50 Cent blew up from many things, but one of the main reasons is controversy.. he's in beef, he runs his mouth, and yes, he got shot.. catchin' some bullets is CONTROVERSIAL no matter how you put it. Mausberg got killed for it (as did many others), which is a tragedy.. but 50.. Game.. Oschino, these muhfuckas SURVIVED. After being shot, 50 didn't sound the same, look the same, or have an industry powerhouse behind him and if he wasn't shot, none of his success would be as big as it is. Same with Game, mini-50. I know a bunch of mindless muhfuckas who think 50 is the TRUTH cuz he took 9 and is still here. Shit, people wouldn't be thinking Pac was so hard if he didn't take a couple bullets.
As soon as 50 Cent signed to Shady/Aftermath.. and Jimmy Iovine was setting up the magazine interviews, tv appearances, and radio slots.. what's one of the first questions they asked about him? "What was it like taking 9 shots?" That question alone made his buzz even stronger.. especially with these 14 yr old white girls that are out there buying all of his music. 50 got some cuts, I'm not knocking his music but if he didn't have his label and his controversy, he wouldn't be at the top.
big name like DJ Quik huh? well, not as big as DR. DRE ... or EMINEM
just my 2 cents.