By Q The Question
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Journalism is still a personal passion even though the record label is headed in the right direction. A while back, there was a discussion of the Hip Hop Classic of the Month being revived through Hip Hop Vibe. Look at the headline though, there is the obvious answer, and no better way to start than with 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
Real hip hop heads know about this album and the movement 50 Cent led. Hip hop had gotten soft and it was led by Ja Rule and Murder Inc. A great talent in his own right, Ja Rule had the misfortune of going against 50 Cent. At the same time, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was a hardcore rap album full of straight hits.
While the album came out in February, “In Da Club” did not become the massive hit it became until April/May. Ten years have gone by, but when this song hits the radio, it makes everybody feel like they “in the club” even if they stuck in traffic! But, the album is best-known for its intro and the first line “they say I walk around like I got a ‘S’ on my chest, nah that’s a semi-auto and a vest on my chest.’
Hip hop in 2002-2003 was not built like that and 50 Cent changed the standard. Aiming at everything that was Ja Rule and Murder Inc., 50 Cent did his enemies in with “Back Down” and the lead single, “Wanksta,” that he claimed wasn’t about Ja. But, 50 Cent also gave it up to the ladies with his second chart-topping single, “21 Questions,” with the late Nate Dogg featuring Meagan Good in the music video. 50 Cent closed the album with his “P.I.M.P.” remix single that introduced G-Unit and featured Snoop Dogg.
50 Cent detailed the gruesome story about him getting shot portraying a man similar to Ja Rule on the track, “Many Men.” It was never released as an official single off the album, but “Many Men” gained radio play and the music video hit BET and MTV. Adding to the dark element of the song was Tom Lister, Jr.’s role in the video. Lister is best-known for playing Deebo on Ice Cube’s Friday film series, but he played alongside 50 Cent in “Many Men.”
A lot went into the album that also featured appearances from Eminem and production from Dr. Dre and the rest of Shady/Aftermath. Months later, “If I Can’t…” was released as a single, but did not have much success.
Watch “Wanksta” by 50 Cent below:
Watch “In Da Club” by 50 Cent below:
Watch “21 Questions” by 50 Cent ft. Nate Dogg below:
Watch “Many Men” by 50 Cent below:
Watch “P.I.M.P. (remix)” by 50 Cent ft. Snoop Dogg, and G-Unit (Lloyd Banks and Young Buck) below:
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