With it being the 10th anniversary of 50 Cent’s legendary assault on the mixtape circuit, its only right that he comes back to attempt a repeat of 2001. In recent years a lot people have started to question whether Fif can compete on the same level as current hiphop superstars such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj. But 50 lets them know early in The Big 10 mixtape on the song “Body On It”  ”I read a blog, they said i aint got it/ I still got it/Oh Lord!/Your teams gonna meet the edge of my sword/Im taking off now bitch/ All aboard”. I take that as Mr. Jackson has caught his second wind, and is ready to re-engage.

With a second wind, and a focus not seen since “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” 50 Cent sets out on his mission to show everybody that he indeed  hasn’t fallen off. He proves that with “Niggas Be Scheming” the second song on the mixtape, which features G-Unit newcomer Kidd Kidd. The song is  vintage 50 Cent rapping over an eerie piano melody, with hard drums and a dangerous baseline. You soon find yourself nodding your head rapidly as Kidd Kidd, and 50 Cent both give above average performances on the song.

As the mixtape continues to move forward you finally understand why the multi-talented businessman is respected by his peers in hiphop for having a keen ear for picking new talent. The next 3 songs showcase the new and old G-Unit roster, with female Mc Paris, original G-Unit member Tony Yay0,  and once again Kidd Kidd.  Although Paris brought a boring performance on “Queens NY” it still didn’t hurt the song that much, because the G-Unit leader saved it with his hook and  verse.

Curtis seems to still have the same effortless aggression that made his first album a hiphop classic in some circles. The rap-singing hooks that he made famous in the early to mid part of the 2000′s help hold this project together quite well.  Whats  impressive is how he is still able to switch from street records to records that are strictly for the ladies, and continue to be believable.  Songs like  ”Shooting Guns,” “Stop Crying” and “Nah Nah Nah” brings out the tough side, while gems like “Wait Til Tonight,” “I Just Wanna” and “Off And On” sheds light on the female situation. Last but not least he is still able to make party joints like “Put Your Hands Up.” I also want to add that the production was solid. With beats being supplied by newcomer Jahlil Beats, Scoop Devill, !IImind, DJ Khalil and a few others, this mixtape might have had some of the best production this year.

While we wait for the controversial rapper/entrepreneur to give us his fifth solo album, which is said to be slated for the top of 2012, I think The Big 10 mixtape can suffice for now. All in all 50 Cent has returned to the form that has made him one of the top rap artist over the last 9 years. – Track King Cole