Show summary Hide summary
Two of 50 Cent’s most iconic singles almost had different owners. Behind the chart-topping beats of “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop” are studio sessions, passed-up chances and quick decisions that reshaped hip-hop history.
How “In Da Club” shifted from D12’s session to 50 Cent’s breakthrough
During early sessions with Dr. Dre, a beat that would become “In Da Club” circulated among artists. Eminem’s group D12 took the track into their camp, but they didn’t commit lyrics to it right away.
Nas slams music industry over disrespect: teases new music, vows to address it
1992 vocal performances: 3 jaw-dropping moments that still amaze
50 Cent later described arriving at the session and finishing songs on the spot. Rather than leave the beat idle, he wrote and recorded his parts immediately. That impulsive approach turned the instrumental into the lead single for his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
- Beat created during Dre’s production sessions.
- D12 had access but delayed writing for it.
- 50 Cent wrote quickly and recorded the completed track.
The result: a multi-platinum hit that launched 50’s solo career.
The backstory of “Candy Shop”: Fat Joe, Scott Storch, and a missed opportunity
A different beat, later recognized as the backbone of “Candy Shop,” was reportedly crafted in collaboration between Fat Joe and producer Scott Storch. Fat Joe says he sketched the idea by beatboxing while Storch translated it into the studio.
After the success of “Lean Back,” Fat Joe and his team worried the new track was too similar. Despite Storch’s insistence and many follow-up calls, Joe passed on recording it.
- Fat Joe and Storch prototype the beat together.
- Concerns arise over similarity to an earlier hit.
- Producer pushes for a recording; artist declines.
- Beat eventually lands with 50 Cent and becomes “Candy Shop.”
Fat Joe has called the lost track “a humongous hit” if he’d kept it.
Studio dynamics: why beats move between artists
These episodes reveal how quickly material changes hands in hit-making sessions. Producers often play multiple camps beats. Artists decide on the spot whether to record.
Several factors influence a beat’s fate:
- Timing — who is ready to write and record first.
- Creative fit — whether the song feels distinct from recent releases.
- Label guidance and management input.
- Producer persistence — sometimes the beat finds another artist.
Small choices during sessions can redirect careers. A beat rejected by one act can become a signature track for another.
Producers, group sessions and fast creativity
Producers like Dr. Dre and Scott Storch work with many artists. When a beat lands in a shared session, speed and decisiveness matter. 50’s habit of finishing songs immediately illustrates how immediacy often wins in the studio.
Could 50 Cent perform one of these near-miss hits on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?
50 Cent is scheduled to appear on ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve this NYE. That raises the possibility he’ll include classics from his catalog.
Fans tuning in at 8 pm ET can watch live on ABC or stream via services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Given the prominence of “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop” in his setlists, either track could surface during the broadcast.
If he performs, viewers might hear songs that nearly belonged to other artists.
