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Curtis (50 Cent album)

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Curtis is the third studio album by rapper 50 Cent. Released on September 11 2007, the album features production from Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Timbaland, among others. Guest appearances include Akon, Justin Timberlake, Nicole Scherzinger, and other notable musicians.

Music critics have noted that 50 Cent divides between "hard" songs and "soft" songs on the album.[1][2] Curtis was released to significant commercial success, selling 691,000 copies in its first week on the Billboard 200, the highest sales week for an East Coast album since Jay-Z's Kingdom Come debuted with 680,000 copies sold.[3] The album's sales competition with Kanye West's Graduation was considered to be a "great day for hip hop".[4][5]

Background

Concept

Initially, 50 Cent's 2007 album was supposed to be Before I Self Destruct,[6] however, he decided to push back its release date to 2008,[7] and to release Curtis in 2007 instead.

The album's title was changed twice. The first time, it was changed from "Curtis" to "Curtis S.S.K.". The second time, it was changed back to "Curtis". The "S.S.K.", which stood for "SoundScan Killer", was intended to show the pressure 50 Cent felt to succeed.[8] The "S.S.K." also stands for "SouthSide King"[9] and "Shoot, Stab, Kill".

50 Cent stated that the album was inspired by his life before his commercial debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. He also stated that he chose the album's title because he was known as "Curtis" before he became famous.[8]

Curtis vs. Graduation

In July 2007, Kanye West changed the release date of Graduation, his third studio album, from September 18 2007, to the same release date as Curtis, September 11 2007.[10] This forced the albums to go head-to-head and compete for higher sales against each other. 50 Cent claimed that if Graduation sold more records than Curtis, he would stop releasing solo albums.[11] However, he later dispelled his comments.[12] When asked again about his threat to retire, 50 Cent stated that, if he were to lose, he will release an album every time a major Def Jam artist releases an album.[13]

File:Curtisposter.jpg
Promotional poster for Curtis.

Although Graduation topped the Canadian, UK, United World Chart, and US album charts, Curtis debuted at number one on the Irish and Swiss album charts, claiming the top spot on the European Top 100 Albums chart. Curtis also topped the Australian and New Zealand album charts (however, Graduation was not released in time to compete on the Australian chart).

Graduation's first week sales of 957,000 and Curtis' first week sales of 691,000 meant that the competition resulted in only the second time ever (since Nielsen SoundScan began collecting data in 1991) that two albums sold more than 600,000 in a week in the United States. The first occurrence of such an event was in 1991, when Guns N' Roses released Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, selling 685,000 and 770,000 copies, respectively. The first week sales totals of Graduation and Curtis have outsold the first week sales totals of Guns N' Roses' two albums.[14]

Recording sessions

50 Cent wrote parts of the album in his grandmother's old house in South Jamaica, Queens. In an interview with XXL magazine, 50 Cent stated,

I mean, it just brings memories back to me. I'm in my old space, see old faces, things start feeling the way they used to. Being able to write material from a perspective I couldn't probably write [from] in any other space like that. And I was in one of those funky creative spaces where I couldn't come up with nothing… For me, when I come back here, it's like my feet are on the ground. I don't think nothing is more painful than having known what it feel like to be successful and then having it taken away from you. So on some levels, it's healthy for me to go 'head and come from the financial space that I'm in back to here, as a reminder, so I can actually appreciate what I've got.[15]

However, the album was recorded in other places as well. 50 Cent stated that he flew to Florida to work on "Ayo Technology" with Justin Timberlake, and finished the song in Houston.[8] 50 Cent wrote a significant amount of the guests' lyrics.[8]

Music

Lyrics

RapReviews.com stated that "There is no dip in quality lyrically; 50 is often criticized for not being a good lyricist, but he's exceptionally witty in his writtens." RapReviews.com also stated that 50 Cent "manages to cover different themes very well", praising his "seduction" on "Follow My Lead":[2]

You listen to the rumors, they say, "50 fuckin' crazy"

"50 don't know how to treat a lady." They wrong
I like you a lot, I don't want to hurt you
But I call a square a square and a circle a circle
So if you act like a bitch, I'll call you a bitch
Then hang up, probably call you right back and shit
And have to say, "Baby, I apologize."
Cross my fingers, God forgive me for telling lies
Like Janet Jackson said, "I miss you much"

I really want to feel your touch…

PopMatters noted that ""I Get Money" remains the collection's clear MVP, an iron-fisted ode to living large":[16]

I write the check before the baby comes

Who the fuck cares?
I'm stanky rich

I'm a die tryin' to spend this shit.

Stylus Magazine writes that 50 Cent is trying to "revisit the raw fatalism that defined the best tracks on Get Rich or Die Tryin'", quoting lyrics from "My Gun Go Off" as an example:[17]

You know tomorrow's just a day away
If you can just keep your heart beatin' and your ass awake.

Slant Magazine called 50 Cent "one of the worst lyricists alive", criticizing "Amusement Park"'s lyrics.[18]

Production

Stylus Magazine stated that "the beats on Curtis sound about as dated and cheap as any Koch record." Stylus Magazine added that "each no-name producer (Veto and Roomio? Jake One? K Lassik?) provides the comfort food they know he'll lap up."[19] Pitchfork Media shares Stylus Magazine's view, saying that 50 Cent "should be able to work with producers who could conjure his hit-making abilities, but instead the MC mostly sticks with tried-and-failed G-Unit stalwarts and Dre-aping up-and-comers that do him few favors."[20] Sputnikmusic praised the production on "Ayo Technology", writing: "Timbaland's shred-guitar-goes-keyboard melody is just mesmerising enough to work."[21]

Guests

While Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre featured mostly G-Unit and G-Unit Records artists respectively, Curtis features artists that 50 Cent has never worked with before, such as Akon, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and Robin Thicke. When asked about his choice of working with artists outside of his company, 50 Cent stated, "The album, for me, was finding a space where I am content and comfortable with my career, where I can go off and create with other artists and experiment a little bit."[8]

Sales

Curtis sold approximately 691,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, which is the third highest sales week for an album in 2007 so far[14] (originally topping Linkin Park's Minutes to Midnight which sold 625,000,[22] but later being outsold by the Eagle's Long Road Out of Eden, which moved 711,000 units[23]). However, Curtis brought in the lowest first week sales of 50 Cent's career, with Get Rich or Die Tryin' selling 872,000[24] and The Massacre moving 1.1 million copies.[25] As of November 4 2007, Curtis has sold 1,086,910 copies in the United States.[26]

Curtis debuted at number two on the United World Chart, selling approximately 921,000 copies worldwide in it's first week.[27] As of November 9 2007, Curtis has sold approximately 1,728,000 copies worldwide.[28] However, Vivendi contradicted the United World Chart's claim, stating that Curtis sold nearly two million copies worldwide in less than a week after its release.[29]

Reception

Curtis received mixed reviews from music critics.[30] All Music Guide wrote that Curtis "is entertaining but only impressive in that 50 can run in place and still be on top."[31] AllHipHop.com called it "a step backwards" and "while the album is not a total brick, it lacks a true consistency where his previous work flowed seamlessly and almost every record worked."[32] The Boston Globe stated that, "artistically, West is always moving, while 50 is at a standstill."[33]

The Chicago Tribune wrote that, "at a time when consumers are expressing their dissatisfaction with music-industry product", the album provides "exactly what they say they don't want: More of the same."[34] Rolling Stone noted that 50 Cent is "out to prove he's everything he used to claim", and like The Massacre, he "divides between hard songs ("Man Down," "Fire," "I'll Still Kill") and soft songs ("Follow My Lead")". Rolling Stone also noted that, on Curtis, 50 Cent is for the first time "letting guests sing most of the hooks."[1]

Track listing

# Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Sample(s) Time
1 "Intro"
  • Contains dialogue from the motion picture Shooters, dialogue excerpts spoken by Andrew Howard and Matthew Rhys
 0:51
2 "My Gun Go Off" Adam Deitch & Eric Krasno 3:12
3 "Man Down" (censored) Detroit Red, co-produced by Don Cannon
  • Contains elements from "Scooby Doo Theme" by Ben Raleigh and David Mook
 2:50
4 "I'll Still Kill" DJ Khalil Akon 3:41
5 "I Get Money" Apex 3:44
6 "Come & Go" Dr. Dre (keyboards by Dawaun Parker & Mark Batson) Dr. Dre 3:29
7 "Ayo Technology" Timbaland, co-produced by Danja Justin Timberlake & Timbaland 4:08
8 "Follow My Lead" Tha Bizness Robin Thicke 3:18
9 "Movin on Up" Jake One
  • Contains elements from "Give Me Just Another Day" by The Miracles
  • "Do It Baby" by The Miracles
  • "Nuttin' but a Drumbeat" by Russell Simmons
 3:24
10 "Straight to the Bank" Ty Fyffe, additional production by Dr. Dre 3:11
11 "Amusement Park" Dangerous LLC 3:09
12 "Fully Loaded Clip" Havoc 3:14
13 "Peep Show" Eminem (keyboards by Mike Strange, additional keyboards by Jeff Bass & Tony Campana) Eminem 3:52
14 "Fire" Dr. Dre (keyboards by Dawaun Parker & Mark Batson) Nicole Scherzinger & Young Buck 2:50
15 "All of Me" Jake One Mary J. Blige 3:52
16 "Curtis 187" Havoc 3:58
17 "Touch the Sky" K-Lassik Beats Tony Yayo 3:10
* "Smile (I'm Leavin')" (iTunes pre-order bonus track/Japan bonus track) K-Lassik Beats 4:29
* "Hustler's Ambition" (UK bonus track) B-Money "B$" 4:02

An asterisk (*) indicates a bonus track.

Credits

Charts

Charts (2007)[35][36][37][38][39] Peak
position
US Billboard 200 2
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 2
US Billboard Top Rap Albums 2
Australian Albums Chart 1
Belgian Albums Chart 3
Canadian Albums Chart 2
Dutch Albums Chart 3
European Top 100 Albums 1
French Albums Chart 3
German Albums Chart 2
Irish Albums Chart 1
New Zealand Albums Chart 1
Swiss Albums Chart 1
UK Albums Chart 2
United World Chart 2

References

  1. ^ a b Sheffield, Rob (September 4 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis Review. Rolling Stone. Accessed September 6 2007.
  2. ^ a b Gailes, Arthur (September 11 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis. RapReviews. Accessed September 30 2007.
  3. ^ Hasty, Katie (November 29 2006). Jay-Z Reclaims His 'Kingdom' with No. 1 Debut. Billboard. Accessed September 30 2007.
  4. ^ Jokesta (July 31 2007). Jay Z Says Kanye's Dropping on September 11th, Denies Involvement in 40/40 Wage Scandal. Def Sounds. Accessed September 30 2007.
  5. ^ Petipas, Jolene (September 19 2007). 50 Cent Responds to SoundScan Loss to Kanye West, "This Marks a Great Moment for Hip-Hop Music". SOHH. Accessed September 30 2007.
  6. ^ Fullmetal (April 30 2007). 50 Cent "G Unit Album Coming soon". Def Sounds. Accessed September 2 2007.
  7. ^ Barracato, Joseph (September 9 2007). Hot Seat – 50 Cent. New York Post. Accessed September 11 2007
  8. ^ a b c d e Reid, Shaheem; Kash, Tim (April 27 2007). 50 Cent Talks Timberlake Collabo, Star-Studded New LP Curtis. MTV. Accessed August 18 2007.
  9. ^ Curtis liner notes.
  10. ^ Jokesta (July 19 2007). Kanye Competes with 50, Album Pushed Back to September 11th. Def Sounds. Accessed August 11 2007
  11. ^ Jokesta (August 9 2007). 50 Cent: Outsell Kanye or Stop Trying. Def Sounds. Accessed August 11 2007.
  12. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson; Kash, Tim (August 15 2007). 50 Cent Explains Last Week's Blowup, Says 'I Will Be #1 on September 11'. MTV. Accessed August 15 2007.
  13. ^ Hale, Andreas (September 13 2007). Update: 50 Not Retiring! Declares War with Def Jam!. HipHopDX. Accessed October 4 2007.
  14. ^ a b Mayfield, Geoff (September 18 2007). Kanye Crushes 50 Cent in Huge Album Sales Week. Billboard. Accessed September 19 2007.
  15. ^ 50 Cent – August 2007 Issue XXL Magazine. MixUnit. Accessed September 30 2007.
  16. ^ Josh Timmermann (September 11 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis. PopMatters. Accessed October 5 2007.
  17. ^ Jayson Greene (September 11 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis Review. Stylus Magazine. Accessed October 4 2007.
  18. ^ Sal Cinquemani (September 9 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis. Slant Magazine. Accessed October 4 2007.
  19. ^ Greene, Jayson (September 11 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis Review. Stylus Magazine. Accessed October 4 2007.
  20. ^ Dombal, Ryan (September 11 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis. Pitchfork Media. Accessed October 4 2007.
  21. ^ De Sylvia, Dave (September 6 2007). 50 Cent – Curtis Review. Sputnikmusic. Accessed October 4 2007.
  22. ^ Livingston, Kari (May 23 2007). Linkin Park Shatters Sales Record with "Minutes to Midnight". Associated Content. Accessed September 25 2007.
  23. ^ Gil Kaufman (November 7 2007). Britney Spears' Blackout Denied #1 Debut On Billboard Chart After Last-Minute Rule Change. MTV. Accessed November 7 2007.
  24. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. 50 Cent – Biography. All Music Guide. Accessed September 24 2007.
  25. ^ Moody, Nekesa Mumbi (September 4 2007). Can Music Big-Timers Fix Sagging Sales?. Associated Press. Accessed September 24 2007.
  26. ^ Hale, Andreas (November 14 2007). Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 11/11/07. HipHopDX.com. Accessed November 15 2007.
  27. ^ United World Chart – Albums – week 39 / 2007 - September 29. Media Traffic. Accessed October 12 2007.
  28. ^ United World Chart – Albums – week 39 / 2007 – September 29, week 40 / 2007 – October 6, week 41 / 2007 – October 13, week 42 / 2007 – October 20, week 43 / 2007 – October 27, week 44 / 2007 – November 3, week 45 / 2007 – November 10, week 46 / 2007 – November 17. Media Traffic. Accessed November 9 2007.
  29. ^ Jokesta (September 19 2007). Curtis Sells 5 Million World Wide. Def Sounds. Accessed October 11 2007.
  30. ^ 50 Cent: Curtis (2007): Reviews. Metacritic. Accessed September 11 2007
  31. ^ Jeffries, David. 50 Cent – Curtis Review. All Music Guide. Accessed September 9 2007.
  32. ^ Berrios, Martin A. (September 4 2007). 50 Cent: Curtis. AllHipHop. Accessed September 4 2007.
  33. ^ Benbow, Julian (September 11 2007). After the hip-hop hype. The Boston Globe. Accessed September 12 2007.
  34. ^ Kot, Greg (September 10 2007). 50 Cent won't save hip-hop with 'Curtis'. Chicago Tribune. Accessed September 10 2007.
  35. ^ 50 Cent – Curtis. aCharts. Accessed September 19 2007.
  36. ^ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Curtis. Billboard. Accessed October 17 2007.
  37. ^ Top Rap Albums – Curtis. Billboard. Accessed October 17 2007.
  38. ^ Albums : Top 100 – 16 September, 2007 (for the Week Ending 20 September, 2007). Canoe – Jam! Music. Accessed September 21 2007.
  39. ^ European Top 100 Albums – Curtis. Billboard. Accessed September 30 2007.
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