Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. As one of the pioneers of hip hop in the early 2000s, 50 Cent helped shape the sound of the genre and brought gangsta rap to the mainstream. With multi-platinum albums like Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and The Massacre under his belt, 50 Cent has cemented his status as a hip hop legend.
While his iconic hits like “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop” still receive regular radio play today, 50 Cent’s discography runs much deeper than just his biggest singles. By taking a look at his most streamed tracks on Spotify, we can uncover some unexpected gems from the G-Unit boss that may have flown under the radar upon their initial release. So let’s take a closer look at 50 Cent’s top 6 most played Spotify tracks to uncover some hidden hits.
1. “In Da Club” – 1.4 billion streams
It should come as no surprise that 50 Cent’s signature hit sits firmly at the top of his Spotify rankings. Released as the lead single from Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003, “In Da Club” was an instant global smash that helped propel 50 Cent to superstardom. With its infectious hook and gritty storytelling, the track became the best-selling single of 2003 and earned 50 Cent his first Grammy win. Even after nearly 20 years, “In Da Club” remains one of the most iconic hip hop songs of the 2000s and 50 Cent’s signature party anthem. Its timeless appeal and familiarity have led it to accumulate a staggering 1.4 billion streams on Spotify alone. A true hip hop classic.
2. “P.I.M.P.” (feat. Snoop Dogg & Lloyd Banks) – 956 million streams
While not as ubiquitous as “In Da Club,” “P.I.M.P.” was another major hit from Get Rich or Die Tryin’ that soundtracked the early 2000s. Boasting an assist from hip hop legends Snoop Dogg and G-Unit member Lloyd Banks, the track rides a menacing beat as 50 brags about his pimpin’ prowess. Released as the album’s fourth single in 2003, “P.I.M.P.” peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped cement 50 Cent’s image as a streetwise gangsta rapper. Nearly 20 years later, its gritty lyrics and swaggering delivery have resonated with over 956 million Spotify listeners.
3. “Candy Shop” (feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Tony Yayo) – 888 million streams
Released as the lead single from The Massacre in 2005, “Candy Shop” was another massive hit that helped cement 50 Cent’s crossover appeal. Boasting a feature from late Wu-Tang Clan legend Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the track rides a sample of Prince’s “Cream” as 50 and ODB trade slick verses about sex and partying. While somewhat controversial for its sexually suggestive lyrics, “Candy Shop” undeniably had a catchy hook and club-ready vibe that made it a staple of mid-2000s hip hop. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been streamed over 888 million times on Spotify.
4. “Just a Lil Bit” (feat. Nate Dogg) – 759 million streams
Serving as the third single from Get Rich or Die Tryin’, “Just a Lil Bit” was another hit that soundtracked the early 2000s. Featuring a memorable hook and assist from the legendary Nate Dogg, the smooth track sees 50 Cent flexing his lyrical skills over a mellow beat. While not as ubiquitous as “In Da Club” or “P.I.M.P.,” “Just a Lil Bit” still managed to peak at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its 2002 release. Two decades later, its laidback yet braggadocious vibes have resonated with over 759 million Spotify listeners.
5. “21 Questions” (feat. Nate Dogg) – 747 million streams
Hailing from Curtis, 50 Cent’s 2007 album that marked his comeback after being shot nine times, “21 Questions” was another hit driven by Nate Dogg’s iconic vocals. Over a minimal piano loop, 50 and Nate trade verses about a suspicious relationship full of unanswered questions. Released as the album’s lead single, “21 Questions” peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped 50 Cent reaffirm his mainstream popularity post-shooting. Its melodic yet suspenseful vibe has clearly stuck with Spotify listeners, who have streamed it over 747 million times.
6. “Window Shopper” (feat. Olivia) – 735 million streams
Released as the lead single from Curtis, “Window Shopper” saw 50 Cent experimenting with a more melodic pop-rap sound. Featuring vocals from R&B singer Olivia, the track rides a sample of Musiq Soulchild’s “Just Friends (Sunny)” as 50 and Olivia trade verses about materialistic desires. While a stylistic departure from his usual gritty gangsta rap, “Window Shopper” undeniably had a catchy hook and club-friendly bounce. It peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its 2007 release. Nearly 15 years later, its crossover appeal remains evident with over 735 million Spotify streams.
As this breakdown of 50 Cent’s most streamed Spotify tracks reveals, his catalog runs much deeper than just his biggest hits. While signature songs like “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop” still dominate his rankings, hidden gems like “P.I.M.P.,” “Just a Lil Bit,” and “21 Questions” showcase different sides of 50 Cent’s artistry. Tracks from throughout his 20+ year career, from Get Rich or Die Tryin’ to Curtis, continue finding new life on streaming platforms. This speaks not only to 50 Cent’s iconic status as one of hip hop’s pioneers, but also the timeless and wide-ranging nature of his discography. Even after two decades, 50 Cent continues to surprise fans with unexpected deep cuts that have stood the test of time.
