G-Uint “Beg for Mercy” 4 stars

50 Cent has exploded into the public eye over the past 12 months, with his album “Get Rich or Die Tryin” topping the charts, and bringing attention to the life of a man who has lived the gang life that most rappers only boast about.

He’s back, less than a year after dropping his last album, this time as a member of G-Unit, and armed with a sick record that should soon be bumping in every self-respecting house party and low rider.

“Beg for Mercy” is a composite of superb production, funky beats, and lyrical talent that shows a crew primed to take over the airwaves. Far from hangers-on, the rest of G-Unit has actually been with 50 since the genesis of his rap career. Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks teamed with 50 for many of his underground mix tapes, helping to create the buzz that now surrounds him.

Newcomer Young Buck now joins the fray, and the combination of Buck and Banks can more than hold their own on the mic with 50. In fact, “Beg for Mercy” demonstrates that they are often more adept at spittin’ lyrics than the deliberate 50, although he seems to take to the challenge, raising his level of flow to higher ground than he took it on his solo album.

The content is unsurprising, as the group touches on the typical topics as guns, gangs, drugs, loyalty, and hos, with aggression seeping out of every pore. “My Buddy” brings back the ’80s doll for boys, but with a decidedly different message this time around. “Buddy” represents the gun in the song, which harkens back to the Tupac classic “Me and My Girlfriend.”

“Salute U” speaks of love for the homies, and every track bolsters gang life, although they seem intent on redirecting themselves as rappers, rather than gangstas. As 50 puts it, “I’m legit now, I used to break laws, now you can reap the benefits of world tours.”

The production of “Beg” is top-notch, as the group brings in several talented producers to lay down some funky beats, creating potential hits throughout the 18-track album. Dr. Dre has the recipe on only two tracks, “Poppin’ Them Thangs” and “G’d Up,” but he seems to have set the tone for the other producers, as each track drips with a smooth and bouncy west coast vibe, from the likes of Hi-Tek and DJ Twinz, among many others.

The heart of this album, however, lies in its furious and unwavering violence. Not since N.W.A. has violence in music seemed so real or so interesting. 50 Cent is like a bad car accident; you simply cannot turn away. His music was formerly far less interesting than his life and his image. Now, armed with the rest of the G-Unit crew, that may no longer be the case.