It’s been almost a decade since the pitch man for Vitamin Water, Street King and some Beats by Dre knockoffs was a groundswell inducing rapper bear-hugging airwaves and selling millions of records. 50 Cent as pop music giant (his first two albums sold somewhere in the realm of 18 million copies combined, an impressive feat in any era) seems a distant memory, particularly in light of recent commercial disappointments and an attempted (and largely successful, for those of you listening) rebirth as a street rapper.

Secretly, this isn’t much of a rebirth. Nestled on each of his albums (yeah…even Before I Self Destruct) is a handful of songs that reminiscent of the characteristics that initially made 50 Cent compelling: his ability to sound simultaneously smooth and menacing. That whole nine shots and bullet through the jaw thing may have had something to do with his meteoric rise as well, but it was his ability to deliver threats and boasts in the same breath with equal flare that made him a fan favorite. And, in his early commercial days, he was a master of beat selection. These skills are all on display on “Ski Mask Way,” a standout out from 50’s sophomore album The Massacre.

For more from the “menacing, streetwise 50 over soulful beats” category, see also: “Hustler’s Ambition” and the more recent “Old 2003 Ferrari.”

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