Many interesting and exciting rappers emerged during the early-2000s. The era produced many household names, from Lil Wayne to Eminem and Kanye. However, one musician-turned-media mogul ruled the airwaves and took over hip-hop during this period, and that is the legendary 50 Cent. The rapper (real name Curtis Jackson) exploded onto the scene in 2003 and, in no time, was competing with the likes of Jay-Z concerning record sales
Although Jackson wasn’t known internationally until 2003, he had been a formidable force on the New York underground for an extended period before he stepped into the limelight. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ act had signed various deals before partnering with Shady Records. However, nothing had come of them.
With Dr Dre and Eminem at his side, the lyricist could begin crafting a debut album properly and carefully. Aftermath entrepreneur Dr Dre (real name Andre Young) is a revered super producer within the culture and, as such, oversaw the project’s production in an executive capacity. Although other beatmakers like Scott Storch contributed to the body of work, the producer was the master behind the hits, including the album’s iconic hit single ‘In Da Club.’
‘In Da Club’ was produced by Dr Dre in conjunction with Mike Elizondo and was initially meant to be recorded by Eminem’s rap-rock group D-12 for the 8 Mile soundtrack. However, with the collective failing to come up with something of substance, Young presented Jackson with the beat, who quickly snatched it up. According to Elizondo, who was in the studio alongside 50 when he was presented with the instrumental, the Queens act wrote the song in an hour and recorded his vocals on the same night. ‘In Da Club’ was 50 Cent’s first release on a major label. However, his mixtapes were still running rampant on the underground.
