50 Cent hit hip-hop and the mainstream like a meteor when he dropped his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin' on Feb. 6, 2003. The Queens rapper—who'd famously survived nine gunshot wounds and returned even more unfiltered and reckless—became the biggest story in hip-hop once he signed a $1 million deal with Eminem's Shady Records (at the time, a huge sum money for a new artist). It was a culmination several months flooding New York's mixtape scene with his own tough-talking remixes popular songs alongside his G-Unit crew, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and Tony Yayo. And he'd reached a fever point once he finally released his much-anticipated LP.
The album's release was expedited by one week due to bootlegging, but the piracy made no difference. Get Rich or Die Tryin' went on to sell more than 872,000 copies in its first week, nearly matching that number the following week. Fans and critics alike couldn't deny the project, which nabbed an elusive XXL rating in this very publication. It's still remembered as one hip-hop's most epic debut album, right up alongside classics like Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle and The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die.
Fif' finally had all the right resources around him to reach his full potential—assists from legends like Dr. Dre, Eminem and Nate Dogg—but this is still The 50 Cent Show. The then 27-year-old star had hardcore rap fans from South Jamaica, Queens to South Central walking around like they got an "S" on their chest. And, fortunately for him, he got rich in the process.
In honor its 15th anniversary, XXL looks back on the classic album to rank and re-evaluate its songs from best to worst (excluding bonus cuts). Strap on a bulletpro vest, grab a bottle bub' and take a look back on this milestone release.