21 Questions

Album: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003)
Charted: 6 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Inspiration for this song came when 50 Cent heard a romantic LL Cool J song, and the girl riding next to him was clearly enjoying it. This convinced him to write a song revealing his softer side and his appreciation for women - something that most gangsta rappers shied away from. The song finds 50 asking a girl if she would still love him even if he wasn't rich and famous.
  • This samples a 1978 song called "It's Only Love Doing Its Thing," which was written by Jimmie and Vella Cameron. The Canadian producer Dirty Swift (Kevin Risto), who was half of the Midi Mafia production team, put the track together. He delivered the beat to an executive at Universal Music, which was trying to sign 50 Cent to a record deal. This executive passed the track on the 50, who put lyrics to it. When 50 signed with Dr. Dre's Shady/Aftermath label, he recorded the song for his first album.
  • Nate Dogg sings the chorus on this song, which was Dr. Dre's idea (50 planned to do it himself). Nate had a great track record in this line of work, dating back to his 1994 Warren G. collaboration "Regulate," and continuing on the Snoop Dogg track "Never Leave Me Alone" and the Ludacris song "Area Codes."
  • Released as 50 Cent's second single, this hit #1 in the US in May 2003, less than three months after his first single, "In Da Club," topped the chart. 50's label was planning to release a more uptempo song as his second single, but DJs were already playing "21 Questions," so it made sense to put it out.
  • When this song hit, its producer Dirty Swift concocted an answer song (in the very literal sense) called "21 Answers," which he had the female rapper Lil' Mo record.
  • We counted them up and "21 Questions" actually contains 23 different questions.

Comments: 3

  • F Unit from Dapto, Australia50 cent is my hero
  • Bryn from State College, Pa"I love you like a fat kid love cake" boss line
  • Atsve from Cairns, AustraliaThis has got to be the best lyrics I have heard from 50 Cent ever, it only has one line about sex. LOL
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Mike Love of The Beach Boys

Mike Love of The Beach BoysSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist of The Beach Boys talks about coming up with the words for "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Kokomo" and other classic songs.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.