Issue date: 2/13/03 Section: The Verge

50 Cent's debut LP "Get Rich or Die Trying" is hot. It is one of the best albums from a new artist in a long time. This album has hip-hop classic written all over it.

50 Cent created his first claim to fame with his guest appearance on the Madd Rapper's "How To Rob." In the song, 50 Cent spoke of how he would rob all the platinum rappers. This caused some rappers to take shots back at him.

While signed to Columbia Records and waiting for his LP to be released, the unthinkable happened when 50 Cent was shot nine times. Later, after he recovered, he was dropped from Columbia and had to deal with artists using their pull to stop him from getting signed to a new record deal. Eminem then decided to take a chance on the New York rapper.

On this album, 50 Cent spits about many men who want him dead in "Many Men (Wish Death)." In this song he raps about how he survived the shooting. He considers that event to be a sign that his purpose must be fulfilled on this earth before he dies.

"Patiently Waiting" features Eminem and explains how much 50 Cent endured before he got his chance to shine. 50 Cent and Eminem's rhyhme exchange went over very smoothly as if they had been rapping together for years.

The lead single "In Da Club" is blazing the airwaves as well as music television. It has been number one on BET's "106 & Park" and MTV's "TRL". This is the club anthem for the winter and DJs love spinning this record.

On "Back Down," 50 Cent takes a stab at Murder Inc. He questions Ja Rule's sexuality and lays into Murder Inc. for being extorted for illegal activities.

"Gotta Make it to Heaven," is about how he doesn't trust most people. The rapper tells an emotional story about how he feels he is in hell. He spits about how hard life has been for him and that the thought of going to heaven is his only way to escape the madness.

In all, 50 Cent has put out a high quality product. I believe this will be an album people will remember for years to come. 50 Cent has a unique aura because of all the controversy that surrounds him which makes him bigger than life.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools

The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.

Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.

Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.

If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.