If I Can't
Encyclopedia
"If I Can't" is a song by American hip-hop artist 50 Cent
, released as the fourth and final single
from his debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'
(2003). The song is one of four on the album to be produced by hip-hop producer Dr. Dre
, with co-production from frequent collaborator Mike Elizondo
. Musically, the song describes how 50 Cent believes that "if I [he] can't do it (referring to anything) it can't be done".
Upon its release, the song was a reasonable commercial success: however, the song did not match the commercial success of the album's three previous singles, only peaking at number seventy-six on the Billboard Hot 100
in the United States, where the three previous singles had all peaked within the top three, and also peaked in the upper regions of several national charts, most successfully in the United Kingdom, peaking at number ten after being released as a double A-side with the G-Unit
single "Poppin' Them Thangs
".
(G-Unit
). The song was written by 50 Cent and produced by Dr. Dre
, with co-production from keyboardist Mike Elizondo
.
music video "Sing for the Moment
".
^ Released as a Double A-Side with Poppin' Them Thangs
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, released as the fourth and final single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from his debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (album)
Get Rich or Die Tryin is the debut studio album of American rapper 50 Cent, released February 4, 2003, on Aftermath Entertainment under a joint venture with Shady Records and distribution by Interscope Records. Its initially planned release was pushed seven days ahead due to heavy bootlegging and...
(2003). The song is one of four on the album to be produced by hip-hop producer Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, with co-production from frequent collaborator Mike Elizondo
Mike Elizondo
Michael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
. Musically, the song describes how 50 Cent believes that "if I [he] can't do it (referring to anything) it can't be done".
Upon its release, the song was a reasonable commercial success: however, the song did not match the commercial success of the album's three previous singles, only peaking at number seventy-six on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the United States, where the three previous singles had all peaked within the top three, and also peaked in the upper regions of several national charts, most successfully in the United Kingdom, peaking at number ten after being released as a double A-side with the G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
single "Poppin' Them Thangs
Poppin' Them Thangs
"Poppin' Them Thangs" is the title of a song recorded by G-Unit. It was released in November 2003 as the second single from their debut album, Beg for Mercy...
".
Background
Released in 2003, it reached #76 in the USA becoming 50 Cent's sixth Hot 100 entry, but nonetheless his weakest charting single at that time. It also peaked at #10 in the United Kingdom as a double A-side with "Poppin' Them ThangsPoppin' Them Thangs
"Poppin' Them Thangs" is the title of a song recorded by G-Unit. It was released in November 2003 as the second single from their debut album, Beg for Mercy...
(G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
). The song was written by 50 Cent and produced by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, with co-production from keyboardist Mike Elizondo
Mike Elizondo
Michael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
.
Music video
At the start there is a white male introducing 50 Cent, it then consists of video footage of 50 Cent in different concerts and documentaries. All of the members of G-Unit are seen in the video. It is very similar to the EminemEminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
music video "Sing for the Moment
Sing for the Moment
"Sing for the Moment" is a song by American rapper Eminem from the album The Eminem Show, released in 2002. It was released as a music single in 2003.-Song information:Eminem samples the song "Dream On" by rock group Aerosmith...
".
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 22 |
| German Singles Chart | 34 |
| Hungarian Singles Chart Mahasz Mahasz is the Hungarian music industry association, founded in 1992. Mahasz hands out the Hungarian Music Awards and maintains the music charts for Hungary.... |
6 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... ^ |
10 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
76 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
15 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 34 |
^ Released as a Double A-Side with Poppin' Them Thangs
Poppin' Them Thangs
"Poppin' Them Thangs" is the title of a song recorded by G-Unit. It was released in November 2003 as the second single from their debut album, Beg for Mercy...
Remixes
- "If I Can't" featuring Jay-ZJay-ZShawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
is a bonus track on the DVD 50 Cent : The New Breed.http://www.play.com/play247.asp?pa=pfa&page=title&r=R2M&title=122349