Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

It isn't uncommon to hear about money in hip-hop, but most artists don't go to such great lengths to show their struggle to the top. Curtis Jackson, more commonly known as "50 Cent", released a ground-breaking album entitled "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" that redefined the concept of becoming successful by any means necessary. The album went sextuple platinum and made 50 Cent into one of the best selling artists of hip-hop history.

Before I dive into an analysis, I will say that this post focuses more on the imagery and meaning of the album cover itself, not the message behind any songs or albums. Rest assured, I will have plenty to say in later blog posts.


Let's dive in. Here we have the notorious album cover that millions of people around the world have seen. The very first thing my eyes draw to is the bullet hole through a visible layer of glass which 50 Cent is standing behind. The cross necklace he is wearing is immediately emphasized, and we as the audience now see behind a tough exterior, a man of God trying to make his own success in the life he was given. It isn't a secret that 50 Cent has been shot nine times, and it is admirable that he found fame through his passion and still kept his faith through it all. The red background definitely wasn't chosen randomly, but moreover to allude to the blood, sweat, and tears 50 Cent poured into his work.

He wants to be clear that he isn't another "wanna-be gangster" trying to make a quick buck. He is an artist that wants to be on the very top, and sure enough he was placed there through his dedication. The album title can be seen as written in cursive, trying to add to a more classy atmosphere, while 50 Cent's name is in a completely different font style on his left. He is seen as shirtless, but is still wearing a type of fabric with a "50" pattern embedded on it. This is possibly to show that while he still considers himself a tough, rugged "gangster" at heart, he knows that he has hit the jackpot in his attempt to be successful.