, and "real" rappers... please. That term is just... wow. Honestly, nobody who actually listens to hip-hop uses it. It’s silly, pathetic, and totally pointless. There is a clear distinction between the classics recorded years ago and these little tracks coming out today... which is why some fans call Nelly listeners "fakes" because they don't grasp what "underground" means... those two terms drive me crazy. Ugh! What "fakes"? What "underground"? To me, "underground" refers to things that aren't officially released—like demo recordings from independent artists... and "fake" is a word I am personally allergic to. OF COURSE Nelly, Eminem, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, and all the hits playing on MTV are going to appeal to the masses—that is literally why they were MADE! What does a rapper have if they spend their entire life recording stuff that won't pay the bills? In the US, there are so many more opportunities to succeed and release albums compared to places where you might see fifteen country albums dropped a year, but a local indie label can barely put out one rap LP annually. As long as that's the reality, our local scene is going to stay exactly as it is—lame!

As for those questioning the "meaning" behind rap songs while citing Nelly or 50 Cent... I dare any of you hardcore metalheads or rockers to explain the deep philosophical meaning behind your favorite tracks. But you won't, because that's NOT WHAT THIS THREAD IS ABOUT, for heaven's sake! People argue that elsewhere. If you're interested in the deeper meaning of a song, go listen to it instead of trashing it. LISTEN FIRST, THEN TALK. Use your head. I mean, what is a song supposed to be about when it was CREATED FOR PEOPLE TO DANCE TO IN CLUBS? Hunger in Africa? What, tell me, you great deep analysts! Anything and everything...

Hopefully, I'll find more inspiration for these two topics as time goes on, assuming they stay active...

Tell them, tell them...🙏 🙏