What makes How We Do by 50 Cent notable?

'How We Do' received extensive radio play and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a defining anthem of its time. The song's collaboration with The Game also played a crucial role in popularizing the West Coast sound during an era dominated by East Coast hip-hop. Released as part of 50 Cent's debut studio album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin', 'How We Do' marked a significant moment in his career following his breakthrough with 'In Da Club' in late 2003. This track solidified his status as a leading figure in hip-hop, showcasing the strong production style of Dr. Dre.

How many songs are on How We Do?

How We Do has 2 tracks, running approximately 7 minutes.

How We Do

50 Cent · 2004

7 min · 2 tracks · gangsta rap

A potent blend of hard-hitting beats and confident, brash lyrics that epitomize early 2000s gangsta rap.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
How We Do — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of street life and resilience, driven by its infectious hook and assertive delivery.
→
Westside Story — This track highlights The Game's narrative style and reflects the West Coast's cultural identity, serving as a bold statement within the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong hooks and solid production but lacks depth for lasting engagement.

What we noticed

The production includes a heavy bass line and layered synths, typical of early 2000s gangsta rap, contributing to its gritty atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 — This single was pivotal in solidifying 50 Cent's fame after 'In Da Club'.
Themes: street life resilience· West Coast identity· early 2000s bravado
Career context: Released as part of 50 Cent's debut studio album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin', 'How We Do' marked a significant moment in his career following his breakthrough with 'In Da Club' in late 2003. This track solidified his status as a leading figure in hip-hop, showcasing the strong production style of Dr. Dre.
Stylistic neighbors: The Game· Jay-Z· Nas