Curtis James Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent, is a renowned American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s and has since become one of the most influential figures in the hip-hop industry. Born on July 6, 1975, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York, 50 Cent's life has been marked by remarkable success and resilience, as well as numerous challenges and setbacks.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
50 Cent's childhood was far from easy. He grew up in a rough neighbourhood known for its high crime rate, drug trade, and violence. Raised by his mother, Sabrina, after his father left the family when he was just eight years old, 50 Cent learned to fend for himself from a young age. Despite the adversity, he showed an early interest in music and began rapping at the age of 12.
As a teenager, 50 Cent became involved in drug dealing and other criminal activities, which ultimately led to him being arrested multiple times. At the age of 19, he was sentenced to prison for his involvement in the drug trade. It was during this time that he decided to turn his life around and pursue a career in music seriously.
Career[]
After his release from prison, 50 Cent focused on his music career, recording mixtapes and gaining recognition within the underground rap scene. His big break came in 2002 when he was discovered by Eminem and Dr. Dre, two of the most influential figures in hip-hop. They signed him to their respective labels, Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment, propelling him to stardom.
In 2003, 50 Cent released his debut studio album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," which became a massive commercial success. The album featured hit singles like "In Da Club" and "21 Questions" and quickly went multi-platinum. 50 Cent's gritty lyrics, combined with his unique delivery, resonated with audiences and established him as a major force in the music industry.
Business Career[]
Outside of music, 50 Cent is known for his entrepreneurial endeavors. He has ventured into various business sectors, including film production, fashion, and beverage branding. Notably, he became a stakeholder in Vitamin Water, a move that would later earn him a substantial profit when the company was acquired by The Coca-Cola Company.
Acting Career[]
50 Cent has also found success as an actor, appearing in numerous films and television series. His roles in movies like "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" and the TV series "Power" have garnered critical acclaim and expanded his presence in the entertainment industry.
Philanthropy[]
Throughout his career, 50 Cent has been involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly in areas related to education and poverty alleviation. He has donated millions to various charitable causes and established the G-Unity Foundation to support underserved communities.
Working with Jackson[]
50 Cent would collaborate on Michael Jackson's track "Monster" for his posthumous album, Michael. In a 2010 interview with MTV News, 50 Cent spoke about how their collaboration came about and recalled how he had had a telephone conversation with Jackson earlier that year. Reflecting on the call, he stated, “I didn’t have the opportunity to physically be in Michael Jackson’s presence, But my DJ, Whoo Kid, he had the opportunity to actually meet Mike because he was interested in working with me, and he said that he had something he wanted me to actually hear, a song he created. He thought it would be perfect for us to collaborate on and then he put me on the telephone.”
Despite working with Jackson, 50 turned heads by criticizing Jackson. According to XXL, 50 commented on a video of an energetic Chris Brown performance and said Brown was better than Jackson. He also said he’d hate to be an R&B singer and have Brown as his competition. This comment inspired Paris Jackson to compare Brown to her father.
Despite his feelings towards him as an entertainer, Jackson was seemingly a fan of 50 cent. In his comedy special, Comedian Chris Tucker would recant about a time he hung out with Michael Jackson. Tucker explained the two were riding in a car when Michael Jackson said he loved 50 cent's song "In Da Club" and started singing and beatboxing the song. According to Tucker, everything was fine until Jackson started rapping the words of the songs which had the comedian up in arms.
Tucker stated: "[I said] 'Michael, Michael, no! Don't sing the words. Please,'" said Chris Tucker. "[Jackson replied] 'I love that song, Chris! I love that beat. I love it, Chris. That is a cold-blooded beat. Of course I wouldn't go in the club with a bottle full of 'bub, Chris. I wouldn't do that! But I love that song!' 'It doesn't sound right, Mike.' 'I know but I love it!'"