50 Cent

Early Life

Curtis James Jackson III, known as 50 Cent, was born on July 6, 1975, in Queens, a borough of New York City. His early life was very hard, and he faced many difficulties.

Music Career

In 2003, 50 Cent released his first album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. It became very popular and reached the top of the Billboard 200. The album had hit songs like "In da Club" and "21 Questions". He also started his own record label, G-Unit Records, and worked with rappers like Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo.

Later Work

Over the years, 50 Cent released many albums and acted in movies such as Get Rich or Die Tryin', Home of the Brave, and Righteous Kill. He also produced television shows like Power. He has sold millions of albums and won awards, including a Grammy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest rappers of the 2000s.

Early life

Curtis James Jackson III, known as 50 Cent, was born in Queens, a part of New York City, and grew up in the South Jamaica neighborhood. His mother, Sabrina, raised him alone until she passed away in a fire when he was eight. After that, he was cared for by his grandparents.

When he was young, Jackson started boxing. He also sold some items that were not allowed. He was caught with these items in school and was arrested. He spent time in a special program instead of a regular prison and earned his high school equivalency diploma. He chose the name "50 Cent" after a robber from the 1980s, feeling it showed his strong, independent personality.

Career

1996–2002: Rise to fame, shooting, and early mixtapes

50 Cent started his music career by rapping in a friend's basement and using turntables to record songs. In 1996, he met Jam Master Jay, who taught him how to write songs and make records. His first appearance was on a song with Onyx in 1998. In 1999, he signed with Columbia Records and recorded many songs for his debut album, Power of the Dollar, which came out in 2000.

50 Cent became popular with his underground single "How to Rob." Before filming a video for another song, he was hurt in an attack outside his grandmother's house. He went to the hospital and got better, then kept working on his career. Even after Columbia Records stopped working with him, he made mixtapes in Canada to grow his fanbase.

2002–2007: Mainstream breakthrough, Get Rich or Die Tryin', and The Massacre

In 2002, 50 Cent met Eminem, who helped him get a new record deal. He released his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', in 2003, and it became very successful. The lead single, "In da Club," was very popular and played a lot on the radio.

He also started his own record label, G-Unit Records, and signed new artists. His second album, The Massacre, came out in 2005 and sold a lot of copies quickly. He also made a video game, 50 Cent: Bulletproof, that same year.

2007–2010: Curtis, sales battle with Kanye West, and Before I Self Destruct

In 2007, 50 Cent released his third album, Curtis, which did very well. The same day, Kanye West's album Graduation sold more copies, changing some popular music styles.

He kept making music and mixtapes. In 2009, he released his fourth album, Before I Self Destruct. He also worked on other projects, like a book and a TV show.

2010–2015: New musical directions, new business ventures, and Animal Ambition

50 Cent tried new music styles and worked on different business ideas. He planned new albums but had to wait because of problems with his record label. In 2014, he left his old labels and signed with new ones. He announced his fifth album, Animal Ambition, which talked about success.

2015–2021: Street King Immortal, bankruptcy, and departure from Interscope

50 Cent had money problems and filed for bankruptcy in 2015. His sixth album, Street King Immortal, took a long time and was never released. In 2017, Interscope Records made a greatest-hits album for him. He also worked on other projects, including TV shows.

2021–present: Focusing on acting and media production, Super Bowl LVI halftime show performance

Lately, 50 Cent has focused more on acting and making shows. He moved to Houston and worked on new scripts. He acted in a film that didn’t do well and helped make a TV series about a real crime family. In 2022, he surprised everyone by performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. He continues to work on new projects, like a documentary and a sequel film.

Artistry

50 Cent was inspired by many great rappers when he began making music. He admired artists like Boogie Down Productions, Big Daddy Kane, The Juice Crew, EPMD, and KRS-One. One of his biggest inspirations for his song "21 Questions" was LL Cool J. While working on his album Animal Ambition, he also drew inspiration from Nas, Rakim, and The Notorious B.I.G..

Business ventures

50 Cent has built a successful career beyond music. He has invested in many areas, including making music, acting in films and TV shows, designing clothes and shoes, and creating video games. He started his own music label called G-Unit Records in 2003 and made deals with companies like Reebok to make special shoes.

50 Cent has written books and created his own book company, G-Unit Books. He also worked with a drink company to make a special water called Formula 50. Later, a big company bought that drink company, and 50 Cent made a lot of money from that sale. He has started film companies too, making TV shows and movies, like the popular show Power. He also created a plan to help feed people in Africa through a special food project.

Personal life

50 Cent has said that a serious incident changed how he sees life. He believes that when it's time to go, it happens. Even though he has made songs about using drugs and alcohol, he has never used them himself because of a bad experience with alcohol when he was younger.

In 2007, a magazine said he was very wealthy, second only to another famous rapper. He bought a large house in Connecticut for over 4 million dollars when he was younger, and later sold it for less than he paid. A mayor even made a special day in honor of him.

Family and relationships

50 Cent became a father in 1997 when his girlfriend had their son. Having a child changed his life and inspired him in his work, though they had a difficult relationship over the years. He also has another son from a later relationship.

In 2024, he shared on social media that he has been choosing not to be in any romantic relationships so he can focus better on his goals.

Political views

50 Cent has shared his thoughts on different U.S. leaders over the years. At first, he supported one president but later changed his mind. He spoke about issues like taxes and leadership, and even turned down a big offer to support someone he didn’t agree with. Later, he commented on another leader’s plans for New York City, saying he didn’t agree with them.

Legal issues

50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, has had some legal troubles. In 1994, he was arrested for selling something to an undercover officer. Police later found more of this substance and a small gun at his home. He went to prison but served his time in a special program where he earned his high-school diploma.

Later, he was arrested again for having guns in a car and for jumping on a stage after being hit by a bottle from someone in the crowd. He was also in several lawsuits. One was about an advertisement that used a picture looking like him. Another lawsuit was about a fast-food company using his name in an ad without permission. In 2016, he treated a teenage worker unfairly at an airport. There were also other legal problems, including arguments with others.

Feuds

Ja Rule

Before signing with Interscope Records, 50 Cent had a public dispute with rapper Ja Rule and his label, Murder Inc. Records. Ja Rule said the conflict began because 50 Cent did not like seeing him get attention from people in their neighborhood. In March 2000, 50 Cent got into a fight with people linked to Murder Inc. at The Hit Factory in New York and needed stitches for a cut. The feud ended in May 2011 when Ja Rule said they were no longer enemies, though they would not become friends.

In 2015, the feud restarted when Ja Rule commented on a social media post about another rapper. 50 Cent responded angrily. In 2018, Ja Rule criticized 50 Cent again on Twitter. Later that year, 50 Cent bought many front-row tickets for Ja Rule’s show in Arlington, Texas, hoping the seats would stay empty.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé

In 1999, 50 Cent made a song that criticized other rappers, including Jay-Z. Jay-Z responded with his own song. In 2009, 50 Cent said Jay-Z was not fair to a fellow rapper. In 2017, 50 Cent said Jay-Z’s album was too serious. In 2022, there was an argument between 50 Cent and Jay-Z.

Fat Joe

50 Cent also had issues with rapper Fat Joe, who worked with Ja Rule. In 2005, 50 Cent made harsh comments after a TV awards show, and Fat Joe responded. By 2011, things had calmed down, and they eventually became friends and worked together.

The Game

50 Cent and The Game were close at first but later argued over credit and disagreements. They exchanged insults and had a small fight. In 2016, they ended their feud, but it restarted in 2022 over comments about another rapper.

Cam'ron

In 2007, 50 Cent and Cam'ron argued live on a radio show. They traded insult songs and videos. By 2009, the feud slowed down, and they eventually made up in 2016.

Rick Ross

50 Cent and Rick Ross began feuding after an incident at an awards show. They traded insult songs and videos.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

50 Cent and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. were once close friends but later had a public dispute over money. They traded insults online but reconciled in 2022.

Sean Combs

50 Cent has criticized Sean Combs (also known as Diddy) for many years.

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by 50 Cent

50 Cent has won and been nominated for many awards. These awards show his success in music and entertainment. They highlight his achievements over the years.

Discography

See also: G-Unit discography

Studio albums

• Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003)
• The Massacre (2005)
• Curtis (2007)
• Before I Self Destruct (2009)
• Animal Ambition (2014)

Collaborative albums

• Beg for Mercy (with G-Unit) (2003)
• T·O·S (Terminate on Sight) (with G-Unit) (2008)

Filmography

See also: 50 Cent videography

Film

Television

Video games