Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Prior to the release of his first studio album, titled Power of the Dollar, 50 Cent was shot nine times in Queens, New York, on May 24, 2000. He survived but was dropped from his label, Columbia Records, who canceled the album's release. Seeking to avoid another encounter with his shooter, 50 Cent traveled out to Westbury, Long Island at the invitation of producer Sha Money XL and began recording mixtapes there.{{Cite web|first=Barnaby |last=Lane |title=50 Cent's 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' at 20: The story of how it was made |url=https://www.insider.com/50-cent-get-rich-die-tryin-20-anniversary-inside-story-2023-01 |publisher=Insider |date=February 6, 2023 |access-date=April 6, 2023}}{{Cite web|first=Jerry |last=Barrow |title=The Secret History Of 50 Cent's 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin{{'}}' |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-album.html |publisher=Okayplayer |date=February 6, 2023 |access-date=April 6, 2023}} During this period, 50 Cent also recorded several songs that would ultimately appear on Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}; he recalls that, when he completed a song that he was especially impressed by, he would decline to release the song and instead save it for his eventual studio debut.{{Cite web|first=Andre |last=Gee |title=Two Decades Later, 50 Cent Still Wants That 'In Da Club' Feeling |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/50-cent-interview-twentieth-anniversary-debut-1234676144/ |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=April 6, 2023}}

According to 50 Cent in March 2002, he was already in talks with J, Universal, and Jive Records to release his debut album titled Get Rich or Die Tryin' via his own then imprint, Rotten Apple Entertainment.[https://web.archive.org/web/20240321174019/https://www.mtv.com/news/y940f1/on-verge-of-blowing-up-50-cent-finds-value-in-his-street-cred On Verge Of Blowing Up, 50 Cent Finds Value In His Street Cred] In 2002, Eminem listened to a copy of 50 Cent's Guess Who's Back? mixtape album through Jackson's attorney, who was working with Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg.Ninja (December 2002). [http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/50cent/ 50 Cent Interview]. Dubcnn. Accessed May 22, 2007 After being impressed with the mixtape, Eminem invited 50 Cent to Los Angeles where he was introduced to producer Dr. Dre.Touré (April 3, 2003). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070516085920/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939379/the_life_of_a_hunted_man/1 The Life of a Hunted Man]". Rolling Stone. Accessed July 6, 2007. 50 Cent signed a one-million-dollar record deal with Eminem and Dr. Dre; 50 Cent then released his next mixtape, No Mercy, No Fear. It featured his own 8 Mile single, "Wanksta" (in addition to appearances on three other tracks from the album), which was later put on Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}. "Wanksta" began to attract attention from radio DJs throughout the United States, building hype for 50 Cent's forthcoming album.

Both Eminem and Dr. Dre had started producing tracks on his debut album with additional help from producers Mike Elizondo, Sha Money XL, and others. 50 Cent's second commercial single, "In da Club", was the first of seven tracks he recorded in five days with Dr. Dre.{{Cite web|first=Paul |last=Meara |title=In His Own Words: 50 Cent Tells The Story Of 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' 20 Years Later |url=https://www.bet.com/article/zbxcgm/50-cent-interview-get-rich-or-die-tryin-20-anniversary-eminem-dr-dre |publisher=BET |date=February 10, 2023 |access-date=April 6, 2023}} Eminem was featured on two songs, "Patiently Waiting" and "Don't Push Me". His songs also featured rappers within G-Unit such as Lloyd Banks ("Don't Push Me"), Tony Yayo ("Like My Style"), or Young Buck ("Blood Hound"). "Back Down" was an instrumental originally intended to be used on Rakim's debut Aftermath album, Oh My God, but due to creative differences was not released. Early pressings of Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} included a limited edition bonus DVD.

The album title originates as a tattoo on Sha Money XL's arm. The album artwork of Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} was designed by Julian Alexander and Sacha Waldman. Featuring a shirtless 50 Cent standing behind a broken glass pane, it has been described as "among the most recognizable [album covers] in rap history". 50 Cent commented about the title:{{Cite news |date=2002-12-23 |title=50 Cent: The $1m rapper |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2591521.stm |access-date=2024-03-30 |language=en-GB}}

{{Quote|text="When you listen to that title, it might feel a little negative, right? But if you're a working class person and you say 'get rich or die trying' then it means that you're determined."}}

Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} is a gangsta rap album. 50 Cent has stated that his goal was to write lyrics that were evocative enough to capture listeners' imaginations, while also being "vague enough not to daunt them". Despite this, he does venture into more explicit detail on some tracks, like "Many Men" and the Ja Rule diss "Back Down". On the whole, the writing on the album has been described as "smooth[ing] out" the feel of his mixtapes into a more generally accessible format; tracks such as "In da Club" show 50 Cent particularly aiming to depict widely relatable experiences.{{Cite web|first=Paul |last=Thompson |title=The Man and the Machine: On 20 Years of 50 Cent and 'Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}' |url=https://www.theringer.com/rap/2023/2/6/23587236/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-anniversary |publisher=The Ringer |date=February 6, 2023 |access-date=April 6, 2023}} 50 Cent has stated that he limited the amount of vulnerability he would display on the album; on tracks like "Many Men", he aimed to balance the vulnerability of the lyrical content with aggressive deliveries and production.

The single "21 Questions" was initially added to the album's tracklist against Dr. Dre's wishes. According to 50 Cent, "Dre was, like, 'How you goin' to be gangsta this and that and then put this sappy love song on?'"Allison Samuels, February 21, 2007. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050214221215/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6959748/site/newsweek/ The Flip Side of 50 Cent]. MSNBC. Accessed July 7, 2007. 50 Cent responded saying, "I'm two people. I've always had to be two people since I was a kid, to get by. To me that's not diversity, it's necessity." "21 Questions" has also been noted as, along with "Many Men", one of the few slow-tempo tracks on the album.

{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2025}}

The sound of the album consists of many elements that make it both familiar and unique. This is largely due to the collaboration with Dr. Dre—whose influence we can hear on his album 2001—as well as the instrumentation featured on this record. It offers cinematic beats punctuated by eerie string stabs and deep bass lines that immediately establish a gritty atmosphere, rather than the laid-back, slow-paced instrumentals typical of the West Coast, the album incorporates elements of boom bap and hardcore hip hop rhythms, such as hard-hitting drums and fast tempos. The sound can best be described as a modernized take on Mafioso rap. The album was roughly split between the supervision and direction of Eminem and Dr. Dre. In addition to the album’s overall sound, the high-quality mixing by Dr. Dre elevates the already well-crafted music to a very high level. Producers on the album include Dr. Dre, Eminem, Darrell “Digga” Branch, Denaun, Dirty Swift, DJ Rad, J-Praize, Luis Resto, Megahertz, Mike Elizondo, Rashad Smith, Red Spyda, Rob “Reef” Tewlow, Rockwilder, Sean Blaze, Sha Money XL, and Terence Dudley.

50 Cent's vocal performance on the album truly reflects the sound of New York. His distinctive, deep, and gritty tone—combined with a relaxed yet deliberate flow—brings a raw authenticity to every verse. His aggressive, often violent delivery evokes the smooth intensity of The Notorious B.I.G., while moments of melodic, laid-back expression are reminiscent of Method Man’s effortless style. Moreover, his ability to balance introspective storytelling with hard-hitting bravado recalls the dynamic range of Tupac, and his streetwise narratives share a kinship with the raw energy found in DMX's performances. In essence, 50 Cent channels the essence of several rap legends while forging a unique style that has come to define the New York sound and influenced an entire generation

The album's lead single, "In da Club", which was released to digital download on January 7, 2003, was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), becoming 50 Cent's first song to top the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks and remained on the charts for twenty-two weeks.Martens, Todd (May 1, 2003). "[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/71286/sean-paul-busy-ousting-50-cent-single Sean Paul 'Busy' Ousting 50 Cent Single]". Billboard. Accessed July 5, 2003."[http://acharts.us/song/1 50 Cent – In da Club – Music Charts]". aCharts.us. Accessed July 5, 2007. The track also reached number one on the Top 40 Tracks, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot Rap Tracks charts."[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r625452|pure_url=yes}} Billboard Singles]". Allmusic. Accessed July 5, 2007. The song reached number one in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland and the top five in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It received two Grammy nominations for Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song. It was listed at number 18 on VH1's "100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time".{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Its second single, "21 Questions", which was released to digital download on March 4 of that same year, became 50 Cent's second chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for four non-consecutive weeks. It spent seven weeks on top of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. Outside the States, "21 Questions" reached number six in the United Kingdom. It was certified gold by the RIAA. The third single "P.I.M.P.", which was released to urban contemporary radio on June 24, was shipped with a remix featuring rapper Snoop Dogg and trio-group G-Unit. It was the third single that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on "Hot Rap Tracks", becoming the third single from the album to peak in the top ten on the "Hot 100" chart. It also reached number one in Canada. It was certified Gold by RIAA. The album's final single, "If I Can't", peaked at number seventy-six on the Billboard Hot 100 and thirty-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

After the album's release, 50 Cent toured extensively in its support. Throughout 2003, he performed 84 concerts in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

{{Album ratings

| MC = 73/100

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/get-rich-or-die-tryin-mw0000592838|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin' – 50 Cent|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=June 18, 2014}}

| rev2 = Blender

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|last=Mao|first=Chairman|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/new/50775/get-rich-or-die-tryin146.html|title=50 Cent: Get Rich or Die Tryin'|journal=Blender|issue=15|date=April 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009|page=118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227231321/http://www.blender.com/guide/new/50775/get-rich-or-die-tryin146.html|archive-date=December 27, 2010|url-status=dead}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3Score = B{{cite magazine|last=Browne|first=David|author-link=David Browne (journalist)|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2003/02/21/get-rich-or-die-tryin|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 21, 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219152057/http://ew.com/article/2003/02/21/get-rich-or-die-tryin/|archive-date=February 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}

| rev4 = The Guardian

| rev4Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/feb/21/popandrock.artsfeatures1|title=50 Cent: Get Rich or Die Tryin'|newspaper=The Guardian|date=February 20, 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009}}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5Score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Soren|author-link=Soren Baker|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-ca-rack9-story.html|title=50 Cent sounds like a million bucks|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=February 9, 2003|access-date=April 30, 2016}}

| rev6 = Pitchfork

| rev6Score = 7.0/10{{cite web|last=Chennault|first=Sam|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3045-get-rich-or-die-tryin/|title=50 Cent: Get Rich or Die Tryin'|work=Pitchfork|date=March 4, 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009}}

| rev7 = Q

| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite journal|title=50 Cent: Get Rich or Die Tryin'|journal=Q|issue=202|date=May 2003|page=98}}

| rev8 = Rolling Stone

| rev8Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Hoard|first=Christian|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/get-rich-or-die-tryin-20030211|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=February 11, 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009}}

| rev9 = USA Today

| rev9Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/287788311.html?dids=287788311:287788311&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+11%2C+2003&author=Steve+Jones%3B+Brian+Mansfield%3B+Elysa+Gardner%3B+Edna+Gundersen&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=50+Cent's+'Get+Rich'+plan%3B+Gill's+classic+'Thing'&pqatl=google|title=50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin'|newspaper=USA Today|date=February 11, 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009|page=D.05|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724231226/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/287788311.html?dids=287788311:287788311&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+11%2C+2003&author=Steve+Jones%3B+Brian+Mansfield%3B+Elysa+Gardner%3B+Edna+Gundersen&pub=USA+TODAY&desc=50+Cent%27s+%27Get+Rich%27+plan%3B+Gill%27s+classic+%27Thing%27&pqatl=google|archive-date=July 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}

| rev10 = XXL

| rev10Score = 5/5{{cite journal|title=50 Cent: Get Rich or Die Tryin'|journal=XXL|issue=98|date=December 2007}}

}}

Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} received highly positive reviews from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, it holds an aggregate score of 73 out of 100, based on 19 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/get-rich-or-die-tryin/50-cent|title=Reviews for Get Rich Or Die Tryin' by 50 Cent|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=August 4, 2012}}

In his review for USA Today, Steve Jones believed that the album is worthy of the hype 50 Cent had attracted because of how he "delivers, in vivid detail, stories of the violent life he led as a crack dealer and speaks with the swagger of one who has been shot nine times and lived to tell about it." AllMusic's Jason Birchmeier described it as "impressive" and "incredibly calculated", and identified it as "ushering in 50 as one of the truly eminent rappers of his era". Rolling Stone magazine's Christian Hoard praised the album's production and 50 Cent's "thug persona" and rapping ability. Brett Berliner of Stylus Magazine felt that he is versatile as a rapper and wrote that, "while not even close to perfection, [the album] is one of the freshest to come out in years."{{cite web|last=Berliner|first=Brett|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/50-cent/get-rich-or-die-tryin.htm|title=50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin – Review|work=Stylus Magazine|date=September 1, 2003|access-date=December 27, 2009|archive-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131220903/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/50-cent/get-rich-or-die-tryin.htm|url-status=dead}} It is one of only 19 rap albums to receive a perfect rating from XXL magazine. Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times wrote that 50 Cent is "an appealing, mischievous character" whose talent for threatening raps aimed toward rivals is also limiting thematically.{{cite news|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/09/arts/music-spins-50-cent-hip-hop-s-necessary-nuisance.html|title=50 Cent, Hip-Hop's Necessary Nuisance|date=February 9, 2003|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=December 27, 2009}}

Robert Christgau was less enthusiastic in his consumer guide for The Village Voice and gave it a two-star honorable mention,{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=50+cent|title=CG: 50 Cent|publisher=RobertChristgau.com|access-date=June 19, 2012}} indicating a "likable effort consumers attuned to its overriding aesthetic or individual vision may well enjoy."{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg90/grades-90s.php|title=CG 90s: Key to Icons|publisher=RobertChristgau.com|year=2000|access-date=June 19, 2012}} He cited "What Up Gangsta" and "Patiently Waiting" as highlights and said that 50 Cent "gets no cuter as his character unfolds" on the album.{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-03-09/music/edges-of-the-groove/2/|title=Edges of the Groove|newspaper=The Village Voice|date=March 9, 2004|access-date=June 19, 2012|archive-date=January 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132708/http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-03-09/music/edges-of-the-groove/2/|url-status=dead}}

In December 2009, Billboard magazine ranked Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} at number 12 on its list of the Top 200 Albums of the Decade.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/#/charts-decade-end/billboard-200-albums?year=2009&begin=181&order=position|title=Best of the 2000s – Billboard 200 Albums|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media|access-date=December 16, 2009}} In 2012, Complex named the album one of the classic releases of the last decade.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/12/25-rap-albums-from-the-past-decade-that-deserve-classic-status/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin|title=50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) — 25 Rap Albums From the Past Decade That Deserve Classic Status|publisher=Complex|access-date=December 8, 2012}} The single, "In da Club", earned the number-one spot on Billboard 2003's single and album of the year charts, the first since Ace of Base had both in the same year. "Back Down" was listed on XXL{{'}}s list of the greatest diss tracks of all time.{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/Features/2005/june/diss-songs/index.html|title=XXL Magazine | Features | 2005 | June | Shots Fired|date=March 9, 2005|publisher=Xxlmag.com|access-date=September 23, 2009}} The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.{{cite book|author1=Robert Dimery|title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition|author2=Michael Lydon|date=23 March 2010|publisher=Universe|isbn=978-0-7893-2074-2}} Get Rich or Die Tryin' was also ranked as the 139th best album of all time on the Billboard Top 200 Albums of All Time.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums|title=Greatest of All Time Billboard 200 Albums|magazine=Billboard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001122709/http://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums|archive-date=October 1, 2016|access-date=November 12, 2015}}

In 2020, in their second revised edition of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, Rolling Stone ranked Get Rich or Die Tryin' as the 280th greatest album of all time.

In the 2017 video game Paradigm, one of the records found inside Paradigm's home is Get Rich or Die of Natural Causes, a reference to the album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vgfacts.com/trivia/11868/|title=Paradigm|publisher=VGFacts|access-date=2017-05-19|quote=Inside Paradigm's home, one of the records in the record box, Get Rich or Die of Natural Causes, is a reference to the studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin' by rapper 50 Cent.|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710224958/https://www.vgfacts.com/trivia/11868/|url-status=dead}}

Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 872,000 copies in its first week.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/17/business/rapper-50-cent-has-top-selling-first-album.html |title=Rapper 50 Cent Has Top-Selling First Album – New York Times |work=The New York Times|date=February 17, 2003|access-date=April 12, 2012}} In its second week, the album sold an additional 822,000 copies.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1470029/50-cent-is-money-for-second-week-on-billboard-albums-chart/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121080101/http://www.mtv.com/news/1470029/50-cent-is-money-for-second-week-on-billboard-albums-chart/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2015|title=50 Cent Is Money For Second Week on Billboard Albums Chart|newspaper=MTV News|language=en|access-date=2017-01-30}} It was the best-selling album of 2003, selling 13 million copies worldwide to date.Candace Anderson (September 17, 2007). [http://media.www.thecurrentonline.com/media/storage/paper304/news/2007/09/17/ArtsAndEntertainment/Kanye.West.And.50.Cent.Go.Head.To.Head.In.Record.Sales.Competition-2973076.shtml Kanye West and 50 Cent go head to head in record sales competition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914112428/http://media.www.thecurrentonline.com/media/storage/paper304/news/2007/09/17/ArtsAndEntertainment/Kanye.West.And.50.Cent.Go.Head.To.Head.In.Record.Sales.Competition-2973076.shtml |date=September 14, 2008 }}. TheCurrentOnline. Retrieved July 18, 2008.Byrnes, Paul (January 18, 2006). [http://www.smh.com.au/news/film-reviews/get-rich-or-die-tryin/2006/01/18/1137553646571.html Get Rich or Die Tryin']. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved April 13, 2008.http://revolt.tv/article/2021-03-03/58523/50-cent-celebrates-success-of-get-rich-or-die-tryin-and-the-massacre It remains 50 Cent's best-selling album, with certified sales of 9 million copies in the United States, and is the tenth best-selling hip-hop album in the country.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6867254/adele-25-sales-surpass-8-million-united-states|title=Adele's '25' Sales Surpass 8 Million in the U.S.|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=February 7, 2016|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 9, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/05/the-50-best-selling-rap-albums/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin |title=50 Cent Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) |publisher=Complex |date=2013-05-18 |access-date=2014-08-05}}{{cite web|url=https://ca.music.yahoo.com/photos/top-new-acts-since-2000-1403561474-slideshow/50-cent-photo-1394648033354.html|title=USA: Top 20 New Acts Since 2000|publisher=Yahoo! Music|date=July 8, 2014|last=Grein|first=Paul|access-date=July 10, 2014|archive-date=July 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000047/https://ca.music.yahoo.com/photos/top-new-acts-since-2000-1403561474-slideshow/50-cent-photo-1394648033354.html|url-status=dead}} The album was certified 6× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2003 for shipping six million copies in the US.[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |date=June 26, 2007 }}. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on December 27, 2009. In 2003, Get Rich or Die Tryin' was ranked as the number one album of the year on the Billboard 200.{{cite magazine|title=2003 Year End Billboard 200|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=November 12, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001122709/http://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums|archive-date=October 1, 2016}}

Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} is credited with restoring gangsta rap to prominence in an era when prevailing trends favored "slick, flashy ladies-man rappers" and radio-friendly R&B collaborations.{{Cite web|first=Damien|last=Scott|title=Complex Classics: A Look Back At 50 Cent's "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'"|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/02/complex-classics-a-look-back-at-50-cents-get-rich-or-die-tryin|publisher=Complex|date=2018-02-06|access-date=2022-06-09}}{{Cite web|first=Neil|last=Kulkarni|title=The undeniable impact of 50 Cent's debut 'Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}'|url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/retrospective-get-rich-die-tryin/|work=Crack|date=2018-02-06|access-date=2022-06-09}} Denaun Porter states that the album "shifted everybody's view of music" and led to a wave of stylistic imitators. 50 Cent's swaggering, unrepentant persona on Get Rich Or Die Tryin{{'}} has led him to be described as "rap's most charming antihero since 2Pac".

In a 2013 retrospective, Billboard states that the album "rewrote the hip-hop rulebook".{{Cite web|first=Steven J.|last=Horowitz|title=50 Cent, 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin{{'}}' at 10: Classic Track-By-Track Review|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-at-10-classic-track-by-track-review-1537994/|publisher=Billboard|date=2013-02-06|access-date=2022-06-09}} Neil Kulkarni of Crack states that Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}} combined "Southern-style textures with gritty East Coast lyrical content" in a way that many succeeding artists would strive to replicate, and argues that the album's success paved the way for future gangsta rap artists including Jeezy, Rick Ross, and the Game. 50 Cent has also been credited with inspiring later rappers to write more overtly about their "personal turmoil".

Sha Money XL credits the album's success to the memorability of 50 Cent's background: {{blockquote|A lot of rappers, they just come out with a song. And you either like the song or you don't. 50 not only came out with songs, he came out with a story that people could relate with – not getting shot, but the world being against him and him still being fearless and ready to challenge everyone. He gave the world a street story but on the highest level with the help of Eminem and Dre.}}

{{track_listing

| headline = Get Rich or Die Tryin' track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = Intro

| note1 =

| writer1 =

| extra1 =

| length1 = 0:06

| title2 = What Up Gangsta

| note2 =

| writer2 = {{hlist|Curtis Jackson|Rob "Reef" Tewlow}}

| extra2 = Rob "Reef" Tewlow

| length2 = 2:59

| title3 = Patiently Waiting

| note3 = featuring Eminem

| writer3 = {{hlist|Jackson|Marshall Mathers|Mike Elizondo|Luis Resto}}

| extra3 = Eminem

| length3 = 4:48

| title4 = Many Men (Wish Death)

| note4 =

| writer4 = {{hlist|Jackson|Darrell Branch|Resto}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Darrell "Digga" Branch|Eminem{{ref|a|[a]}}|Resto{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length4 = 4:16

| title5 = In da Club

| note5 =

| writer5 = {{hlist|Jackson|Andre Young|Elizondo}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|Dr. Dre|

Elizondo{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length5 = 3:13

| title6 = High All the Time

| note6 =

| writer6 = {{hlist|Jackson|Mathers|Michael Clervoix|Conrad Almonacy|Resto}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|DJ Rad|Eminem{{ref|b|[b]}}|Sha Money XL{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length6 = 4:29

| title7 = Heat

| note7 = removed from clean version

| writer7 = {{hlist|Jackson|Young|Tommy Coster|Elizondo}}

| extra7 = Dr. Dre

| length7 = 4:14

| title8 = If I Can't

| note8 =

| writer8 = {{hlist|Jackson|Young|Elizondo}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Dr. Dre|Elizondo{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length8 = 3:16

| title9 = Blood Hound

| note9 = featuring Young Buck

| writer9 = {{hlist|Jackson|David Brown|Sean Henderson}}

| extra9 = Sean Blaze

| length9 = 4:00

| title10 = Back Down

| note10 =

| writer10 = {{hlist|Jackson|Young|Ron Feemster|Elizondo}}

| extra10 = Dr. Dre

| length10 = 4:03

| title11 = P.I.M.P.

| note11 =

| writer11 = {{hlist|Jackson|Denaun Porter}}

| extra11 = Mr. Porter

| length11 = 4:09

| title12 = Like My Style

| note12 = featuring Tony Yayo

| writer12 = {{hlist|Jackson|Marvin Bernard|Dana Stinson}}

| extra12 = Rockwilder

| length12 = 3:13

| title13 = Poor Lil Rich

| note13 =

| writer13 = {{hlist|Jackson|Clervoix}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Sha Money XL|Eminem{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length13 = 3:19

| title14 = 21 Questions

| note14 = featuring Nate Dogg

| writer14 = {{hlist|Jackson|Kevin Risto}}

| extra14 = Dirty Swift

| length14 = 3:44

| title15 = Don't Push Me

| note15 = featuring Lloyd Banks and Eminem

| writer15 = {{hlist|Jackson|Mathers|Christopher Lloyd|Resto}}

| extra15 = Eminem

| length15 = 4:08

| title16 = Gotta Make It to Heaven

| note16 =

| writer16 = {{hlist|Jackson|Dorsey Wesley}}

| extra16 = Megahertz

| length16 = 4:00

| total_length = 53:44}}

{{track_listing

| headline = Bonus tracks

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title17 = Wanksta

| note17 =

| writer17 = {{hlist|Jackson|John Freeman|Clervoix}}

| extra17 = {{hlist|Sha Money XL|John "J-Praize" Freeman}}

| length17 = 3:39

| title18 = U Not Like Me

| note18 =

| writer18 = {{hlist|Jackson|Andy Thelusma}}

| extra18 = Red Spyda

| length18 = 4:15

| title19 = Life's on the Line

| note19 =

| writer19 = {{hlist|Jackson|Terence Dudley}}

| extra19 = Terence Dudley

| length19 = 3:38

| total_length = 69:32}}

{{track_listing

| headline = Re-release bonus track

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title20 = P.I.M.P.

| note20 = featuring Snoop Dogg, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck

| writer20 = {{hlist|Jackson|Porter|Calvin Broadus|Lloyd|Brown}}

| extra20 = Mr. Porter

| length20 = 4:49

| total_length = 58:33}}

{{track_listing

| headline = Japan release bonus tracks

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title20 = In da Club

| note20 = instrumental

| writer20 = {{hlist|Jackson|Young|Elizondo}}

| extra20 = {{hlist|Dr. Dre|Elizondo{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length20 = 3:47

| title21 = Soldier (Freestyle)

| note21 = featuring G-Unit

| writer21 = {{hlist|Jackson|Mathers|Resto}}

| extra21 = Eminem

| length21 = 3:44

| total_length = 61:15}}

{{track_listing

| headline = United Kingdom bonus CD

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title1 = In da Club

| note1 = a cappella

| writer1 = {{hlist|Jackson|Young|Elizondo}}

| extra1 =

| length1 = 3:00

| total_length = 56:44

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} – additional production
• {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} – co-producer

Credits are adapted from the physical album & AllMusic.[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r625452|pure_url=yes}} Credits: Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}]. Allmusic. Retrieved on February 28, 2010.

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• 50 Cent – vocals/writer
• Justin Bendo – engineer
• Sean Blaze – producer, engineer
• Darrell Branch – producer
• Tommy Coster – keyboards
• Terence Dudley – producer
• Mike Elizondo – bass, guitar, keyboards, producer
• Dr. Dre – producer, executive producer, mixing
• Eminem – producer, executive producer, mixing, vocals
• John "J. Praize" Freeman – producer
• Steven King – producer, mixing
• Megahertz – producer
• Red Spyda – producer
• Luis Resto – keyboards
• Ruben Rivera – keyboards, assistant engineer
• Rockwilder – producer
• Tom Rounds – engineer
• Sha Money XL – producer, engineer
• Tracie Spencer – vocals
• Rob Tewlow – producer
• Patrick Viala – engineer
• Sacha Waldman – photography
• Ted Wohlsen – engineer
• Carlisle Young – engineer, digital editing
• Dj Rad – producer

{{div col end}}

{{col-start}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=Get Rich Or Die Tryin|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date=July 6, 2011|title=Discos de oro y platino |access-date=December 10, 2020 |publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |language=es |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|certyear=2007|certmonth=4|relyear=2003|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=February 23, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2024|relyear=2003|id=13624|access-date=March 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=April 14, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|id=20040218152127|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|refname=GRE|access-date=April 14, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|type=album|artist=50 Cent|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|certyear=2005|access-date=February 3, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|certyear=2003|certmonth=5|relyear=2003|relmonth=2|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=50 Cent|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|type=album|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2003|certyear=2024|certref={{cite web |title=Official Catalogue Albums 22–28 November 2024 |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/catalogue-albums/2024-11-22 |website=aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz |access-date=26 November 2024 |language=en}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=May 11, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=May 17, 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Gold|relmonth=2|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|access-date=May 16, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|certyear=2004|relyear=2003|access-date=April 14, 2012}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number=5|id=12008-567-2|salesamount=1,170,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-40-biggest-rap-albums-of-the-millennium-revealed__22808/|title=The UK's Official biggest rap albums of the Millennium|last=White|first=Jack|date=May 4, 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 4, 2018}}|certyear=2023|relyear=2003|access-date=May 21, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number= 9|certyear=2023|relyear=2003|access-date=February 26, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|type=album|title=Get Rich or Die Tryin'|artist=50 Cent|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2003|certyear=2006|access-date=April 1, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | streaming=true}}

• Get Rich or Die Tryin' (film)
• List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2003

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs master|type=album|34201|name=Get Rich or Die Tryin'}}
• {{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Lynner D|date=August 8, 2003|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/030808-50cent/|title=Hip-Hop's Holy Trinity|publisher=PopMatters|access-date=June 18, 2014}}
• {{cite news|last=Ex|first=Kris|date=February 11, 2003|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-02-11/music/original-pirate-material/|title=Original Pirate Material|newspaper=The Village Voice|access-date=June 18, 2014|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522220200/http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-02-11/music/original-pirate-material/|url-status=dead}}

{{50 Cent}}

{{Juno Award for International Album of the Year}}

{{Billboard Year-End number one albums 1990–2009}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (Album)}}

Category:2003 debut albums

Category:50 Cent albums

Category:Aftermath Entertainment albums

Category:Albums produced by Eminem

Category:Albums produced by Mr. Porter

Category:Albums produced by Rockwilder

Category:Albums produced by Dr. Dre

Category:Albums produced by Midi Mafia

Category:Albums produced by Mike Elizondo

Category:Shady Records albums

Category:Interscope Records albums

Category:Interscope Geffen A&M Records albums

Category:Juno Award for International Album of the Year albums

Category:Albums produced by Sha Money XL

Category:Albums produced by Megahertz (record producer)