How 50 Cent Acquired His Signature Hits from Other Rappers

17 hours ago7 min read

The story behind how a song lands in the hands of its final artist is often as compelling as the track itself, a truth perfectly illustrated by the origins of two of 50 Cent’s signature anthems, “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop. ” These aren't just hits; they're cultural landmarks, with “In Da Club” alone boasting nearly two billion streams on Spotify and serving as the definitive soundtrack to a generation’s club nights.Yet, the path these beats traveled before becoming 50’s property reads like a classic hip-hop heist, a testament to the blend of sharp instinct, industry relationships, and sheer timing that defines music history. First, consider “In Da Club,” that minimalist, Dr.Dre-produced masterpiece built on a simple, infectious synth line and a relentless kick drum. The beat, initially crafted for D12, Eminem’s Detroit rap collective, was reportedly deemed not quite the right fit for their chaotic, horrorcore-tinged group dynamic.When it landed in 50 Cent’s orbit, fresh off the seismic success of his *Guess Who’s Back?* mixtape and amid the feverish bidding war for his signature, the track found its perfect vessel. 50, with his street-savvy bravado and melodic, sing-song flow, transformed it from a potential posse cut into a triumphant, career-defining declaration of arrival.It was the ultimate first single for his major-label debut, *Get Rich or Die Tryin’*, a song that didn’t just announce an artist but cemented an era. The narrative around “Candy Shop” follows a similar, though more contentious, blueprint.The track’s lush, synth-driven, and sexually charged production was originally intended for Fat Joe, the Bronx heavyweight and then-labelmate of the beat’s producer, Scott Storch. At the time, Fat Joe was riding high with his Terror Squad, and the beat seemed a natural fit for his brand of slick, radio-ready rap.However, in the intricate web of industry politics and personal rivalries that defined mid-2000s hip-hop, the instrumental found its way to 50 Cent. By 2005, 50 was not just a superstar but a mogul, the head of G-Unit, and engaged in a very public, very bitter feud with Fat Joe and his ally Jadakiss.Acquiring “Candy Shop” was more than just securing a hit; it was a strategic power move, a way to directly snatch a potential anthem from a rival’s grasp and make it his own. 50’s version, featuring Olivia, became a global phenomenon, its double-entendre lyrics dominating airwaves and MTV, while the underlying story added a layer of competitive drama that fueled the hip-hop news cycle for months.These near-misses for D12 and Fat Joe underscore a critical, often overlooked element of hit-making: context is king. A beat is a vessel, and its ultimate impact is inextricably linked to the artist who commands it, their narrative at that precise moment, and the cultural currents they’re riding.

#featured

#50 Cent

#In Da Club

#Candy Shop

#D12

#Fat Joe

#hip hop

#music history

#hit songs

#production