Hate It Or Love It (feat. 50 Cent)
The Game
From Struggle to Stardom: The Game and 50 Cent's 'Hate It Or Love It'
The song 'Hate It Or Love It' by The Game featuring 50 Cent is a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity and achieving success against the odds. The lyrics provide a raw and honest glimpse into the artists' pasts, detailing the challenges they faced growing up in difficult environments and their journey to the top of the rap game. The chorus, 'Hate it or love it, the underdog's on top / And I'm gon' shine, homie, until my heart stop,' serves as a triumphant declaration of their resilience and determination to succeed despite the obstacles they've encountered.
50 Cent opens the song reflecting on his tumultuous childhood, marked by an absent father and a mother who passed away when he was young. He speaks candidly about the temptations of street life, including selling drugs as a means to achieve the material success he saw as synonymous with a better life. The Game follows with his own verse, painting a vivid picture of life in Compton, California, where gang violence is a daily reality and survival often means being prepared to defend oneself at all costs. He touches on personal loss and the significance of loyalty and remembrance, suggesting that his experiences have shaped his approach to life and music.
The song also addresses the broader social issues that affect their communities, such as poverty, violence, and the lack of educational resources. The Game's verse, 'Pac is gone and Brenda still throwing babies in the garbage,' references Tupac Shakur's song 'Brenda's Got a Baby,' highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by many. The artists use their platform to shed light on these issues while also expressing gratitude for their success and the ability to provide for their families. 'Hate It Or Love It' is not just a personal anthem for The Game and 50 Cent, but also a message of hope and perseverance for those who come from similar backgrounds.