It was 2005. You couldn't walk into a mall, a gym, or a Honda Civic with aftermarket subwoofers without hearing that stuttering, Middle Eastern-inspired synth lead. 50 Cent was at the absolute peak of his G-Unit powers. When he dropped the line i took you to the candy shop, it wasn't just a lyric; it was a cultural shift that cemented the transition of "gangster rap" into the polished, high-gloss pop-rap that dominated the mid-2000s.
Honestly, it's a bit wild looking back.
The song, simply titled "Candy Shop," was the second single from 50's sophomore album, The Massacre. It didn't just climb the charts. It lived there. For nine weeks, it sat at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. But if you dig into the history of the track, you’ll find it wasn't actually supposed to be a 50 Cent song at all.
The Scott Storch Sound and the Fat Joe Connection
Scott Storch was the man with the golden touch back then. He had this specific way of blending "exotic" scales with heavy, club-ready percussion. Think "Lean Back" or "Baby Boy." He built the "Candy Shop" beat with that same DNA.
Here is the kicker: Fat Joe claims the beat was originally his.
According to Joe in various interviews, he passed on the instrumental. Imagine that. One of the biggest songs in the history of hip-hop was sitting in a folder, rejected by one of 50’s biggest rivals at the time. When 50 Cent got his hands on it, he did what he does best. He simplified the melody and added a hook that even your grandmother could hum, even if she definitely shouldn't have been humming those particular lyrics.
He wrote the song to be a commercial monster. 50 has always been transparent about his process; he wasn't trying to write "Dear Mama" or "NY State of Mind" here. He wanted a "Magic Stick" successor. He wanted something that played in the strip clubs and the suburban Sweet 16 parties simultaneously.
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Breaking Down the Lyrics: More Than Just Confections
We all know the hook. "I'll take you to the candy shop / I'll let you lick the lollipop." It’s not subtle. It’s barely a metaphor. But the brilliance of 50 Cent’s songwriting—and yes, he is an underrated songwriter—is the pacing.
The verses are staccato. They’re rhythmic.
Give it to me baby, nice and slow.
The song relies heavily on call-and-response elements. This is a technique borrowed from the earliest days of hip-hop and funk, designed specifically to keep a crowd engaged. When Olivia comes in for the bridge, it adds a layer of R&B smoothness that balanced out 50’s gravelly, nonchalant delivery.
There's a specific irony in the line i took you to the candy shop when you consider 50 Cent's public persona. At the time, he was the guy who had been shot nine times, the guy who "dethroned" Ja Rule, the guy who ran the streets. Yet, here he was, whispering sweet nothings about lollipops over a beat that sounded like a belly dance. It worked because of the contrast.
The Music Video: Peak 2000s Aesthetics
If you want to understand the visual language of 2005, watch the "Candy Shop" video. It’s all there.
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- The excessive use of filters.
- The mansion that looks more like a set from The Great Gatsby if it were directed by Hype Williams.
- The cameos from the G-Unit roster.
- Olivia looking like a superstar (who, unfortunately, never quite got the solo career trajectory many expected).
Directed by Jessy Terrero, the video was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award, though it lost out to Ludacris’s "Number One Spot." It didn't matter. The imagery of 50 in the driver's seat of an exotic car with that smirk on his face became the definitive image of mid-aughts rap wealth.
Why the Song Ranks High in Hip-Hop History
Critics weren't always kind. Some called it "Candy Shop" 2.0 or a retread of his previous hits. Pitchfork and other indie-leaning outlets were dismissive of the blatant commercialism. But the numbers don't lie, and neither does the longevity.
Why do we still talk about it?
- The Production: Scott Storch’s production hasn't aged as poorly as some of his contemporaries. The drums still knock. The synth line is still instantly recognizable within the first two seconds.
- The Meme-ability: Long before TikTok, "Candy Shop" was a proto-meme. It’s been covered by everyone from The Dan Band (the guys from Old School) to various ironic folk covers.
- The Hook: It is scientifically engineered to stay in your head.
The song also marked a turning point for G-Unit Records. It proved that 50 wasn't a one-hit-wonder after Get Rich or Die Tryin'. It showed he could manufacture hits on command. The Massacre sold 1.14 million copies in its first four days. Read that again. Four days. "Candy Shop" was the engine driving those sales.
The Controversies and the "Sample"
There’s always been a bit of chatter about where that lead synth came from. While not a direct "sample" in the traditional sense of ripping a record, Storch was heavily influenced by Middle Eastern "Bellydance" music. This led to some minor legal rumblings and debates over cultural appropriation long before that term was in the daily lexicon.
Furthermore, the song’s sexual explicitness was a point of contention for radio edits. Most stations played a heavily "clean" version that replaced several choice words, but the euphemisms were so thin that everyone knew exactly what was happening. It was the "WAP" of its day, just delivered with a thug-life shrug.
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What Most People Get Wrong About 50's "Candy Shop" Era
People think this song was the beginning of the end for 50 Cent's street cred. That's a mistake.
In reality, "Candy Shop" was the peak of his "General" phase. He was so powerful in the industry that he could release a bubblegum-scented rap song and still have the most feared name in the game. He wasn't losing his edge; he was expanding his empire. He was selling the lifestyle.
If you listen to the rest of The Massacre, you’ll find much darker tracks like "I'm Supposed to Die Tonight" or "Ski Mask Way." "Candy Shop" was the Trojan Horse. It got him into the pop stations so he could sell the rest of the gritty reality to the masses.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Fans and Creators
If you’re a creator or a student of pop culture, there are actual lessons to be learned from the i took you to the candy shop phenomenon. It’s not just a nostalgic trip; it’s a masterclass in branding.
- Master the Hook Early: The most successful pop-rap songs of the last 20 years establish the melody within the first 10 seconds. Don't make the listener wait.
- Contrast is King: 50 Cent’s hard-edged voice over a "soft" or "sensual" beat creates a tension that makes the track interesting. If everything is "hard," it becomes monotonous.
- The "Radio First" Strategy: 50 and Dr. Dre (who executive produced the album) knew that "Candy Shop" would be the bridge to global markets. Identify your most accessible work and use it as your lead.
- Visual Consistency: Ensure your music videos match the "vibe" of the era but push the luxury just enough to be aspirational.
You can still find "Candy Shop" on every "2000s Throwback" playlist on Spotify. It’s a staple at weddings when the bar has been open for three hours. It’s a piece of history that defines a very specific moment in time when Interscope Records ruled the world and 50 Cent was the king of the candy shop.
Check out the original 2005 Billboard archives if you want to see the sheer dominance of the track—it beat out songs by Green Day, Kelly Clarkson, and Gwen Stefani. That kind of crossover appeal is rare today. Go back and listen to the instrumental version; you’ll hear nuances in Storch’s arrangement that you probably missed while you were busy dancing in 2005.