50 Cent is not a gangster; 50 has become so far removed from the Gangsta “I’ve been shot 9 times” image which over the past few years has been replaced by a reality show hosting, Vitamin Water shilling Business man. While waiting for his forthcoming release, Before I Self Destruct, gamers have been treated to a career spanning greatest hits compilation with the release of the Xbox 360 arcade shooter, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. Many people see 50 Cent’s music as a representation of everything that is wrong with mainstream rap by encompassing generic beats, abysmal rhymes, and content that is often times criticized for both racist and sexist content, but as the soundtrack for a 3rd person shooter, it is actually quite successful.

While any review of the music from Blood on the Sand could also be seen as a review of 50 Cent’s music as a whole, there are a few things that need to be considered. Being a self identified music snob it isn’t hard to see me not liking the soundtrack, instead opting to overlay my own choice hip-hop cuts with J-Zone, Zion I, or Atmosphere, but the inherent ludicrous nature of Blood on the Sand actually works in its favor. I have often found the relegation of hip-hop music to sports games as a gross oversight in video game soundtracks and Blood on the Sand bends genre conventions by showing that hip-hop can work effectively in certain situations, and not just as a flash track over the ending credits.

Don’t Front [Exclusive from 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand]

With over 40 tracks and the ability to make your own playlists (which usually lead to me listening to PIMP and In Da Club on repeat), the variety in music is top notch. Notable is a cover splash that promises 18 exclusive tracks leading to eager expectations that were ultimately meet with disappointment. What could have been a great way to preview the new album felt more like 50 rummaging through old studio tapes that have probably been lying around for years collecting dust. With 50 constantly using taunts (a combo multiplier that manifests itself as 50 yelling random disses) the mixtape vibe is complete. Sure the music fits the style of the game and is effective as almost ambient sound between 50’s singles, but with the playlist option I found myself largely ignoring them.

It’s Ok [Exclusive from 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand]

Seeming to have a bevy of both never-ending explosions and bursts of gunfire, the music fits into gameplay as seamlessly as Mario’s synonyms jump does with the Super Mario theme music from Stage 1-1. Using counterkills (the quick time event instant kills) is instantly more satisfying as the music swells as 50 lays the smack down to button presses synced with the music.

Blood on the Sand is truly a unique experience. While my review delves into some of the deeper game mechanics and some of the flaws it has, from a musical standpoint it is near perfect. As I have talked about in previous Music Monday segments, licensing music can seem like a creative low point, but in Blood on the Sand it wouldn’t be the same without it.

-Eric Wall

Tags: 50 Cent, Hip-Hop, mixtape, Music Monday

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