I would ask why do people overrate the hell out of GRODT like its of the same caliber of Illmatic or Reasonable Doubt or Death Certificate, but I already know the answer. And it's quite understandable honestly.
When GRODT came out, it was so much hype, both in the hood and in the suburbs. It was getting played everywhere, and 50's image was untouchable, largely owed to the fact he legitimately was what he rapped about.
But that album was so lyrically average (besides Many Men, which was like a painting in terms of emotion). Some of the production was cool, but too many tracks were the typical corny Shady/Aftermath sound that got very stale quickly after about two to three years.
If Jadakiss or Styles P made GRODT no one would have given a shyt. Maybe in NY but not really anywhere else. GRODT is mainly legendary for everything but the music, which is, the hype around the album, 50's incredible backstory, Jimmy Iovine's legendary branding of 50's image, and 50's controversy of dissing every rapper. Take away all those aspects GRODT wouldn't have sold that much, and wouldn't be perceived as classic.
To me, he was 1000x better as a rapper when he was still in the NY circuit, his Power Of The Dollar and Guess who's Back tapes had a hint of complex/animated lyricism that he completely abandoned on GRODT and the albums afterwards.
50 Cent really excelled in the branding of his image. He even had me thinking G-Unit made the best product in every way fashionable. I remember telling myself when spider loc drops an album on G Unit, I'd buy it, not because I like Spider Loc, but because it was G Unit.
50 really brainwashed (for lack of a better word) teenage youth into being heavy G Unit faithfuls, even though many of them weren't that special lyrically. besides Banks. He perfected branding. Unlike many groups or rappers who are way better rappers than 50/G Unit.....50's brand was in 100. He understood that talent doesn't mean shyt...it's more about how it's packaged.
Only thing that ruined his brand was how he refused to switch up...and the shyt with Game...and allowing too many people to be members..etc
But for that 2002-2006 era, he really perfected the idea of branding.
Sounds like I'm hating on 50, but it's actually admiration. I'm not this nikka's fan by any means, but just an observation....if only more talented rappers/groups had taken branding as serioiusly as 50 And Master P did....we'd stop hearing corny untrue statements like "people don't care about talent anymore"
people love talent. you just have weak promo and a weak package or no brand.
i.e.
Az's album after doe or die
When GRODT came out, it was so much hype, both in the hood and in the suburbs. It was getting played everywhere, and 50's image was untouchable, largely owed to the fact he legitimately was what he rapped about.
But that album was so lyrically average (besides Many Men, which was like a painting in terms of emotion). Some of the production was cool, but too many tracks were the typical corny Shady/Aftermath sound that got very stale quickly after about two to three years.
If Jadakiss or Styles P made GRODT no one would have given a shyt. Maybe in NY but not really anywhere else. GRODT is mainly legendary for everything but the music, which is, the hype around the album, 50's incredible backstory, Jimmy Iovine's legendary branding of 50's image, and 50's controversy of dissing every rapper. Take away all those aspects GRODT wouldn't have sold that much, and wouldn't be perceived as classic.
To me, he was 1000x better as a rapper when he was still in the NY circuit, his Power Of The Dollar and Guess who's Back tapes had a hint of complex/animated lyricism that he completely abandoned on GRODT and the albums afterwards.
50 Cent really excelled in the branding of his image. He even had me thinking G-Unit made the best product in every way fashionable. I remember telling myself when spider loc drops an album on G Unit, I'd buy it, not because I like Spider Loc, but because it was G Unit.
50 really brainwashed (for lack of a better word) teenage youth into being heavy G Unit faithfuls, even though many of them weren't that special lyrically. besides Banks. He perfected branding. Unlike many groups or rappers who are way better rappers than 50/G Unit.....50's brand was in 100. He understood that talent doesn't mean shyt...it's more about how it's packaged.
Only thing that ruined his brand was how he refused to switch up...and the shyt with Game...and allowing too many people to be members..etc
But for that 2002-2006 era, he really perfected the idea of branding.
Sounds like I'm hating on 50, but it's actually admiration. I'm not this nikka's fan by any means, but just an observation....if only more talented rappers/groups had taken branding as serioiusly as 50 And Master P did....we'd stop hearing corny untrue statements like "people don't care about talent anymore"
people love talent. you just have weak promo and a weak package or no brand.
i.e.
Az's album after doe or die
