When 50 signed to Interscope, it was with the backing of both Dr. Dre and Eminem, who were at that time the most influential musicians in rap music. (Having once been the future themselves, they thought they could predict it.) "Wanksta, " from the No Mercy, No Fear mixtape, ended up on the 8 Mile soundtrack, and 50 was off to the races.

NPR: The Decade In Music: 50 Cent's 'In Da Club' (2003)