50 Cent Album Now Due in 2009, With Bonus DVDs

(swiped from Pitchfork Media)

Apparently, having your own tired-looking reality show on MTV does not keep your record's release from being delayed, at least if you're 50 Cent. Now, instead of coming out on December 9 as planned, 50's perhaps presciently titled fourth album, Before I Self Destruct, will see release early next year via Shady/Aftermath/Interscope.

Both Dr. Dre and Eminem contribute production and guest verses to Before I Self Destruct, and the record's Scott Storch-produced first single, "Get Up", actually sounds decent. If nothing else, the Curtis follow-up is starting out on the right foot. Also, history would lead us to believe that the disc should contain one all-out banger, a la "In Da Club" or "I Get Money" (we'd also include "Hate It or Love It", but the original track was from the Game's debut album).

But Before I Self Destruct isn't just a 50 Cent album. It's also a movie written by 50 Cent, directed by 50 Cent, and starring 50 Cent. It's a movie about a basketball player who sacrifices his dream of playing in the NBA to a life of crime in order to take care of his academically gifted younger brother and avenge the death of their mother. Perhaps learning from the tepid overall response to Get Rich or Die Tryin' the movie, 50 is including a DVD of the film with every copy of the album.

Early deluxe editions of Before I Self Destruct will also include a second DVD, a documentary called Two Turntables and a Microphone: The Life and Death of Jam Master Jay. In addition to 50 Cent, the movie about the late Run DMC DJ (and 50 Cent mentor) features appearances from Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, and Rev Run of Run-DMC.

• Stream: 50 Cent: Get Up [single; from the forthcoming Before I Self Destruct LP]

Eminem recording new material, but no release set

(swiped from Reuters)

After several years away from the limelight, rapper Eminem may release a new album this year.

During a recent appearance on his Sirius XM satellite radio station, Shade 45, the MC admitted that he has been producing tracks for his Shady Records artists and himself. Eminem also interviewed MC Masta Ace, who he's long noted as an influence.

"I'm concentrating on my own stuff right now -- just banging out tracks," Eminem said. "The more I keep producing, the better it seems I get. I start knowing stuff, learning the boards like the back of my hands."

An Interscope representative said there is no official release date nor a first single but confirmed that an album may arrive before year's end.

Eminem's last effort, "Encore," was released in 2004.

Hip-hop artist 50 Cent, with whom Eminem has collaborated in the past, spoke to BBC Radio 1 this week and said fans will be "seeing (Eminem) shortly. He's working. I spent the weekend at his house. Even though he tries to relax and stay home, it's impossible for him to stay in."