50 Cent is famously known for his bulging muscles and striking good looks, elevating any track he appears on to a whole new level. REVOLT looks back at twelve instances when his G-Unit stardom propelled one song beyond any expectations.
Queens Emcee Kenyetta Williams made history through his energetic performance style and riveting storytelling, creating an entire generation. Here’s how he did it.
1. How To Rob
Director Peter Horgan’s engaging Massachusetts independent film illustrates the lengths two friends will go to protect each other no matter the obstacles. Starring Joshua Koopman and Chinaza Uche among many others, and featuring an engaging soundtrack that enhances its story.
“How To Rob” was 50 Cent’s debut major label single and was used to establish him in hip hop. Recorded with Columbia Records’ Trackmasters (under which contract he signed in 1999), “How To Rob” would later go on to appear in Omar Epps and LL Cool J movies as well as radio spins by Funkmaster Flex and help break records in terms of sales.
This song was intended to be taken as a lighthearted jab at Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola (then the president and chief executive officer of Sony Music at the time). But its message quickly escalated into controversy within the industry. For example, one line from it: “I’ll manhandle Mariah Carey/You ain’t with Tommy no more” was perceived by some as a direct attack against her former partner Tommy – at Sony Music at that time!
Since then, 50 Cent has collaborated with artists such as Jay-Z, Diddy, Mase, Busta Rhymes, DMX and Missy Elliott – as well as writing, producing and acting roles himself. Now a multi-platinum rapper with several hit tracks and chart-topping albums under his belt – what do his songs signify? Let’s discover it together.
2. G-Unit
50 Cent’s G-Unit has gained immense popularity since their formation. Composed of members such as himself, LL Cool J and Tony Yayo – first making an impressionful splash in underground New York scenes with several mixtapes released. Subsequently signed to 50 Cent’s record label by way of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ which became a hugely successful debut album release – they now enjoy mainstream success as one of his signature groups.
G-Unit continued their hard work after the release of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by releasing several mixtape series that earned them recognition within the rap industry, such as 50 Cent Is The Future, God’s Plan (album), No Mercy No Fear and Automatic Gunfire. G-Unit first made their major appearance together on Snoop Dogg’s P.I.M.P remix featuring Snoop Dogg Lloyd Banks and Young Buck as a group.
G-Unit members have long been embroiled in feuds with other rappers and high-profile figures. Fat Joe has repeatedly dissed The Game as well as labeled him as a snitch on numerous songs; and Pistol Pete from Kill All Rats rap group has taken aim at both The Game and his crew on several occasions.
50 Cent has since added Tennessee-based rapper Young Buck to his group; Young Buck first made an appearance with them on a remix for the single P.I.M.P, featuring Snoop Dogg, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo; his solo album Beg for Mercy has also received favorable reviews by critics and fans.
3. Many Men (Wish Death)
Many Men (Wish Death), by 50 Cent, is an honest and introspective song about street life that uses his experiences of violence, betrayal, and revenge to create a captivating musical narrative. The lyrics depict an individual under constant threat yet refuses to back down; blood appearing in their eyes serves as a symbolic representation of attempts on his life; an essential reminder that survival cannot always be guaranteed.
Production wise, this song is no less captivating. Starting off with an atmospheric piano loop setting an unsettling atmosphere, tension-inducing string arrangements add further tension while earth-pounding drums add intensity. Although one of the slower beats on Get Rich or Die Tryin’ this track stands out with its emotional depth and power – helping make it one of its standout tracks on this album.
50 Cent opens the song by listing those who have tried to kill him, including some psychic readings who suggested someone has put a curse upon him, to emphasize just how dangerous life has become for him. In verse two he recounts who these people were before noting there is “a price tag on my head”. Throughout, 50 also implies there may be someone putting out there trying to kill him and claims that at any moment there could be guns pointed directly at his face or someone has placed one with another psychic reading who believes someone has placed someone who puts even further stress upon his life.
50 Cent is more than just an arrogant rapper; his lyrics in this song show him to be more introspective than most. He understands the fragility of life, knowing there will always be those seeking to hurt him; yet also appreciates how pain allows us to appreciate life’s pleasures more fully. These lessons remain at the center of its legacy nearly two decades after its initial release.
4. Your Life’s On The Line
Your Life’s on the Line is a song by American rapper 50 Cent that first debuted as part of his unofficial 2000 debut album Power of the Dollar and later as an extra track on Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003 commercial debut album). This street ballad showcases hard street life through “hard, violent rhythms”. Additionally, disses are directed toward Ja Rule and Supreme in this track.
50 Cent raps about a struggling street singer capable of true artistry (“dedication devotion”) by stopping time (“turning all night time into day”). Although his lyrics may be metaphorical, their overall theme is revenge and taking what’s rightfully yours. In verse two he discusses love as both hurtful and joyful force.
5. The Hit
When The Neptunes combined their chilling electro-funk beat with organist Lonnie Smith’s sample and a gritty bass line, they created one of hip hop’s most complex story songs: “Can I Kick It?”. Slick Rick’s poetic retelling of his bedtime story about two kids who begin robbing old folks is both comical and haunting at once; making “Can I Kick It?” one of hip hop’s most influential recordings that set new artistic standards within its genre.
This song is an anthem for the streets. Brooklyn’s mash-out posse belted out its ghetto-born lyrics (“From hood to hood, backyard to yard/I sell it whipped, unwhipped, soft or hard”) over DJ Muggs’ beat and garage-rock footnotes the Music Machine to produce this unassuming gem – one which established Biggie as an icon. This single was featured on Ready to Die’s groundbreaking debut release and cemented his legendary status among listeners and listeners alike.
This club-rocking track was the opening track from Trinidadian wordsmith Nicki Minaj’s self-titled debut. Her languid flow and obvious musical influences from George Clinton (“Atomic Dog”) and Parliament (“Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” quickly made this song an instant classic; its catchy chorus and melodic lyrics set it apart from pop-rap crowd. Such tuneful, laidback composition made Minaj an international hip-hop star.