50 Cent

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Lore & Background

The song 'My Life' emerged from a specific creative timeline, recorded in 2010 but released years later. Jackson revealed during an interview in France that the beat was taken from Dr. Dre's long-awaited (but now cancelled) album Detox. This marked the third song from Detox to appear on Street King Immortal, following 'New Day' and 'The Psycho'. Announced on September 30, 2012, by Jackson himself in an interview with Channel 4 FM host Chris Birks, the single was intended to top his most-successful hit, 'In da Club', before retirement. The track samples Melvin Bliss's 'Synthetic Substitution' and features writing credits for Jackson, Marshall Mathers, Adam Levine, Larry Griffin Jr., and Herb Rooney. It stands as a pivot point in their collaboration history, moving away from aggressive wordplay toward shared vulnerability about the burdens of celebrity.

In Their Own Story

In the first verse, Jackson directly addresses former G-Unit affiliates Game and Young Buck, rifting on their past behavior. He states, 'I tried to help niggas get on, they turned around and spit / Right in my face, so Game and Buck both can suck a dick.' He claims he is no longer writing for them because they are not making hits. This diss sparked an immediate response from Game, who told Power 106 radio that he might have to make a sequel to '300 Bars and Runnin' to kill Jackson and G-Unit. However, Jackson later clarified the context, noting the song was recorded two years prior and expressing he held no current ill will toward Game. The track serves as Jackson's version of Eminem's Recovery, which he termed his own 'comeback hit'. While Jackson focuses on betrayal and fame's weight, Eminem raps about dedication, revenge, and questioning his decision to record Recovery.

Reader's Guide

Fans can trace the visual narrative of 'My Life' through its music video, shot in Corktown Historic District, Detroit, and directed by Richard 'Rich' Lee. The video features cameos from boxer Andre Dirrell and premiered on MTV on November 27, 2012, one day after its digital release. The visuals are abstract and metaphoric, depicting the paranoia of being chased by a helicopter, symbolizing the artists running for their lives from fame. Jackson is seen inside a building illuminated by chopper lights, eventually finding Dirrell to escape in a Chrysler 300 John Varvatos Special Edition. Eminem appears walking on dark roads and rapping under the spotlight in a park. The video concludes with all three artists stopping their flight. Live performances included a debut on The Voice with Jackson and Levine on November 26, 2012, and a later performance during fighter Gamboa's ring entrance on December 8, 2012.

Did You Know?

• The beat for 'My Life' was originally intended for Dr. Dre's cancelled album Detox.
• 50 Cent announced the single on September 30, 2012, stating he wanted to surpass 'In da Club' before retiring.
• Game threatened a sequel to '300 Bars and Runnin' in response to Jackson's diss about G-Unit members.
• The music video features boxer Andre Dirrell escaping with 50 Cent in a Chrysler 300 John Varvatos Special Edition.
• 'My Life' sold 140,000 units in its first week upon debuting at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100.