Power of the Dollar is an unreleased studio album by American hip hop recording artist 50 Cent. The album was originally set to be released as his major-label debut in 2000 by Columbia Records. However, the album's release was cancelled after Columbia discovered that 50 Cent was struck by nine bullets in a shooting that took place two months before the album was set to release. After the shooting, Columbia dropped 50 Cent from the label.[1] Subsequently, the album was heavily bootlegged.[2] There are currently no plans to release the album on compact disc.
The album features guest appearances from Destiny's Child, Noreaga, Dave Hollister, Bun B and The Madd Rapper. The album's production was handled by Trackmasters, Red Spyda, Sha Self, DJ Scratch and Erick Sermon, among other producers.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
Allmusic writes that the tracks utilize "penetrating wit and funk-infused beats, accompanied by grand orchestrations of commanding horns, pronounced percussion, and various string elements".[3]
Singles
The lead single, "Thug Love" featuring Destiny's Child, was released on September 21, 1999.[4] Days before 50 Cent was scheduled to film its music video, he was attacked by a gunman in the infamous shooting incident that left him with nine gunshot wounds and gave him his dimple scar; an event that 50 Cent often references in his lyrics.[5][6] While hospitalized, he signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records. However, he was dropped from the label after it was discovered that he had been shot.[7] The track, "Ghetto Qu'ran (Forgive Me)", has been speculated to be the reason for the shooting.[8]
The third and final single, "Your Life's on the Line", was released in 1999. The song was produced by Terrence Dudley, and was perceived as a diss song to Ja Rule, which would begin their highly publicised feud on records. 50 mocks Ja's famous catchphrase "Murdaa!", on the chorus of the song, rapping "Murdaa, I don't believe you/Murdaa, Fuck around and leave you/Murdaa, I don't believe you/Murda Murda, your life's on the line". A music video for this song was released, which was also the only song with a music video of the whole album. The song would later be included as a bonus track on 50's officially released debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | 1:11 | ||
| 2. | "The Hit" | Randy Allen | 3:41 | |
| 3. | "The Good Die Young" | Al West | 4:02 | |
| 4. | "Corner Bodega (Coke Spot)" | L.E.S. | 1:36 | |
| 5. | "Your Life's on the Line" |
| Terence Dudley | 3:38 |
| 6. | "That Ain't Gangsta" | Trackmasters | 3:25 | |
| 7. | "As the World Turns" (featuring Bun B) | Ron Francois | Red Spyda | 4:20 |
| 8. | "Ghetto Qu'ran (Forgive Me)" |
| Trackmasters | 4:34 |
| 9. | "Da Repercussions" | Kurt Gowdy | 3:28 | |
| 10. | "Money by Any Means" (featuring Noreaga) |
| 4:03 | |
| 11. | "Material Girl" (featuring Dave Hollister) | Trackmasters | 4:35 | |
| 12. | "Thug Love" (featuring Destiny's Child) |
|
| 3:16 |
| 13. | "Slow Doe" | Trackmasters | 3:54 | |
| 14. | "Gun Runner" (featuring Black Child) |
| Trackmasters | 1:55 |
| 15. | "You Ain't No Gangsta" |
| Sha Self | 3:37 |
| 16. | "Power of the Dollar" | Trackmasters | 3:26 | |
| 17. | "I'm a Hustler" |
| DJ Scratch | 3:55 |
| 18. | "How to Rob" (featuring The Madd Rapper) |
| Trackmasters | 4:25 |
| Total length: | 63:01 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thug Love" |
|
| 3:16 |
| 2. | "I'm a Hustler" |
| DJ Scratch | 3:46 |
| 3. | "Da Heatwave" (featuring Noreaga) | Erick Sermon | 3:56 | |
| 4. | "Your Life's on the Line" |
| Terence Dudley | 3:44 |
| 5. | "How to Rob" |
| Trackmasters | 4:24 |
| Total length: | 82:07 | |||
References
- ^ "50 Cent live at The Tunnel NYC 1999". YouTube. 2008-11-07. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ 50 Cent: Biography : Rolling Stone. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Accessed May 21, 2008.
- ^ a b link All Music Guide review of Power Of The Dollar. Accessed Aug 17, 2008.
- ^ 50 Cent | Thug Love CD | Album. MTV. Accessed May 21, 2008.
- ^ Ninja (December 2002). 50 Cent Interview. Dubcnn. Accessed May 21, 2008.
- ^ Admin (December 9, 2002). 50 Cent - Teflon MC Archived 2010-01-02 at the Wayback Machine. Sixshot. Accessed May 21, 2008.
- ^ Jonah Weiner, April 2005. Dear Superstar: 50 Cent Archived 2008-12-18 at the Wayback Machine. Blender. Accessed May 21, 2008.
- ^ Surveilling 50 Cent Archived 2007-05-09 at the Wayback Machine. The Smoking Gun (September 6, 2005). Accessed May 21, 2008. In 2003 50 Cents mixtape 24 shots was released, which includes 8 tracks from the Power of the Dollar LP.