Power of the Dollar is an unreleased, but heavily bootlegged, album from
rapper 50 Cent. It was supposed to be his debut album, released on Columbia Records.
The album is often considered 50 Cent's "purest" hip-hop album, as he was still heavily involved
in the criminal scene whilst he recorded it. His lyrical style is also much different than future albums —
the album is praised for its complex lyrical structure and flow.
The album's underground hit, "How to Rob", mentions many prominent figures in the music industry, and comically explains how he would rob
them. Several rappers including Jay-Z, Big Pun, DMX, and the Wu-Tang Clan replied to the song.[1] The track was intended to be released with "Thug Love" featuring Destiny's Child, but two days before he was scheduled to film the "Thug Love" video, 50 Cent was shot and had
to be confined to a hospital due to his injuries.[2] The track, "Ghetto Qu'ran", has been speculated to be the reason for his shooting.[3]
While in hospital, 50 Cent signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records. However, he was later dropped from the label after they found out he had been shot.[4]
The song "Your Life's on the Line", which All Music Guide says "conveys street life through hard, violent rhythms" was included on 50 Cent's commercial
debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003).