Get Rich or Die Trying Soundtrack: A Review

As a companion to his 2005 biopic Get Rich or Die Tryin', 50 Cent released a surprisingly strong soundtrack highlighting the entire G-Unit family. Similar to Jay-Z's The Dynasty Roc La Familia (read review) in focus, the album buoyed the G-Unit dynasty after the less-than-platinum sales of the-then latest G-Unit release, Tony Yayo's Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (read review), at least for a little while. The soundtrack is not only quite an effective showcase of the entire G-Unit roster, boasting as it does, production from such hip-hop production luminaries as Dr. Dre, Hi-Tek, Havoc, Ron Browz, and DJ Khalil, it features quite a few strong records in its own right.

There are several posse cuts here that might have gotten you excited for the possibility of a burgeoning G-Unit dynasty if rap beefs, record label mischegos, and 50 Cent's oversaturation had not diminished the brand's popularity by 2006. The most potent of these collaborations is I Don't Know Officer, featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Spider Loc, Mobb Deep's Prodigy, and almost G-Unit signee Mase, which features each artist offering clever alibis for various alleged acts.Generally, though all the collaborations are excellent, in that the all highlight the chemistry of the various artists on G-Unit records. The best of these include the M.O.P. and 50 Cent record When Death Becomes You, the Mobb Deep and 50 Cent record You a Shooter, and the raucous 50 Cent and Young Buck collaboration I'll Whip Your Head Boy.

The lead singles, Hustlers Ambition and Window Shopper, both 50 Cent features, are excellent additions to the Queens rapper's discography, as are more low-key records, such as When It Rains It Pours, and the concept record Talk About Me, originally slated for 50 Cent's sophomore album The Massacre (read review). G-Unit members Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck, also have strong solo records - Fake Love, Get Low/Born Alone, Die Alone, and Don't Need No Help, respectively. The energy of the overall collection is compelling; for lesser-known artists, such as Spider Loc, and G-Unit's former first lady Olivia, as well as for new signees/almost signees M.O.P., Mobb Deep, and Mase, everyone takes their opportunity to shine on such a high profile project seriously and enthusiastically. While it may not be a proper album, the 2005 Get Rich or Die Tryin' soundtrack is, by far, one of the strongest releases under the G-Unit imprint.