The Massacre
Untitled | |
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The Massacre is the 2nd major label studio album by 50 Cent. It was released on March 3, 2005, by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records and Interscope Records. The album debuted and peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200, selling 1.15 million copies in its 1st week. Upon its release, The Massacre received generally positive to mixed reviews from music critics. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, but lost to Kanye West's album Late Registration at the 48th Grammy Awards.
Background
The Massacre has a music video for every track on the special edition version of the album. The original title for the album was revealed as St. Valentine's Day Massacre and was arranged to be released on February 14, 2005. However, it has been postponed, while the album title has been shortened and was later changed into The Massacre. The censored version of the album censors out most profanity, violence, and all drug content. The track "Gunz Come Out" has inconsistency in the editing, and contains some profanity. In comparison, the album is not as heavily censored as his previous album Get Rich or Die Tryin', but it is still a very highly censored album ranking in severity with albums such as Jadakiss' Kiss tha Game Goodbye (2001), along with Tony Yayo's Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (2005) and Nas' Stillmatic (2001).
Commercial performance
The Massacre sold 1.14 million copies in its first week, becoming the sixth-largest opening week for an album at the time, since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991.[1] This is the third best opening week for a hip hop album, behind Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), which has sold 1.76 million copies in its first week, and The Eminem Show which sold 1,322,000 copies in its first week.[2] In 2015, the album has sold 5.36 million copies in the United States and 13 million worldwide.[3][4]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 66/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [5] |
Entertainment Weekly | B−[6] |
The Guardian | [7] |
Los Angeles Times | [8] |
NME | 8/10[9] |
Pitchfork Media | 7/10[10] |
Rolling Stone | [11] |
Spin | B–[12] |
Uncut | [13] |
The Village Voice | A−[14] |
The Massacre received generally positive to mixed 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.[9] 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."[14]
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."[13] Lynne d Johnson of Spin felt that it lacks "originality" and makes artistic concessions: "He's tryin' too hard to be everything to everybody."[12] 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".[7]
Accolades
The Massacre was nominated at the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album,[20] but lost to Kanye West's Late Registration.[21] It was ranked the twenty fifth best album of the year by Rolling Stone.[22]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | Lindsay Collins | Eminem | 0:41 |
2. | "In My Hood" | Curtis Jackson, Luis Resto, Teraike "C. Styles" Crawford, Phillip "Bang Out" Pitts, Marshall Mathers | C. Styles, Bang Out, Eminem (add.), Resto (add.) | 3:51 |
3. | "This Is 50" | Jackson, Rashad Smith, Michael Clervoix | Sha Money XL, Black Jeruz | 3:04 |
4. | "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" | Jackson, Resto, Steve King, Mathers | Eminem, Resto (add.) | 3:51 |
5. | "Piggy Bank" | Jackson, Khari Cain | Needlz | 4:15 |
6. | "Gatman and Robbin'" (featuring Eminem) | Jackson, Jeff Bass, Resto, Mark Bass, Neal Hefti, Mathers | Eminem, Bass Brothers (add.) | 3:46 |
7. | "Candy Shop" (featuring Olivia) | Jackson, Scott Storch | Storch | 3:29 |
8. | "Outta Control" | Jackson, Andre Young, Mike Elizondo, Christopher Pope, Steve Standard | Dr. Dre, Elizondo | 3:21 |
9. | "Get in My Car" | Jackson, Tony Cotrell | Hi-Tek | 4:05 |
10. | "Ski Mask Way" | Jackson, Bunny Sigler, Resto, Mathers, Dave Shayman, Ryan Presson | Disco D, Eminem (add.), Resto (add.) | 3:05 |
11. | "A Baltimore Love Thing" | Jackson, Quentin "Cue Beats" Staples, Norma Toney | Cue Beats | 4:17 |
12. | "Ryder Music" | Jackson, Cotrell | Hi-Tek | 3:51 |
13. | "Disco Inferno" | Jackson, Crawford, Pitts | C. Styles, Bang Out | 3:34 |
14. | "Just a Lil Bit" | Jackson, Storch | Storch | 3:57 |
15. | "Gunz Come Out" | Jackson, Young, Elizondo | Dr. Dre, Elizondo | 4:24 |
16. | "My Toy Soldier" (featuring Tony Yayo) | Jackson, Resto, King, Marvin Bernard, Mathers | Eminem, Resto (add.) | 3:44 |
17. | "Position of Power" | Jackson, Jonathan Rotem | J.R. Rotem | 3:12 |
18. | "Build You Up" (featuring Jamie Foxx) | Jackson, Storch | Storch | 2:55 |
19. | "God Gave Me Style" | Jackson, Cain, Leonard Caston, Jr., Tom McFadden | Needlz | 3:01 |
20. | "So Amazing" (featuring Olivia) | Jackson, Rotem, Jasmin Lopez | J.R. Rotem | 3:16 |
21. | "I Don't Need 'Em" | Jackson, Anthony Best | Buckwild | 3:20 |
22. | "Hate It or Love It (G-Unit Remix)" (bonus track) (featuring The Game, Tony Yayo, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks) | Jackson, Allan Felder, Andre Lyon, Jayceon Taylor, Marcello Valenzano, Bernard, Norman Harris, Ron Barker | Cool & Dre | 4:23 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
22. | "Window Shopper" (bonus track) | Jackson, Crawford, J.H. Turnbull, Bob Marley | C. Styles, Sire | 3:12 |
23. | "Best Friend" (featuring Olivia) (bonus track) | Jackson | Hi-Tek | 4:14 |
- "Intro" is excluded from the 2006 France edition.[23]
- Sample credits[24]
- "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)
- "Outta Control" contains interpolation from Strafe "Set It Off"
- "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
Credits for The Massacre adapted from Allmusic.[25]
|
|
Charts
Certifications
Country | Certification |
---|---|
Australia | Platinum[34] |
Belgium | Gold[35] |
Canada | 3× Platinum[36] |
Europe | Platinum[37] |
France | Gold[38] |
Germany | Platinum[39] |
Greece | Gold[40] |
Ireland | 2× Platinum[41] |
Japan | Platinum[42] |
New Zealand | Platinum[43] |
Russia | 3× Platinum[44] |
Switzerland | Platinum[45] |
United Kingdom | 2x Platinum[46] |
United States | 5× Platinum[47] |
The Massacre (Special Edition)
Untitled | |
---|---|
Singles from The Massacre | |
|
Background
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 and the Intro), and the trailer for the movie Get Rich or Die Tryin' excluding track 22, the G-Unit's remix to "Hate It or Love It", due to the ongoing feud between 50 Cent and The Game which leaves 21 tracks. The re-release helped the album re-climb the charts to number 2 in the United States. The original version was also re-issued using the special edition track listing leaving out the parts for the DVD.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | Lindsay Collins | Eminem | 0:41 |
2. | "In My Hood" | Jackson, Resto, Crawford, Pitts, Mathers | C. Styles, Bang Out, Eminem (add.), Resto (add.) | 3:51 |
3. | "This Is 50" | Jackson, Smith, Clervoix | Black Jeruz, Sha Money XL | 3:04 |
4. | "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" | Jackson, Resto, King, Mathers | Eminem | 3:51 |
5. | "Piggy Bank" | Jackson, Cain, | Needlz | 4:15 |
6. | "Gatman and Robbin'" (featuring Eminem) | Jackson, J. Bass, Resto, M. Bass, Hefti, Mathers | Eminem, Bass Brothers (add.) | 3:46 |
7. | "Candy Shop" (featuring Olivia) | Jackson, Storch | Storch | 3:29 |
8. | "Outta Control (Remix)" (featuring Mobb Deep) | Jackson, Young, Elizondo, Mark Batson, Albert Johnson, Kejuan Muchita, Pope, Standard | Dr. Dre, Elizondo | 4:07 |
9. | "Get in My Car" | Jackson, Cotrell | Hi-Tek | 4:05 |
10. | "Ski Mask Way" | Jackson, Sigler, Resto, Mathers, Shayman, Presson | Disco D | 3:05 |
11. | "A Baltimore Love Thing" | Jackson, Staples, Toney | Cue Beats | 4:17 |
12. | "Ryder Music" | Jackson, Cotrell | Hi-Tek | 3:51 |
13. | "Disco Inferno" | Jackson, Crawford, Pitts | C. Styles, Bang Out | 3:34 |
14. | "Just a Lil Bit" | Jackson, Storch | Storch | 3:57 |
15. | "Gunz Come Out" | Jackson, Young, Elizondo | Dr. Dre, Elizondo | 4:24 |
16. | "My Toy Soldier" (featuring Tony Yayo) | Jackson, Resto, King, Bernard, Mathers | Eminem | 3:44 |
17. | "Position of Power" | Jackson, Rotem | J.R. Rotem | 3:12 |
18. | "Build You Up" (featuring Jamie Foxx) | Jackson, Storch | Storch | 2:55 |
19. | "God Gave Me Style" | Jackson, Cain, Caston, Jr., McFadden | Needlz | 3:01 |
20. | "So Amazing" (featuring Olivia) | Jackson, Rotem, Lopez | J.R. Rotem | 3:16 |
21. | "I Don't Need 'Em" | Jackson, Best | Buckwild | 3:20 |
- Sample credits
Informations taken from The Massacre liner notes:[24]
- "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
- List of number-one albums from the 2000s (UK)
- List of number-one albums in 2005 (New Zealand)
- List of number-one albums of 2005 (Ireland)
- List of number-one albums of 2005 (U.S.)
References
- ^ "50 Cent Massacres Album Chart Competition". Billboard. March 9, 2005. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
- ^ Nguyen, Hao (November 24, 2013). "5 Biggest First Week Album Sales in Hip-Hop History". Stop the Breaks. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith (December 10, 2015). "Adele's '25' Hits 5 Million Sold in U.S." Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
- ^ Ehrlich, Dimitri (July 2009). "Interview: 50 Cent". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
- ^ Jeffries, David. Review: The Massacre. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ Browne, David (2005-03-11). Review: The Massacre. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ a b Petridis, Alexis (March 10, 2005). "CD: 50 Cent, The Massacre". The Guardian. London. Friday Review section, p. 17. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- ^ Dreisinger, Baz (2005-05-02). "Review: The Massacre". Los Angeles Times: E.2. March 2, 2005. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
- ^ a b "Review: The Massacre". NME. London: 58. March 2005.
- ^ Shepherd, Julianne (2005-03-06). Review: The Massacre. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ Brackett, Nathan (2005-03-10). Review: The Massacre. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ a b Johnson, Lynne d (April 2005). "Review: The Massacre". Spin. New York: 100–1. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- ^ a b "Review: The Massacre". Uncut. London: 95. May 2005.
- ^ a b Christgau, Robert (April 19, 2005). "Consumer Guide: Ignorants and Know-Alls Keep Out". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- ^ The Massacre (2005): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved 2005-03-03.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jayson. "Review: The Massacre". Vibe: 166. April 2005.
- ^ Tate, Greg (2005-03-08). Review: The Massacre. The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (2005-03-03). Review: The Massacre. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ Rabin, Nathan (March 15, 2005). "50 Cent: The Massacre". The A.V. Club. Chicago. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- ^ Complete list of Grammy Award nominations. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Winners: Late Registration. About.com. Retrieved on 2009-12-25.
- ^ The Top 50 Records of 2005. Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b "The massacre - Nouvelle edition" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
- ^ a b (2005) Album notes for The Massacre by 50 Cent. Aftermath Entertainment.
- ^ Credits: The Massacre. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2010-02-28.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Canadian Albums Chart". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "Archívum - Slágerlisták - MAHASZ - Magyar Hangfelvétel-kiadók Szövetsége". Mahasz.hu. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
- ^ "2005-03-19 Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". Official Charts. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/r-and-b-albums-chart/20050313/115
- ^ "Billboard Hot 200". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "Top Rap Albums". Billboard. 2005-03-19. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2005 Albums". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ "Ultratop Belgian Charts". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum - March 2005". Cria.ca. Archived from the original on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2005". Ifpi.org. 2005-09-01. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
- ^ "Disque en France". Disque en France. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2012-05-16.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Greek Foreign Albums Chart". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 2005-10-28. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Ltd. "The Irish Charts". IRMA. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "RIANZ". RIANZ. Archived from the original on 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ Steffen Hung. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
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External links
- The Massacre at Discogs (list of releases)
- 2005 albums
- 50 Cent albums
- Aftermath Entertainment albums
- Shady Records albums
- Albums produced by Buckwild
- Albums produced by Dr. Dre
- Albums produced by Disco D
- Albums produced by Eminem
- Albums produced by Scott Storch
- Albums produced by Hi-Tek
- Albums produced by J.R. Rotem
- Albums produced by Needlz
- Albums produced by Mike Elizondo
- Interscope Records albums
- Interscope Geffen A&M Records albums
- English-language albums
- Gangsta rap albums