20th Anniversary

Eminem Responds To 50 Cent’s “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” 20th Anniversary

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Eminem recently shouted out 50 Cent for his classic Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ celebrating its 20th anniversary. As hip-hop history documents, Marshall Mathers played an instrumental role in the Queens rappers’ career. Since their first collaborations around the start of the 2000s, the two kept a prominent friendship and rapport. As Fif celebrated his career longevity with this occasion, Em took to Twitter to give his own shoutout. Moreover, he responded to a Shady Records tweet commemorating the release. “‘Y’all know what time it is, soon as 50 signs on this dot,’” Em wrote, referencing his verse on the album cut “Patiently Waiting.” “20 years!!!??? @50cent.”

Of course, 50’s reciprocated much of the love and support that the Detroit legend gave him. Recently he called him, Em, and Dr. Dre the “three-headed monster” of hip-hop. Furthermore, he made the assessment in a post where he featured an interview clip of the three around Get Rich‘s release. “When you have a team like this it’s hard to lose,” the 47-year-old captioned his post. “I’m so blessed to have worked with the best ever. you can re-write a book, you can re -write a song but you can’t re-write history. The 3 headed monster EM, DRE and 50cent. Boom.”

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 20: Eminem and 50 Cent attend the “Southpaw” New York premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Moreover, Dre spoke glowingly of the album in that interview clip. “50’s album, in my opinion, is going to compete with all the classic hip-hop records that have come out over the last 10 years — Illmatic, The Chronic, Ready to Die, The Marshall Mathers LP — it’s right up there,” the legendary producer stated. “And that’s no bulls**t … It’s hot!.” The West Coast rap pioneer produced many tracks on Get Rich including “In Da Club,” “If I Can’t,” and “Back Down.” Also, Eminem gave an additional guest performance on the song “Don’t Push Me.”

Meanwhile, 50 fans wordlwide continue to uphold Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ as a classic, and it continues to influence so many. Still, what are some of your favorite tracks off of 50’s classic album? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, check back in with HNHH for the latest in hip-hop history and the legends of the game.

Today In Hip Hop History: 50 Cent’s Debut LP ‘Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ Turns 20 Years Old!

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On this date in 2003, 50 Cent released his second and most critically acclaimed album to date Get Rich Or Die Tryin on Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.

After his street-certified buzz from his Guess Who’s Back mixtape, a meeting with Eminem eventually turned into a million-dollar deal on Dr. Dre and Em’s Shady/Aftermath imprint. With the album executive produced by Dre and Fif, this project became probably the most anticipated release of any debut Hip-Hop album of the new millennium.

Debuting at the pole position on Billboard 200, GRODT sold almost 900K units its first week and is now certified 6x platinum. The commercial success of the album in terms of radio and video plays as well the movie that launched starring 50 Cent with the same title helped earn the album a Grammy nod in 2004.

Some of the album’s forerunning singles include the ever-popular “In Da Club,” “21 Questions” featuring the late Nate Dogg, and “P.I.M.P.,” which became an international hit.

Salute to 50, Dre, Em, and the entire G-Unit for this timeless piece of Hip-Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: 50 Cent’s Debut LP ‘Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ Turns 20 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Nas’ Sixth Studio Album ‘God’s Son’ Turns 20 Years Old!

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.

The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing.  The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.

Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.

Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: The Clipse’s Debut LP ‘Lord Willin’ Turns 20 Years Old!

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Two decades ago today, Terrence and Gene Thorton aka Pusha T and Malice put out Lord Willin’, The Clipse’s debut album that helped them solidify their spots within honorable mention of some of the best lyricists in the game.

Produced exclusively by the Neptunes on Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak imprint, the album displayed The Clipse’s microphone prowess, which helps the squares navigate through their cocaine-flooded street slang. Along with artists like Timbaland and Magoo, Missy Elliot, and Pharrell, The Clipse was an intricate part of establishing VA as one of the East Coast’s strongholds in Hip Hop, which made room for artists like Chris Brown and Wale to add on to the legacy.

Some of the most memorable gems from the Twin Thorton’s first album include “Cot Damn” featuring their Re-Up Gang affiliates Ab-Liva and Philly’s Roscoe P. Coldchain, “When The Last Time” with their Star Trak team members Kelis and Pharrell, and the infamous “Grindin’” with remixes featuring Noreaga, and another infamous duo, Lil Wayne and Birdman.

Salute to Pusha, No Malice, Pharrell, and the rest of the Star Trak team for pushing out this timeless classic!

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Today In Hip Hop History: 50 Cent’s ‘Guess Who’s Back?’ Mixtape Turns 20 Years Old!

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Today in 2002, 50 Cent released Guess Who’s Back?, his first official mixtape following the Power of the Dollar LP on the Full Clip Records indie imprint.

It was this offering that would catapult Curtis Jackson into the public eye. Eventually, the project would gain the attention of Eminem via his attorney/manager Paul Rosenberg and Shady would ultimately sign 50 Cent to Shady Records/Interscope and a new Hip Hop icon would be born.

Guess Who’s Back features production from Trackmasters, Clark Kent, Sha Money Xl, and featured street anthems like, “Your Life’s On The Line”. It also had the controversial song, “Ghetto Qu’ran” which allegedly led to his almost deadly shooting in 2000.

The album charted on Billboard setting up the G-Unit era and a lengthy career that continues today. 50 Cent would go on to release his mega Interscope debut, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” and become a top charting and live show sellout artist.

Salute to Fif for this timeless and necessary piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: 50 Cent’s ‘Guess Who’s Back?’ Mixtape Turns 20 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Gorillaz Announce A 20th Anniversary Edition Of Their Debut Album And It’s Loaded With New Material

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20 years ago, the world was introduced to the first ever “virtual band.” It seems like a prescient creation in hindsight, considering how much of music went online in the two decades since. But Gorillaz have leaned very much into the live aspect and while 2-D, Noodle, Murdoc Niccals, and Russel Hobbs are still fixtures, the project is very much about Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, Remi Kabaka Jr, and their incredible cast of collaborators.

Now for the 20th anniversary of the debut album (out December 10th), Gorillaz have announced the Gorillaz (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Vinyl Boxset) and it’s LOADED. There’s over four hours of new recordings, including demos, b-sides…. errr… “G-sides,” and a Live At The Forum. The 8-disc vinyl set also comes with a 27 page dossier-style art book of Gorillaz ephemera that all feed back into the theme of the outlaw virtual band’s creation in a post-apocalyptic world. Virtual drummer Russel Hobbs added some words on the findings that are all contained within the box set:

“Whistles have been blown. Truths have come to light. What started out as a trip down memory lane took a damn sideways turn into the heart of darkness. They say the past is another country. Turns out, it’s a whole other dimension.”

Along with the album release, comes the Song Machine LIVE concert film. It features concert footage, and also a behind-the-scenes featurette with commentary from Albarn and Hewlett. It’ll be in theaters on December 8th with tickets available next week. There’s also a Christmas themed Gorillaz store that’s open now.

Gorillaz (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Vinyl Boxset) is out on 12/10 via Warner. Pre-order the first edition here.

Gorillaz is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.