50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ turns 25 with renewed impact
Published on 06/25/2026 at 17:47 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
50 Cent reshaped early-2000s hip-hop with his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin', released on February 6, 2003 through Shady/Aftermath and Interscope Records. The record opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold about 872,000 copies in its first week in the U.S.
How the awards told the story
At the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, 50 Cent received five nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album for Get Rich or Die Tryin', underscoring the album's mainstream impact. He also earned a Record of the Year nomination as a featured artist on Eminem's Lose Yourself reference cycle, highlighting his rapid rise.
The breakout single In Da Club became a defining hit of 2003, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks and driving album sales. The track was later named one of the best songs of the 2000s by outlets such as Rolling Stone, reflecting its enduring cultural weight.
Legacy in U.S. rap and pop culture
Get Rich or Die Tryin' has been certified 9x Platinum by the RIAA, representing 9 million units in the United States and placing it among the best-selling rap albums in history. For many listeners, it marked the commercial peak of New York gangsta rap in the post-Notorious B.I.G. era.
Beyond sales, 50 Cent's persona and business moves helped set a template for rapper-entrepreneurs. His investments, notably the Vitaminwater deal reported to have brought him tens of millions of dollars, showed how a rapper could leverage fame into broader corporate partnerships.
All news and background on 50 Cent
For deeper coverage of 50 Cent's albums, business moves and cultural impact, browse the latest reports and background stories from the AD HOC NEWS music desk.
The musical core of 50 Cent
Musically, 50 Cent's early work blended hard-edged Queens street narratives with melodic hooks and club-ready beats. Producers like Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo gave Get Rich or Die Tryin' a polished, bass-heavy sound that could compete on radio and in nightclubs simultaneously.
Where the act stands now
50 Cent is currently focused on television and film production while maintaining a catalog that continues to stream strongly and defines an entire era of U.S. hip-hop.
50 Cent at a glance
- Act: 50 Cent
- Genre: Hip-hop, gangsta rap
- Origin: Queens, New York City, United States
- Active since: 1996
- Lineup: Solo
- Label: Interscope, Shady, Aftermath (historically), G-Unit Records
- Key works: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003), The Massacre (2005), Curtis (2007), Before I Self Destruct (2009)
- Current album/single: Animal Ambition, released June 3, 2014
- Charts / certifications: Get Rich or Die Tryin' 9x Platinum in the U.S. (RIAA)
- Next live date: currently with no announced live date
Frequently asked questions about 50 Cent
What is 50 Cent best known for in the U.S.?
50 Cent is best known for his 2003 debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' and its hit single In Da Club, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks and helped the album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
How successful is Get Rich or Die Tryin' today?
Get Rich or Die Tryin' has been certified 9x Platinum by the RIAA, representing 9 million units in the United States, making it one of the best-selling rap albums of all time.
What other projects is 50 Cent involved in beyond music?
Beyond music, 50 Cent has become a producer and actor, notably creating and executive producing the crime drama series Power and its spin-offs for Starz, solidifying his role in U.S. television.
This article was created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed. All information without guarantee; dates, chart positions and certifications may change at short notice.
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