There are a few people who claim to have pioneered mixtapes including Jim Jones and 50 Cent. Mixtapes have undoubtedly evolved since their inception, though who re-invented their format is up for debate. Since the late 90s, it became a common practice for artists to take other people’s beats and freestyle over them, then deliver them as a free body of work. However, there are also the mixtapes that play out like albums, which Jim Jones claimed Dipset started during a recent appearance on the Flip Da Script podcast.
Jim said Dipset “started the mixtape movement” as they formatted each project as an album. Though G-Unit often gets their dues in this regard, Jones explained that 50 Cent and G-Unit were largely using other people’s beats to make their own projects. “We was using our mixtapes as albums to promote our real albums,” he explained, adding that it often gauged the interests of which singles would work for radio. “We put the Dipset mixtape out first before G-Unit put their mixtape out. Now go Google it.”
50 Cent Disagrees With Jim Jones
50 Cent finally chimed in on the conversation, though he appeared to find Jones’ take humorous. After The Hip-Hop Wolf shared the clip on their Instagram page, 50 Cent slid in the comments to offer his opinion. “He lying LOL,” he wrote along with several clapping emojis and a laughing emoji. Clearly, 50 Cent finds humor in Jones’ take, even if it discredits the contributions of G-Unit throughout their reign and the overall effect it had on hip-hop culture as a whole in the past two decades.
Though Jim might feel as though Dipset’s mixtape revolutionized the approach to marketing music, you can’t deny the power of 50 Cent’s mixtapes during the lead-up to his debut project, Get Rich Of Die Tryin’. “A lot of people don’t even know how different marketing and non-traditional marketing impacts the actual culture,” 50 explained in an old interview. “Before 50 Cent Is The Futurewas released, what they call a mixtape now didn’t exist. A mixtape prior to that was me sending 16 bars to you for your tape.” Do you think 50 Cent has a point? Sound off in the comments.
50 Cent was among the many to congratulate LeBron James on his epic game on Tuesday night. The Lakers player further cemented his status as a GOAT in the league after breaking the record for all-time points. Fans were undoubtedly excited about the feat, not only for James but simply to witness NBA history. Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, who previously held the record, applauded James at the Lakers game for his incredible performance that created a historic moment for the league.
The NBA shared a compilation video afterward of LeBron’s celebrity friends and NBA peers congratulating him. Drake, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Stephen Curry, Snoop Dogg, and many others appeared in the video where they shared congratulatory messages. “I am so grateful to witness this moment in history,” Rihanna stated in the video. Meanwhile, Drake echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “legendary night in NBA history.” Though 50 Cent feels similar to Rihanna and Drake, he admitted LeBron’s feat impacted his bottom line.
50 Cent expressed bittersweet feelings about LeBron James’ record-breaking performance. He, like many others, witnessed a moment in history on Tuesday night. However, the Lakers still lost against OKC during Tuesday’s game by 3 points and it appears that 50 Cent lost his bet as a result. “Hard work pays off, work hard but damn I wanted to see them win last night,” 50 wrote alongside a picture of the all-time leading scorer. “They fvcked up my tickets at the sports book. LOL,” he added, though he didn’t reveal how much he bet on the game.
Regardless, 50 Cent’s always shown love to LeBron James over the years. When Julius Erving left LeBron off of his list of all-time top two NBA teams, Fif immediately leaped to James’ defense. He said Erving’s comments “sound like some old hater shit” before vouching for James’ talents. “It takes a lot of work and talent to be @kingjames if that wasn’t true we would have 3 or 4 of him, we only got 1,” 50 wrote in the comment section of his post. Whether or not he won his bet last night, 50 Cent is among the rest of us who are excited about LeBron’s career milestone.
Twenty years ago this week, 50 Cent dropped his debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.
I want you to understand something about this. I am in no way, shape, or form exaggerating in even the teeny tiniest little bit when I say that this album F*CKED THE GAME UP. We talk a lot in this business about “groundbreaking,” “earth-shattering,” or even paradigm-shifting albums. Usually, that’s a bunch of nonsense. But this time? This time, it’s all the way real.
The strongest way that I can put it is that Get Rich Or Die Trying had roughly the same effect on teenage boys in 2003 that The Beatles coming to America had on teenage girls in 1964. Again, I am not exaggerating. A lot of credit has been given to Eminem, 50’s mentor and patron as the head of Shady Records (which released the album), for popularizing rap for a generation of white kids.
I respectfully submit that a lot of that credit should go to 50 Cent, who seemingly overnight spawned a multimedia empire, spurred by untold legions of suburban youths living out their gangsta fantasies vicariously through his debut album to the tune of 11 million records sold globally by 2020. This was before streaming.
This was at the height of Jay-Z’s reign. 50 Cent was a cultural phenom, upending hip-hop’s then-dominant party music status quo and bringing back something akin to menace, and the kids couldn’t get enough.
In honor of this actual game-changer, Yoh and I are counting down the best 50 Cent songs.
34. “U Not Like Me”
One of the lower-key songs from 50’s debut is a defiant challenge to haters, biters, enemies, and snitches that showcases his way with blunt-spoken-but-effective wordplay. As 50 compares all those against him to his superior circumstances, the scintillating Red Spyda beat clinks away behind him, reminding of the run of mixtape dominance that led to 50 rising above the competition. – Aaron Williams
33. “When It Rains It Pours”
Appearing on the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ soundtrack, “When It Rains It Pours” is desperado music, updated for the modern-day black hats that 50 represents. Of course, the rain in question is hot lead, turning the Che Vicious production into an ominous warning. 50 isn’t holding back when it goes down. – AW
32. “What If”
50 tends to show out on conceptual tracks, and this offering from the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ soundtrack is no exception. Rapping in character as the film’s protagonist Marcus (who was loosely based on 50 himself), 50 wonders about the results of rap stardom. It’s exactly the sort of song that an aspiring rapper would make, and 50 sells it well, even a few years removed from that humble position in real life. – AW
A cheeky but menacing mixtape posse cut produced by Malay and Jake One, “I Don’t Know Officer” was one of many attempts to launch G-Unit on a grander scale. It’s an intriguing curio, featuring a rare collaboration between 50 and Mase, who have never had as contentious a relationship as 50 has with some members of his now-defunct label, but who have still never really put out too much music together for some reason. Also, Spider Loc is here, giving the Compton rapper one of his very few mainstream appearances. – AW
30. “Best Friend” Feat. Olivia
If you had to guess, without looking, how many views on YouTube does “Best Friend” have? If you guessed 30 million, wrong. If you guessed 60 million, wrong. “Best Friend” has over 141 million views. An unbelievable number for a sentimental record produced by Hi-Tek, that features Olivia, samples “Silly, Wasn’t I?” by Valerie Simpson, and interpolates parts of Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend.” “Best Friend” is unquestionably a hit, one of the biggest in 50’s catalog, and he achieved it by leaning into the lady-man music that his nemesis Ja Rule was famous for. Life is funny like that. – Yoh Phillips
29. “Follow My Lead” Feat. Robin Thicke
50 Cent had nothing to prove by Curtis, his third album. He had written the hits, gave hip-hop a classic debut, a strong sophomore, and had room to double down on concepts that made his character multi-dimensional. “Follow My Lead” paired him with Robin Thicke for one of his more tender-hearted themes. The slow-burning tempo and soft piano keys bring a candle-lit vibe that would make no sense on Get Rich or Die Tryin’, but he didn’t die, and even thugs need love. – YP
28. “Disco Inferno”
Legend has it that after Interscope Record decided to push back his sophomore album, The Massacre, 50 chose to leak his lead single, “Disco Inferno, on Thanksgiving Day. A daring move that speaks to how leaks have long affected superstar careers and driven labels crazy. With that said, how 50 made the clubs move may be hard to fathom in a time so removed from his hitmaking, but he had the hottest hand in terms of turning simple jingles into Billboard chart-toppers. “Disco Inferno” peaked at No. 3 and restarted the mania around the world’s boldest rapper. – YP
27. “I’ll Whip Ya Head Boy” Feat. Young Buck
G-Unit had some great records. “I’ll Whip Ya Head Boy” is a prime example. You have 50 and Young Buck over one of the hardest beats Ron Browz ever made, sounding starved, like they’re ready to reach through your headphones and take whatever money is in your wallet. You would think they were performing to be co-stars in the next Grand Theft Auto. It’s a shame these three didn’t attempt more collaborations. They have a working chemistry that went unexplored, but that is why the hit has aged so well: No one ever made a sequel. – YP
26. “Major Distribution” Feat. Snoop Dogg & Jeezy
An underrated latter-day 50 Cent single, “Major Distribution” was originally released as a promotional single for his oft-delayed (and probably canceled) sixth studio album Street King Immortal. While it never charted as well as it could have, 50 and his collaborators do display some cozy chemistry, and the anthemic Soul Professa production lends some impressive energy to the affair. Also, it’s always nice when 50 steps outside of his usual small collaborative circle to include different rappers — and Jeezy delivers one of his stronger verses here. – AW
25. “Like My Style”
Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is a time capsule. “Like My Style” is a Rockwilder-produced club record that feels made for dance-off scenes in You Got Served. The off-kilter rhythm pushed 50 to loosen up. His flow is flexible, his cadence is fun, and he’s in such ecstasy the man said, “I’m a New Yorker, but I sound Southern.” Not true, but the sentiment touched on how 50 was ready to expand outside his region, and “Like My Style” does that by venturing beyond predictable comfort zones. Although not one of his big hits, “Like My Style” had all the pieces of an early 2000s hit. – YP
24. “Ski Mask Way”
Some might think breakout success would keep him away from gritty street tales, but 50’s best storytelling comes out of a darker, colder slice of life and that didn’t change because he sold a million records. “Ski Mask Way” is stickup kid music from the perspective of a scheming kleptomaniac who will take whatever his eyes see, whatever his hands touch. A chain, a watch, earrings — nothing is off limits. What takes this robbery rap deep cut even higher in esteem is how rich and soulful the beat is. The late Disco D outdid himself. – YP
23. “Heat”
The Dr. Dre-produced “Heat” was in Rakim’s possession first before 50 laid the vocals that earned him a track filled with Glock cocking and gunshot sounds. He raps threat after threat with bulletproof poise despite the war zone ambiance. There’s something compelling about how he raps, unbothered by all the noise, as if this environment of hyper-violence is where he feels the most at home. Of all the tracks on his infamous debut, “Heat” doubles down on 50 as an agent of chaos that will place his listeners in a world of bullets, burners, and bravado. – YP
22. “I’m Supposed To Die Tonight”
By the time The Massacre came out in 2009, the subject matter of this song, 50’s 2000 shooting in front of his grandmother’s house, was well-worn material. Rap fans looking for evolution or new material weren’t going to find it here. That doesn’t mean it’s not effective; as a nostalgic reflection of a pivotal point in 50’s life, it’s vivid as HDTV. – AW
21. “God Gave Me Style”
Another standout from The Massacre, this song is unusual in 50 Cent’s discography because it’s one of his few songs that isn’t A.: A chilling meditation on violence, or B.: A blatant bid for radio dominance. He sounds happy here, relishing in the outcome of the past few years of his career, and one of the few times he freely admits, “Best deal I made was tradin’ the mic for that triple beam.” 50’s music can often be motivational, but rarely is it uplifting — this is one of the few exceptions. – AW
20. “High All The Time”
50 wanted to sell records — enough to make a record that wasn’t faithful to life. “High All The Time” talks of intoxication, but the Queens rapper is too intense to be a believable stoner. What should be a loose and lucid record is confrontational and forbidding, but he displays his gift for pairing a sweet melody with brash bravado, the gangsta rap image with a hitmaker’s ear. There is a rare charm to “High All The Time” that captivates even when you can’t trust his character. – YP
19. “Part Of The Game”
50’s rap resurrection has come from a seemingly unlikely place. His constellation of Starz crime dramas, beginning with Power, have offered a showcase that helps to properly contextualize his grimy street narratives. See, he’s not telling 20-year-old war stories anymore, he’s telling you about the show, the things the characters are going to go through. Maybe he took a page from Jay-Z’s book with American Gangster; until we get 50’s version of the reflective 4:44, the Power theme songs — this one’s from Book III: Kanan — let us relive 50 at his best and temporarily ignore the fact he’s a mogul who hasn’t touched a pack since Clinton was in office. – AW
18. “Power Powder Respect” Feat. Lil Durk & Jeremih
The theme song to Power Book IV: Force sees 50 tap Chicago veterans Lil Durk and Jeremih — fitting additions, considering the show’s setting. For those who aren’t up on game, this spin-off follows the original show’s Tommy Egan as he flees to Chicago and works to take over the Windy City. Obviously, power, powder, and respect are the three things he’ll need to accomplish this goal, but while they aren’t in short supply, they aren’t exactly the easiest things to obtain, lending the show its conflict and this song its narrative tension. – AW
17. “Big Rich Town” Feat. Joe
The theme song from the original Power marked a turning point in 50 Cent’s music career. It’d be fair to say he hadn’t been as much of a force on the music scene as he was in business, particularly in the screen business. With his last full-length album nearing a decade ago, it seemed like he’d moved on from rap — until he rediscovered his hunger by putting himself in the mind of his character from the show, Kanan. And while that character is no longer a fixture of most of the remaining spinoffs (RIP), by spitting from the perspective of his shows’ street-stuck subjects, 50 once again sounds vital. – AW
16. “Still Think I’m Nothing” Feat. Jeremih
These two may be an odd pair on paper, but 50 and Jeremih have a commendable work history. Their standout collaboration, “Still Think I’m Nothing,” serves as a harmonious meeting place for raw and reflective raps to find amicability alongside a soulful R&B voice. The silky groove Bongo produced was an ideal canvas for these two to share space. The infectious outcome deserved more praise when this one dropped in 2017. How 50’s ad-libs carry over into the chorus gives “Still Think I’m Nothing” a clever juxtaposition that more artists should attempt today. You really feel the best of both worlds. – YP
15. “Ryder Music”
Hi-Tek might be one of the most underrated rap producers of all time. The man comes with heat, and while it may have seemed a surprise to see the backpack rap producer working with a towering figure such as 50 Cent in 2005, the results speak for themselves. Over a haunting Stevie Wonder loop embellished by Tek’s artist Dion, 50 comes as close as we’ve ever heard him to introspection, juxtaposing his titanic star status with the trappings of trap life. – AW
14. “How To Rob” Feat. The Madd Rapper
The song that first introduced 50 Cent to the masses in 1999 laid the foundation of his future blueprint of courting controversy for attention, and by extension, sales. The tongue-in-cheek concept is simple; 50 is going to rob every successful rapper in hip-hop. He proceeds to name-check dozens of them, from Canibus to Will Smith, dropping in a few R&B singers and even choir director Kirk Franklin. The song didn’t make him many friends, but it garnered plenty of fans, especially after several of his targets responded with tracks of their own, fueling the feeding frenzy. – AW
13. “I Don’t Need Em”
50 is one of rap’s greatest anti-heroes because he commits to antagonism. “I’m rich, I still wake up with crime on my mind,” he raps on “I Don’t Need Em,” the penultimate record found on his sophomore album, The Massacre. It’s an incredibly mean-spirited track, full of the foul energy only a villain could emit. The middle-finger lyricism is paired with phenomenal production by Buckwild, who pulls classic hip-hop grit out of The SCLC Operation Breadbasket Orchestra And Choir’s “Nobody Knows” should be in classrooms studied by professors. – YP
12. “Back Down”
To find the death knell of Ja Rule’s hip-hop dominance, relisten to “Back Down,” track ten on 50 Cent’s classic debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin.’ They don’t make diss records quite like this anymore, where a whole career gets disrupted by its content. The whole track is a vicious and valiant attempt at ending a career, robbing 50’s adversary of any leftover respect since the start of their beef. If liquefied, “Back Down” would taste like poison. That’s how deeply 50 despised Ja. So much so, allegedly, two versions of “Back Down” exist. The OG was disrespectful enough for Dr. Dre to have him change it. It’s hard to imagine a harsher diss, especially with the Alex Thomas outro. – YP
11. “This Is 50”
Fame, celebrity, money; 50 Cent had all the perks of superstardom by 2005, and he still made “This Is 50,” a record that reintroduced him as a Benz-driving, limo-riding rap star with an itchy trigger finger. In both verses, the hook and bridge embody his resistance to be some safe pop star. He may have made riches without having to die, didn’t mean that made him softer, kinder. No, not him, and for anyone who may have forgotten, “This Is 50” makes it crystal clear: A persona doesn’t mean pretending. – YP
10. “Window Shopper”
Appearing on the soundtrack from Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, “Window Shopper” features the most hilarious version of 50 Cent. The one who pulls up alongside you in his brand-new Lamborghini, eyes you up and down, and lets out a pointed, derisive chuckle before he peels off as the light turns green. Here, the put-downs are comical, but the commentary is no less incisive. He doesn’t need to brag or threaten because he’s already reduced you to the worst version of yourself in his mind — and yours. – AW
9. “What Up Gangsta”
The first time I heard anyone from outside of California use “cuz” — the standard salutation of the street-affiliated gentlefolk around my way — on a record, my mind was blown. 50’s street credentials didn’t seem so gimmicky or manufactured to me after that, because I realized he knew some stuff. Anyway, I was 18 at the time and didn’t know any better. This remains one of my favorite 50 Cent records, though. – AW
8. “Hustler’s Ambition”
For all the catchy hooks 50 Cent is best known for, for all the boisterous hits, I’ve always thought he was at his best when he still rapped like he had something to prove over gritty, primal hip-hop beats. Check and check. The stripped-down production, sampling the soulful Frankie Beverly and Maze song “I Need You,” offers a clean backdrop for 50’s straightforward bars about the trevails of the hustler’s life. Placed on the soundtrack to 50’s film debut, which was named after his first album, it sets the stage for the hungry, barely fictionalized version of the character we see in the film. – AW
7.”Patiently Waiting”
The Eminem-produced “Patiently Waiting” was sent to 50 soon after signing with Em in 2002. The drums drop like elbows from a top rope, and that only begins to describe a swelling beat where all the intersecting parts create the perfect atmosphere for titans to pop shit. They pop it, not caring who they offend, especially with all the references to 9/11. It’s bold, but what do you expect from two brass-knuckle rappers with a love for mayhem? Their platinum-selling collaboration was a statement-making moment for Shady Records, one that still feels potent 20 years later. – YP
6. “Wanksta”
A new rapper must add lingo to hip-hop’s vernacular to reach superstardom. “Wanksta” wasn’t a widespread term before 50, but after his 2002 single, it was everywhere, viral, an instant classic. Often viewed as a Ja-Rule diss, “Wanksta” shames posers and taunts pretenders with laughable contempt. Lyrically, the track is rap bullying at its best, and 50 makes it catchy, an imposer-shaming rap sing-along. Then, the beat by J-Praize is unlike anything rappers had at the time and still sounds like it was from the future when played today. A super classic by all metrics. – YP
5. “A Baltimore Love Thing”
While there are quite a few “love songs” that characterize all manner of drugs and other vices as romantic foils to their respective songwriters, this standout from The Massacre captured a side of 50 that hadn’t been seen yet. Where he had always played the cold-eyed hustler, willfully apathetic of the effects of the products he sold, here he personified those products, taking a clinical look at the destruction they’ve wrought on his customers. – AW
4. “21 Questions” Feat. Nate Dogg
The “girl song” reared its head so often in the halcyon teenage years of hip-hop. Yet, never before had it been so effectively ruggedized. Acknowledgment for this likely belongs to Nate Dogg, the California crooner whose cognac vocal graced many a hit in the early 2000s. Rather than begging his way into his paramour’s bed, 50 and Nate draw her in, putting the ball firmly in her court. Will she remain loyal? Will she persevere? What is she willing to do to keep this thing going? By reversing the roles of pursuer and pursued, 50 sounds both enamored and coolly unattached. – AW
3. “I Get Money”
Every year a few rap records come out and have no flaws. A perfect beat, a perfect performance, a perfect release. In 2007, one of those flawless tracks was “I Get Money.” You would have thought its placement on Billboard had peaked higher than No. 20 the way it reached from Brooklyn to Buckhead, from Washington to Wichita. The Audio Two sample and the flex, “Have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire,” had hip-hop in a chokehold. You can play the song today and imagine the impact, but really, “I Get Money” was a moment you had to be there for, a true one-of-one anthem that was every hustler’s ringtone. – YP
2. “Many Men”
There are few songs that truly convey the sense of paranoia that comes from being a marked man because there are so few songs that can accurately balance the anxious, eye-rolling dread with the slight thrill of adrenaline, that rush that makes it almost seem worth the risk. That 50 could back his boasts with his factual story of survival — nine shots to the torso, neck, and head — takes the subject matter from grim to weirdly triumphant. “He got hit like I got hit,” 50 snarls, “But he ain’t f*ckin’ breathin’.” – AW
1. “In Da Club”
A calling card song of the highest order, “In Da Club” is the one 50 Cent song that you’d play your friend who’s never heard a 50 Cent song and they’d get it. A pummeling, punishing treadmill of a Dr. Dre beat sounds like the Knight Rider theme song without actually sampling it (it’s been done a few times), setting the stage for a pulse-pounding, heart-gripping action movie in audio form. 50’s boasts sound at once victorious and somehow humble — like he’s reached the pinnacle of a years-long climb, only to spy greater peaks in the distance. – AW
A pitch meeting went south, says Ray J, after 50 Cent decided to use the restroom. The Breakfast Club continues to filter through its guest co-hosts, and recently, Ray J joined the famed radio show. Angela Yee’s departure has offered an empty slot, and during the singer’s appearance, he shared a tale about a FaceTime meeting with Jackie Long and 50 Cent.
“One conversation that me and Jackie had with 50, 50 was moving around. I don’t know if he didn’t like our idea or he liked it and he was just like, ‘I gotta in before I get on the plane.’ But Fif, Fif just took a sh*t in our meeting.” DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God needed clarification and asked Ray to explain.
LAS VEGAS – SEPTEMBER 08: Singer Ray J, Rapper 50 Cent, boxer Floyd Mayweather arrives at the Absolut VMA Party Hosted By 50 Cent in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on August 8, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
The Love & Hip Hop star said it was a FaceTime meeting set up by Jackie Long, and “50 took a dump.” Ray questioned if Fif going to the bathroom in the middle of a meeting was his way of quietly saying he wasn’t impressed with the pitch. Charlamagne Tha God added 50 Cent wasn’t going to like Ray sharing this private information.
“To me, I felt it was gangster,” said Ray J. “It was like, you a little homie. I feel like we got little homied in the meeting because maybe the idea wasn’t good.” Charlamagne didn’t think it was that deep and simply stated that Fif just needed to go. The three men laughed at the scenario, but Charlamagne wasn’t convinced that this was a true story.
Meanwhile, 50 Cent hasn’t responded to the strange account. However, he’s known for taking aim at people, regardless of their industry status. His reputation as a troll has also served him well, and his fans are waiting to see if he goes after Ray J for this one. Check out the story above.
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!
(SPOILERS for this week’s BMF episode will be found below.)
In episode four of BMF, titled “Runnin’ On E,” things start with Meech recovering in a hospital after he was shot three times by Lamar after episode three. When he finally comes to his sense, Terry breaks him out of the hospital before Lamar returns to finish the job. For the rest of the episode, BMF leaders Meech and B-Mickie, along with Terry, are tasked with getting BMF back on its feet in the midst of a product drought all while Meech recovers and tries to steer clear of Lamar. Unfortunately, a huge mistake on Terry’s part forces and he and Meech to change their plans and make a run for it out of Detroit.
The aforementioned events in the third episode of BMF season two, titled “Runnin’ On E,” are soundtracked by songs that help to accentuate the emotions behind each scene. You can find a list of them belong as well as details about the scenes that they are heard in.
The following records were provided thanks to the Starz Public Relations team.
50 Cent — “Wish Me Luck” Feat. Charlie Wilson
This is the theme song of BMF. It plays at the 04:18 mark in “Runnin’ On E.” While 50 Cent and Charlie Wilson’s voices are only heard on it, the song also features Snoop Dogg and Moneybagg Yo.
Frankie Beverly & Maze — “Happy Feelings”
We hear this song at the 11:24 mark, but it’s not from the voice or Maze or Frankie Beverly, but rather, it’s from Lamar. He sings this song after Detectives Bryant and Jin leave him in the interrogation room after he fails give up any information about the shooting incidents between himself and Meech.
Mando — “What Have You Done”
As this song plays at the 13:25 mark, Lamar has reconnected with an old lover for some late-night bedroom action, their first interaction since he left the office. Things don’t go as planned for him as he’s still not healed from his injuries.
Leland Smith, Marley & Osinachi — “Sacrifices”
At the 15:20 mark, “Sacrifices” plays as Terry arrives for meeting with Boom at the drug dealer’s club. He requests to buy a batch from Boom in order to give BMF something to work with and survive the drought. Boom reluctantly agrees and gives him a small batch while promising to charge “interest” and “inflation.”
Scottie — “The Lords Prayer”
This record is sung at the beginning of a church service at the 17:18 mark in this episode. What follows is an attempt from Pastor Swift to pray for Meech, but he’s ultimately ignored by some parishoners who decide to leave rather than to hear the prayer. Lucille bashes those who walked out and even calls some of them hypocrites.
Travon — “Blessed Assurance”
We hear this record at the 23:00 mark as the older Terry, voiced by Mustafa Harris, gives a historical account on the War On Drugs, Richard Nixon, and how they both impacted Black and brown communities.
Launchcode — “Fool For Ya”
After making some progress in his recovery, Meech makes a visit to Lori’s house at the 25:12 mark. This visit results in an intimate moment between Meech and Lori as “Fool For Ya” plays in the background.
Nwaneri — “80s Rap 2”
This record plays at the 27:53 mark during a tense meeting with the former 50 Boyz and 12th Street, who both combined to form BMF. Two of the top members in 12th Streetare displeased with BMF’s state and decide to walk away from the group.
Club Nouveau — “Why You Treat Me So Bad”
Club Nouveau’s “Why You Treat Me So Bad” plays at the 35:25 as Lamar makes a surprise visit to former 12th Street member Tiny’s house surprises him with an attack in Tiny’s bathroom. This leads to fight between the two and ends with Lamar knocking out Tiny and killing him by holding a plastic curtain over his head.
Ready For The World — “Tonight”
Ready For The World’s “Tonight” plays during a sex scene between Terry and Markeisha at the 42:07 mark. Terry visits Markeisha at the insurance office prior to leaving Detroit in order to say one last goodbye to her.
Solo D / City — “Run That Back”
This record plays as Meech and Terry begin their drive out of Detroit at the 45:13 mark. Meech is annoyed with the R&B record and changes the radio station to hear something more upbeat.
Eric B. & Rakim — “Lyrics Of Fury”
“Runnin’ On E” concludes with Eric B. & Rakim’s “Lyrics Of Fury” playing at the 55:50 mark. Lamar tracks down Meech and Terry during their drive and attempts to swipe them off the road with his Jeep. Once again, Meech and Terry are able to make a slim escape and leave Lamar in the dust behind them.
New episodes of ‘BMF’ are available on the STARZ app on Fridays at 12:00 am EST and on the STARZ TV channel at 8:00 pm EST.
Fans of Travis Scott are still eagerly awaiting updates on his Utopia album. Back in September, the father of two’s Road To Utopia show hinted at potential collaborations with Kid Cudi and Pharrell among others. At this point, though, an approximate release date remains unknown.
He may not have any info to give on his music right now, but the Houston native has certainly been busy with his celebrity friends as of late. Scott appears on Trippie Redd’s new album, specifically lending his vocal talents to a track titled “KRZY TRAIN.” Additionally, he linked up with 50 Cent earlier this week for a golf tournament in his hometown.
On Monday (January 30), Fif uploaded a photo to his Instagram feed. It sees him, the Astroworld artist, and athlete Terrell Owens posting together out on the green. The latter two men rock dark outfits, with Scott even being brave enough to don shorts mid-winter.
The “I Get Money” hitmaker, for his part, paired light grey pants with a white polo tee. He was also repping his hometown on his hat. “Mr. October foundation golf tournament,” 50’s caption reads. “This is the place to be.”
Elsewhere, videos of Scott getting lit during the game are circulating on social media. Yesterday, @2cool2bl0g shared one of the Texas native chatting with bartenders while sipping on a pink slushy drink. It was seemingly made with the Power producer’s liquor brand.
In his usual fashion, 50 Cent entertained the crowd with a speech at the golf tournament. The 47-year-old said, “This is really exciting for me to be here, personally, I’m really enjoying myself. And that part where he said, ‘If you’re 50 and older,’ that meant they had skills because they had time to learn the game.”
“Don’t think because you got muscles that it’s gonna mean something today,” the rapper joked. “It is all about technique, and you’re gonna get a chance to see some real action out here today. I like to talk my game down so I can over-perform… When you see what’s going on, you know you’ll be impressed by me a little bit.”
Fif also admitted to spending some time at the local driving range ahead of the event, because he hates to be in “situations where [he] don’t mean nothing.”
The New Yorker and Houston native have been spending plenty of time together as of late, and the newest photos certainly aren’t the last we’ll see of them. Earlier this month, we found out that 50 Cent and Travis Scott will take to the stage at the upcoming Wireless Festival in London.
Check out the full lineup of artists here, and check back later for more hip-hop news updates.
50 Cent could come through with a new project in the near future or at least a new single. The rapper took to Instagram to hint at his return to the studio shortly after earning six additional platinum certifications to his collection.
This week, the RIAA certified six of 50 Cent’s singles as platinum: “I Get Money,” “Outta Control” ft Mobb Deep, The Game’s “Hate It Or Love It,” “Window Shopper,” “Best Friend,” and “Patiently Waiting” ft. Eminem.
Following the news, 50 Cent hit Instagram where he celebrated the platinum certifications. “i got a couple joints, im a see what i sound like now,” he captioned the post.
At the top of the year, 50 Cent announced that he’d be coming through with new music during 2023. Though he didn’t share a timeline, it seems like we could expect at least a new single sometime this year. Additionally, he confirmed that he had even more TV shows on the way.
“Im gonna remind people i’m nice this year,” he wrote. “New Music New Tv New movie let’s go!”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) 50 Cent performs on day 1 of Parklife Festival at Heaton Park on June 11, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns)
Though these singles are bonafide classics already, the fact that they were finally certified led to a surplus of reactions. Lil Meech, Larenz Tate, Kash Doll, and more extended their congratulated Fif on his feat. However, Joey Bada$$ felt surprised that “Hate It Or Love” only sold a million copies recently.
“How is hate it or love it now going platinum????” he wrote in the comments. “THIS STREAMING SHIT DONE FUCKED THE GAME UP.”
The Game celebrated the 18-year anniversary of The Documentary, which includes “Hate It Or Love It.” Despite their differences, the Compton rapper extended a warm thank you to Fif for giving him the opportunity.
“8 years ago today…. A hip hop classic was born. All I wanted to do was tell my story & make sure my son would never live the life I did. Snoop Dogg passed me the torch, Busta Rhymes kept me focused… Dr. Dre laid the foundation & 50 Cent helped put the puzzle together,” The Game wrote.
Are you looking forward to new music from Fif? Let us know in the comments.
