Adversity breeds champions and few artists in hip-hop have used tragedy to fuel their rise to power like 50 Cent.

The Queens rapper got his start in the music industry under DJ Jam Master Jay's tutelage and made a splash via a guest appearance on Onyx's 1998 single, "React." Capitalizing on that momentum with his infamous "How to Rob" track, 50 Cent recorded his debut album, Power of the Dollar, which was led by the single "Life's on the Line," a scathing cut on which Fif sent shots at fellow Queens rapper Ja Rule. The beef would lead to 50 Cent and his entourage having a run-in with him and the Murder Inc. crew in March of 2001, at a Manhattan recording studio. Fif was stabbed, but that would be the least of his troubles, as he would find himself on the wrong side of the gun during an attempt on his life in April of 2001. Despite being shot nine times, 50 Cent survived and rallied his G-Unit troops for a takeover of the rap industry, recording mixtape material at a breakneck pace and building his brand brick by brick.

The buzz led to a bidding war, with Eminem giving 50 an offer he couldn't refuse. The deal effectively gave the rapper the ammunition he'd need for his impending domination. After ousting Ja Rule in their long-standing rivalry, Fif released his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', which would sell millions of units and position him as the biggest star in all of rap. Unleashing a barrage of hit singles and making guest appearances on high-profile singles from some of the biggest artists in music, 50 would certify himself as one of the most prolific hit-makers rap had ever seen. He released quality material over the years while continuing to wage war with the likes of The Lox, Fat Joe, The Game, Kanye West, Rick Ross, and a host of others.

These days, 50 Cent is known as hip-hop's undisputed bad guy with an undeniable charm -- you either love him or hate him. No matter which side of the fence you sit on, there's no denying the rapper has a catalog of bangers that have served as the soundtrack for many hip-hop heads' memorable moments. The task was tedious, but we combed through the G-Unit general's extensive catalog and picked out 25 of his most essential tracks for your listening pleasure. When it comes to hits, 50's the man.

  • "Ghetto Qu'ran"

  • "Hustler's Ambition"

  • "I'll Whip Ya Head Boy"

  • "Many Men (Wish Death)"

  • "Window Shopper"

  • "21 Questions"

    50 Cent Featuring Nate Dogg
  • "50 Bars"

  • "Poor Lil' Rich"

  • "Just A Lil Bit"

  • "Baby By Me"

    50 Cent Featuring Ne-Yo
  • "Disco Inferno"

  • "Piggy Bank"

  • "How to Rob"

  • "P.I.M.P."

    50 Cent Featuring Snoop Dogg
  • "Problem Child"

  • "Ski Mask Way"

  • "Patiently Waiting"

    50 Cent Featuring Eminem
  • "I Get Money"

  • "Rotten Apple"

  • "Gunz For Sale"

  • "OK, You're Right"

  • "In Da Club"

  • "Candy Shop"

    50 Cent Featuring Olivia
  • "Wanksta"

  • "A Baltimore Love Thing"

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