The Understanding

Sorry, kids. It’s time for another 50 Cent cover. I had to do it. Did you hear the mixtape? That nigga Fif is back! That nigga Fif is back! Mad. Raw. Lashing out at old foes. Hunger for more. XXL’s gonna stay along for the ride. Yeah there have been some potholes in their lawn lately, but rumors of G-Unit’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. G-Unot? Not! (Sorry Game, we love you too. Our office is based in Switzerland, baby.)

Still I know I’m going to catch some heat for this so I might as well attempt to explain the whole sordid affair. Yeah, I’ve been fuckin’ with the Unit for a while now. Here’s a look back at all of YN’s 50 Cent covers and the reasons why I did each and every one of them. They all sold so let the story be told. Haters get your weight up and make more rap stars. Cop some CDs instead of MP3s. It’s the Power of a Dollar. I’ll holla!

March 2003: Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent

Description: You already know. It was the shot heard around the world. A hall-of-fame cover alongside Pac in the straitjacket, Biggie with the Twin Towers, Death Row in black, and Dre with the gun to his dome.
Reason: To kill The Source. I did.

August 2003: 50 Cent

Description: The infamous guest editor issue that almost got YN’s ass kicked and set off the Joe Budden/G-Unit beef. You gotta live with regrets.
Reason: 50 was moving crazy units at the time and it was XXL’s 50th issue. Seemed like a no-brainer.

Jan/Feb 2004: G-Unit (50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck)

Description: XXL takes Europe as Bezo grabs his passport and heads to the land of weed and prostitution. What happens in Amsterdam stays in Amsterdam.
Reason: The biggest rapper in the game putting his homies on to form a supergroup? Who cares if the first single is horrible?

Mar 2005: 50 Cent

Description: 50 grabs the crossbow and takes aim at his NYC rivals. This was a little “Piggy Bank” pre-game.
Reason: First cover to announce 50’s highly anticipated second album. I’m in a position of power, you fuck around if you wanna.

July 2005: 50 Cent and Tony Yayo

Description: Our controversial jail issue ruffled a lot of feathers as 50 explained why he gave The Game the boot.
Reason: Had an editorial concept that matched Yayo’s image. All I needed was Curtis to cosign. He flew in from the Get Rich movie set to provide the Midas touch.

Jan/Feb 2006: G-Unit (50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Ma$e, M.O.P., Lloyd Banks, Olivia, Tony Yayo, Spider Loc, Young Buck)

Description: Mr. Monopoly shows off his strong roster. Although, G-Unit Records hasn’t had the best ’06 so far, the cover is still hella impressive.
Reason: Just wanted to see Ma$e, Mobb Deep, and M.O.P. standing next to each other. Who cares if we had to go to France to do it?

Sept 2006: 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks

Description: 50 and his most trusted right hand man Lamborghini Lloyd defend G-Unit’s place in the game. You can pray and pray for their downfall, but you might have to cop some more rosaries.
Reason: It’s not like there’s a new Nas album out or anything