50 is successful because he is one of the smartest son of a bitch in the rap game right, if u think about everything he does and how he does them, u'll be almost tempted to call him a Genius. and regardless of what other people say 50 is one of the realest. He came to the rap game with a plan and that's to put it in a "choke-hold"- remeber that line in "in the club"? why did I say 50 is real, cause he didn't keep his plan a secret just the way Pac did, remember when Pac says "I got money making plans"- listen to made niggaz. but anyway 50 came with his debut "get rich or die trying" he didn't come as a lyrical God or something, he came as a gangsta rapper who had lived the gangsta lifestyle before he got signed -hence the hype about him getting shot 9 times! I said 9 times!!! I know u guys would say well big deal, but do yall remember when this board was going crazy when they heard about 50 getting shot 9 times and he survived well the whole world bought into that hype too, so he became very popular, then he brought his boys to eat with him G-unit with reebok= jackpot! now G-unit is everywhere and them members all dropping dope solo joints, and in all their videos u see 50's face, which creates anticipation for 50's own album. Then whole Shyne issue, then the whole "piggy Bank" hot 97 issue, everything was planned by 50 and with Em backing him up, and Dre's beats and acknowlegement, you know Cali would be behind him too which equals sales! 50 is a smart man! I just wish he could improve lyrically because he is one of the best song writers ever.