The Golden Era of Rap Capitalism
2003: The year 50 Cent & Jay Z turned the genre into an entrepreneurial movement.
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Last weekend marked the 18th birthday of the classic hip hop album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, by 50 Cent. I know many people are still mad at Fif for his “antics” over the years, especially during the 2020 election season. This essay however, is about how 50 Cent and ultimately, the arrival of G-Unit at Shady Aftermath pushed other rappers to go harder on the mic, and as executives. Prior to Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Jay Z and Roc-a-Fella Records had New York and the industry overall, on lock. The Roc was led by two executive masterminds from the school of hard knocks, Jay Z and Damon Dash. The label boasted a roster that included The Diplomats, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Siegel, the Young Gunz, and Freeway. Plus a production conglomerate that included Kanye West, Pharrell, and Just Blaze to name a few. They were in fact, as they called it a dynasty.
Then came Get Rich or Die Tryin’, an album backed by Eminem and Dr. Dre. With these two behind him, he instantly was accepted by hip hop heads. Not to mention, 50 was from Southside Jamaica Queens. This concoction of street cred paved a quick path that looked as if 50 was now the King of New York. It didn’t hurt that every song on this album is a banger. From the moment this record dropped, it was deemed a classic.
On Get Rich or Die Tryin’ 50 did it all, showing great versatility. Yes, he was the gangsta rapper who got shot nine times. That’s why this album contained songs like “Blood Hound,” “What up Gangsta,” “Don’t Push Me,” and everyone’s favorite, “Many Men.” But he also had songs like “21 Questions,” and “Like My Style.” He even had tracks for the smokers, with “High All the Time.” But you wouldn’t know this at first, because the single for the album is “In Da Club,” a song glorifying partying. 50 reminded us that a gangsta rapper other than Jay Z and 2pac could do it all, while remaining a storyteller. I believe this is why Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was so successful.
I was in the 7th grade when this album came out (February 6, 2003). I remember listening to it every day for pretty much the entire year, until Jay Z’s The Black Album was released that December. Needless to say, this album was heavy in my rotation…
