Where Are They Now? 50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Ten years ago today, Fif dropped his gangsta-rap masterwork.

50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin' - Critics are quick to point out that 50 Cent has never been able to recapture the magic of his debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. And that is partially true. There was something about Fif’s energy, his stories, the way he told them, and the production that he rapped over that ensures this one should be left alone. (Photo: Courtesy of Interscope Records)

1 / 16

Where Are They Now? 50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin' - Ten years ago today, Feb. 6, 50 Cent unleashed his gangsta-rap masterwork Get Rich or Die Tryin'. The expectations around the album, and 50 in general, were sky high, but he managed to exceed them, selling 8 million copies in the U.S., submitting songs like "Patiently Waiting" and "In Da Club" into the pantheon of timeless rap classics, and propelling Fif to super-stardom. But 50 didn't do it by himself; like the LP's fourth cut says, "Many Men" had a hand in making Get Rich or Die Tryin' so amazing. Here, like we've done with other classic albums, we track down each member of the all-star squad behind 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin', whether behind the mic or behind the boards. —Alex Gale (Photo: Courtesy of Interscope Records)

Rob "Reef" Tewlow - Record exec and beat-maker Rob "Reef" Tewlow had mainly only produced underground rap records until he landed a huge placement with Get Rich or Die Tryin' opener "What Up Gangsta." He's currently music director at Eminem's Shade 45 SiriusXM satellite radio station. (Photo: Rob "Reef" Tewlow/Myspace)

2 / 16

Rob "Reef" Tewlow - Record exec and beat-maker Rob "Reef" Tewlow had mainly only produced underground rap records until he landed a huge placement with Get Rich or Die Tryin' opener "What Up Gangsta." He's currently music director at Eminem's Shade 45 SiriusXM satellite radio station. (Photo: Rob "Reef" Tewlow/Myspace)

Red Spyda - Red Spyda produced bonus track "U Not Like Me" and reportedly made other uncredited contributions throughout the album. He continued working with the G-Unit camp, and recently re-emerged to collaborate with B.o.B. on "Fly Like Me" from his B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray mixtape. (Photo: Red Sypda/Twitter)

3 / 16

Red Spyda - Red Spyda produced bonus track "U Not Like Me" and reportedly made other uncredited contributions throughout the album. He continued working with the G-Unit camp, and recently re-emerged to collaborate with B.o.B. on "Fly Like Me" from his B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray mixtape. (Photo: Red Sypda/Twitter)

/content/dam/betcom/images/2012/11/Celeb-11-01-11-15/110512-celebs-8-mile-now-eminem.jpg

4 / 16

Eminem - Eminem was well on his way to becoming a legend, one of the best-selling and best-rapping superstars to ever do it, when he played a key role in crafting Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Em rapped on two tracks and produced or co-produced three others, most notably "Patiently Waiting." He's reportedly working on a new album, set to hit stores later this year. (Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Darrell "Digga" Branch - After helping create much of Cam'ron's early material, Darrell "Digga" Branch had a much bigger triumph, co-producing 50 Cent's masterful "Many Men." In 2008, he founded Producer's Skill Inc., a company focused on educating aspiring beat-makers. (Photo: Six Figga Entertainment)

5 / 16

Darrell "Digga" Branch - After helping create much of Cam'ron's early material, Darrell "Digga" Branch had a much bigger triumph, co-producing 50 Cent's masterful "Many Men." In 2008, he founded Producer's Skill Inc., a company focused on educating aspiring beat-makers. (Photo: Six Figga Entertainment)

ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Dre - Dr. Dre played a key role on Get Rich or Die Tryin, producing standouts such as the first single, "In Da Club," and "Heat" and executive-producing the entire disc. It was one of the last highlights of Dre's early-2000 productive period. In the years since, he's mainly been working on his constantly delayed third solo album, Detox, in between occasional production and rhyme work for 50 Cent, Eminem, Game and Kendrick Lamar. Perhaps he's spending too much time enjoying the spoils of the 2011 $300 million sell-off of his headphones company, Beats by Dre.   (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

6 / 16

Dr. Dre - Dr. Dre played a key role on Get Rich or Die Tryin, producing standouts such as the first single, "In Da Club," and "Heat" and executive-producing the entire disc. It was one of the last highlights of Dre's early-2000 productive period. In the years since, he's mainly been working on his constantly delayed third solo album, Detox, in between occasional production and rhyme work for 50 Cent, Eminem, Game and Kendrick Lamar. Perhaps he's spending too much time enjoying the spoils of the 2011 $300 million sell-off of his headphones company, Beats by Dre.   (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Mike Elizondo - Mike Elizondo, who broke in the game playing bass, songwriting and co-producing for Dr. Dre and Eminem, continued his fruitful collabo with the former on "In Da Club" and "If I Can't." Mike has since expanded his production work to include non-rap acts such as Fiona Apple, Maroon 5 and his most recent clients, Gary Clark Jr., Kimbra and Tegan and Sara. He was nominated for producer of the year at the 2008 Grammys. (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

7 / 16

Mike Elizondo - Mike Elizondo, who broke in the game playing bass, songwriting and co-producing for Dr. Dre and Eminem, continued his fruitful collabo with the former on "In Da Club" and "If I Can't." Mike has since expanded his production work to include non-rap acts such as Fiona Apple, Maroon 5 and his most recent clients, Gary Clark Jr., Kimbra and Tegan and Sara. He was nominated for producer of the year at the 2008 Grammys. (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Sha Money XL - G Unit soldier Sha Money XL co-produced "High All the Time" and "Poor Lil Rich" with Eminem. He went on to land credits with Slim Thug, Snoop Dogg, Juvenile, Busta Rhymes and Stevie Wonder before landing a job in 2010 as VP of A&R at Def Jam, where he helped sign Trinidad James, 2 Chainz and Big K.R.I.T.  (photo: John Ricard / BET).

8 / 16

Sha Money XL - G Unit soldier Sha Money XL co-produced "High All the Time" and "Poor Lil Rich" with Eminem. He went on to land credits with Slim Thug, Snoop Dogg, Juvenile, Busta Rhymes and Stevie Wonder before landing a job in 2010 as VP of A&R at Def Jam, where he helped sign Trinidad James, 2 Chainz and Big K.R.I.T.  (photo: John Ricard / BET).

Mr. Porter a.k.a. Denaun Porter - D12 rapper-producer Mr. Porter landed a huge hit with 50's smash single "P.I.M.P." He continued to produce for G Unit and Shady artists — including Eminem himself — and other stars, though he left D12 last year. He's currently working on his solo debut on the mic, The Memo.  (Photo: Mr. Porter Productions)

9 / 16

Mr. Porter a.k.a. Denaun Porter - D12 rapper-producer Mr. Porter landed a huge hit with 50's smash single "P.I.M.P." He continued to produce for G Unit and Shady artists — including Eminem himself — and other stars, though he left D12 last year. He's currently working on his solo debut on the mic, The Memo.  (Photo: Mr. Porter Productions)

409015_11_rb

10 / 16

Rockwilder - Rockwilder, already known for huge hits with Redman, Christina Aguilera and Jay-Z, crafted the beat for "Like My Style." Interestingly, his production work slowed down after that major score, though he's still producing for Red and Meth, and reunited with 50 Cent for 2009's "Do You Think About Me." (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Dirty Swift of Midi Mafia - Dirty Swift, one half of production duo Midi Mafia, chopped up the guitar notes on Fif's suave "21 Questions." The Mafia haven't matched the song's success since, though they've produced for Fantasia and Jennifer Lopez and released two albums as recording artists since 2010.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

11 / 16

Dirty Swift of Midi Mafia - Dirty Swift, one half of production duo Midi Mafia, chopped up the guitar notes on Fif's suave "21 Questions." The Mafia haven't matched the song's success since, though they've produced for Fantasia and Jennifer Lopez and released two albums as recording artists since 2010.  (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Sean Blaze - After breaking in the game with Z-Ro and UTP, Sean Blaze produced "Blood Hound" for 50 Cent. It was the apex of Sean's career; he later produced and/or engineered for Bun B, Rick Ross and Chamillionaire. (Photo: Sean Blaze/Myspace)

12 / 16

Sean Blaze - After breaking in the game with Z-Ro and UTP, Sean Blaze produced "Blood Hound" for 50 Cent. It was the apex of Sean's career; he later produced and/or engineered for Bun B, Rick Ross and Chamillionaire. (Photo: Sean Blaze/Myspace)

Young Buck - Few rap pariahs have caught it worse than Young Buck. After building rumors of tension among G Unit, 50 Cent not only excommunicated the Nashville MC in 2008, he also leaked a recorded phone call of Buck apologizing tearfully. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

13 / 16

Young Buck - The first member of G-Unit's second wave, Young Buck spit a snarling verse on "Blood Hound," his inaugural work with the crew. He went on to release two solo discs with the group before being ousted in 2008 after persistent rumors of inner beef. Things got rockier for Buck from there, with a bankruptcy filing, an IRS raid and auction and, currently, an 18-month sentence for gun possession. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Tony Yayo on the bygone days of G-Unit records:  - "You know what’s crazy? It’s like when we didn’t have any money, things were better. When everybody got money, it’s like things just went downhill, so it’s like, I dunno, egos. I would love to see a G-Unit reunion…” (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Motorola)

14 / 16

Tony Yayo - Tony Yayo made his major-label debut on "Like My Style," though he was incarcerated when it was released. After G-Unit's Beg for Mercy collabo album, his crew's "Free Yayo" campaign kept his name alive. He was finally freed in 2004 and released his first solo disc, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon, a year later. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Motorola)

Lloyd Banks - After playing right-hand man on 50 Cent's early mixtapes, Lloyd Banks made his major label debut on "Don't Push Me" on Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Since then he's released three solo albums, including his double-platinum debut, Hunger for More, and his 2010 comeback hit, "Beamer, Benz or Bentley." He's also stayed active in the mixtape circuit. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

15 / 16

Lloyd Banks - After playing right-hand man on 50 Cent's early mixtapes, Lloyd Banks made his major label debut on "Don't Push Me" on Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Since then he's released three solo albums, including his double-platinum debut, Hunger for More, and his 2010 comeback hit, "Beamer, Benz or Bentley." He's also stayed active in the mixtape circuit. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' is the album that launched an empire, and the man on the throne is, of course, 50 Cent himself. The album made him rap's center of gravity for years to follow, with seemingly endless rap foot soldiers, a successful clothing line, an acting career and massive business deals. However, after increasingly disappointing follow-ups and a long break between albums, Fif finds himself struggling to regain his former relevance. He's currently working on the much-delayed album Street King Immortal, which has seen numerous release dates and two middling singles come and go. (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

16 / 16

50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' is the album that launched an empire, and the man on the throne is, of course, 50 Cent himself. The album made him rap's center of gravity for years to follow, with seemingly endless rap foot soldiers, a successful clothing line, an acting career and massive business deals. However, after increasingly disappointing follow-ups and a long break between albums, Fif finds himself struggling to regain his former relevance. He's currently working on the much-delayed album Street King Immortal, which has seen numerous release dates and two middling singles come and go. (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images)