Hustler's Ambition - Background and Recording

Background and Recording

In late 2003, following the commercial success achieved by 50 Cent's debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin', Interscope Records head Jimmy Iovine asserted that 50 Cent had a high enough profile to move into making films. Plans for a film were revealed the following year, when 50 Cent revealed that he would be writing and directing his first motion picture, a semi-autobiographical work based on his difficult childhood experiences, with the Oscar-nominated director Jim Sheridan assisting in the production of the film. The film was originally known under the title Locked and Loaded, although this later became Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Get Rich or Die Tryin' was released to cinemas in 2005, and received generally mixed reviews from contemporary film critics.

50 Cent wrote the whole of "Hustler's Ambition" during a break from filming Get Rich or Die Tryin' in his trailer on the set of the film. The song's title was to match that of the film, which had the other working title of Hustler's Ambition at the time, although the then upcoming release of the film Hustle & Flow, which featured Terrence Howard, a co-star of Get Rich or Die Tryin', in its cast led 50 Cent to change the title of the film. American soul singer Frankie Beverly is also credited as having written "Hustler's Ambition", as a sample of his song "I Need You" – a collaboration with funk group Maze from their 1978 album Golden Time of Day – is included in the song's introduction. The production for "Hustler's Ambition" was provided by record producer Brian Hughes under his production name B-Money "B$", with recording carried out by Ky Miller at G-Unit Studios – a recording studio in New York City. The song's mixing process was carried out by Pat Viala, with mastering handled by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner.