Today (July 6), 50 Cent turns 40 years old. The Queens, New York superstar born Curtis Jackson may have broken through later in his life than some peers, however as an MC, an investor, and a record executive, Fif’ has blessed the last 13 years with an edge that massively shaped Hip-Hop’s direction, attitude, and market trends. Hitting a benchmark birthday, 50 Cent has accomplished a lifetime in roughly a dozen years.

February, 2003’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ would prove to be the hallmark, eight-times platinum release that would skyrocket 5-0 from a Columbia Records castaway to the last three-headed monster at Interscope (with mentors Eminem and Dr. Dre). In reaching that point, he would become arguably the rapper of the 2000s decade. That ’03 Interscope/Shady/Aftermath-helmed studio debut reached every crevice in the buying market. To get there, like so many movements in Hip-Hop, it started in the streets. April, 2002’s Guess Who’s Back album would be the set-up. This is the CD that Paul Rosenberg reportedly passed Em’, prompting the signing. For many Hip-Hop Heads in-the-know, this was the jump-off.

A Top 40 debut on the charts, the mysteriously-sanctioned Full Clip Records release held some of Fif’s recordings from his Trackmasters/Columbia Records sessions. However, in the same vein, this raw-like-sushi street release dissed Tone and Poke, Tommy Mottola, and the early backers (as well as “the hood”) holding the Southside Jamaica MC back.

Although it blurred the lines between album and mixtape, this release did not slack on production. DJ Clark Kent, Sha Money XL, DJ Doo Wop, Red Spyda, and others held the project down, which featured Nas, Bun B, Nature, and the would-be household name crew, G-Unit. Like 50 Cent Is The Future, No Mercy, No Fear, and God’s Plan, this effort would lay down the foundation of what would be the fearless qualities of Curtis, in the era of the tough-talking studio gangster. Unlike those releases, this one was available in Best Buy, Circuit City, and the neighborhood record stores.

Guess Who’s Back is the vibe that 5-0 seems to be focused on getting back to in his post-Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records career. The MC, who was unafraid to rap about who shot him, renowned street figures, and his enemies every move—is still out for blood, and wants to rap really well along the way.

As 50 Cent celebrates 40 years of life—a life that was challenged at so many points—perhaps this effort is the tipping point, and the emblematic work of what 50 has really given Hip-Hop:

Is Guess Who’s Back the forgotten link in the chain-reaction to 50 Cent’s arrival?

Related: 50 Cent Says Suge Knight Was Going to Kill Dr. Dre. G-Unit Gets Real with The Breakfast Club (Video)