reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

6 Reasons Not To Sleep On G-Unit's 'The Beauty Of Independence' EP

August 27, 2014 - 4:31 pm by Chris Yuscavage

For rappers, the beauty of independence is that you don't have to wait for a record label to tell you when you can drop new music. It's why more and more artists—including newcomers like Chance The Rapper and established acts like 50 Cent—are choosing the independent route rather than linking up with labels. And it's why 50 Cent and G-Unit were able to drop their new EP called (what else?) The Beauty of Independence seemingly out of nowhere on Sunday night.

Of course, there's a downside to operating independently. Because G-Unit put their project out without any warning, it wasn't promoted at all. It also isn't available in stores, so there's a good chance that a lot of rap fans are going to miss it. And if they do, it'll be a real shame for 50 & Co. Here are 6 reasons you shouldn't sleep on G-Unit's The Beauty of Independence EP.

watch me reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

Reason #1: G-Unit doesn't waste any time getting right into their new music on the project. Because G-Unit hasn't released an official project in more than six years, you would kind of expect them to open The Beauty of Independence by doing a lot of talking. But they don't. They do, however, jump directly into "Watch Me," a menacing track that's probably the best effort on the EP. So even if you don't get around to listening to the rest of what they're offering right now, listen to that song. It's vintage G-Unit. Photo Credit: Instagram

no label reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

Reason #2: Without a label breathing down their necks, it's clear that G-Unit creates the kind of music that they want to create on the EP. Two of the songs on the EP—"I Don't Fuck With You" and "Dead A Pussy Nigga"—have NSFW titles. Two others, "Digital Scale" and "The Plug," are blatantly about selling drugs. And of the six songs on the project, zero are songs that sound like they'd be singles promoted by a label. That doesn't mean they're not great. For the most part, they are. It just means that the Unit is creating quality street music that probably wouldn't fly if The Beauty of Independence was backed by a big label. Photo Credit: Instagram

production reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

Reason #3: The production on the project isn't necessarily spectacular, but it is the kind of production that works well for G-Unit. Outside of "Changes," which is noticeably softer than any of the other songs on the EP and sounds like it could use an R&B feature on it, all of the productions on The Beauty of Independence have an edge to them. They're dark, brooding and exactly what you want to hear G-Unit rapping over. Our only question: Where were these kinds of beats when 50 was putting together his solo project earlier this year? Photo Credit: Instagram

changes reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

Reason #4: "Changes" is a remarkably honest and personal song. 50 starts off the song by calling out Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre. But unlike some of the other shots he's fired in the past, he does so in a way that illustrates where he's at in his career right now. And his comrades follow his lead by rapping about how their lives have changed since G-Unit first got off the ground. It's unexpected after the first four songs on the EP, but it's a nice change of pace. Photo Credit: Instagram

members reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

Reason #5: Every G-Unit member from Young Buck to 50 Cent to Kidd Kidd (yes, Kidd Kidd!) brings his A-game on the project. G-Unit has put out a slew of solid songs since reuniting at Hot 97's Summer Jam earlier this year. One of the biggest complaints about them has been the inclusion of Kidd Kidd. But we have to admit that he's sounding more and more at home on G-Unit's records. In fact, if we had to single anyone out after hearing The Beauty of Independence, it'd be Lloyd Banks. It's not that he's bad on this EP; it's just that we'd like to hear more from him in the future. Oh, and Young Buck? He's great on every verse he drops on this EP. Photo Credit: Instagram

album reasons you should listen to g-unit's surprise EP the beauty of independence

Reason #6: If G-Unit continues to get a good response to The Beauty of Independence, they'll likely put out a proper full-length project sooner rather than later. The rumor is that G-Unit is going to drop an actual album later this year. But the only way they'll do that is if people pay attention to their latest project and support it. If you're a G-Unit fan or a rap fan in general, it's worth hearing. And it's a sign of what G-Unit is going to be able to do, even though they're independent now. Photo Credit: Instagram

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