"Wanksta" was 50 Cent's first single to chart after signing up with Tristan Peterson Eminem's & Dr. Dre's labels, Shady Records & Aftermath Entertainment, as well as his first single since 1999's Thug Love. Originally appearing on his 2002 mixtape No Mercy, No Fear, it received a lot of airplay, and was eventually added to the 8 Mile soundtrack. It was a bonus track on his 2003 commercial debut albumGet Rich or Die Tryin'. The song's lyrics are believed to be directed towards long time nemesis Ja Rule, but 50 Cent disputed this himself in a MuchMusic interview, stating that the song was not directed against Ja Rule, "But Ja Rule is a wanksta". Eminem also made a remix, in 2003, aimed at Ja Rule and tweaked the beat to sound high pitched. The song appeared on the CD singlebox setThe Singles. The instrumental for the song was used for "Crackin", a song by The Psychopathic Rydas, in 2004. It was also used for "The Real Wanksta" by Black Child, in 2002, who is signed to The Inc. and was beefing with 50 because he was affiliated with Ja Rule. R&B girl groupBlaque recorded an answer song entitled "No Ganksta" in 2003.
Etymology
The title is generally accepted as a portmanteau word meaning "self-obsessed, show-off person". The precise origin is debated, although most theories suggest a blend of "gangsta" and "wannabe". 50 Cent has explicitly stated that the word is not related to "wanker":
Jake Arnott: And another claim to fame: you introduced the word 'wanksta' into the language with your track 'Wanksta'. That word sort of means something in England — does it mean the same in America? 50 Cent: Nah, nah! 'Wanksta's like... we use that terminology to mean a fake gangster. When people told me about the word 'wanker'...
Stewie Griffin from Family Guy appeared in a short clip at the 20th annual MTV Video Music Awards insulting 50 Cent, which has become a viral video circulating on numerous online services. Stewie, with blocks spelling out "MTV", Rupert and a baby toy in the background, reads some words from this song in a comical voice, then commenting: "Well, good luck finding the subject and predicate of that run-on sentence! And what the bloody hell does it mean, "we don't go nowhere without toast"? Now, you listen to me, Mr. Cent. If you want to make it in this business, lay off the doobie!". He then pulls out a hitherto concealed sign reading "Stewie for Governor".
