Music in the early 2000’s still was largely controlled by the labels– this was the era before the proliferation of mainstream streaming services, and though Napster and other peer-to-peer networks could give artists a grassroots buzz, physical CD’s were still king. In other words, the the right marketing campaign still moved the needle for artists. There wasn’t as much competition for mindshare.
It was with that backdrop that 50 Cent’s debut album Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ came out. It’s hard to explain just how massive this album was in such a short period of time– you literally couldn’t go anywhere in high school without hearing 50 Cent in a car or at a party. The album sold a staggering 872,000 copies in its first four days, and its lead single “In Da Club” became the most played song in radio history within a week.
It’s easy to see why. Here you had a rapper backed by none other than Eminem (the most popular hip hop artist that time) and an album filled with beats that were just straight ear candy, combining West Coast hip hop with all the flair of NYC undoubtedly influenced by his upbringing in Queens. 50 Cent’s compelling backstory also helped massively– three years before Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ came out he was shot nine times and survived, including a bullet that went through his left cheek and left him with his distinctive flow– slightly slurred, laid back, and supremely confident.
Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ still stands as one of the best hip hop albums of all-time and is one of the most impactful debut album of any artist in every genre in history. Twenty years later it still sounds as fresh as ever.
Standout Songs: “Many Men”, “In Da Club”, “P.I.M.P.”, “21 Questions”, “If I Can’t”
