On this day, June 20, in hip-hop history...

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
loading...

2002: It's announced that Eminem and Dr. Dre have signed an up and coming rapper by the name of Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and the rap game is never the same.

At the time of 50's signing to Eminem's Shady Records label and the Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, the then-27-year-old rapper was only two years removed from being shot nine times in front of his grandmother's house in Southside Jamaica, Queens. Weeks prior to his signing, 50 and his newly established crew, G-Unit, had unleashed their now-iconic mixtape, 50 Cent Is the Future. Featuring a variety of inventive remixes and a collection of dynamic raps from Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, the project helped 50 live up to its title.

With a work ethic as relentless has his street-oriented lyrics, 50 was on his way to superstardom when he inked his million-dollar record deal. He realized that potential when he dropped off his stunning debut album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin', on Feb. 6, 2003. Led by his hit single, "In Da Club," the project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart after selling 872,000 copies in its first week.

Before leaving Shady Records and Aftermath in 2014, 50 made sure Em and Dre got their money's worth. Each of his first three albums  (Get Rich Or Die Tryin', The Massacre and Curtis) managed to go get certified gold or better by the Recording Institute of America (RIAA). His first two LPs were multi-platinum. Needless to say, 50 has had himself an amazing career, and aligning himself with Dre and 50 was a big part of it.

Here's the Ultimate Guide to Rappers With Acronyms in Their Name

More From 107 JAMZ