The Massacre

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For the album by The Exploited, see The Massacre (The Exploited album). For the 1914 film, see The Massacre (film). For the Doctor Who television serial commonly referred to by this title, see The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve.
The Massacre
Studio album by 50 Cent
Released March 3, 2005
Recorded 2004
Genre Hip hop
Length 73:47
Label Aftermath, Interscope, Shady
Producer 50 Cent (exec.), Dr. Dre (also exec.), Eminem (also exec.), Scott Storch, Sha Money XL, J.R. Rotem, Disco D, F.B.T., Hi-Tek, Mike Elizondo, Needlz, Buckwild, Cue Beats, Dangerous LLC, Black Jeruz
50 Cent chronology
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
(2003)		 The Massacre
(2005)		 Curtis
(2007)
Singles from The Massacre
  1. "Disco Inferno"
    Released: November 28, 2004
  2. "Candy Shop"
    Released: January 15, 2005
  3. "Just a Lil Bit"
    Released: May 10, 2005
  4. "Outta Control (Remix)"
    Released: September 6, 2005

The Massacre is the second studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released March 3, 2005 on Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records in the United States. Its initially planned release was pushed five days ahead to avoid Internet leakage. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling over 1.14 million copies in its first week. Upon its release, The Massacre received generally positive reviews from most music critics. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album,[1] losing to Kanye West's Late Registration at the 48th Grammy Awards.[2]

Contents

Background[edit]

The Massacre has a music video for every track on the special edition version of the album. The original title for the album was St. Valentine's Day Massacre and was arranged to be released on February 14, 2005, but was postponed and the album's title was shortened to The Massacre. The 2006 version of the album features twenty tracks instead of twenty-one. It removes the opening track, the "Intro" and censors out most profanity, violence, and all drug content. "Gunz Come Out" has inconsistency in the editing, and contains some profanity. This album wasn't as heavily censored as Get Rich or Die Tryin', but it is still a very highly censored album ranking in severity with albums such as Tony Yayo's Thoughts of a Predicate Felon and Nas' Stillmatic.

Commercial performance[edit]

The Massacre sold 1.50 million copies in its first week of release, making it the seventh highest-selling album since SoundScan began tracking sales data in 1991.[3] It is the third best opening week for any hip hop album in history, behind Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP which sold over 1.79 million copies in its first week and The Eminem Show which sold 1.32 million copies for its first week.[4]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 3.5/5 stars[5]
Robert Christgau A−[6]
Entertainment Weekly B−[7]
The Guardian 1/5 stars[8]
Los Angeles Times 3/4 stars[9]
NME 8/10[10]
Pitchfork Media 7.0/10[11]
Rolling Stone 4/5 stars[12]
Spin B–[13]
Uncut 3/5 stars[14]

The Massacre received generally positive reviews from music critics; it holds a score of 66 out of 100 at Metacritic.[15] Vibe magazine found it "full of finger-pointing panache" and wrote that "50 delivers a taut, albeit less explosive, album aimed at both silencing his detractors and keeping the ladies satisfied".[16] NME observed "a new depth to the murderous lyricism" from 50 Cent on the album.[10] Greg Tate, writing in The Village Voice, said that, like Tupac, 50 Cent is "a ruffian who knows the value of a good pop hook", and called The Massacre "the most diabolically sensous collection of baby-making gangsta music since Pac's All Eyez."[17] Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times found the album to be "nearly as addictive as its predecessor" and called 50 Cent "a crafty songwriter, specializing in obvious but nearly irresistible tracks that sound better the more you hear them."[18] In his review for The Village Voice, Robert Christgau said that 50 Cent's "ugly gangsta lies" are "incidental to the mood of the piece, which is friendly, relaxed, good-humored, and in the groove."[6]

In a mixed review, Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club said that, although its strengths lie in 50 Cent's "dark charisma" and "fluid delivery", the album is marred by flaws typical of "big rap releases: At nearly 78 minutes, it's far too long, wildly uneven, and not particularly cohesive sonically or thematically."[19] Uncut magazine wrote that, despite 50 Cent's "cool menace", "not even tight productions from Eminem and Dre can stop things from flagging midway."[14] Lynne d Johnson of Spin felt that it lacks "originality" and makes artistic concessions: "He's tryin' too hard to be everything to everybody."[13] In a negative review for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis panned him as a lyricist and felt that the album lacks "any of the factors that make the best gangsta rap disturbingly compelling ... There's nothing except a string of cliches so limited that repetition is unavoidable".[8]

The Massacre was nominated at the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album, but lost to Kanye West's Late Registration. It was ranked the tenth best album of the year by Rolling Stone.[20]

Track listing[edit]

  • All songs were co-written by 50 Cent.
No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro"       0:41
2. "In My Hood"   Luis Resto, T. Crawford, P. Pitts, Eminem C. Styles, Bang Out, Eminem (add.), Luis Resto (add.) 3:51
3. "This Is 50"   R. Smith, Michael Clervoix Sha Money XL, Black Jeruz 3:04
4. "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight"   Resto, Steve King, Mathers Eminem, Luis Resto (add.) 3:51
5. "Piggy Bank"   K. Cain, Needlz 4:15
6. "Gatman and Robbin'" (featuring Eminem) Jeff Bass, Resto, Mark Bass, Neal Hefti, Mathers Eminem, Jeff & Mark Bass (add.) 3:46
7. "Candy Shop" (featuring Olivia) Scott Storch Scott Storch 3:29
8. "Outta Control" (replaced with a remix "feat. Mobb Deep" on special edition) Andre Young, Mike Elizondo, Mark Batson, Albert Johnson, Kejuan Muchita, Christopher Pope Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo 3:21
9. "Get in My Car"   T. Cotrell Hi-Tek 4:05
10. "Ski Mask Way"   Raymond Tyson, Bunny Sigler, Resto, Mathers, Dave "Disco D" Shayman Disco D, Eminem (add.), Luis Resto (add.) 3:05
11. "A Baltimore Love Thing"   Q. Staples, Norma Toney Cue Beats 4:17
12. "Ryder Music"   Cotrell Hi-Tek 3:51
13. "Disco Inferno"   Crawford, Pitts C. Styles, Bang Out 3:34
14. "Just a Lil Bit"   Storch Scott Storch 3:57
15. "Gunz Come Out"   Young, Elizondo Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo 4:24
16. "My Toy Soldier" (featuring Tony Yayo) Resto, Steve King, Marvin Bernard, Mathers Eminem, Luis Resto (add.) 3:44
17. "Position of Power"   Jonathan Rotem J.R. Rotem 3:12
18. "Build You Up" (featuring Jamie Foxx) Scott Storch Scott Storch 2:55
19. "God Gave Me Style"   Cain, Leonard Caston, Jr., Tom McFadden Needlz 3:01
20. "So Amazing" (featuring Olivia) Rotem, J. Lopez J.R. Rotem 3:16
21. "I Don't Need 'Em"   Anthony Best Buckwild 3:20
22. "Hate It or Love It (G Unit Remix)" (bonus track) (featuring Game, Tony Yayo, Young Buck & Lloyd Banks)   Cool & Dre 4:23
  • "Intro" is excluded from the 2006 France edition.[21]
Sample credits[22]
  • "Intro" contains elements from "What Up Gangsta" performed by 50 Cent
  • "This Is 50" contains elements from "Things Done Changed" performed by The Notorious B.I.G.
  • "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" contains vocal samples of Spectrasonics' "Vocal Planet"
  • "Gatman and Robbin'" contains replayed elements from "Batman Theme"
  • "Candy Shop" contains a sample of "Love Break" performed by The Salsoul Orchestra (uncredited)
  • "Ski Mask Way" contains elements from "What Am I Waiting For" performed by The O'Jays and resung elements from "Cell Therapy" performed by Goodie Mob
  • "A Baltimore Love Thing" contains elements from "I'll Be Waiting There For You" performed by The Dells
  • "God Gave Me Style" contains elements from "Each Day I Cry A Little" performed by Eddie Kendricks
  • "I Don't Need 'Em" contains elements from "Nobody Knows" performed by S.C.L.C.

Personnel[edit]

Credits for The Massacre adapted from Allmusic.[23]

  • 50 Cent – executive producer, author
  • Bang Out – producer
  • Jeff Bass – keyboards, producer
  • Mark Bass – producer
  • Steve Baughman – engineer, mixing
  • Akane Behrens – engineer
  • Black Jeruz – producer
  • Buck Wild – producer
  • Jeff Burns – mixing assistant, assistant
  • Dave Cabrera – keyboards
  • Tony Campana – engineer
  • Larry Chatman – project coordinator
  • Lindsay Collins – voices, speech/speaker/speaking part
  • Cool – producer
  • Ruben Cruz – vocals (bckgr)
  • Cue Beats – producer
  • Dion – vocals (bckgr)
  • Disco D – producer
  • Dr. Dre – producer, executive producer, mixing
  • Mike Elizondo – bass, guitar, keyboards, sitar, producer
  • Eminem – producer, executive producer, mixing
  • Nicole Frantz – creative assistance
  • Brian "Big Bass" Gardener – mastering
  • Yvette Gayle – publicity
  • Zach Gold – photography
  • Scott Gutierrez – assistant engineer, assistant
  • Tiffany Hasbourne – stylist
  • Adam Hawkins – engineer
  • Marcus Heisser – A&R
  • Hi-Tek – producer
  • Lionel Holoman – keyboards
  • Kameron Houff – engineer
  • Eric Hudson – bass
  • Mauricio "Veto" Irragorri – engineer, mixing
  • Tyrue "Slang" Jonas – artwork
  • Rouble Kapoor – assistant engineer, mixing assistant, assistant
  • Steven King – bass, guitar, mixing
  • Marc Labelle – A&R
  • Chris Lighty – management
  • Steve Lininger – assistant engineer, assistant
  • Jared Lopez – engineer
  • Mike Lynn – A&R
  • Andrew Mains – editing
  • Tracy McNew – A&R
  • Kyla Miller – engineer
  • Riggs Morales – A&R
  • Needlz – producer
  • Traci Nelson – vocals (bckgr)
  • Alex Ortiz – engineer
  • James Oruz – management
  • Conesha Owens – vocals (bckgr)
  • Kirdis Postelle – project coordinator
  • Chuck Reed – engineer
  • Luis Resto – horn, keyboards, producer
  • Robert "Roomio" Reyes – assistant engineer, assistant
  • Roberto Reyes – assistant
  • J.R. Rotem – producer
  • David Saslow – video
  • Kelly Sato – marketing coordinator
  • Ed Scratch – engineer
  • Les Scurry – production coordination
  • Sha Money XL – producer, engineer, executive producer, mixing
  • Randy Sosin – video
  • Nancie Stern – sample clearance
  • Scott Storch – producer
  • Chris Styles – producer
  • Rob Tewlow – producer
  • Patrick Viala – mixing
  • Che Vicious – programming
  • Barbara Wilson – vocals (bckgr)
  • Brandon Winslow – assistant
  • Ravid Yosef – editing

Charts[edit]

Chart (2005)[24] Peak
Position
Australian Albums Chart[24] 2
Austrian Albums Chart[24] 2
Belgian Flanders Albums Chart[24] 3
Belgian Wallonia Albums Chart[24] 9
Canadian Albums Chart[25] 1
Danish Albums Chart[24] 8
Dutch Albums Chart[24] 2
Finnish Albums Chart[24] 7
French Albums Chart[24] 3
Hungarian Albums Chart[26] 11
Italian Albums Chart[24] 13
New Zealand Albums Chart[24] 1
Norwegian Albums Chart[24] 3
Portuguese Albums Chart[24] 5
Spanish Albums Chart[24] 32
Swedish Albums Chart[24] 10
Swiss Albums Chart[24] 2
UK Albums Chart[27] 1
US Billboard 200[28] 1
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[29] 1
US Top Rap Albums[30] 1

Certifications[edit]

Country Certification
Australia Platinum[31]
Belgium Gold[32]
Canada 3× Platinum[33]
Europe Platinum[34]
France Gold[35]
Germany Platinum[36]
Greece Gold[37]
Ireland 2× Platinum[38]
Japan Platinum[39]
New Zealand Platinum[40]
Russia 3× Platinum[41]
Switzerland Platinum[42]
United Kingdom Platinum[43]
United States 5× Platinum[44]

The Massacre (Special Edition)[edit]

The Massacre (Special Edition)
Studio album by 50 Cent
Released September 6, 2005
Recorded 2004-2005
Genre Hip hop
Length 73:47
Label Aftermath, Interscope, Shady
Producer 50 Cent (exec.), Dr. Dre (also exec.), Eminem (also exec.), Scott Storch, Sha Money XL, J.R. Rotem, Disco D, F.B.T., Hi-Tek, Mike Elizondo, Needlz, Buckwild, Cue Beats, Dangerous LLC, Black Jeruz
50 Cent chronology
The Massacre
(2005)		 The Massacre (Special Edition)
(2005)		 Curtis
(2007)
Singles from The Massacre
  1. "Disco Inferno"
    Released: November 28, 2004
  2. "Candy Shop"
    Released: January 15, 2005
  3. "Just a Lil Bit"
    Released: May 10, 2005
  4. "Outta Control (Remix)"
    Released: September 6, 2005

Background[edit]

The album was re-released under the name The Massacre (Special Edition). It was re-released on September 6, 2005 with a remix of "Outta Control" featuring Mobb Deep. The re-release included a bonus DVD with music videos for all of the songs (except for Disco Inferno, Gunz Come Out & the Intro), and the trailer for the movie Get Rich or Die Tryin' and excludes track 22, the G-Unit remix of "Hate It or Love It", clearly due to the ongoing feud between 50 Cent and The Game and just leaves 21 songs. The re-release helped it re-climb to number two in the United States.

Track listing[edit]

  • All songs were co-written by 50 Cent.
No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Intro"       0:41
2. "In My Hood"   Luis Resto, T. Crawford, P. Pitts, Marshall Mathers C. Styles & Bang Out 3:51
3. "This Is 50"   R. Smith, Michael Clervoix Black Jeruz, Sha Money XL 3:04
4. "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight"   Resto, Steve King, Mathers Eminem 3:51
5. "Piggy Bank"   K. Cain, Needlz 4:15
6. "Gatman and Robbin'" (featuring Eminem) Jeff Bass, Resto, Mark Bass, Neal Hefti, Mathers Eminem 3:46
7. "Candy Shop" (featuring Olivia) Scott Storch Scott Storch 3:29
8. "Outta Control (Remix)" (featuring Mobb Deep) Andre Young, Mike Elizondo, Mark Batson, Albert Johnson, Kejuan Muchita, Mark Batson, Chris Pope, Steven Standard Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo 4:07
9. "Get in My Car"   T. Cotrell Hi-Tek 4:05
10. "Ski Mask Way"   Raymond Tyson, Bunny Sigler, Resto, Mathers, Dave "Disco D" Shayman Disco D 3:05
11. "A Baltimore Love Thing"   Q. Staples, Norma Toney Cue Beats 4:17
12. "Ryder Music"   Cotrell Hi-Tek 3:51
13. "Disco Inferno"   Crawford, Pitts C. Styles & Bang Out 3:34
14. "Just a Lil Bit"   Storch Scott Storch 3:57
15. "Gunz Come Out"   Young, Elizondo Dr. Dre, Mike Elizondo 4:24
16. "My Toy Soldier" (featuring Tony Yayo) Resto, Steve King, Marvin Bernard, Mathers Eminem 3:44
17. "Position of Power"   Jonathan Rotem J.R. Rotem 3:12
18. "Build You Up" (featuring Jamie Foxx) Scott Storch Scott Storch 2:55
19. "God Gave Me Style"   Cain, Leonard Caston, Jr., Tom McFadden Needlz 3:01
20. "So Amazing" (featuring Olivia) Rotem, J. Lopez J.R. Rotem 3:16
21. "I Don't Need 'Em"   Anthony Best Buckwild 3:20
Sample credits

Informations taken from The Massacre liner notes:[22]

  • "Intro" contains elements from "What Up Gangsta" performed by 50 Cent
  • "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" contains samples of "Warning" by The Notorious B.I.G.
  • "Gatman and Robbin'" contains replayed elements from "Batman Theme"
  • "Candy Shop" contains a sample of "Love Break" performed by The Salsoul Orchestra (uncredited)
  • "Ski Mask Way" contains elements from "What Am I Waiting For" performed by The O'Jays and resung elements from "Cell Therapy" performed by Goodie Mob
  • "A Baltimore Love Thing" contains elements from "I'll Be Waiting There For You" performed by The Dells
  • "God Gave Me Style" contains elements from "Each Day I Cry A Little" performed by Eddie Kendricks
  • "I Don't Need 'Em" contains elements from "Nobody Knows" performed by S.C.L.C.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Complete list of Grammy Award nominations. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  2. ^ Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Winners: Late Registration. About.com. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  3. ^ Gundersen, Edna (March 9, 2005). 'Massacre' sales top 1 million. USA Today. Retrieved June 12, 2007.
  4. ^ Alex Mar, March 9, 2005. 50 Sells Over a Million. Rolling Stone.
  5. ^ Jeffries, David. Review: The Massacre. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  6. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (April 19, 2005). "Consumer Guide: Ignorants and Know-Alls Keep Out". The Village Voice (New York). Retrieved June 8, 2013. 
  7. ^ Browne, David (2005-03-11). Review: The Massacre. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  8. ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (March 10, 2005). "CD: 50 Cent, The Massacre". The Guardian (London). Friday Review section, p. 17. Retrieved June 8, 2013. 
  9. ^ Dreisinger, Baz (2005-05-02). "Review: The Massacre". Los Angeles Times: E.2. March 2, 2005. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  10. ^ a b "Review: The Massacre". NME (London): 58. March 2005. 
  11. ^ Shepherd, Julianne (2005-03-06). Review: The Massacre. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  12. ^ Brackett, Nathan (2005-03-10). Review: The Massacre. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  13. ^ a b Johnson, Lynne d (April 2005). "Review: The Massacre". Spin (New York): 100–1. Retrieved June 8, 2013. 
  14. ^ a b "Review: The Massacre". Uncut (London): 95. May 2005. 
  15. ^ The Massacre (2005): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved March 3, 2005.
  16. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson. "Review: The Massacre". Vibe: 166. April 2005.
  17. ^ Tate, Greg (2005-03-08). Review: The Massacre. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  18. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (2005-03-03). Review: The Massacre. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
  19. ^ Rabin, Nathan (March 15, 2005). "50 Cent: The Massacre". The A.V. Club (Chicago). Retrieved June 8, 2013. 
  20. ^ The Top 50 Records of 2005. Rolling Stone.
  21. ^ a b "The massacre - Nouvelle edition" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved June 8, 2013. 
  22. ^ a b (2005) Album notes for The Massacre by 50 Cent. Aftermath Entertainment.
  23. ^ Credits: The Massacre. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-02-28.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Steffen Hung. "50 Cent – The Massacre". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2009-09-22. 
  25. ^ "Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  26. ^ "Archívum - Slágerlisták - MAHASZ - Magyar Hangfelvétel-kiadók Szövetsége". Mahasz.hu. Retrieved 2012-03-01. 
  27. ^ "2005-03-19 Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". Official Charts. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  28. ^ "Billboard Hot 200". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  29. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  30. ^ "Top Rap Albums". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  31. ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2005 Albums". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  32. ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  33. ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum - March 2005". Cria.ca. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  34. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2005". Ifpi.org. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  35. ^ "Disque en France". Disque en France. Retrieved 2012-05-16. 
  36. ^ "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Musikindustrie.de. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  37. ^ "Greek Foreign Albums Chart". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 2005-10-28. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  38. ^ Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Ltd. "The Irish Charts". IRMA. Retrieved 2012-06-26. 
  39. ^ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会｜各種統計". Riaj.or.jp. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  40. ^ "RIANZ". RIANZ. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  41. ^ "NFPF International 2005 certifications". NFPF. 2009-01-24. Archived from the original on 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2012-05-11. 
  42. ^ Steffen Hung. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 
  43. ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2012-04-12. 
  44. ^ "Recording Industry Association of America". RIAA. Retrieved 2012-04-14. 

External links[edit]

50 Cent
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Soundtrack albums
Mixtapes
Video games
Concert tours
Related articles
Billboard Year-End number one albums (1990–2009)
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