Drug dealer turned rapper turned businessman Curtis Jackson – or better known to every hip-hop fan in the country as 50 Cent – is by no means a hungry artist. The man even bluntly declares, “I ain’t even gotta rap now/ life is made,” on his new release, the eagerly-anticipated Curtis.

But although Eminem’s former protégé has made millions from acting, publishing his own line of books, selling Vitamin Water and running his own record company, 50 has not lost his competitiveness and still can’t resist his addiction: Stirring up controversy through his music.

50 relishes in media coverage, but luckily for his fans, Curtis is more than just a promotional stunt to make a quick buck. It is a quality album which evokes the unapologetic, ruthless, no-holds-barred attitude the rapper displayed on his breakout debut. As a result, Curtis is an ode to the rough-and-tumble lifestyle 50 perfected before his fame.

The album opens with the banging, “My Gun Go Off.” 50 sounds ferocious as he spits menacing lines such as, “You can see it to believe it/ Trying to dodge it and weave it, end up a paraplegic.” With this aggressive attitude, 50 strives to prove his street cred is more than just Grand Theft Auto-level.

Similarly gritty tracks such as the blazing single “I Get Money” also reflect the emcee’s gangsta mentality. 50 went out on a limb by releasing “I Get Money” as a commercial single – it is a rugged slice of the album, with absolutely no singing on the hook. But the song still displays witty lyrics, such as when 50 addresses his lucrative business deal with Vitamin Water: “I took quarter water, sold it in bottles for two bucks/ Coca-Cola came and bought it/ For billions, what the f—?”

And even though 50 exposed the gimmick behind his own drink in “I Get Money,” the rapper still has a keen sense of marketing. He knows that his audience appreciates his mix of hardcore and humorous lines, and that is why he sprinkles Curtis with rhymes such as “While Jay- Z and Beyonce were mwah, mwah, kissing/ I was cooking 1,000 grams in my kitchen,” on “Fully Loaded Clip.” Attacking other rappers for their gestures of affection? Leave it to 50.

Despite all the bashing and name-dropping, Curtis does have its weak elements. Wannabe sexy songs, such as the raunchy “Amusement Park,” come off more humorous than sexy; “Follow My Lead” is another lazy track featuring the overrated blue-eyed soul diva Robin Thicke; and the porn ballad “Ayo Technology” showcases lackluster 50 rhymes over a rapidly electro beat from Justin Timberlake. Although 50 chooses his collaborators wisely, the collaborations themselves are far from stellar.

On Curtis, 50 Cent highlights his attributes. He’s not the most lyrical rapper, but his delivery, style and knack for production make the album complete. 50’s determination to become a legend will keep the hype coming, and obnoxious statements such as “Face it, Tupac and Biggie just ain’t around!” don’t hurt. Overall, Curtis is a 50 album through-and-through, and will surely make the rapper even more money than he ever needs.

jarush2002@yahoo.com