If I Can't

2003 single by 50 Cent From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"If I Can't" is a song recorded by American rapper 50 Cent for his debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin'. It is one of the album's four tracks produced by Dr. Dre, with co-production from Mike Elizondo. The song was released in Europe and Australia as the album's fourth and final single on September 16, 2003, through Interscope Records, Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment.

A-side"Poppin' Them Thangs"
B-side
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2003
Genre
Quick facts Single by 50 Cent, from the album Get Rich or Die Tryin' ...
"If I Can't"
Single by 50 Cent
from the album Get Rich or Die Tryin'
A-side"Poppin' Them Thangs"
B-side
ReleasedSeptember 16, 2003
Genre
Length3:16
Label
Songwriters
Producers
50 Cent singles chronology
"P.I.M.P."
(2003)		 "If I Can't"
(2003)		 "On Fire"
(2004)
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With no physical single released in the US, the song failed to match the commercial success of its predecessors, peaking at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100 through radio play alone. However, it peaked at number ten in the United Kingdom through physical purchases, with a limited-edition version of the single being released as a double A-side along with G-Unit's "Poppin' Them Thangs".

Background

"Before my album Get Rich or Die Tryin' came out, there was a big debate about what the first single should be. Jimmy Iovine thought it should be the one that Dr. Dre produced, 'If I Can't'. But Em wanted 'In da Club'. In the end they were deadlocked, so they asked me and I told them, real quiet, 'In da Club'." – 50 Cent[1]

Released in 2003, it reached No. 76 in the US, becoming 50 Cent's sixth Hot 100 entry, but nonetheless his weakest charting single at that time. It also peaked at No. 10 in the UK as a double A-side with "Poppin' Them Thangs" (G-Unit). The song was written by 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Mike Elizondo, with production by Dr. Dre, and Mike Elizondo.

Music video

At the start there is a white man introducing 50 Cent; it then consists of video footage of 50 Cent in different concerts and documentaries. All of the members of G-Unit are seen in the video. It is very similar to the music video to Eminem's 2003 single "Sing for the Moment".

Track listing

  • UK CD single[2]
  1. "If I Can't" - 3:16
  2. "Poppin' Them Thangs" (with G-Unit) - 3:45
  3. "In da Club" (Live in New York) - 4:52
  4. "If I Can't" (Music Video) - 3:24
  5. "Poppin' Them Things" (Music Video) - 3:48
  • German CD single[3]
  1. "If I Can't" - 3:16
  2. "Poppin' Them Things" (with G-Unit) - 3:45
  • Australian CD single[4]
  1. "If I Can't" - 3:16
  2. "In da Club" (Live in New York) - 4:52
  3. "What Up Gangsta" (Live in New York) - 4:08
  4. "If I Can't" (Instrumental) - 3:08

Charts

More information Chart (2003–2004), Peak position ...
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Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...
Certifications and sales for "If I Can't"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[29] Gold 45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[30] Gold 150,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[32]
with "Poppin' Them Thangs" 		Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[33] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

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Release history

More information Region, Date ...
Release dates and formats for "If I Can't"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 16, 2003 (2003-09-16) Digital download
[33]
Australia January 19, 2004 Maxi CD Universal Music
[34]
United Kingdom[a] February 23, 2004
Polydor
[35]
Germany[a] March 15, 2004 Maxi CD Universal Music
[10]
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Notes

  1. [a]
    Across Europe, "If I Can't" was released as a double A-side single with "Poppin' Them Thangs".

References

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