Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was one of the biggest debut albums in hip-hop history and made Curtis Jackson from Southside Jamaica Queens an instant star. His songs such as In Da Club, Wanksta, 21 Questions and P.I.M.P were dance floor favorites while he even earned himself a thousand-word New York Times profile!
1. “In the Club”
After many of the pioneers who built hip-hop in the ’80s and ’90s had either passed on or died – plus as the genre became glossy and needed an antagonist – Queens rapper came along, carving himself an impressive mythology as an antihero from within his local neighborhood.
Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is famously represented by its iconic cover image: 50 Cent is shown shirtless and muscular with two gun holsters slung over his shoulders – an instant recognition that his debut album lived up to.
Rap music took notice, and record labels immediately began competing to sign him. Dr. Dre and Eminem quickly recognized his dark tone and singalong hooks – they offered him the chance to showcase his skills by producing several chart-topping singles that eventually lead them to sign him as well.
2. “Rotten Apple”
50 Cent has made waves since his groundbreaking debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was released, becoming one of pop culture’s most significant influencers. Hailing from Queens, his meteoric rise and widespread presence across music videos, TV series, films, business ventures, and other platforms make him a cultural force to reckon with.
50 Cent was an early practitioner of self-mythology, weaving an alluring story about his transformation from street hustler to rap superstar. This technique was employed on his debut, offering something new in “gangsta rap.” As a result, this style produced numerous hits as well as fierce rivalries with Ja Rule, Kanye West and Rick Ross – among many others. 50 Cent remains prolific today, starring on Starz’s Power series while producing popular television programs while continuing his rapping.
3. “Pistol Whipping”
Hip-hop needed an antagonist in the late ’90s when two iconic figures who helped build it left or were killed: 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G were two such figures who came to represent its development; Queens rapper 50 Cent answered this call by embarking on a legendary mixtape run where his G-Unit crew would remix hits from R&B, hip hop and R&B genres while adding humorous street-savvy choruses that kept melodies while adding funny, catchy choruses; his ominous tone, dark humor and knack for catchy sing-a-long hooks made him the perfect fit for Eminem and Dre’s Shady Records label.
On the iconic Get Rich or Die Tryin’ cover, 50 looks like a superhero from his shirtless muscles and gun holsters. His fierce delivery and unapologetic bravado earned him the name “The G-Man”, earning him fame among fans as an unapologetic bravado template for subsequent hoodlum MCs. Yet ultimately 50 proved himself both hero and villain–while also being an astute businessman in his own right.
4. “Hollywood”
No matter your opinion on him, 50 Cent has had a lasting effect on hip hop culture. His 2002 debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’ set an enduring template still felt today across mixtapes, radio stations, rap gossip feeds and Twitter beefs. By mixing Southern-style textures with East Coast lyrics lyrically content from Queens rapper 50 Cent’s real life experiences gave Get Rich or Die Tryin’ an authenticity few can match today.
Fif’s clever lyrics and street wisdom came across strongly in his song, “How to Rob”, depicting muggery of various celebrities shortly after hip-hop lost Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. 50 was an ambitious hustler with the talent and drive to make music his livelihood; that drive has allowed him to become one of pop culture’s most successful entrepreneurs.
5. “Ho Business”
Queens superstar 50 Cent expanded his empire beyond music with the success of his television and film ventures, such as Power and BMF series on STARZ network. While rappers such as LL Cool J and Ice Cube had also transitioned successfully into acting roles such as acting roles starring LL Cool J and Ice Cube have seen many others make that transition as well.
In 2004, 50 Cent established G-Unit Records with Interscope as part of his partnership, signing his esteemed protege Pop Smoke as one of their artists. Their 2004 album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon became their debut Billboard 200 No. 1.
He co-wrote a bestseller with author Robert Greene entitled The 50th Law. Additionally, he created his own line of headphones called Street King as well as producing its energy drink named SK (Street King). Furthermore, the rapper has invested in numerous other companies and properties; further demonstrating his philanthropy by promising to donate one billion meals over five years to World Food Program.
6. “It’s All About Me”
Once 50 Cent burst onto the scene with his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, hip-hop was forever altered. The G-Unit leader appeared like a superhero from within his community with his shirtless physique, gun holsters and catchphrase-laden choruses of Get Rich or Die Tryin’. His music combined machismo with romance while simultaneously channelling anger through stick song choruses – an innovative combination which made for memorable music videos like Get Rich or Die Tryin’
His first singles marked an album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and established him as an influential force within the music industry.
50 Cent once dominated the charts and earned millions, but as time passed he began to lose popularity to younger acts such as Kanye West and Lil Wayne who emerged to take his place. On this track from 2009 titled “50 Shades Of Gray”, 50 lashes out against his competitors; although this seems petty it could also be indicative of an artist who has lost touch with what made them special in the first place.
7. “Ja Rule”
From his hit debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ to the breakout TV series Power, 50 Cent revolutionized hip-hop industry clout and cemented himself as one of its defining contemporary artists. His saga of ambition, success and struggle remains compelling to tell today.
Self-proclaimed as the “sickest rapper alive”, Biggie got his start thanks to Jam Master Jay from Run DMC who taught him how to craft hooks and count bars. From there on out, his hustle has seen him feude with almost everyone in the business and make major investments such as Vitaminwater investments – few can outwit Biggie when it comes to hustle; thus keeping him around for some time to come with that distinctive husky voice!
8. “The Top Feels So Much Better Than the Bottom”
In this video, 50 Cent can be seen driving around Monaco in his Maserati MC12 purchasing luxurious items and showing his friends Tony Yayo how much money they have. There are shots of people crowding shop windows as paparazzi take pictures of the artist which all highlights his fame due to his music career and being known as a rapper.
Low angle shots often used to portray artists are designed to make them seem bigger and stronger; this technique is prevalent in hip-hop as artists seek to appear tougher and more confident before their audience. Furthermore, there may also be close up shots showing expensive clothing which indicates wealth to show his position within society and help convey the narrative of the song.
9. “Best Friend”
As we celebrate National Best Friend Day, it can be hard not to reflect on past relationships or consider how powerful platonic love truly can be. VIBE has curated some songs about friendship as the perfect accompaniment for your celebrations!
On the cover of Get Rich or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent was depicted as an iconic superhero: with perfectly chiseled muscles and gun holsters attached to his tattooed torso. In his song he rapped about stealing money from R&B singers, rappers, and Hollywood A-listers as well as being an unafraid villain willing to eliminate anyone who stood in his path.
10. “In the Club”
50 Cent was adept at walking a fine line when performing in clubs; his mix of street-rap rage and singsong choruses combined into something truly iconic, making him one of the stars of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ era.
Backstage, 50 would acknowledge Eminem and Dre for signing him to his Shady/Aftermath deal, before giving day-one fans something nostalgic from G-Unit: the hit single “Crack A Bottle.”
50 performed a song entitled, “My Gangster Lifestyle and House in Florida,” where he boasts two billiard tables and a stripper pole in his 50,000 square foot home. Timberlake-influenced “Ayo Technology” attempted to keep up with current pop trends but eventually lost all credibility as 50’s repetitive theme of cybernetic-stripper lifestyle became ever more obvious.