If there were one artist who owns the year 2003 thus far, 50 Cent would have to be in the running for the top slot.

Having sold millions of records, gracing the cover of Rolling Stone, and being played non-stop on radio and MTV, the Dr. Dre and Eminem protégé cannot escape the public eye.

50 Cent will be bringing his hard-hitting hip-hop to the Bryce Jordan Center tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m., opening the show will be Virgina-based rap duo Clipse.

Touring in support of his latest release, Get Rich or Die Tryin', 50 Cent's street-smart hip-hop is the latest craze in the music world.

According to All Music Guide, 50 was born and raised in Southside Jamaica, Queens. After an intial attempt at a rap career in 2000 was postponed because of gunshot wounds and being dropped from the Columbia label, the ex-crack dealer was discovered by Eminem.

Slim Shady had name-dropped the rapper on a radio show, and a bidding war ensued, with 50 Cent signing to Eminem's Shady/Aftermath label for a rumored million dollar deal.

February 2003 saw the release of Get Rich or Die Tryin', which shot up the charts and received a four-star rating in Rolling Stone magazine. In the review of the album, reviewer Christian Hoard said, "If this combination of big-name backers, undeniable skills, radio-ready tracks and a marketable thug persona make Get Rich or Die Tryin' a sure-shot smash hit, it also makes it a great record."

With critics on his side, 50 Cent's popularity looks to be going anywhere but down.

Pusha-T, part of the opening act Clipse, said he would directly compare Clipse's and 50 Cent's music, which is why they are touring together.

"I think us and 50 are one and the same, in the sense we both do street music," Pusha-T said. "The difference is his music is very anthemish. You could chant the shit. Clipse has more structured melodies."

Pusha-T said 50's popularity has definitely been earned, because of his talent and unique style in the hip-hop world.

"He created a very big following before he came out," Pusha-T said. "He flooded the streets with a lot of music. He's different, he's on a great team, and the music is there. There's hype, but its well-deserved."

So far, the tour has been going extremely well, Pusha-T said, and the groups have been receiving a good crowd response.

"It's cool, every night we keep rolling it," Pusha-T said. "It's just crazy to me, our album's been out for a year. The people love us so we're keeping at it."

Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing at the Jordan Center, said ticket sales have indicated 50's popularity in the college market. After starting out selling tickets for a side stage set-up, so many tickets were sold that the Jordan Center needed to change the arrangement to a full concert set-up.

"We just knew the timing was right, because he's hot," Punt said. "When we went on sale with 50 Cent, the same week he was on the cover of the Rolling Stone."

The same promoter who brought Nelly to the Jordan Center last year is bringing 50 Cent, and Punt said this is a clear indication of live hip-hop shows rise in popularity.

"This type of music has crossed all walks of life," Punt said. "It's different, it's not a stage production. It's bare bones, it's life experiences."

Pusha-T said Clipse's live show brings the energy of its debut, Lord Willin', to a whole new level.

"When you see it live, it's like times ten," Pusha-T said. "We really love the music."

Having worked with hip-hop producers the Neptunes since 1994, Pusha-T said the current hip-hop favorites brought a remarkable flavor to Lord Willin'.

"They really have a vision," Pusha-T said. "They are the actual definition of producers. They brought an identity to Lord Willin'. This album is full of innovative music and rhyme patterns."

The use of intricate rhyme patterns is the reason why Pusha-T believes Clipse was brought into the limelight. The group already has four singles on the airwaves and MTV, a fact that surprises Pusha-T.

"When "Grindin'" hit, I don't think people were used to how we were spittin' it," Pusha-T said. "Our style differs from other artists because of the way we structure our rhymes. People are used to New York flows, Cali flows, and down south flows."

Mostly, the group is proud of Lord Willin' because the album has remained in tact, Pusha-T said.

"We got to do what we wanted to do," Pusha-T said. "People loved it just the way it was."