Grade:

C

All right, all right ÷ 50 Cent is America's new favorite rapper and guilty pleasure. Why? I'm not sure but apparently he's doing something right.

Just in time for tax returns is a DVD follow-up to his multi-platinum selling Get Rich album. What you'll get, for roughly the same price as a CD, is a 20-minute promotional documentary in which 50 attempts to tell his life story, from struggling unknown rap artist/crack seller to America's favorite new youth role model.

Official Website

50 Cent

Included with the DVD are various live performances/music videos and a bonus CD with two (new?) songs and a remix. 50 fans can relax, as the words: "nine," "grind," "coupe," "money," "gangster," "beretta," "benz" and "hummer" all make their way into the bonus song "In Da Hood" (not to be confused with "In Da Club").

50 comes off as sincere and hard-working in these interviews, as a regular Joe who somehow managed to get bear-hugged by a promotional bonanza and advertising campaign that is beginning to run amok.

As you see the DVD's menu artwork of paper targets from a firing range pull up on your TV screen, you begin to wonder if 50 Cent, the product, doesn't necessarily conflict with 50 Cent, the man.

Sure, the guy has been through some things and, yes, he's been shot a few times (but he don't walk with a limp) · but having his shooting shoved down our throats is now nearing exploitation. The man's created image (thanks, Eminem) might be overshadowing the reason he is being thrust in front of us: his music.

Viewing 50's lyrical quality and content in light of his media-saturated persona, a few questions remain. Just because this guy survived a bullet-riddled encounter (that he no doubt somehow brought upon himself), should we reward him for that? Do you buy John Wayne Bobbit pornos? If so, The New