Get Rich or Die Tryin' (album)

Get Rich or Die Tryin' is the commercial debut album by New York City rapper 50 Cent, released through Interscope Records. The album has sold over 12 million copies worldwide, with over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Background
The album was supposed to be released on February 11 2003 but due to leakage and heavy bootlegging on the internet it was released five days earlier on February 6 2003. It was produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre, and features the singles "In da Club", "21 Questions", "P.I.M.P." and "If I Can't". The single "In da Club" was Billboard Magazine's number one single for the year. It was the first time since 1994 that an artist had both the number one song and album for the year (Ace of Base held that distinction last with "The Sign"). The song depicted club culture and its "vibes" and ebbs.

Get Rich or Die Tryin' was also released in an edited version that was highly censored. This version of the album completely cuts all violence, profanity, and drug content. Also the track "Heat" is cut from the edited version of the album due to heavy use of violent language including references to weapons and murder, but especially having a shotgun pumping beat throughout the song. The edited version lacks censorship in the song "Don't Push Me" and still contians one use of "goddamn" and references to shooting somebody.

The album also contains disses of artists such as Ja Rule, Irv Gotti, Cadillac Tah, and Black Child. The song "Back Down" was listed on XXL Magazine's list of the greatest diss tracks of all time.

Early pressings of Get Rich or Die Tryin' included a limited edition bonus DVD.

Commercial reception
In its first week of release, Get Rich or Die Tryin' The album spent a total of six weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts, eight weeks on the Hip-Hop/Rap charts, and three weeks on the UK Album Charts. It was the best selling album of 2003 selling 6.3 million copies by the end of the year. As of February 6, 2008, 5 years after its release, Get Rich or Die Tryin' has sold over 12 million copies worldwide, with over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Critical reception
Get Rich Or Die Tryin' has been called the most hyped rap debut in over a decade. The album opened to very positive reviews, many praising the production, 50 Cent's melodic flow, and his hard-hitting wit. All Music Guide called the album impressive and incredibly calculated in their positive four star review. Christian Hoard, a writer for Rolling Stone, comended 50 Cent's undeniable showcase of skill, radio-ready tracks, and marketable thug persona in addition to the album's production for its dark synth grooves, buzzy keyboards, and persistently funky bounce.

It is one of only 16 rap albums to receive a perfect rating from XXL Magazine.

Singles
"In Da Club" was the first official single released to promote 50 Cent's commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'. The song was produced by Dr. Dre with co-production from Mike Elizondo. The track was released in late 2002 as the album's lead single and was well received from music critics.

"In da Club" became 50 Cent's first number one single and was one of 2003's most popular songs after reaching number one in the United States and peaking inside the top five on the majority of the European charts it entered. At the 46th Grammy Awards, it was nominated for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song.

"21 Questions" was the second official single and featured Nate Dogg, who gives additional vocals on the chorus and outro. The song was written by 50 Cent, K. Risto, J. Cameron, and V. Cameron for 50 Cent's commercial debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003). Released in 2003 as the album's second single, it became his second consecutive number one song in the United States after "In da Club". The track was produced by Dirty Swift and samples Barry White's "It's Only Love Doing Its Thing". Lil Mo made a remix to the song titled "21 answers".

The "P.I.M.P. remix was the third single and official remix of P.I.M.P.. It features G-Unit and Snoop Dogg and peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200. The song begins with 50 Cent's first verse from the original version of the song, followed by verses from Snoop Dogg, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck. In some countries P.I.M.P. Remix is featured as a Bonus Track.

"If I Can't" was the fourth and final single. Unlike his previous singles, this track received little attention and peaked at only #76, 50 Cent's lowest performing single so far.