50 Cent - Outta Control Single Review

50 Cent

feat. Mobb Deep - Outta Control

50 Cent is back with a new album and a new single featuring Mobb Deep that I'm sure he's very chuffed about. He must be thanking his lucky stars that he got the chance to work with one of his idols Mobb Deep. Renowned pioneers of street ghetto hip hop music, this crew consist of serious angst and determination. You had to be resolute about lyrics, delivery and hip hop expression if you were into this guys and whoa betide those who were frontin'.

So how does this collaboration work with 50 Cent, the hip hop man of the moment, and the infamous Mobb Deep? Well they both come from the same line of thinking. They've shared gangster lives, an ambition to get out of the ghetto and hip hop fame. They've got money and respect, and, it would seem they're having a good time. 'Outta Control' is ironic if you look at the past lives of these artists. From desperation and hustling of the old days to looking forward a bright fun filled future. They're successful now. Gone are the days of living on the knife edge. Let's enjoy our fame and take pimping to the next level.

There's a lot of love and respect in the room with Dre producing the music and creating plenty of space. The track is funky with a Westcoast bass, classy jazz guitar and excellent use of piano chords to creates a tune that hits the right signature of where hip hop is right now in the mainstream. A kind of glossy acceptance of players, consumption and money. 50 doesn't to me, quite stand up to Mobb Deep vocally, yet I guess the Queensbridge Mobb like where the party's going.

What's clear is that this tune works. It's got a heavy, infectious feel and still remains edgy in the hip hop sense. Its got all the aspects for crossover success and you can still remain cool if you like it. A winner for dancefloors for this current time yet far removed from the underground dynamism that created hip hop in the first place. Who would of thought the ghetto could get so glamorous.

Tareck Ghoneim