According to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Fifty’s breakthrough album has now sold 1.8 million copies in the United Kingdom and went 6x Platinum.
Numbers don’t lie
Of course, nowadays this number combines both streams and physical sales. Back in February 2003, when the album hit the UK, its success depended entirely on selling hard copies. Fifty’s debut sold over 100,000 records in under two weeks and got its first certification before the end of the month. Two months later, it became Platinum, and half a year later, 2x Platinum.
This performance matched the success of 50 Cent’s debut album in the US. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 with 872,000 copies sold in its first week. Later, Billboard ranked it as the No.1 album of 2003. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ remains in the Top 10 of the best selling hip hop albums even now, 23 years after its release. Meanwhile, J. Cole has called it the greatest album of all time.
An album that won’t go away
For 50 Cent, making this album was so much more than an attempt at creating a hit record. That was his shot, his opportunity. Having survived a murder attempt, blackballed by the industry, Fifty was still full of fight. Eminem saw it in him, not just his lyrical talent and smooth flow. That was the chance Fif needed, and he worked hard on making the record that would establish his presence in the industry.
During his first studio session with Dr. Dre, which lasted for five days, he wrote and recorded seven songs, including “In Da Club”.
Obviously, having Eminem and Dr. Dre back him was a tremendous advantage. However, he was not the only rapper to whom Eminem gave his assistance. He was the only one who used it to the fullest, multiplied it, and shot to the top.
Last year, reflecting on the album anniversary, 50 Cent wrote:
Take your time, make it a classic, and it won’t go away!
And he is not wrong.