Hate It or Love It cover

Hate It or Love It

50 Cent · 2005

11 min · 3 tracks · gangsta rap

A powerful blend of melodic hooks and gritty realism that captures the struggles and triumphs of street life.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Hate It or Love It (explicit) — This title track encapsulates the album’s themes of resilience and ambition, featuring a catchy chorus and impactful verses that narrate personal struggle and success.
  • →
    Higher (Live From Sessions @ AOL) — This live performance showcases 50 Cent's dynamic stage presence and lyrical prowess, offering an energetic interpretation that elevates the album's impact.
  • →
    Hate It or Love It (instrumental) — The instrumental version highlights the lush production and melodic elements that underlie the vocal performances, allowing listeners to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the track.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
54 /100
Foothills
Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The single combines strong writing with polished production, though its cohesion suffers from bonus tracks.

What we noticed

  • The main track features a prominent hook sung by a guest artist, contrasting with 50 Cent's verses that alternate in a call-and-response style.
  • The production includes a soulful sample that underpins the beat, creating a nostalgic feel throughout the track.
  • The live version of 'Higher' showcases different vocal delivery and energy compared to the studio version, emphasizing performance dynamics.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Solidified 50 Cent's status after his initial success with 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
Themes
street-level ambition· G-Unit camaraderie· gritty urban resilience
Career context
Released in early 2005, 'Hate It or Love It' came during 50 Cent's meteoric rise following his breakthrough album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'. At this point, he was solidifying his status as a leading figure in hip-hop, collaborating with G-Unit members and expanding his influence beyond music into business ventures.
Stylistic neighbors
The Game· Jay-Z· Nas

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Hate It or Love It (explicit) 3:28
  • 2 Higher (Live From Sessions @ AOL) 3:56
  • 3 Hate It or Love It (instrumental) 4:02

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata