Honestly, by the time 2009 rolled around, the rap world was ready to write 50 Cent off. Kanye had already won the "sales war" two years prior, and the shiny, melodic era of Drake and Kid Cudi was starting to make 50’s gritty New York energy feel like a relic. But then he dropped Before I Self Destruct.
It’s a weird record.
People expected a pop-heavy follow-up to Curtis, but instead, we got something that felt like a basement tape recorded in a mansion. It was dark. It was bitter. And looking back at the 50 cent before i self destruct album tracklist, you can see exactly where he was trying to go back to his roots while the industry was moving forward without him.
The Raw Energy of the Before I Self Destruct Album Tracklist
If you look at the opening run of this album, it’s arguably the most aggressive 50 had been since the mixtape days. No "Candy Shop" clones here. He opens the gates with "The Invitation," which basically sets the tone: he isn't here to make friends.
The 50 cent before i self destruct album tracklist is a journey through a very specific kind of paranoia. You’ve got "Then Days Went By," where he gets unusually nostalgic over a Bill Withers sample, but then he immediately pivots into "Death to My Enemies." It’s a whiplash of emotions.
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One thing that stands out? The production.
Dr. Dre didn’t just phone it in. He handled several tracks, including "Psycho" featuring Eminem. That song is a trip. It’s not the radio-friendly Em and 50 we got on "Gatman and Robbin." It’s darker, weirder, and sounds like two guys who actually enjoy being the villains.
The Official Tracklist (Standard Edition)
- The Invitation (Produced by Ty Fyffe)
- Then Days Went By (Produced by Lab Ox)
- Death to My Enemies (Produced by Dr. Dre & Mark Batson)
- So Disrespectful (Produced by Tha Bizness)
- Psycho (feat. Eminem) (Produced by Dr. Dre)
- Hold Me Down (Produced by J Keys & Team Ready)
- Crime Wave (Produced by Team Demo)
- Stretch (Produced by Rick Rock)
- Strong Enough (Produced by Nascent & QB Da Problem)
- Get It Hot (Produced by Mickey Davis)
- Gangsta’s Delight (Produced by Havoc)
- I Got Swag (Produced by Dual Output)
- Baby By Me (feat. Ne-Yo) (Produced by Polow Da Don)
- Do You Think About Me (Produced by Rockwilder)
- OK, You're Right (Produced by Dr. Dre & Mark Batson)
Why "So Disrespectful" Still Hits Different
There’s a track in the middle of the 50 cent before i self destruct album tracklist called "So Disrespectful" that basically served as a final eviction notice for the old G-Unit. 50 takes shots at The Game and Young Buck with a level of casual pettiness that only he can pull off.
"Come on Game, you'll never be my equal."
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He says it so calmly. It’s almost scarier than a shout. He also takes a jab at Jay-Z, mentioning that "Empire State of Mind" was a hit, but basically implying Jay was getting old. It’s classic 50. He was burning bridges while standing on them.
The Commercial "Pivot" Problems
The biggest criticism of the 50 cent before i self destruct album tracklist usually centers on the back half. It’s like 50 realized he needed a hit for Interscope, so he threw in "Baby By Me" with Ne-Yo.
Is it a good song? Sure.
Does it fit the vibe of "Death to My Enemies"? Not even a little bit.
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This era was the beginning of the friction between 50 and Jimmy Iovine. 50 wanted to put out a raw street album, but the label wanted the 2003 version of 50 that sold 10 million copies. You can feel that tension in the track ordering. You go from the grimy, Havoc-produced "Gangsta's Delight" to a polished Ne-Yo hook. It’s jarring.
Surprising Facts About the Album
- The Movie: The album actually came with a full-length feature film that 50 wrote, produced, and directed. It wasn't just a music video collection; it was a gritty drama about a guy named Marcus.
- The "Get Up" Mystery: "Get Up," produced by Scott Storch, was supposed to be the lead single. It was huge in the clubs, but due to constant album delays, it didn't even make the final cut.
- The Leaks: This album leaked early, which forced 50 to move the release date up. This was a common problem in the late 2000s, but it hit this project particularly hard because the momentum was already shaky.
The Forgotten Gems
Most people only remember "Baby By Me" or "OK, You're Right," but "Strong Enough" is arguably one of the best beats on the whole record. It’s soul-sampled, heavy, and shows that 50 could actually rap when he wasn't worried about the Billboard Hot 100.
Then there’s "Hold Me Down." It sounds like a love song, but it’s actually about his gun. It’s a clever bit of writing that reminds you why he was so dominant in the first place. He had a way of making the most "street" concepts sound catchy enough for a car ride.
What to Do Now
If you haven't listened to the full 50 cent before i self destruct album tracklist in a decade, go back and play it from track 1 to 9. Skip the "radio" songs at the end if you want the true experience. It’s a fascinating snapshot of an artist who knew the "King of New York" crown was slipping and decided to go out swinging.
Your Next Steps:
Check out the Bonus Track Version on streaming services. It includes "Flight 187," which is widely considered one of the best "diss" tracks from that entire era, even though it doesn't name names directly. It captures the "anti-industry" 50 Cent that made him a legend.