Following up one of the biggest debuts in hip-hop history, rapper 50 Cent released his second album, The Massacre, earlier this month, to generally favorable reviews. While not everyone has had a chance to hear his new album, his gangster antics have added to its publicity. So…is “Fitty” (as my little brother and his Long Island high-schooler friends call him) a talented entertainer or an obnoxious braggart?

Laura E. Schubert ’05

He’s made millions of dollars on this persona…not [just] selling music, he has a clothing label. And this dispute with Eminem is lame…it’s just an imitation of the whole East Coast thing…50 Cent mentioned [Eminem’s daughter] Haley in a song and all of a sudden Eminem is ready to kill him? Heh.

Nicholas H.O Barnes ’05

The [new] album is different. He’s a lot more artistic, a lot more high-tech. It’s beats like, ‘let me listen to it three times and it’s hot,’ not just right there in your face like the first album…he’s got more to talk about, more beef, more lady stuff. It’s more diverse, there’s a formula to it but it’s branching off a little bit.

Alejandro G. Ruiz ’05

I don’t think he’s cool [just] because he’s been shot…other people have been shot several times, like police officers and military personnel, and it’s actually for good causes, not because of gangbanging. Musical talent is good as long as you don’t pretend to be something you’re not…How does being shot nine times and getting rich off your image help people in poverty-stricken communities?

Alejandro G. Ruiz ’05

I don’t think he’s cool [just] because he’s been shot…other people have been shot several times, like police officers and military personnel, and it’s actually for good causes, not because of gangbanging. Musical talent is good as long as you don’t pretend to be something you’re not…How does being shot nine times and getting rich off your image help people in poverty-stricken communities?