Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire To Win (Deluxe)

"Get rich, or die trying." 50 Cent introduced this credo to the world and then pulled it off, surviving multiple gunshot wounds on his way to accumulating millions. Having been loaded for more than a decade, 50 now waxes like Gatsby on the opening verse for Animal Ambition, rapping about the trappings of wealth over a dusky soul beat. He's less contemplative on tracks like "Pilot" and "Irregular Heartbeat," which sport compelling boom-bap beats over which he snarls and boasts, spinning street yarns as if he were still making his way there. Meanwhile, the zealous synth stabs and Trey Sonz guest verse on "Smoke" remind fans that 50 has always known his way around da club as well as the corner.