In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of his major label debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin, 50 Cent recently tore down a packed-out Jiffy Lube Live for the DMV stop of his global tour titled The Final Lap. 

Based on its name, this tour is assumed to be his last, as 50 has not released a full album in almost 10 years. While he’s been away from music, he’s stayed busy as his ventures outside of hip hop have grown into an empire all its own, from the numerous television shows he produces through G-unit Film & Television, Inc. to his wine and spirits company Sire Spirits. Accompanied by his long-time friend, the legendary Busta Rhymes and singer Jeremih, 50 ran through all of the hits that made him the biggest artist in Hip-Hop during the early 2000’s that made 13-year-old me so happy for the chance to finally see it all live. 

Silhouettes of 50 popped up on one screen at a time as the intros to some of his biggest songs played out over the speakers, before finally appearing on a big box at centerstage at Jiffy Lube Live on August 8. The box slowly split down the middle as the pyro went off revealing 50 as he started to perform “I’m On Some S***” and blue lightning struck on all of the screens. Fif went into “What Up Gangsta,” the first full song from “Get Rich or Die Tryin’”as his hype men Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda joined him on stage. With a full band behind them performing from on top of the set structures and a troop of dancers, 50 and the boys tore through his historic catalog of songs and features.

The packed amphitheater of people partied thorough out the night as 50 performed hit after hit. Records like “I Get Money,” “Disco Inferno,” and ”PIMP” blew the roof off of the place while slow jams like “21 Questions” and “Best Friend” had every couple in attendance singing to each other. Aggressive gangsta records like “In My Hood” and ”Poor Lil’ Rich” had guys circled up rapping to each other like drunk frat boys but none of them quite like “Wanksta,” the first single that made 50 a household name, which had everyone rapping along all the way back to the lawn.

50 even performed “Big Rich Town” the theme song from his first hit television show, “Power,” and took out the time to do a tribute to his young mentee Pop Smoke; who was murdered just as he gained popularity in the music industry back in 2020 by performing their collaboration “The Woo.” He then brought back out opener, Jeremih to perform their collaboration “Put It Down On Me” before giving him and a single dancer the entire stage to perform his 2009 smash “Birthday Sex” at the piano.

Stream Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent on Spotify:

After Jeremih’s time in the spotlight, Fif ironically returned to the stage with “Baby by Me” before making the crowd erupt with the cinematic masterpiece that is “Many Men (Wish Death).” He surprisingly followed that up with the biggest hit of his career “In Da Club,” taking things over the top before performing his feature on the remix of Chief Keef’s party anthem ”Hate Being Sober.” 

Check out the official music video for “In Da Club” by 50 Cent on YouTube:

50 thanked the DMV for coming and gave the crowd a salute before leaving the stage as the lights fell black. Tony Yayo yelled out into the darkness for no one to go anywhere and started a “50…50…50” chant that rang out around the crowd. Giant flames lit up the front of the stage over and over as the rapper burst back out to perform several more records including “Patiently Waiting,” and his verse from the Eminem record “Crack a Bottle.” 50 ended the night off with one of his hardest songs “I’ll Whip Ya Head Boy” making sure nobody forgets his place in the game whether he steps away from the mic for good or not.

50 Cent’s The Final Lap Global Tour is just getting started, as the North American leg won’t be coming to an end until Sept. 17 in Detroit, Michigan before heading over to Europe. Make sure you check it out while you can, just in case this really is 50’s last lap.

Below are some more photos from 50 Cent’s performance at Jiffy Lube Live on August 8, 2023. All photos copyright and courtesy of AJ Waugh (wauffleznotwaffles.com).