Though backing posses had become de rigueur for commercially successful rappers by the early 2000s, 50 Cent\`s posse, G Unit, is somewhat exceptional, as showcased on its album debut, Beg for Mercy. Following 50\`s unsuccessful stint with Columbia Records during the late \`90s, he returned to the streets and willfully assembled a backing posse, with himself as the superstar and his cohorts as his street-level representatives, thereby ensuring himself future street credibility and enough firepower for entire mixtapes. The plan paid off in spades as G Unit worked the mixtape circuit, releasing one after another, while 50 in turn blew up in 2003 with his solo debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin\`, yet maintained his street cred with his well-bred posse, touring extensively and releasing still more mixtapes