by Rell Battle

In the climatic end of “The Godfather,” Michael Corleone, played by ghetto pass recipient Al Pacino, called out a hit on the heads of the five families. Curtis Jackson must have studied this scene a million times. We know 50 Cent’s story, we’ve heard his pain, now we witness The Massacre.

The most anticipated album of the year features the most talked about song of the year – the one no one could seem to find - “PiggyBank.” The track distributes disses to a handful of hip-hops finest. 50 gets at Terror Squad Boss Fat Joe, the imprisoned Shyne Po, Queen Bee and the newlyweds Nas and Kelis. He also calls out the D-block Captain Jadakiss spitting, “Jada don’t f*ck with me if your ass wanna eat/ Cuz I’ll do your little ass like Jay did Mobb Deep.” Some call it hating, the record industry calls it business.

That aside, 50 started the album right with “In My Hood” and “This is 50,” produced by Black Jeruz and Sha Money XL, respectively.  Both cuts provide street tales of killing or being killed. Stories only 50 can tell so well. On “I’m Supposed To Die Tonight” 50 contemplates his purpose: “I sit and look at life from a different angle/ Dunno if I’m God’s child or I’m Satan’s angel.”

Eminem and 50 go back and forth like tennis opponents on “Gatman and Robbin’.” This track pledges 50 and Em’s allegiance to each other as they inherit each others industry beefs.  Other standouts include the album’s seductive lead single, “Candy Shop,” featuring the G-unit’s first lady, Olivia and the unofficial single that 50 claims to have released without Interscope’s permission - the radio friendly “Disco Inferno.” This track will become a hood favorite once you catch the video on B.E.T.’s uncut. The video definitely wins this year’s raunchiest award ousting Nelly’s “Tip Drill.”  Mr. Jackson revisits his crime days on “Ski Mask Way.” Any real hip-hop head remembers the phrase from the late great B.I.G.’s verse on “Flavor In Your Ear remix.” 50 borrows the phrase to remind listeners he wasn’t always living in Mike Tyson’s former million dollar estate.

Finally, 50 Cent does a wonderful job with imagery on “A Baltimore Love Thing.” On the record, he personifies the drug heroin.  As heroin, 50 chastises the fiend who’s trying to get free of his addictive grasp: “Tie your arm up/ Put that lighter under that spoon/ Now put that needle to your arm princess/ Stick it in/ Relapse, you’re back b*tch/ Don’t ever try that again.” This track took a real effort and will surprise many people.  Just as surprising, Jamie Foxx makes an unexpected guest appearance on “Build You Up,” 50’s ode to the ladies produced by Scott Storch.

As expected from the Aftermath camp, this album has a fair amount of heat on the production side. With the likes of Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Eminem, Needlz, Hi-Tek and Buckwild behind the boards, you have to be deaf, dumb and stupid to make a completely wack album. Despite the sure shots, 50 showed love to a number of unknown beat makers. Newcomers; C. Styles, Bang Out, Disco D, Cue Beats and Jonathan Jr. Rotem all show their talents on this major release.

The perfected southern flow and grimy approach of 50 Cent is still apparent since he dropped, “How To Rob.” Unfortunately his bold attack to the mic is not living up to the Get Rich or Die Trying level. Simply put, he’s starting to feel himself and has made the mistake many rap superstars make when they get comfortable - too many songs and not enough hot ones.

Aftermath should send an extra check to Hi-Tek for consistently lacing 50, and the rest of G-unit, with hot production.  He’s saved songs where average rhymes would fail. But for now, this album is sure to please every self acclaimed gangsta, hood rat, groupie and suburban white teen who bought his last album.