Music Sales : 50 Cent Debut, 'Get Rich or Die Tryin',' Reaches 8x Platinum

Hard to believe it's been almost a decade since 50 Cent's groundbreaking 2003 debut, 'Get Rich or Die Tryin',' was released. Over the last eight years, 50's business ventures have launched him into several new industries, including the tech world, sports beverages and film business, keeping his pockets heavy with change and very musch alive. Yet, atop all this, his Grammy-nominated debut continues to break ground.

Released exactly eight years ago next week, the album, which changed the game for New York club rap, boasting a slew of hits and three no.1 singles, has reached a hip-hop milestone, breaking eight million units sold in the United States.

Only two other rappers have passed this mark, 50's partner/mentor Eminem, who did so with two albums -- 'The Marshall Mathers LP,' (10,341,000) and the 'Eminem Show,' (9,928,000) -- and Nelly's 'Country Grammar,' (8,489,000).

Though 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'' did not break a milion sales first week, it debuted at no.1, where it stayed for six weeks, and sold over six million copies before the year's end, powered by singles like 'Wanksta,' 'Many Men,' '21 Questions,' 'P.I.M.P.' and 50's dancefloor smash 'In Da Club.'