Words by Jesse Serwer—

Last week, 50 Cent dropped the mixtape 5 (Murder By Numbers). It took us a few days to get around to listening to our fallen old favorite‘s latest release but when we finally did, we were in for a pleasant surprise: the album opens with the sound of Sizzla’s “Solid Like A Rock.” The triumphant, defiant Da Real Thing single is the basis for “My Crown,” the first and pretty much best song on the 10-song set.  And it’s not the only reggae sample on Murder By Numbers, either. Interestingly, “Solid Like A Rock” was sampled in a very similar fashion by 50′s old rival whipping boy Ja Rule. Hmmmmm.