Before I Self Destruct
Encyclopedia
Before I Self Destruct is the fourth studio album
by American rapper 50 Cent
, released November 9, 2009 on Interscope Records
in the United States. It is his final solo release for his current contract with Interscope Records
, excluding a "greatest hits" album. A feature film, also titled Before I Self Destruct
was also made, and is available within the album packaging. The Invitation Tour
took place in promotion of the album and his then upcoming studio album Black Magic, which has since been shelved.
instead, and thus Before I Self Destructs release date was originally pushed back to 2008.
In a red carpet interview 50 Cent stated that while he was working on the album, he wrote, produced, and directed his first film saying that the release of the film would coincide with the release of the album.
Though a tracklist appeared in early January 2009, 50 Cent later stated he reworked much of the album.
Another track stated to be on the album, though not officially confirmed as a single, entitled "Crime Wave", was released in late October 2009.
The album's release date was initially announced to be February 4, 2008, but later moved to March 2008, due to the release date of Curtis being pushed up to September 2007. However it was later revealed, in an interview with G-Unit
members Tony Yayo
and Lloyd Banks
, that the album was scheduled to be released during the 4th quarter of 2008, with 50 Cent himself later stating that the album was due to be released December 9, 2008.
MTV
later reported that the album will instead be released in 2009, with February 3 being the date 50 Cent himself confirmed. Though it was later pushed back to March 2009, with March 24 being set as the day, until he later confirmed that mentor and labelmate Eminem's album, Relapse, was going to be released before his own. 50 Cent then told MTV that he would release the album in June, with the date being changed once again as he decided to retool parts of the album once Eminem's Relapse was completed. However, the album was pushed back to a Fall 2009 release, with September being the specific month. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 50 Cent stated that the album will be out "second week of September, I'll be back on the streets baby", with the date later stated to be specifically September 11, which at the time, was the release date of Jay-Z
's The Blueprint 3. However, these reports were later contradicted by MTV, when they stated that 50 Cent exclusively confirmed the release date as September 29, 2009. The album was later officially confirmed to have been pushed back again by 50 Cent, who claimed November 3, 2009 as the newly confirmed release date, but this was once again changed to November 17, 2009. However, in October 2009, the album was pushed back a week to make the release date November 24, 2009. Universal
has pushed several albums forward to November 23, 2009, including Before I Self Destruct.
50 stated that because the album leaked and the good response it got, he will release the album a week earlier, on November 16. The album was released exclusively on the iTunes
Store on November 9 at 12:00am, while the physical copy was released in stores on November 16. Since the album was released digitally a week ahead of the physical copy, Interscope records requested that Billboard and Nielsen SoundScan
uphold a rule instituted in 2008 where a label may ask Nielsen SoundScan to hold the digital sales count of an album for up to one week, and for Billboard to delay charting that album, when a leak results in a digital album beating its physical counterpart to brick and mortar stores.
that he named the album Before I Self Destruct because "it could potentially happen." 50 Cent described the album as "darker" and more "aggressive" than his previous album and stated, "hands down, [it] will be the best record of that time period".
will be producing for the album, as well as Kanye West
, though his track will not be featured.
Other producers that have stated they will be working on the project include Sha Money XL
and Ty-Fyffe, who posted his listening session on YouTube
, Swizz Beatz
, after not having any tracks make the final cut of Curtis, DJ Premier
with a track entitled "Shut Your Bloodclot Mouth", and Dawaun Parker
, who has stated he is featured on the single "I Get It In".
In contrast to Curtis, 50 Cent explained that fans "should not expect to see guest appearances like you saw on Curtis". He also described Before I Self Destruct as an entirely different concept, which will set up "the next batch of records" in his career.
After 50 Cent's collaboration with Akon
on "I'll Still Kill", which appeared on Curtis, Akon stated that 50 Cent and himself would be working on each other's upcoming albums due to the successful experience they developed while working on Curtis, and that, when working on songs, "Whoever’s album it feel right on, that’s where we gonna put it".
In an interview, Timbaland
stated that he has worked with 50 Cent, but he did not know which albums (Curtis and Before I Self Destruct) the collaborations would end up on. This song was released on May 18, 2010 for internet download and is titled "You Should Be Dead". This song gained popularity and is a constant source of debate as to why it was not featured on the album. The Koalition website stated "It truly is amazing how 50 Cent’s leftover tracks are better than most rapper’s singles. A perfect example of this is You Should Be Dead”
J. R. Rotem
also spoke about working on the album, saying that 50 Cent is into "soulful" music, and he sat down and gave him numerous tacks and that on this album, 50 Cent was "[trying] to bring a very powerful new sound", and that is would be a "remarkable project".
Play-N-Skillz
also confirmed working with 50 Cent for the BISD project, saying:
" was released for digital download on October 13, 2008, after earlier being released through 50 Cent's official Internet community ThisIs50.com. The song features production from American record producer Scott Storch
, and peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100
. The music video was released to Vevo
on June 16, 2009. The intended second promotional single, "I Get It In", was released in early January 2009, with production credited to Dr. Dre
. The song peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100
. However, neither track appeared on the album, largely due to delays the album encountered.
The album's eventual lead promotional single, "OK, You're Right
", was released for digital download on May 19, 2009, after originally being included on 50 Cent's seventh solo mixtape War Angel LP
(2009). The song features production from Dr. Dre, with co-production from Mark Batson
. However, the song under-performed commercially, peaking at only number 20 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in America. The album's lead single, "Baby by Me
", was released for digital download on September 10, 2009. The song features American R&B singer Ne-Yo
, and is produced by American record producer Polow da Don
. The song peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked in the upper regions of several national charts worldwide. The song features a sample from an earlier 50 Cent song, "I Get Money
".
The album's second single, "Do You Think About Me
", was released for digital download on January 16, 2011. The song features uncredited vocals from R&B singer Governor
, and is produced by record producer Rockwilder
. However, the song was one of 50 Cent's least commercially successful singles to date, only peaking at number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
chart in America. During an interview with MTV, 50 Cent announced that the third single to be released will be Get It Hot. Shortly after this announcement, 50 Cent confirmed with MTV that "a visual" will be released for So Disrespectful. However this did not materialize.
The album fell 15 spots to number 20 on the billboard chart in its second week with sales of 66,000. In its third week the album fell 20 spots to number 40 with sales of 30,000. In its fourth week the album sold 23,000 falling to number 64 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album sold 26,000 copies in its 5th week to land at number 67 on the chart, and continued to slowly increase in sales during the holiday season for its sixth week, landing at number 61 on the Billboard charts with sales of 29,000. In the seventh week of sales the album sold 15,000 copies to land at number 42 on the Billboard 200.
This was the last sales week of 2009, placing the album at year-end sales of 349,153 and making it the 111th best selling album of 2009, after seven weeks of sales.
Moving into 2010, in its eighth week of sales Before I Self Destruct sold 8,800 placing it at number 57. In its ninth week it sold 7,300 moving down to number 68. In its tenth week it sold 6,800 placing it at number 73 on the Billboard Top 200. In its eleventh week it sold 6,600 copies to land at number 89 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its twelfth week the album saw an increase in sales to 8,500 copies to land at number 73 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 13th week it sold 8,100 copies to land at number 99 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 14th week the album sold 7,000 copies to land at number 87 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 15th week the album sold 8,400 copies to land at number 64 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 16th week the album sold 5,800 copies to land at number 106 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 17th week the album sold 5,000 copies to land at number 129 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 18th week the album sold 4,300 copies to land at number 132 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 19th week the album sold 3,700 copies to land at number 154 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 20th week the album sold 3,600 copies to land at number 182 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 21st week the album sold 2,500 copies, which was not enough to land in the Billboard Top 200 albums chart, however it landed at number 188 in the Top 200 Current Albums Chart. This was the last week the album would chart on the Billboard 200 or Billboard Top Current Albums Chart.
Before I Self Destruct has sold over 436,000 copies in the United States. As of January 21, 2010 the album has been certified Gold by the RIAA for shipment of more than 500,000 units.
s. At Metacritic
, which assigns a normalized
rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average
score of 62, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". Allmusic gave it 3½ out of 5 stars and called it "a fantastic juggernaut of a 50 album if you exit early, and a very good one even if you don't". HipHopDX rated the album 3.5/5 and wrote that "We’re given a collection of songs that are more b-sides than hits". Entertainment Weekly
gave the album a B- rating and wrote that "Growling violent threats over hard beats, 50 sounds the hungriest he has in years. Of course, there’s nothing remotely original about the formula he’s returning to, but at least he’s going through the motions with gusto". The A.V. Club
gave the album a rating of B- calling it "If Destruct qualifies as a pleasant surprise, it’s only because 50 Cent’s last few releases set the bar so low. Still, for the first time since The Massacre, it’s once again intermittently fun to root for the bad guy" Pitchfork Media
gave a the album 6/10 writing that "After initially promising a return to form, 50 doesn't have the ability or initiative to hold the listener's interest over the long run." AllHipHop
gave Before I Self Destruct a rating of 8.5/10 and commended 50 Cent for his lyrical ability, stating "He rides the tracks with the lyrical dexterity of a gymnast", while citing "Death To My Enemies" one of the strongest tracks on the album. PopMatters
rated the album 7 out of 10 stating that "With surprisingly little filler, renewed energy, and the unique glimpse Before I Self Destruct offers into the psyche of a public figure as intriguing as Curtis Jackson, 50 Cent has crafted easily his best album since "Get Rich or Die Trying."
However, Rolling Stone
magazine gave Before I Self Destruct 3 out of 5 stars and stated "This is an album where 'Got more guns than a gun store' passes for wordplay — but that's how 50 sticks to basics". Greg Kot
of the Chicago Tribune
gave the album 2 out of 4 stars, stating "His rhyme battle with Eminem on 'Psycho' has zero redeeming value, but the two old pros fire away with glee trying to out-psychopath each other. But about halfway through the album, 50 Cent detours from the street to the bedroom." The New York Times
gave a mix review stating that "Taken as a whole this album has a pleasingly morbid tone, in keeping with the best moments from 50 Cent’s first two albums. But context is this album’s undoing." Slant Magazine
's Jesse Cataldo stated, "Before I Self Destruct plays as a prudent step back. It's not that 50 has suddenly become terrifying, but the album possesses a sense of latent menace that's been left unexplored since his early mixtapes." The Washington Post
s Sarah Godfrey expressed a negative response towards the album's gangsta-themes, but wrote "The most interesting stuff happens when 50 abandons his tough-guy pose". Marc Hogan of Spin
criticized 50 Cent's rapping on the album's first half and stated, "The last several tracks shift to the club -- sometimes smoothly (baby-making Ne-Yo duet 'Baby By Me'), more often not (baby-mama dis 'Do You Think About Me')".
Sample credits
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, released November 9, 2009 on Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
in the United States. It is his final solo release for his current contract with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, excluding a "greatest hits" album. A feature film, also titled Before I Self Destruct
Before I Self Destruct (film)
Before I Self Destruct is a 2009 crime drama film starring Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson that is included with the album of the same name. It was released on November 23, 2009.-Plot:...
was also made, and is available within the album packaging. The Invitation Tour
The Invitation Tour
The Invitation Tour was a tour by rapper 50 Cent in support of his latest/upcoming studio albums, Before I Self Destruct, Black Magic and his fifth studio album respectively. The tour also features, G-Unit artists Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, 40 Glocc, Spider Loc, Trav and Governor...
took place in promotion of the album and his then upcoming studio album Black Magic, which has since been shelved.
Background
Initially, Before I Self Destruct was planned to be 50 Cent's 2007 album, for which he confirmed he had already completed twelve songs. However, he decided to release CurtisCurtis (50 Cent album)
Curtis is the third studio album by American rapper 50 Cent, released September 11, 2007, on Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features production from Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Timbaland, among others...
instead, and thus Before I Self Destructs release date was originally pushed back to 2008.
In a red carpet interview 50 Cent stated that while he was working on the album, he wrote, produced, and directed his first film saying that the release of the film would coincide with the release of the album.
Though a tracklist appeared in early January 2009, 50 Cent later stated he reworked much of the album.
Another track stated to be on the album, though not officially confirmed as a single, entitled "Crime Wave", was released in late October 2009.
The album's release date was initially announced to be February 4, 2008, but later moved to March 2008, due to the release date of Curtis being pushed up to September 2007. However it was later revealed, in an interview with G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
members Tony Yayo
Tony Yayo
Marvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
and Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
, that the album was scheduled to be released during the 4th quarter of 2008, with 50 Cent himself later stating that the album was due to be released December 9, 2008.
MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
later reported that the album will instead be released in 2009, with February 3 being the date 50 Cent himself confirmed. Though it was later pushed back to March 2009, with March 24 being set as the day, until he later confirmed that mentor and labelmate Eminem's album, Relapse, was going to be released before his own. 50 Cent then told MTV that he would release the album in June, with the date being changed once again as he decided to retool parts of the album once Eminem's Relapse was completed. However, the album was pushed back to a Fall 2009 release, with September being the specific month. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 50 Cent stated that the album will be out "second week of September, I'll be back on the streets baby", with the date later stated to be specifically September 11, which at the time, was the release date of Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
's The Blueprint 3. However, these reports were later contradicted by MTV, when they stated that 50 Cent exclusively confirmed the release date as September 29, 2009. The album was later officially confirmed to have been pushed back again by 50 Cent, who claimed November 3, 2009 as the newly confirmed release date, but this was once again changed to November 17, 2009. However, in October 2009, the album was pushed back a week to make the release date November 24, 2009. Universal
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
has pushed several albums forward to November 23, 2009, including Before I Self Destruct.
50 stated that because the album leaked and the good response it got, he will release the album a week earlier, on November 16. The album was released exclusively on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Store on November 9 at 12:00am, while the physical copy was released in stores on November 16. Since the album was released digitally a week ahead of the physical copy, Interscope records requested that Billboard and Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
uphold a rule instituted in 2008 where a label may ask Nielsen SoundScan to hold the digital sales count of an album for up to one week, and for Billboard to delay charting that album, when a leak results in a digital album beating its physical counterpart to brick and mortar stores.
Concept
50 Cent told MTVMTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
that he named the album Before I Self Destruct because "it could potentially happen." 50 Cent described the album as "darker" and more "aggressive" than his previous album and stated, "hands down, [it] will be the best record of that time period".
Production and guests
When speaking of producers and guests for the album, 50 Cent has stated Rich HarrisonRich Harrison
Rich Harrison is a Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C.. He is primarily an R&B/Hip-Hop producer...
will be producing for the album, as well as Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, though his track will not be featured.
Other producers that have stated they will be working on the project include Sha Money XL
Sha Money XL
-Dream Big Ventures:With Distribution from The Orchard, Sha Money founded a new record label, Dream Big Ventures. Quickly upon its creation, Sha Money signed close Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit affiliates DJ Whoo Kid and Stat Quo, as well as former Young Money artist, Kidd Kidd. Sha is currently trying to...
and Ty-Fyffe, who posted his listening session on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz
Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...
, after not having any tracks make the final cut of Curtis, DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
with a track entitled "Shut Your Bloodclot Mouth", and Dawaun Parker
Dawaun Parker
Dawaun Parker is a Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum musician, record producer and rap artist.Dawaun Parker is a staff songwriter and producer for Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment label...
, who has stated he is featured on the single "I Get It In".
In contrast to Curtis, 50 Cent explained that fans "should not expect to see guest appearances like you saw on Curtis". He also described Before I Self Destruct as an entirely different concept, which will set up "the next batch of records" in his career.
After 50 Cent's collaboration with Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
on "I'll Still Kill", which appeared on Curtis, Akon stated that 50 Cent and himself would be working on each other's upcoming albums due to the successful experience they developed while working on Curtis, and that, when working on songs, "Whoever’s album it feel right on, that’s where we gonna put it".
In an interview, Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
stated that he has worked with 50 Cent, but he did not know which albums (Curtis and Before I Self Destruct) the collaborations would end up on. This song was released on May 18, 2010 for internet download and is titled "You Should Be Dead". This song gained popularity and is a constant source of debate as to why it was not featured on the album. The Koalition website stated "It truly is amazing how 50 Cent’s leftover tracks are better than most rapper’s singles. A perfect example of this is You Should Be Dead”
J. R. Rotem
J. R. Rotem
- Early life :Rotem was born in South Africa to Israeli immigrant Jewish parents. He moved to Toronto at the age of two and finally to Moraga, California when he was twelve.Rotem's entry point into music was in receiving classical piano tuition at a young age...
also spoke about working on the album, saying that 50 Cent is into "soulful" music, and he sat down and gave him numerous tacks and that on this album, 50 Cent was "[trying] to bring a very powerful new sound", and that is would be a "remarkable project".
Play-N-Skillz
Play-N-Skillz
Play-N-Skillz are an American hip-hop electronic music record production duo from Irving, Texas, consisting of brothers Juan "Play" Salinas and Oscar "Skillz" Salinas, who are also rappers...
also confirmed working with 50 Cent for the BISD project, saying:
Singles
The album's intended lead single, "Get UpGet Up (50 Cent song)
-Chart positions:On the issue of November 1, it debuted at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. based on the number of downloads. In Canada on the same week it made a "Hot Shot Debut" at #31 on the Canadian Hot 100 also based on downloads. It also peaked at #24 on the UK Singles Chart....
" was released for digital download on October 13, 2008, after earlier being released through 50 Cent's official Internet community ThisIs50.com. The song features production from American record producer Scott Storch
Scott Storch
Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox...
, and peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The music video was released to Vevo
Vevo
Vevo is a music video website. It is a joint venture among Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Abu Dhabi Media with EMI licensing its content to the group without taking an ownership stake. The service was launched officially on December 8, 2009...
on June 16, 2009. The intended second promotional single, "I Get It In", was released in early January 2009, with production credited to Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. The song peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. However, neither track appeared on the album, largely due to delays the album encountered.
The album's eventual lead promotional single, "OK, You're Right
Ok, You're Right
"Ok, You're Right" is the first promotional single by rapper 50 Cent from his fourth album, Before I Self Destruct. It also appears as the first promo single for his mixtape War Angel LP, the song is also featured on Tony Yayo's mixtape The Swine Flu.-Background:The song was produced and mixed by...
", was released for digital download on May 19, 2009, after originally being included on 50 Cent's seventh solo mixtape War Angel LP
War Angel LP
War Angel LP is the seventh mixtape by New York rapper 50 Cent. It was released on June 16, 2009 via his community website as a free download.-Background:...
(2009). The song features production from Dr. Dre, with co-production from Mark Batson
Mark Batson
Mark Batson is an American record producer, arranger, and songwriter from Bushwick, Brooklyn, now based in Los Angeles.As a co-writer and producer with Dr. Dre, he is responsible for Jay-Z's 2006 single "Lost One", as well as tracks for Eminem, 50 Cent, Game and Snoop Dogg. As a co-writer and...
. However, the song under-performed commercially, peaking at only number 20 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in America. The album's lead single, "Baby by Me
Baby by Me
"Baby By Me" is the official first single by US rapper 50 Cent from his fourth album Before I Self Destruct. It was commercially released on September 10, 2009...
", was released for digital download on September 10, 2009. The song features American R&B singer Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, and is produced by American record producer Polow da Don
Polow Da Don
Polow-Freache Jamal Fincher Jones , better known by known by professional name Polow da Don or Awesome Jones, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I...
. The song peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked in the upper regions of several national charts worldwide. The song features a sample from an earlier 50 Cent song, "I Get Money
I Get Money
"I Get Money" is the third single from 50 Cent's third album, Curtis. This song was #14 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.-Production:...
".
The album's second single, "Do You Think About Me
Do You Think About Me
"Do You Think About Me" is a song recorded by 50 Cent for his fourth studio album, Before I Self Destruct. The song was released as the second official single from the album on January 16, 2010, and released in the UK on March 22, 2010...
", was released for digital download on January 16, 2011. The song features uncredited vocals from R&B singer Governor
Governor (singer)
Governor Washington Jr., better known as Governor, is an Southern American Soul and R&B singer who was signed to T.I.'s label, Grand Hustle, under the aegis of Atlantic Records. He is signed to the newly formed G-Note Records which is a subsidiary label of 50 Cent's G-Unit...
, and is produced by record producer Rockwilder
Rockwilder
Rockwilder is an American hip hop and R&B record producer, rapper, and R&B Singer. A long term friend of Def Jam rapper Redman, Rockwilder got his start producing for East Coast Hip Hop artists in the mid 1990s. In 1999 Rockwilder produced Method Man & Redman's hit single "Da Rockwilder"...
. However, the song was one of 50 Cent's least commercially successful singles to date, only peaking at number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
chart in America. During an interview with MTV, 50 Cent announced that the third single to be released will be Get It Hot. Shortly after this announcement, 50 Cent confirmed with MTV that "a visual" will be released for So Disrespectful. However this did not materialize.
Commercial performance
The album sold 160,000 copies in its first week of release in The United States, debuting at number 5, according to Billboard. Due to the album leaking on October 28, nearly four weeks ahead of the original release date of November 23, the album was released exclusively to itunes on November 9 and was physically released to stores on November 16, a week later. Due to this unique circumstance, 50 Cent's label Interscope requested that Billboard and Nielson Soundscan delay charting the album for a week, so the first week digital sales were added to the total amount of albums sold between November 16 and November 22. The album sold 46,000 copies during its itunes exclusive week, meaning that 114,000 copies were sold between November 16 and November 22.The album fell 15 spots to number 20 on the billboard chart in its second week with sales of 66,000. In its third week the album fell 20 spots to number 40 with sales of 30,000. In its fourth week the album sold 23,000 falling to number 64 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album sold 26,000 copies in its 5th week to land at number 67 on the chart, and continued to slowly increase in sales during the holiday season for its sixth week, landing at number 61 on the Billboard charts with sales of 29,000. In the seventh week of sales the album sold 15,000 copies to land at number 42 on the Billboard 200.
This was the last sales week of 2009, placing the album at year-end sales of 349,153 and making it the 111th best selling album of 2009, after seven weeks of sales.
Moving into 2010, in its eighth week of sales Before I Self Destruct sold 8,800 placing it at number 57. In its ninth week it sold 7,300 moving down to number 68. In its tenth week it sold 6,800 placing it at number 73 on the Billboard Top 200. In its eleventh week it sold 6,600 copies to land at number 89 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its twelfth week the album saw an increase in sales to 8,500 copies to land at number 73 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 13th week it sold 8,100 copies to land at number 99 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 14th week the album sold 7,000 copies to land at number 87 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 15th week the album sold 8,400 copies to land at number 64 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 16th week the album sold 5,800 copies to land at number 106 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 17th week the album sold 5,000 copies to land at number 129 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 18th week the album sold 4,300 copies to land at number 132 on the Billboard 200 chart. In its 19th week the album sold 3,700 copies to land at number 154 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 20th week the album sold 3,600 copies to land at number 182 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. In its 21st week the album sold 2,500 copies, which was not enough to land in the Billboard Top 200 albums chart, however it landed at number 188 in the Top 200 Current Albums Chart. This was the last week the album would chart on the Billboard 200 or Billboard Top Current Albums Chart.
Before I Self Destruct has sold over 436,000 copies in the United States. As of January 21, 2010 the album has been certified Gold by the RIAA for shipment of more than 500,000 units.
Critical response
Before I Self Destruct received mixed to positive reviews from most music criticMusic criticism
See also Music journalism for reporting on classical and popular music in the media.The Oxford Companion to Music defines music criticism as 'the intellectual activity of formulating judgments on the value and degree of excellence of individual works of music, or whole groups or genres'. In this...
s. At Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, which assigns a normalized
Standard score
In statistics, a standard score indicates how many standard deviations an observation or datum is above or below the mean. It is a dimensionless quantity derived by subtracting the population mean from an individual raw score and then dividing the difference by the population standard deviation...
rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average
Weighted mean
The weighted mean is similar to an arithmetic mean , where instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others...
score of 62, based on 15 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". Allmusic gave it 3½ out of 5 stars and called it "a fantastic juggernaut of a 50 album if you exit early, and a very good one even if you don't". HipHopDX rated the album 3.5/5 and wrote that "We’re given a collection of songs that are more b-sides than hits". Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
gave the album a B- rating and wrote that "Growling violent threats over hard beats, 50 sounds the hungriest he has in years. Of course, there’s nothing remotely original about the formula he’s returning to, but at least he’s going through the motions with gusto". The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club
The A.V. Club is an entertainment newspaper and website published by The Onion. Its features include reviews of new films, music, television, books, games and DVDs, as well as interviews and other regular offerings examining both new and classic media and other elements of pop culture. Unlike its...
gave the album a rating of B- calling it "If Destruct qualifies as a pleasant surprise, it’s only because 50 Cent’s last few releases set the bar so low. Still, for the first time since The Massacre, it’s once again intermittently fun to root for the bad guy" Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
gave a the album 6/10 writing that "After initially promising a return to form, 50 doesn't have the ability or initiative to hold the listener's interest over the long run." AllHipHop
AllHipHop
AllHipHop.com is a hip hop news website. It was founded in 1998. At five million visitors a month, it is the world's most popular hip hop website. Essence magazine has dubbed it "the CNN of hip-hop". In 2006, AllHipHop won the Rising Stars Award from Black Enterprise magazine. In 2007, PC Magazine...
gave Before I Self Destruct a rating of 8.5/10 and commended 50 Cent for his lyrical ability, stating "He rides the tracks with the lyrical dexterity of a gymnast", while citing "Death To My Enemies" one of the strongest tracks on the album. PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
rated the album 7 out of 10 stating that "With surprisingly little filler, renewed energy, and the unique glimpse Before I Self Destruct offers into the psyche of a public figure as intriguing as Curtis Jackson, 50 Cent has crafted easily his best album since "Get Rich or Die Trying."
However, Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine gave Before I Self Destruct 3 out of 5 stars and stated "This is an album where 'Got more guns than a gun store' passes for wordplay — but that's how 50 sticks to basics". Greg Kot
Greg Kot
Greg Kot is an American writer and journalist. Since 1990, Kot has been the music critic at the Chicago Tribune, where he has covered popular music and reported on music-related social, political and business issues...
of the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
gave the album 2 out of 4 stars, stating "His rhyme battle with Eminem on 'Psycho' has zero redeeming value, but the two old pros fire away with glee trying to out-psychopath each other. But about halfway through the album, 50 Cent detours from the street to the bedroom." The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
gave a mix review stating that "Taken as a whole this album has a pleasingly morbid tone, in keeping with the best moments from 50 Cent’s first two albums. But context is this album’s undoing." Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
's Jesse Cataldo stated, "Before I Self Destruct plays as a prudent step back. It's not that 50 has suddenly become terrifying, but the album possesses a sense of latent menace that's been left unexplored since his early mixtapes." The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
s Sarah Godfrey expressed a negative response towards the album's gangsta-themes, but wrote "The most interesting stuff happens when 50 abandons his tough-guy pose". Marc Hogan of Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
criticized 50 Cent's rapping on the album's first half and stated, "The last several tracks shift to the club -- sometimes smoothly (baby-making Ne-Yo duet 'Baby By Me'), more often not (baby-mama dis 'Do You Think About Me')".
Track listing
- All song samples, writing and production credits are according to the album booklet.
- Curtis Jackson50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
co-wrote all of the songs on the album; additional writers are listed below.
Sample credits
- "Then Days Went By" samples "Ain't No SunshineAin't No Sunshine"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers from his 1971 album Just as I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums, as well as Withers on lead vocals and guitar. The song was released as a single in September...
" performed by Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, originally by Bill WithersBill WithersWilliam Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
. - "Psycho" samples "The Age of Love (OPM Mix)" performed by Age of LoveAge of LoveAge of Love can refer to:* Age of Love , a reality television show on NBC* Age of Love , a 1997 studio album by Scooter* "The Age of Love" , a 1997 single by Scooter...
. - "Crime Wave" samples "I Can't Believe You're Gone" by The Barrino Brothers, and "This Is Family" by FabolousFabolousJohn David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
. - "Strong Enough" samples "If I Were Your Woman"If I Were Your Woman (song)"If I Were Your Woman" is a song recorded Gladys Knight & the Pips. The song was written by Pam Sawyer, Clay McMurray, and Gloria Jones and it was produced by McMurray. Released in late 1970 from the album of the same title, it spent one week at number-one on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart in...
by Gladys Knight & the PipsGladys Knight & the PipsGladys Knight & The Pips were an R&B/soul family musical act from Atlanta, Georgia, active from 1953 to 1989. The group was best known for their string of hit singles on Motown's "Soul" record label and Buddah Records from 1967 to 1975, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight...
. - "Gangsta's Delight" samples "Rapper's DelightRapper's Delight"Rapper's Delight" is a 1979 single by American hip hop trio The Sugarhill Gang. While it was not the first single to feature rapping, it is generally considered to be the song that first popularized hip hop in the United States and around the world. The song's opening lyric "I said a hip hop, a...
" by The Sugarhill GangThe Sugarhill GangThe Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop group, known mostly for their 1979 hit, "Rapper's Delight", the first hip hop single to become a Top 40 hit. The song uses the instrumental track from the classic hit "Good Times" by Chic as its foundation....
. - "I Got Swag" samples "A Love That's Worth Having" by Willie HutchWillie HutchWillie McKinley Hutchison, known professionally as Willie Hutch was an American singer, songwriter as well as a record producer and recording artist for the Motown record label during the 1970s and 1980s....
; "Plug Tunin'Plug Tunin'"Plug Tunin" is a 1988 single by the influential hip hop trio De La Soul released as the second single from their album 3 Feet High and Rising....
" by De La SoulDe La SoulDe La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
. - "Baby by MeBaby by Me"Baby By Me" is the official first single by US rapper 50 Cent from his fourth album Before I Self Destruct. It was commercially released on September 10, 2009...
" samples "I Get MoneyI Get Money"I Get Money" is the third single from 50 Cent's third album, Curtis. This song was #14 on Rolling Stones list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.-Production:...
" by 50 Cent50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
.
Personnel
- Curtis Jackson50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
– vocalsRappingRapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, executive producerExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production... - Michael ClervoixSha Money XL-Dream Big Ventures:With Distribution from The Orchard, Sha Money founded a new record label, Dream Big Ventures. Quickly upon its creation, Sha Money signed close Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit affiliates DJ Whoo Kid and Stat Quo, as well as former Young Money artist, Kidd Kidd. Sha is currently trying to...
– executive producer - Steve Baughman – mixed on tracks 1–2, 4, 6, 8–9, 11–12 and 14
- Mark BatsonMark BatsonMark Batson is an American record producer, arranger, and songwriter from Bushwick, Brooklyn, now based in Los Angeles.As a co-writer and producer with Dr. Dre, he is responsible for Jay-Z's 2006 single "Lost One", as well as tracks for Eminem, 50 Cent, Game and Snoop Dogg. As a co-writer and...
– keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
on tracks 3 and 5 - Dawaun ParkerDawaun ParkerDawaun Parker is a Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum musician, record producer and rap artist.Dawaun Parker is a staff songwriter and producer for Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment label...
– keyboards on tracks 3 and 5 - Ryan Terry (Tedkins) - guest vocals on track 5; keyboards on track 7
- Trevor Lawrence – keyboards on tracks 3 and 5; live hats on track 16
- Mike ElizondoMike ElizondoMichael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
– keyboards on track 3 - Andre YoungDr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
– mixed on tracks 3, 5 and 16 - Marshall MathersEminemMarshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
– guest vocals on track 5 - Ky Miller – mixed on tracks 7, 10 and 15
- Shaffer SmithNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
– guest vocals on track 13 - Fabian Marasciullo – mixed on track 13
- Governor WashingtonGovernor (singer)Governor Washington Jr., better known as Governor, is an Southern American Soul and R&B singer who was signed to T.I.'s label, Grand Hustle, under the aegis of Atlantic Records. He is signed to the newly formed G-Note Records which is a subsidiary label of 50 Cent's G-Unit...
– additional vocals on track 14 - Chris Grayson – additional keys on track 14
- Khalil Abdul-RahmanDJ KhalilKhalil Abdul-Rahman, better known by his stage name DJ Khalil, is a Los Angeles based American hip hop/soul record producer, and is the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Self Scientific, together with rapper Chace Infinite...
– keyboards and drum programming on track 16 - Pranam Injeti – guitarsElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
and bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
on track 16 - Robert KellyR. KellyRobert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
– guest vocals on track 16 (international version) - Jovan Dais – guest vocals on track 18 (deluxe version)
Charts
| Charts (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
19 |
| Austrian Albums Chart | 41 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Flanders) |
34 |
| Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... (Wallonia) |
47 |
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
11 |
| Dutch Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
54 |
| European Top 100 Albums European Top 100 Albums The European Top 100 Albums chart is the European adaptation of the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was created in March 1984.The European Top 100 Albums, commonly referred to as Eurochart Top 100 Albums shows the sales of an act in 19 European countries based on IFPI data.The European Top 100... |
22 |
| French Albums Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
15 |
| German Albums Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
36 |
| Irish Albums Chart Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
18 |
| Italian Albums Chart Federation of the Italian Music Industry The Federation of the Italian Music Industry is an umbrella organization that keeps track of virtually all aspects of the music recording industry in Italy.... |
67 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
35 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
13 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
22 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
5 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums Top Rap Albums is a record chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks Rap and hip-hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart began publication for the week of November 13, 2004.... |
1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2010) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
67 |
Release history
| Country | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | November 9, 2009 | Interscope Records Interscope Records Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:... |
iTunes ITunes iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.... download |
| Germany | November 13, 2009 | Universal Music Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... |
CD Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , CD+DVD DVD A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions.... , digital download |
| United States | November 16, 2009 | Interscope Records | CD, Super Deluxe Edition CD+2 DVD (Best Buy exclusive) |
| United Kingdom | Polydor Records Polydor Records Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone... |
Standard (CD, digital download) Deluxe (CD+DVD) |
|
| France | Interscope Records | CD, digital download | |
| Japan | November 18, 2009 | Universal International | |
| Brazil | November 27, 2009 | Universal Music |
External links
- Before I Self Destruct at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
- Album Review at About.comAbout.comAbout.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....