50 cent parents biography

50 Cent's Mother Died From a Tragic Incident When He Was Only 8 Years Old

Published Aug. 15 2022, 1:21 p.m. ET

When people think of 50 Cent , they often consider his longstanding career in the hip hop music industry — after all, “In Da Club" is one of the most iconic hip hop hits to date. He’s also appeared in a long list of movies and TV shows over the years. Some of his biggest roles include Power, Den of Thieves, and Get Rich or Die Tryin’ .

However, while 50 Cent has millions of fans around the world, many aren't familiar with his personal life. Sadly, when the New York native was young, he had to deal with the tragic death of his mother. So, who were 50 Cent's parents, and what happened to his mom?

Who were 50 Cent‘s parents?

50 Cent's real name is Curtis James Jackson III. His father shared his name, and while there isn't a lot of public information about him readily available, what we do know is that he wasn’t actively present in 50’s life throughout his childhood.

His mother, Sabrina Jackson, welcomed 50 into the world when she was only 15 years old.

What happened to 50 Cent’s mother?

50's mother tragically passed away at the young age of 23 when he was only eight years old. Sabrina was raising him alone and, struggling to make ends meet, turned to a life of drug dealing in order to provide for herself and her son. The crack epidemic was heavily taking over at the time, which made drug dealing a lucrative money grab.

Sabrina died in a tragic fire — and 50 believes that it wasn't accident. He’s convinced that a rival drug dealer caused Sabrina’s untimely passing.

He told Contact Music , “Someone put something in her drink and turned the gas on. After that, every time something went wrong, I think, 'If my mother was here, it wouldn’t be like that.'”

50 also spoke with Page Six about his relationship with his mother. He revealed that he was bullied as a child, but his mother was scarier than any school bullies he could ever deal with.

He said, “There’s a point where ... I got bumped around a lot in the park, but I was more afraid of my mom than the people I got bumped around by because I could not escape her. Her being a single mom at that point, she was everything.”

He went on to say, “She was my mom and my dad, and she was tough so I didn’t know when it was OK to be emotional and when it wasn’t. She would look at me on the floor and say, ‘Get up.’”

He explained the way that she did her best to balance being soft and firm with him at the same time. After she passed away, he was raised by his grandparents.

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• World Biography

50 Cent Biography

July 6, 1976 • Queens, New York

Rap musician

The rapper known as 50 Cent is living proof that hip-hop is as much a lifestyle as it is a type of music. He was a star in the underground mix-tape circuit for several years, but the rest of the world did not hear about him until 2002, when his first single, "Wanksta," appeared on the soundtrack of the film 8 Mile. In 2003, 50 Cent's debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin', topped the charts and broke sales records. As a result, the young rapper was constantly in the press, and his life became an open book. This was not a "studio gangsta," meaning a musician who makes up stories about drugs, violence, and murder in order to sell records; 50 Cent was the real deal. He grew up on the streets of New York, survived being shot at nine times, and used those experiences to fuel his songs. As a result, critics noted that his music had a gritty edge, and they predicted that 50 Cent would be the next hip-hop heavyweight.

Life of a drug dealer

Born Curtis Jackson, 50 Cent grew up in South Jamaica, a neighborhood of Queens, which is a borough of New York City. It is a tough neighborhood, plagued by gang violence; it is also the birthplace of many rappers, including LL Cool J (1968–) and the female trio Salt N' Pepa. Fifty Cent was surrounded by violence from the day he was born. His mother, Sabrina Jackson, was only fifteen years old when he was born on July 6, 1976. She turned to dealing drugs in order to support her son, and eventually became one of the most feared drug dealers in Queens. Sabrina was killed mysteriously when her son was eight, perhaps the result of a drug war.

Fifty Cent was raised by his grandmother, whom he adored. However, because she had nine other children in her charge, the boy spent a good deal of time on the streets. By the time he was twelve, he was dealing crack, a strong form of cocaine that is smoked. As 50 Cent explained to Allison Samuels of Newsweek, he had to fend for himself because he did not want to burden his grandmother: "I didn't want to ask her for a pair of Air Jordans when I knew she couldn't afford them, so I began working to get my stuff and not stress her out."

"The bottom line is, the obstacles that you overcome are going to determine how great you are."

At age fifteen, 50 Cent bought his first gun, and by nineteen years old he was the neighborhood drug kingpin, bringing in about $150,000 a month. He had dropped out of high school and was spending most of his time in jail; 50 Cent was also listening to his favorite musicians, including KRS-1, Rakim, and Run-DMC, and trying his hand at writing his own rhymes. He dreamed about breaking into the music business but was not sure he should give it a try. When his son, Marquise, was born, 50 Cent knew it was time to make a change: he decided to stop dealing drugs and start making music.

Eminem: Unlikely Hip-Hop Hero

Eminem is one of the biggest superstars in the music business, but he is also one of the most controversial. His lyrics are full of profanity; his CDs are boycotted by women's organizations and gay and lesbian groups; and he makes news headlines because of his public rampages against his mother, his ex-wife, other musicians, and fans. On the other hand, Eminem, a white rapper from Detroit, Michigan, has an enormous number of steadfast followers. He also has been credited with infusing new life into a genre that some considered to be growing old and stale.

Eminem was born Marshall Mathers III in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 17, 1972. When he was young, he and his mother, Debbie Mathers-Briggs, divided their time between Missouri and Detroit, Michigan. When he was twelve, the family finally put down roots in the east side of Detroit. Because they were constantly moving, Mathers found it difficult to make friends, so he turned to television and comic books. He also started tuning in to rap music, and soon he was writing rhymes like his favorite musicians, LL Cool J and 2 Live Crew. By high school, Mathers was skipping most of his classes, and focusing his energies on his music. He failed the ninth grade, and ended up dropping out of Osbourne High School.

Mathers paid his dues over the next few years, releasing independent CDs until he was noticed by veteran rapper Dr. Dre. With Dr. Dre's help, the world was introduced to Marshall Mathers, also known as Eminem, also known as Slim Shady, the title of his 1998 debut CD. His songs were harsh, filled with references to rape, violence, and drug use. In particular, Mathers lashed out at his ex-wife, Kim, and his mother, whom he blamed for his hard childhood. Critics loved him or hated him, parents protested, but millions of people bought his music and attended his concerts.

The Slim Shady CD was followed by The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and The Eminem Show (2002). Both sold millions of copies and earned several Grammy Awards. In 2003 The Eminem Show won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. That same year Mathers took home an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Lose Yourself," which appeared on the soundtrack of the movie 8 Mile (2002). Mathers also starred in the film, playing Jimmy Smith, a would-be rapper who battles the streets of Detroit. Smith was a character that Eminem knew well since he moved from those same streets to become one of the most unlikely hip-hop heroes in music history.

Learns from the master

In 1996 a friend of 50 Cent's introduced him to one of his boyhood idols, Jam Master Jay (1965–2002), a member of the pioneer rap group Run-DMC. Jay was from the same neighborhood, and he saw a spark in the fledgling rapper. Soon, 50 Cent was studying with the seasoned musician. "He was really patient with me," 50 Cent told Josh Tyrangiel of Time. "I would come in with rhymes, almost free verse, and he explained that they had to fit 16 bars of music. Once he said it, I got it." In 1997 Jam Master Jay signed a production deal with 50 Cent and agreed to promote him. The songs 50 Cent produced were raw, and his lyrics were taken from his own life on the streets. As Evan Serpick of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "they reverberated with authenticity."

Fifty Cent quickly became a hit in the underground world of hip-hop. This means he was recording and releasing discs independent of any major record company. As a result, the big record labels started to take notice of the "street thug"-turned rapper. In 1999 Columbia Records signed a deal with 50 Cent and gave him a reported $65,000 advance. Jam Master Jay received $50,000, and lawyers took the rest, so, even though he was a bona fide musician with a record deal, 50 Cent had no money. He kept his "day job," which meant that he continued to sell drugs to make ends meet.

Once they had 50 Cent under contract, Columbia was not sure what to do with him. Tired of waiting to release his first legitimate CD, 50 Cent cut his own single called "How to Rob." The song was an attempt to get noticed by his label. As 50 Cent told Serpick, "I needed them to stop and look at me." "How to Rob" did get Columbia's attention, and everyone else's attention in the music world since it was filled with 50 Cent's plan to "rip off" every hip-hop star around. In his lyrics, 50 Cent warned, "I'll rob Boyz II Men like I'm Michael Bivens/Catch Tyson for half that cash, like Robin Givens." Columbia put 50 Cent's song on the soundtrack to the movie In Too Deep (1999), but did little else with their artist.

In May of 2000, 50 Cent's street life caught up with him. While sitting in a friend's car in front of his grandmother's house, another car pulled up, and the driver fired round after round into 50 Cent's body. All told, he was hit nine times, including a bullet to his hip, which shattered the bone, and a bullet to his head. Although 50 Cent survived, the close call was too much for Columbia Records, and the company dropped him from its label. Ever optimistic, the rapper returned to the mixed-tape circuit.

A fan in Slim Shady

In 2002, 50 Cent wrote "Wanksta," the song that would be his ticket to the big time. "Wanksta" was a bouncy party tune, but it was also a direct jab at 50 Cent's archenemy, rapper Ja Rule (1976–). The feud between the two musicians began in 1999, when Ja Rule was robbed and then accused 50 Cent of being involved in the incident. In the song, 50 Cent claims that his rival is merely a gangster wanna-be: "You say you a gangsta, but you never copped nothing'/You say you a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'."

Fifty Cent delivered "Wanksta," along with a few of his other songs, to Paul Rosenberg, manager of the hottest rapper of the moment, Eminem (1972–). Eminem immediately called 50 Cent and asked him to come to Los Angeles. In June of 2002, 50 Cent signed on the dotted line for a reported $1 million, and was the first rapper to be promoted by Shady/Aftermath Records, Eminem's personal record label. According to Serpick, it was a "match made in hip-hop heaven."

Unlike Columbia Records, Shady/Aftermath immediately put 50 Cent to work. Later in 2002, three of 50 Cent's songs, including "Wanksta," appeared on the soundtrack to 8 Mile, a movie loosely based on the life of Eminem. "Wanksta" received a lot of radio air-play, and listeners lined up to buy a CD by the new rapper. As a result, 50 Cent and Eminem went into the studio to work on 50 Cent's debut disc. Eminem produced several of the songs; other tracks were produced by hip-hop legend Dr. Dre (1965–). The CD, titled Get Rich or Die Tryin' , was released in February of 2003, and it immediately broke records. Just days after it debuted, it sold almost one million copies and made it to number-one on the Billboard charts.

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Get Rich or Die Tryin' sounded like an anthem for 50 Cent's life. He took shots at other rappers in such songs as "U Not Like Me," where his target is Sean "P. Diddy" Combs (1971–), and he included dance cuts, like "In Da Club," which became an immediate hit single. However, as David Browne of Entertainment Weekly explained, 50 Cent spent most of Get Rich or Die Tryin' "riffing on his crime-ridden past."

By the end of 2003, Get Rich or Die Tryin' had sold more than 6.4 million copies, which made it the best-selling CD of the year. It was also recognized as the biggest number-one debut by a new artist on a major record label. Fifty Cent was nominated for five Grammy Awards (one of the highest achievements in the music industry) and won five World Music Awards. The secret to the CD's success, according to reviewer Ted Kessler, was that behind the clubby dance tunes there was a "cold-blooded seriousness to [50 Cent's] stories ... that set him apart." Critics also praised 50 Cent's gritty vocals and commented that his choir-boy smile and his tattooed, well-toned physique probably helped to boost sales, as well.

Member of Da Club

Following the triumph of Get Rich or Die Tryin', 50 Cent became a full-fledged member of the hip-hop club, and started to live the Hollywood lifestyle that goes with it. In October of 2003 the boy from South Jamaica purchased the house of ex-boxing champion Mike Tyson (1966–) for $4.1 million. In addition, since his "bad boy" days were not yet behind him, 50 Cent also purchased a fleet of SUVs, all of which were bulletproof. As he explained to Ebony, "No matter how successful you are, you've ... gotta take precautions." As added protection, 50 Cent wears a bullet proof vest every day, and insists that his son also wear one. Fifty Cent's fears are not unfounded. In 2002 his longtime friend and mentor Jam Master Jay was shot and killed in his recording studio in Queens, New York.

Fifty Cent does not seem to want to shake his gangster image, but he does intend to channel it into his music and into other projects: "50 Cent is a metaphor for change," 50 Cent explained to Zondra Hughes. In late 2003, 50 Cent and his group G-Unit, short for Guerilla Unit, released their first CD, called Beg for Mercy. At the same time, the rapper announced plans to write his autobiography. He was also considering some movie offers. As for the future, 50 Cent was realistic, but hopeful. As he told Serpick, "Trouble seems to find me, so I'm kinda anticipating not everything being beautiful, or going my way. But it feels like it is right now. So far, so good."

For More Information

Periodicals.

Browne, David. "Money Talks: It Ain't Nothing But a G Thing for Rapper 50 Cent, Who's Looking to Get Rich or Die Tryin' with the Help of Eminem." Entertainment Weekly (February 21, 2003): p. 148.

Brunner, Rob. "Cash of the Titans." Entertainment Weekly (May 30, 2003): pp. 26–29.

Drumming, Neil. "4 50 Cent: Rapper's Delight." Entertainment Weekly (December 26, 2003): p. 24.

Hughes, Zondra. "The 9 Lives of 50 Cent: Rap Star Survives Shootings, Stabbing and Death Threats." Ebony (August 2003): pp. 52–53.

Kessler, Ted. "Shady Business." New Statesman (March 31, 2003): p. 43.

Serpick, Evan. "The 50 Cents Piece." Entertainment Weekly (February 28, 2003): p. 42–44.

Tyrangiel, Josh. "Rap's Newest Target." Time (February 17, 2003): p. 68.

"Eminem Biography." Shady Soldiers Web site. http://www.shadysoldiers.com/info/biography.htm (accessed on June 27, 2004).

50 Cent Direct. http://50centdirect.com (accessed on June 27, 2004).

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50 Cent Biography

50 Cent (born Curtis James Jackson III ) is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor known for many songs, such as “In Da Club”, “Candy Shop”, “Baby By Me”, “P.I.M.P”, “Best Friend”, etc. His face is also familiar in many TV shows and films.

50 Cent Age

James Jackson was born on July 6, 1975, in Queens, South Jamaica, New York, United States. He is 47 years old as of 2023. He celebrates his birthday on the 6th of July every year.

50 Cent Height

James Jackson stands at an approximate height of 6 feet and 0 inches.

50 Cent Family

James Jackson was born to his loving parents, Sabrina Jackson (late mother) and his father whose names are unknown. He grew up in South Jamaica. He has no siblings.

50 Cent Mother

50 Cent’s mother, Sabrina Jackson, was an American drug dealer. She died in the year 1983 when 50 Cent was 8 years old. According to an interview with 50 Cent, his mother passed away in a fire at their home. It was revealed that someone had tampered with her drink and intentionally turned on the gas, causing the fire. Additionally, 50 Cent shared that his mother was a lesbian. After the tragic loss of his mother and his father leaving, 50 Cent was taken care of by his grandparents.

50 Cent Wife / Girlfriend

50 Cent is in a relationship with a woman called Jamira Haines (famously known as Cuban Link). However, there is no much information about the duo. There will be an update as soon as any information about them (their love life) is available in the limelight.

50 Cent Ex-Girlfriends

James Jackson is speculated to have dated several women in his life. Notably, he has dated Daphne Joy (a famous actress and model) and Shaniqua Tompkins.

Daphne is a prominent Philipino Actress and Model well-known for appearing in many films such as Frankenhood (2009), Setup (2011), and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011). She is 36 years old as of 2023 having been born on February 8, 1987, in Olongapo, Philippines.

50 Cent Children

James Jackson and his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins are the parents of their one son, Marquise Jackson, who is 26 years old as of 2022 having been born on October 13, 1996. Also, he and his other ex-girlfriend, Daphne Joy, are the parents of their one son, Sire Jackson, a model.

Sire is 10 years old as of 2022 having been born on September 1, 2012. When Sire was 2 years old, he got a modeling contract at a headphone brand for kids called “Kidz Safe”, where he earned $700,000 through the contract.

50 Cent Controversy With Shaniqua Tompkins

In January 2007, James Jackson bought a house in New York for $2.4 million. This house became the center of a legal dispute between 50 Cent and his ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins. On May 30, 2008, while 50 Cent was filming in Louisiana, the house caught fire. In a court in Los Angeles County on August 5, 2013, 50 Cent pleaded not guilty to one count of domestic violence and four counts of vandalism. If found guilty of all charges, he could have faced up to five years in prison and a $46,000 fine.

In 2009, Shaniqua Tompkins sued 50 Cent for $50 million. She claimed that he had promised to take care of her for the rest of her life. The lawsuit had 15 different reasons for taking legal action. However, a judge dismissed the case and referred to it as a sad story of a love relationship that went bad. The two of them have been arguing for many years, and they have even used social media to continue their feud.

When 50 Cent’s son, Marquise, was born, it changed his perspective on life. He realized that he wanted to have a better relationship with his son than he had with his own father. He credited his son with motivating him to change his career and go in a different direction. Despite this, their relationship became strained when 50 Cent and Tompkins separated in 2008.

Their arguments have played out on social media multiple times. In 2020, 50 Cent revealed that he used to love his son. He even has a tattoo on his right biceps with the name “Marquise” and an image of an axe. The axe represents his warrior spirit, but he doesn’t want his son to follow the same path. He also has other tattoos, including “50”, “Southside”, and “Cold World” on his back. These tattoos symbolize his past and the environment he grew up in, but he sees them as something that is now behind him.

50 Cent Controversy With Daphne Joy

Daphne Joy (his ex-girlfriend) accused James Jackson of kicking her and causing damage to her bedroom during an argument at her condominium in Los Angeles on June 23. The estimated property damage was $7,100, and 50 Cent left before the police arrived.

Ann Nevins (Judge) ordered 50 Cent to return to court because of messages he posted on Instagram over a couple of months. Judge Ann believed that 50 Cent did not provide clear information about his financial situation and pointed out his posts showing stacks of money. In March 2016, James Jackson announced that he would no longer use Instagram and handed over control of his profile to someone else.

50 Cent Net Worth

He has an estimated net worth of $40 Million which he has earned through his successful career as a rapper, entrepreneur, and actor.

50 Cent Education

50 Cent is a proud alumnus of Andrew Jackson High School and Campus Magnet Building (formerly Andrew Jackson High School). There is no more information about his educational background, but there will be an update as soon as he mentions anything about his education to the public.

50 Cent Career (Music & Acting) | Awards

In the year 2000, 50 Cent started his music career by creating an album called “Power of the Dollar” for Columbia Records. However, just before its release, he was shot and the album never came out. In the year 2002, 50 Cent gained attention after releasing a mixtape called “Guess Who’s Back?” This led to him being discovered by Eminem and signed to Shady Records, which is part of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.

His 1st big album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” was a huge success. It had 2 #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: “In da Club” and “21 Questions” featuring Nate Dogg. The album sold a lot of copies and was certified 9 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In the same year, 50 Cent also started his own record label called G-Unit Records. He signed his associates Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, & Tony Yayo to the label, and together they formed the rap group G-Unit.

50 Cent continued to have success with his second album, “The Massacre.” It had a popular single called “Candy Shop” featuring Olivia. Over the years, 50 Cent has changed his musical style, and he is currently working on his sixth studio album. Besides music, he has also worked as an actor. He appeared in movies like “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” “Home of the Brave,” and “Righteous Kill.”

Throughout his career, 50 Cent has sold more than 30 million albums globally and was awarded many awards. He holds a Primetime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, 13 Billboard Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards, 6 World Music Awards, and 4 BET Awards. As an actor, he appeared in movies like the war film “Home of the Brave”, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” which was based on his own life, and the crime thriller “Righteous Kill.”

According to Billboard, 50 Cent became the 6th-best artist of the 2000s and the 3rd-best rapper (after Nelly and Eminem). Rolling Stone also recognized his album “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and his song “In da Club” in their lists of the best albums and songs of the 2000s, ranking them at number 13 and 37, respectively. In the year 2023, Billboard ranked 50 Cent as the 17th-best rapper of all time.

50 Cent Power | Power Book II: Ghost

50 Cent is one of the main cast of the American crime drama TV series, Power, and its sequel, Power Book II: Ghost. He portrays the role of Kanan Stark in the series. He acts as a drug dealer and used to be a mentor to Ghost and Tommy. However, they became rivals later on. Before the events of the series, Ghost and Tasha framed him, leading to him being sent to prison for 10 years.

The show revolves around a man named James “Ghost” St. Patrick, who seems to have it all – a beautiful wife, a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan, and success as the owner of a popular nightclub called Truth. However, beneath the surface, he lives a double life. When he’s not managing his successful business, he’s secretly involved in a drug empire that caters to the wealthy and influential.

Ghost’s loyal friend, Tommy, does everything he can to protect their lucrative drug business. But Ghost’s perspective begins to shift when he sees Truth as more than just a front for money laundering. He sees it as a chance to leave the drug world behind and have a legitimate life with his family, even though this decision unknowingly puts everything he loves at risk. The show “Power” is co-executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and created by Courtney Kemp Agboh, known for her work on “The Good Wife.”

50 Cent stars alongside many other main cast members in the series “Power”, such as;

• Omari Hardwick
• Naturi Naughton
• La La Anthony
• Michael Rainey Jr.
• Rotimi Akinosho
• Shane Johnson
• Joseph Sikora
• Jerry Ferrara
• Sinqua Walls

50 Cent Businesses

James Jackson has been very successful in his business career. He has invested his money in a wide range of industries. Now he works as a manager of artists and talents and produces television shows, records, and films. He also has businesses related to clothing, footwear, dietary supplements, fragrances, video games, liquor, mobile apps, headphones, book publishing, and health drinks. He has a diverse portfolio that includes investments in financial markets, real estate, mining, vodka, fashion, boxing promotion, fragrances, and consumer electronics.

50 Cent G-Unit

After achieving mainstream success, James Jackson established his own record label called G-Unit Records in 2003. He expanded his business ventures by signing a five-year deal with Reebok in November 2003. This deal allowed him to distribute a line of G-Unit Sneakers for his G-Unit Clothing Company. In an interview, 50 Cent mentioned that all of his businesses, past and present, revolve around his alter ego and have been successful. Additionally, James Jackson ventured into the world of book publishing. On January 4, 2007, he began “G-Unit Books” (a publishing imprint) at the Time Warner Building in NY.

50 Cent Formula 50

One of 50 Cent’s early business projects was working with Glacéau to develop a special water drink called “Formula 50”. In October 2004, he became an investor in the beverage company. They gave him a small ownership stake in the company because they discovered that he liked their drink and wanted him to promote it as their spokesperson.

50 Cent Mining Business

In the year 2008, 50 Cent went to South Africa and visited a mine where they extract palladium, platinum, and iridium. He had discussions with a South African billionaire named Patrice Motsepe about buying a share of the mine. After the meeting, 50 Cent thought about investing in the mine and creating his own brand of platinum called “50 Cent-branded platinum.”

50 Cent Political Affiliation

In the year 2005, James Jackson showed his support for President George W. Bush. This happened when another rapper named Kanye West criticized Bush for not responding quickly enough to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. However, after half a year, 50 Cent changed his support and started to support Barack Obama. He mentioned in an interview with MTV News that Obama’s speeches were impressing. Eventually, though, 50 Cent lost interest in politics.

50 Cent Drugs / Narcotics

Although 50 Cent’s songs often talk about drugs and alcohol, he actually chooses not to drink any alcohol. He had a negative experience with alcohol in the past, which is why he made this decision. When he was just 12 years old, 50 Cent started selling drugs. He would pretend to go to after-school programs, but instead, he was part of a drug dealership and even brought guns and drug money to school.

However, he got caught in the tenth grade when metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School discovered the weapons. He felt embarrassed about getting arrested in that way. After the arrest, he decided to stop hiding his involvement in selling drugs and started openly telling his grandmother about it.

50 Cent Arrest

James Jackson was arrested on June 29, 1994, because he sold 4 small containers of cocaine to a police officer who was a secret agent (undercover). After 3 weeks, the police searched his home and found heroin, a type of strong drug, 10 ounces (283.495 grams) of crack cocaine, and a starter’s pistol. Although he was given a sentence of 3 to 9 years in prison, he only served half a year in a special training camp. During his time there, he earned a diploma that is equivalent to completing high school. According to 50 Cent, he didn’t consume the cocaine.

In another incident, on December 31, 2002, around 2 a.m., 50 Cent and 4 people with him were arrested. The police found a small handgun and a larger handgun in a parked car, which they searched because its windows were darkly tinted. 50 Cent was arrested for having illegal possession of these weapons.

On July 22, 2005, 50 Cent received a sentence of two years of probation for an incident that took place in May 2004. During a performance, someone threw a water bottle at him, and he jumped into the audience in response. As a result, he faced three charges of assault and battery.

50 Cent Boxing

50 Cent started boxing when he was around 11 years old, and when he turned 14, a neighbor opened a boxing gym for local young people. Instead of spending time in school, he would either train in the gym or sell drugs on the street. Even during his primary school years, he was involved in selling drugs. He saw boxing as a competitive sport, and he believed that hip-hop, just like boxing, had a competitive nature. He thought that rappers trained themselves mentally, just like boxers, and each rapper felt like they were the best.

On July 21, 2012, he became a licensed boxing promoter when he established his new company called TMT (The Money Team). He was authorized to promote boxing matches in New York and was in the process of getting licensed in Nevada, where many significant fights take place in the United States. As a former amateur boxer himself, he signed contracts with the former featherweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist, Yuriorkis Gamboa, and an Olympic middleweight medalist, Andre Dirrell.

50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (famous boxer) signed Billy Dib, the IBF featherweight champion, on July 29, 2012. They announced their plans to challenge the dominance of mixed martial arts in terms of popularity and bring changes to the world of boxing through TMT Promotions. Another boxer, Zab Judah, also showed interest in making a deal with him. In December 2012, Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent went their separate ways, and 50 Cent took over the promotion company. He then founded SMS Promotions, which included boxers such as Dirrell, Gamboa, Dib, Luis Olivares, James Kirkland, and Donte Strayhorn in his group of fighters.

50 Cent Bankruptcy

On July 13, 2015, 50 Cent asked for legal protection from bankruptcy in a court in Connecticut, USA. He owed $32,509,549.91. The court allowed a creditor to continue a trial against 50 Cent in a NY court for damages related to a private video that was released, on July 17, 2015. In his bankruptcy documents, 50 Cent claimed that his assets were worth between $10 million and $50 million, but when he testified under oath, he said he was worth $4.4 million. 50 Cent’s bankruptcy lawyers later explained that he filed for bankruptcy because he had accumulated over $20 million in legal fees and judgments over the past year.

In his bankruptcy filing, 50 Cent listed 32 companies that he has a share in. He filed for bankruptcy shortly after being ordered by a jury to pay $5 million to Lastonia Leviston, rapper Rick Ross’s ex-girlfriend, for posting a sex tape of her online without her permission. He also lost a legal dispute over his Sleek headphones business, where he had invested over $2 million. A former business partner accused 50 Cent of stealing the design of the “Sleek by 50” headphones, and a judge awarded the partner more than $17.2 million.

50 Cent’s bankruptcy documents mentioned that he owns seven cars worth over $500,000, including a 2010 Rolls-Royce and a 1966 Chevrolet Coupe. His monthly expenses amount to $108,000, which includes $5,000 for gardening. He earns a monthly income of $185,000 from royalties and his external businesses and investments. He also owes money to his stylist, barber, and fitness coach.

The bankruptcy documents also revealed that 50 Cent sold the rights to collect royalties from his music. He sold half of the rights to a British music company called Kobalt Music Group for $3 million and the other half for another $3 million. These deals allowed 50 Cent to own all the rights to his music recordings while only paying for distribution.

During the bankruptcy proceedings, James Jackson filed a $75 million lawsuit against his own lawyers, accusing them of doing a poor job in representing him. He blamed them for the failure of his Sleek Audio headphones business and criticized another law firm, Garvey Schubert Barer, for not having the necessary knowledge and skills to handle his case.

50 Cent Lawsuits

Use of name.

In the year 2008, 50 Cent took legal action against Taco Bell because they ran an advertisement asking him to temporarily change his name from “50 Cent” to “79 Cent,” “89 Cent,” or “99 Cent” to match their food prices. They offered to donate $10,000 to a charity of his choosing. However, the lawsuit was resolved without going to court.

Use Of Image

On July 21, 2007, James Jackson took legal action against an advertising company called Traffix in Pearl River, New York. He claimed that they used his picture in a promotion that put his safety at risk. One of his staff members alerted him to an internet advertisement on a Myspace page. The advertisement featured a cartoon image of the rapper with a message saying, “Shoot the rapper and you will win $5000 or 5 ringtones guaranteed”.

Even though the ad didn’t mention his name, the image looked like him and implied that he supported the product. The lawsuit described the ad as “awful, terrible, and tasteless” because it used 50 Cent’s image and encouraged violence against him. He asked for unspecified punitive damages and a permanent order to stop using his image without permission.

Bamba Sample

In the year 2016, a judge ruled that Brandon Parrott gave James Jackson and Dr. Dre permission to use the song “Bamba” in their song called “P.I.M.P.”

Janitor Incident

In May 2016, while at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 50 Cent insulted and mistreated a janitor. He accused the janitor, named Andrew Farrell, who was a teenager with hearing impairments and autism, of being intoxicated. Andrew’s parents saw a video of this incident that went viral and felt that it was disrespectful towards their child. They wanted to sue 50 Cent for his actions. Initially, they sought a lawsuit for over one million dollars, but eventually, they agreed to settle the matter. As part of the settlement, 50 Cent made a $100,000 donation to Autism Speaks and issued an apology.

Other Criminal Issues

In the year 2020, 50 Cent was part of a controversial incident. He appeared in a viral video where he gave money to a Burger King restaurant in NYC on behalf of a local scammer. However, the scammer was later arrested and was charged with Bitcoin scams, kidnapping, and assault on April 24, 2021.

50 Cent Other Controversies

A). with cam’ron.

In the year 2007, problems between Cam’ron (former Diplomat) and James Jackson began when they had a heated argument on The Angie Martinez Show on Hot 97 radio. During the show, 50 Cent expressed his opinion that the music division of Koch Entertainment (now known as MNRK Music Group) was not successful, implying that major record labels did not want to work with artists from that label.

Afterward, 50 Cent released a song called “Funeral Music” where he suggested that Cam’ron was no longer fit to lead The Diplomats and that Jim Jones should take his place. In response, Cam’ron released 2 songs titled “Curtis Pt. II” and “Curtis”. In these songs, he not only made fun of 50 Cent’s first name but also mocked his appearance, referring to him as “a gorilla with rabbit teeth.”

b). With Rick Ross

50 Cent and the famous rapper, Rick Ross, once had a conflict that started with an alleged incident at the 2008 BET Hip Hop Awards. Despite that, 50 Cent claimed he couldn’t remember seeing Rick Ross there when asked by the media. Later that same month, a song called “Mafia Music” by Rick Ross was leaked on the internet, with lyrics that seemed to insult James Jackson.

Before going to Venezuela, James Jackson shared a video called “Warning Shot” the 1st in a series of cartoons called “Officer Ricky.” In early Feb, he posted a video on YouTube where he interviewed “Tia,” the mother of one of Ross’ children. According to her, Rick Ross actually worked as a correctional officer in real life, contrary to his image.

c). The Game

James Jackson and The Game were once close. Despite that, their relationship changed after The Game released his very 1st album, “The Documentary”. 50 Cent felt betrayed when The Game expressed his unwillingness to get involved in G-Unit’s conflicts with other rappers like Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and Nas. The Game also showed interest in working with artists who were in conflict with G-Unit. As a result, 50 Cent publicly removed The Game from G-Unit during a Hot 97 interview. Following the announcement, The Game and his entourage tried to enter the building.

Afterward, The Game recorded a diss track called “300 Bars and Runnin'” targeting both Roc-A-Fella Records and G-Unit. The diss track was included in the mixtape “You Know What It Is Volume 3”. James Jackson responded with a music video for his song “Piggy Bank,” where he portrayed The Game as Mr. Potato Head and mocked other rivals as well.

In October 2006, “The Game” made a peace offer to James Jackson, but it was not immediately accepted. However, just 2 days later, The Game mentioned on Power 106 radio that the peace offer was only valid for that one day. In some songs on his album Doctor’s Advocate, The Game hinted that the feud was over. He later stated in July 2009 that the feud had ended with the help of Diddy and Michael Jackson. The Game also apologized for his previous actions during that time.

d). Ja Rule

50 Cent was involved in a public dispute with Ja Rule (famous rapper) and his label, Murder Inc. Records, prior to signing with Interscope Records. The conflict started when James Jackson claimed that a friend of his had stolen jewelry from Ja Rule. In response, Ja Rule accused James Jackson of planning the robbery.

Ja Rule believed that the disagreement arose from a video shoot in Queens, where James Jackson didn’t like seeing Ja Rule receive a lot of admiration from the neighborhood. In May 2011, it was confirmed that the feud between Jackson AKA 50 Cent, and Ja Rule come to an end. Ja Rule stated that they were no longer enemies and that they would never collaborate on any music together.

However, on August 7, 2015, the feud between the 2 rappers reignited when Ja Rule commented on a social media post about a dispute between Drake and Meek Mill. This enraged James Jackson, who responded with photos and comments on Instagram, taking Drake’s side in the feud. The conflict resurfaced again on January 19, 2018, when Ja Rule called out 50 Cent on Twitter, sparking another round of public disagreement between them.

50 Cent Books / Author

James Jackson has written several books, including a memoir titled “From Pieces to Weight” in 2005, which sold 73,000 hardcover copies and 14,000 paperback copies. He also co-authored a crime novel and collaborated with Robert Greene on a book called “The 50th Law,” which offered an urban perspective on “The 48 Laws of Power.” In November 2011, he released a young adult fiction novel, “50 Cent’s Playground,” which tells the story of a bullied boy and his lesbian mom.

Below are James Jackson’s books;

• The 50th Law (2009)
• Playground (2011)
• Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter (2020)
• Formula 50: A 6-Week Workout and Nutrition Plan That Will Transform Your Life (2012)
• The Ski Mask Way (2007)
• From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens (2005)
• The Diamond District (2008)
• Blow (2007)
• Heaven’s Fury (2007)
• Derelict (2007)

50 Cent Albums

Solo albums.

Below are James Jackson’s song albums;

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

Collaborative albums

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

50 Cent Songs

Below are some of James Jackson’s songs that have not been mentioned above;

• Disco Inferno
• I’m The Man
• Poppin’ Them Thangs
• Straight to the Bank
• Wanna Get to Know You
• Just A Lil Bit
• Ayo Technology

50 Cent Movies and TV Shows

Below are some of James Jackson’s films he has appeared;

• Expend4bles
• Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
• Escape Plan
• Den of Thieves
• Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Below are some of James Jackson’s television shows he has appeared;

• Supreme Team
• Power Book II: Ghost
• Hip Hop Uncovered

50 Cent Social Media Platforms

He is active on his social media accounts and is often seen posting on his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. He has over 29.3M followers on Instagram.

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50 Cent Biography

Birthday: July 6 , 1975 ( Cancer )

Born In: South Jamaica, New York, United States

50 Cent is an American rapper, record producer, businessman, and actor. After facing disappointment with his very first album which never saw the light of day, 50 Cent started his musical career with a series of hit mix tapes. A controversial yet popular figure in the Gangsta rap genre, 50 Cent’s criminal history has been a topic of discussion for many. Growing up in Queens, he had a rough childhood. He began selling drugs at a very young age. In the year 2000, he got shot nine times but managed to survive the attack. Taking it as a life lesson, 50 Cent started concentrating on his musical career, and his first claim to fame came in the form of ‘Get Rich or die Tryin.’ The album turned out to be a blockbuster and was certified 8× Platinum by ‘The Recording Industry Association of America’ (RIAA). He credits Eminem for his success, claiming that Eminem trusted him when nobody else did. He also says that he has been a huge admirer of the rapper. Eminem once said the troubles 50 Cent went through as a kid shows in his lyrics, and that his pain, horrors, and troubles would resonate with the listeners. Eminem’s prediction came true as 50 Cent went on to sell nearly 30 million copies of his records, and is the recipient of many music awards. Apart from music, he has a thriving career as an actor, and has rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest actors and directors in Hollywood. His business ventures have also been quite successful. Not surprisingly, 50 Cent is frequently listed among the richest rappers of our times.

Recommended For You

Nick Name: Interscope, Fiddy, Boo Boo

Girlfriend: Daphne Joy , Shaniqua Tompkins

Also Known As: Curtis James Jackson III

Age: 49 Years , 49 Year Old Males

mother: Sabrina Jackson

children: Marquise Jackson, Sire Jackson

Born Country: United States

Rappers American Men

Height: 6'0" (183 cm ), 6'0" Males

U.S. State: New Yorkers

Founder/Co-Founder: G-Unit Records, G-Unit Clothing Company, G-Unity Foundation Inc., G-Unit Books

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Who Is 50 Cent?

Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, is a hip hop artist and businessman who became famous for his streetwise raps and rags-to-riches life story. After an early life of crime, drugs and violence, he turned to rap, rocketing to stardom with the album Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003. One of the leading figures in early 21st-century "gangsta" rap, with side projects including the hip hop group G-Unit, investments in soda water companies and video games, 50 Cent has since branched out to become an actor and businessman. His career has been littered with feuds with other rappers, arrests and legal and financial difficulties, while his recent recording output has been sporadic.

50 Cent was born Curtis James Jackson III on July 6, 1975, in the borough of Queens in New York City. He was raised by a single mother in the neighborhood of Jamaica. His mom worked as a drug dealer and died in an unexplained fire when Jackson was only eight years old; after her death, he was raised by his grandmother.

Jackson had boyhood aspirations to be a boxer, and fought at the junior level, but began selling drugs when he was 12. At the age of 19, an undercover police officer arrested Jackson for selling four vials of cocaine and when his home was raided three weeks later, police found crack and heroin. Sentenced to three-to-nine years, he instead went to a boot camp and got his GED. At this time, he was already rapping and took on the name 50 Cent, which was the original moniker of a Brooklyn crook from the 1980s.

Hip Hop Beginnings

In 2000, Jackson was the victim of a severe shooting incident that left him with multiple injuries. He returned to music after his recovery and made several low-budget recordings with his friends Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, as a crew called G-Unit. Their efforts came to the attention of Eminem and Dr. Dre , who heard 50 Cent's "Guess Who’s Back?" mixtape in 2002, and signed him jointly to their labels, Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment.

'Get Rich or Die Tryin''

50 Cent's debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin' , was produced by Eminem and Dre. It was a massive commercial success that eventually sold 9 million units. Its gritty singles, including "Wanksta" and "In Da Club," were underpinned by strong hooks that helped turn them into crossover pop hits. His personal appearance – muscled and tattooed, wearing a bulletproof vest and toting a handgun – was also a strong factor in his appeal, as was the fact that his lyrics were based on real-life experiences, in a game where most rappers' boasts are idle. “His rhymes are average, but his lisp, his exaggerated delivery and the beats backing him push this collection over the edge,” raved the Los Angeles Times .

'The Massacre' and Other Releases

Get Rich or Die Tryin' was followed in 2005 by another hit album, The Massacre , on which Jackson continued to rap about drugs, crime and sex on tracks like "Candy Shop" and "Just a Lil Bit." He started his own label under the Interscope umbrella, signing Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, and incorporating them into the G-Unit group on the 2004 album Beg for Mercy , which sold more than 5 million copies worldwide.

Subsequent 50 Cent releases, including Curtis in 2007 and Before I Self-Destruct in 2009, achieved only modest sales. But by then 50 Cent's personal history as a reformed criminal and a survivor of drugs, violence and poverty, had secured his position as an influential figure in hip hop culture.

Jackson maintained a presence in the industry with the release of the album Animal Ambition in 2014, although reviews weren’t particularly warm and it sold just over 100,000 copies – a far cry from his glory days. Ongoing feuds with Ja Rule, Rick Ross and The Game also took his eyes off the prize.

Business Interests and Children

Following in the footsteps of hip hop moguls such as Dre and Jay Z, Jackson successfully expanded his brand into other markets. He promoted and invested in Vitaminwater, a partnership that reportedly netted him $100 million when the company was sold to Coca-Cola in 2007, and also founded the successful headphones line SMS Audio.

Jackson has two sons, Marquise and Sire, with two different mothers.

'Power' and Other Screen Roles

Jackson has also enjoyed success with his forays into film and television. Since 2014, he has served as an executive producer and supporting player in the crime drama Power. Jackson also landed a prominent role alongside Sylvester Stallone in 2013's Escape Plan (and its two sequels) and appeared in the films Spy (2015), Southpaw (2015) and Den of Thieves (2018).

Filing for Bankruptcy to Starting Over Again

Jackson's legal and financial problems began to mount when he was sued by Lastonia Leviston, a girlfriend of Ross, for releasing a sex tape online without her permission. A jury found Jackson liable for $7 million in damages in July 2015. That and another case relating to the headphone company Sleek Audio prompted the rapper-businessman to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

In 2016, Jackson was ordered by the Bankruptcy Court to pay his creditors $23 million over five years, but he paid it off after only months, helped by a settlement in his favor from a legal malpractice case. That same year, he also finally sold his lavish Connecticut mansion in Farmington that had been on the market for years for a modest price of $8 million. He had originally purchased the home from Mike Tyson in 2003.

QUICK FACTS

• Name: Curtis James
• Birth Year: 1975
• Birth date: July 6, 1975
• Birth State: New York
• Birth City: New York
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, is a hip hop artist and business mogul who soared to fame with his 2003 debut album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin.''
• Astrological Sign: Cancer
• Interesting Facts
• Hip hop superstar 50 Cent credits his unique style of speaking and rapping to a shooting injury from 2000 that permanently damaged his jaw and tongue.

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: 50 Cent Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/50-cent
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: March 26, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 3, 2014
• I come from the bottom and I have risen up and I have changed but I have never forgotten.

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50 Cent interview: "My grandmother was the love of my life"

Rapper 50 Cent talks hustling, the death of his mother, Eminem – and how hip hop culture has changed

At 16 I had already been involved in street life for years  [50 Cent started dealing drugs at 12]. I was aggressive enough to get by on the street – but then I’d go home and be my grandmother’s baby. I was outside hustling but I still had to talk my grandmother into letting me walk home from school myself. I said to her, look, I’m bigger than you now.

I came to live in my grandmother’s house when some of my mother’s eight siblings were still there  [his mother, a cocaine dealer, was murdered when he was eight]. My aunt Sylvie, she hated me being there. She had been the baby, then suddenly it was me. My grandmother would look at me and there would be a little moment when she wouldn’t say anything, then she’d say, come on here baby. And I said to Sylvie, do you notice she always pauses and looks at me before she speaks to me? And Sylvie said, yeah. ‘Cause everyone noticed. And I said, I think she sees my mother’s face on top of mine.

I think shock is the best way to describe how I felt when my mother died . I didn’t understand it. To have a single parent as your guardian – they’re your whole life. I was eight. I was just like, what do you mean? She had spent a lot of time away from me, she was always hustling. She had to be very tough, to be around a lot of men… she had to adapt. At that time they didn’t have teen programmes helping teen mothers [his mother was 15 when she had him] and my mother wanted to give me what I needed, so she couldn’t rely on welfare .

My mother wanted to give me what I needed, so she couldn’t rely on welfare

It scared me half to death when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer . My aunt would call me with updates all the time and she always said, don’t worry, she’s fine. I’ve never told anyone this but two years ago, the day she called to tell me… It was early in the morning and I was on a treadmill in the gym. I got to the hospital and the whole family was there. My aunt told me the doctor said she’d had a stroke and there was nothing they could do. They took me to her and she was the smallest I ever saw her. I said ‘Hello?’ I saw her eyes jump when she heard my voice, like she was trying to see where I was at. Everyone else left and I talked to her for a little bit. Then they all came back in and her heart rate started to drop. My aunt said, shit, she was waiting for you. I’ve seen a lot of people pass in the neighbourhood, I’ve lost them to motorcycles or altercations or drugs. But none of them impacted like when my grandmother died. She was the love of my life.

I felt I had to do whatever it took to get by . The stuff that came out of my mouth when I was outside the house – wow, that kid was crazy. I was the youngest in the pack, everyone else was at least 16. People told my grandmother stuff I’d done and she’d say, nope, not my baby. We all wanted nice things, nice clothes, because we wanted to attract girls. So we had to hustle to afford them.

When you get hurt as bad as I did [he was shot nine times at close range in 2000] you become afraid of everything because you know anything can happen at any time . I got shot in the afternoon, broad daylight. So I got scared, and that made me harder than I was before. The only time I was comfortable was when I didn’t care. So I just said – fuck it. When you have the pistol and you’re looking for them, your attention is shifted. You’re not afraid anymore. You’re like, I hope that is them coming up the block now.

I started writing lyrics full time in 1997 . I met Jam Master Jay from Run DMC and he had his label, which would take people on and develop them until they were ready to go to a major. Jay taught me how to count bars – and when the chorus should start and stop. And I kept practising. Sometimes hard work beats talent. I wrote all the time, and so I got better and better.

I think Jay liked me ‘cause I looked like the lyrics . I had all the jewellery, I looked like a hustler. I’d been on the street so long, people respected me. The honest truth is, at that point, the drug dealers were the leaders of the neighbourhood. They had more money than the rappers. The things LL Cool J and Run DMC wanted were the things guys hustling already had. Now, of course, the artists are way richer than the dealers, the hip hop culture has grown so much.

I came into music with songwriting intentions ‘cause that’s where the money was

Eminem had this competitive energy that made him the guy all the other rappers worried about  [Eminem signed 50 Cent to Shady Records in 2002]. From early days, he was this great battle artist. The guys who were up against him would think of everything you could say about him, then he’d say those things about himself first. So everything they had against him, he took it away. He was writing all this personal stuff. I was never anything like that. I came into music with songwriting intentions ‘cause that’s where the money was.

If I could talk to my teenage self, I’d tell him to focus on music with a stronger intensity . He could still have this career without going through all the things I went through. And thinking about relationships – I think back to when I was with someone and that person could have been the person I was going to be with for the rest of my life but I didn’t have the references yet to know there was something special there. It’s like the clarity I got about my grandmother after she was gone. Some people have been better at that than me. If I look at Jay Z, I’d point out he capitalised on people better than I did.

If I could go back to any time, I’d go back to when the sales figure for the first week of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ came out . I went to sit at the back of the tour bus and just thought, wow. I couldn’t believe it. When I got those sales I knew that from now on I didn’t have to wait for someone else to say it was okay, I could say it was okay myself. But I also knew that feeling, that confirmation, that finally you have the momentum – you only feel it once. I knew I would never have that feeling again. ‘Cause everything was about to change.

• Letter To My Younger Self

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50 Cent Biography

Introducing 50 Cent: an American rapper, record producer, businessman, and actor. From a rough childhood in Queens to surviving a near-fatal shooting, 50 Cent’s journey to success has been filled with challenges and triumphs. With his breakout album ‘Get Rich or die Tryin’ becoming a blockbuster hit, he has sold nearly 30 million records and earned numerous music awards. Eminem’s belief in him played a pivotal role in his rise to fame. Alongside his music career, 50 Cent has made a name for himself in Hollywood and has achieved great success in his business ventures. With his immense talent and entrepreneurial spirit, it’s no wonder that 50 Cent is consistently ranked among the richest rappers of our time.

Quick Facts

• Nick Name: Interscope, Fiddy, Boo Boo
• Girlfriend: Daphne Joy, Shaniqua Tompkins
• Also Known As: Curtis James Jackson III
• Age: 48 Years, 48 Year Old Males
• Family: mother: Sabrina Jackson, children: Marquise Jackson, Sire Jackson
• Born Country: United States
• Record Producers
• Height: 6’0″ (183 cm), 6’0″ Males
• U.S. State: New Yorkers
• Founder/Co-Founder: G-Unit Records, G-Unit Clothing Company, G-Unity Foundation Inc., G-Unit Books

Childhood & Early Life

50 Cent was born Curtis James Jackson III on July 6, 1975, in Queens, New York City, USA, to Sabrina, a drug dealer. When Curtis was eight years old, his mother died in a strange fire accident, which compelled his father to leave as well. Hence, Curtis James was left under the care of his grandmother.

As a kid, 50 Cent had no musical aspirations. In order to make the ends meet, he followed in the footsteps of his mother and started trading drugs by the age 12. He would bring guns and drugs to his school and even got caught once.

His street peddling career came to a halt when he got arrested for possession of cocaine, heroin, and crack while he was a teenager. He was sentenced to three to nine years in prison. He then earned his GED after serving six months in a boot camp.

In one of his interviews, he said that he started boxing at the age of 11 as he wanted to defend himself against his enemies. Apparently, he made quite a lot of enemies as a kid.

50 Cent’s hip hop career started when he came in contact with a New York based hip hop group named ‘Run-DMC.’ Jam Master Jay was a member of the group and the first person to understand 50 Cent’s potential. He promised to help him release his debut album, a promise which he couldn’t keep. 50 Cent then approached ‘Columbia,’ which also gave false hope to the young aspirant.

He then took the matter into his own hands and formed a crew called ‘G-Unit’ along with Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. He then released a mixtape titled ‘Guess Who’s Back’ which caught Eminem and Dr. Dre’s attention, and they signed 50 Cent for their respective record labels, ‘Shady Records’ and ‘Aftermath Entertainment.’ Though the mixtape had 50 Cent and his crew mocking other rappers, his rapping skills were appreciated by many and several nightclubs in New York started playing his music.

Eminem collaborated with 50 Cent on the ‘8 Mile’ soundtrack and the song ‘Wanksta’ became a hit. Subsequently, 50 Cent’s debut album ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ released to massive success in 2003. The album had a few tracks produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre. Coveted magazine ‘The Rolling Stone’ praised the album in one of its articles. The album debuted at the top spot on the ‘Billboard 200’ chart and 50 Cent became an overnight sensation.

His next venture ‘Beg for Mercy,’ which was produced under his group ‘G-Unit,’ released in late 2003 to widespread acclaim. In 2005, 50 Cent released his second official album titled ‘The Massacre.’ For the following six weeks, the album held the top spot on ‘Billboard 200.’ In 2007, 50 Cent released his third album ‘Curtis,’ which peaked at number two on ‘Billboard 200.’ The album was based on real-life events.

In 2009, 50 Cent unveiled his fourth studio album titled ‘Before I Self Destruct’ which was a moderate commercial success. In 2012, over a beef with ‘Interscope Records,’ 50 Cent refrained from releasing his next album. The album, titled ‘Animal Ambition: The Untamed Desire To Win,’ got released in 2014 after 50 Cent reworked on it.

Apart from being a hip hop star, 50 Cent is also known for his impeccable entrepreneurship skills. He invested in a lot of profitable ventures which enabled him to own a fortune. He is involved in industries such as gaming, liquor, book publishing, footwear, apparel, video games, and many more.

Personal Life

In 1996, 50 Cent’s girlfriend gave birth to his son. She later sued him for USD 50 million, claiming that he had promised to take care of her for life. Her appeal was rejected and the judge called it ‘a love affair gone sour.’ Their son was named Marquise Jackson and 50 Cent said that his son changed his outlook on life and compelled him to change his ways to lead a better life.

Model Daphne Joy and 50 Cent dated for some time and had a child together, who was named Sire Jackson. At the age of two, Sire modeled for a headphone brand and earned more than half a million dollars from the deal.

In 2005, 50 Cent expressed his political views and condemned the statement made by fellow rapper Kanye West. Kanye said that ‘George Bush doesn’t care about Black People.’

In 2000, while visiting his grandmother, 50 Cent was shot nine times. He was hospitalized for two weeks and made a miraculous recovery. Interestingly, 50 Cent’s attacker was killed a few days later.

50 Cent is known for his disagreements with fellow rappers, such as The Game, Rick Ross, and Ja Rule.

50 Cent’s estimated net worth is USD 30 million.

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50 Cent on Conquering TV, His Beef With Diddy and Why He Brought $3.5M to Our Photo Shoot

The rapper and mogul on building a television empire, producing a Netflix doc on nemesis Sean Combs and why he was finally invited to the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show: “They couldn’t get Eminem to do it without me."

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Mesfin Fekadu

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Curtis “ 50 Cent ” Jackson’s 49th birthday was three days ago, but he’s still in a celebratory mood.

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Asked whether he had to visit the bank to get the funds, Jackson says with a relaxed smile: “I just had that. I got more than that,” then adds that “I was inspired [to bring it] by [Muhammad] Ali,” referring to the 1964 Sports Illustrated cover for which the then-22-year-old boxer posed with $1 million in winnings. “I was like, ‘I want to do a shoot like that.'”

Suffice it to say, business is good for Jackson. Power , the Courtney Kemp-created series he executive produced, launched a run of hits for Starz after its 2014 debut, going six seasons and leading to multiple spinoffs, including Ghost and Raising Kanan (each renewed for its own fourth season) and Force (renewed for a third). His other series for Starz, BMF , recently wrapped its third season and, mirroring the Power franchise, is expanding into its own universe. Starz — which says Power programs and BMF average about 10 million multiplatform viewers per episode — relies on Jackson for unrelated series as well. His company is producing upcoming shows like boxing drama Fightland and Queen Nzinga , about an African warrior queen.

Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television company has several shows in development for Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock and BET, and he’s now bringing some of his most famous musical collaborators into the fold, for projects like a series based on 2002’s 8 Mile with Eminem, who first signed Jackson and helped release his debut album in 2003.

“50 is like a brother to me,” says Eminem, who guest-starred on season one of BMF in an episode directed by Jackson. “50 has proven again and again that there’s really nothing he can’t do, and nobody gets in the way of him getting it done.”

Jackson also is working on an animated series for Amazon Freevee called Lady Danger Agent of B.O.O.T.I. with Nicki Minaj. “He’s a blueprint to what resilience looks like,” Minaj tells THR . “Whenever he’s been counted out in the real world or within the entertainment business, he’s risen to the occasion and come out triumphant. He’s smart. He’s a businessman. I can see past the ‘funny 50’ — I see a very deep thinker. He’s honest. He’s mastered the chess game of reinvention throughout many eras of music, entertainment and social media. Yet he still somehow always seems to remain authentic. That is a very difficult feat.”

On top of all this, Jackson is launching a FAST channel, building a film studio in Shreveport, Louisiana, and (already a former New York Times best-seller) releasing a novel about a Black female Texas Ranger.

Jackson hasn’t publicly said who he’s supporting in November, but in 2020, he said he planned to back Trump over Joe Biden, a decision criticized on social media, though he later clarified his stance: “Fu*k Donald Trump, I never liked him.”

And then there’s Diddy, about whom Jackson is producing a doc for Netflix. An avid social media user, Jackson has been trolling Sean Combs for years (more on that below), upping the intensity as Combs faces several lawsuits over allegations of sexual abuse, rape and sex trafficking. (Combs has denied the accusations.)

“I’ve been very vocal about not going to Puffy parties and doing shit like that,” says Jackson, who first met Combs as an unsigned artist and helped ghostwrite some of his songs, including “Let’s Get It,” the 2001 top five rap hit. “I’ve been staying out of that shit for years. It’s just an uncomfortable energy connected to it.”

On board to make the Netflix Diddy documentary series is Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Stapleton, whose credits include Shut Up and Dribble and Hello Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea . “As partners, we share the same goal: to tell a story that is authentic, multilayered and deeply engaging for a global audience, which has followed and lived with this still-unfolding story for over 30 years,” Stapleton tells THR .

Sitting down with THR — that $3.5 million now packed back into those suitcases — Jackson talks about his growing empire, the Diddy doc and why he was almost left out of the legendary 2022 Super Bowl halftime show.

50 turns 50 next year. How are you feeling at this stage in your life?

I have a lot of stuff I’ve got to accomplish over this year. I’ve got to not make mistakes and be completely on it. This year, I’m going to get some work done. I’m not going to fuck up. ( Laughs .) I’ll keep myself out of little bullshit.

What made you want to produce a docuseries on Diddy?

I’m the only one from hip-hop culture that’s produced quality projects. We do have a lot of talent within our culture where the talent has developed a comfortability in front of the camera, so they’re usually a part of it as an actor or driving force of why someone would watch the project; not the behind-the-scenes production, producing the whole project, so there’s a difference.

Over the years, you’ve made a point of not attending Diddy’s parties — was that because somebody told you the energy there was off? Or did you go to something that felt odd?

He asked to take me shopping. I thought that was the weirdest shit in the world because that might be something that a man says to a woman. And I’m just like, “Naw, I’m not fucking with this weird energy or weird shit,” coming off the way he was just moving. From that, I wasn’t comfortable around him.

It was mostly work. I wouldn’t call it a friendship because there wouldn’t be disappointment between us if we didn’t speak to each other. There’s points that we worked together. Jennifer Lopez actually told him he should work with me as songwriter in the beginning. And I was around at the early stages, and he could have done my record deal at that point. This is following me being shot up, the Trackmasters deal [at Columbia Records, where Lopez was signed], and I’m just getting back to work, and he’d call me to write. I remember Diddy would call, and my son’s mom would answer, and I didn’t want to get on the phone like, “No, no, no.” And she was like, “What the fuck? We need money.” ( Laughs .) She’s looking at me, like, “What? Why don’t you want to talk to him?”

I didn’t ever party or hang out with him. Puff is a businessperson; when [people call him] a producer, I see people that were taken advantage of, who produced things that he took from them. He got the credit. He’s not a producer. He’s been able to take advantage of the business and the creatives in it. I don’t have any interest in doing that. I actually fall under the creative. So I just didn’t take to hanging out with that.

There have been so many silent voices when it comes to what’s going on with Diddy, as if people are afraid to speak up. Why?

Then you’ve got a part of our culture that says, “That’s snitching” or “dry snitching” or shit like that. It’s not uncomfortable for me to say what I said because I’ve been saying this shit for four years, five years. I been telling you, “I don’t fuck with him. I don’t like the way he moving. This is a little crazy.” Everybody else is not going to be as comfortable as I am saying it.

You and Mary J. Blige have a great relationship and she’s also close friends with Diddy. I wondered if she had reached out to you …

No, no. You know what? Mary never reached out to me to tell me to not fuck up Puffy, because she knows that he does shit.

Your ex and child’s mother, Daphne Joy Narvaez — who was named in Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones’ lawsuit against Diddy — claimed you raped and physically abused her in a social media post. [She has since deleted it.] You’re suing her for defamation. What’s happening?

For me, I pussyfoot around the Daphne stuff and I’ll tell you why. I got a family court case. The allegations that came out — she posted things to her page saying some crazy shit — but this comes eight hours after I filed for custody for my son. And she put that up in response to that, and I’m like, “Ugh.” In this climate, you know how quickly they pass judgment. Things have worked out since she’s said those things. I had my son on Father’s Day, and we chilled. I’d like to respond and say some wild shit, but I’ve got to sustain that for my son.

It is damaging. It is damaging just to have anything said about you at this point. Because you have people out there who don’t believe in your intentions, and if things are going in a positive direction for you and something pops up, they go ( gasps ), “This is what we have been waiting for.” For entertainment purposes, they exploit that as much as possible, but there is no merit to it.

Some critics have pointed out that Dr. Dre has an abusive past and he’s your mentor and have wondered if that contradicts you producing the Diddy doc?

It’s fine that they would feel whatever they feel because I don’t know what is true or what’s not true about that situation. And these things date back to before I was even signed to Dr. Dre.

But this would mean not acknowledging all the things that are positive about him, all the successes I have had and everything, because that’s the time frame we are talking about. Look, it may irritate people that have heard that. That’s crazy to think that you would not produce a doc series now based on that as well.

It’s given me a bigger responsibility. The studio itself, it’s for me to create content, to go make television shows and films and stuff like that. But Shreveport, I have to be able to create an experience for people to come, so I started investing in the downtown area, buying properties and stuff. I got to revitalize that along with the studio. And I’m sure everyone can’t see my vision for it because I look at things like, “Nah, it’s going to be like this.” My career has been like that. My life has been like that. I’ve been able to firmly believe in things where there’s not much around me to support the idea in the beginning, but it allows me to be passionate enough to work in that area until it actually works — that tunnel vision.

What can we expect from your upcoming FAST channel?

It’s a huge difference from the Starz format. Starz is subscriber-based. This one is free and ad-supported. There’s going to be new content in there, but I got access to a huge library of action films. It’s got to be premium. I don’t want to see me like I see my people on Tubi. I’ll make sure the quality of everything is there. The platform has to be able to fit my original material. So you’ll see the Power series — those universes will be there. BMF now has spinoff shows coming. Give me one year and I’ll be ranked the highest FAST channel.

Did you think your production empire would get to this level when you were starting out?

I’m like, “I know I haven’t been doing this as long as you guys have been doing it, but you’re not acknowledging that you’ve got a programming issue. I’m not your problem. Your programming is your problem. What you need is more.”

Have there been people who’ve served as Hollywood mentors?

When you say mentor, I look at people in positions and go, “How did you get to that position?” And I’ll do my research.

My coolest experience was with Tyler Perry. Because there were points that I was feeling resistance or I was going, “What is this?” Because I’m not feeling the energy surrounding you being No. 1 for 10 years consecutively with multiple shows. And there was a point that I was with a group entertaining the idea of buying BET, and they couldn’t tell me what BET was worth without Tyler. They were trying to sell it for $3 billion and couldn’t tell me what it was worth without Tyler. So I looked, and I’m like, “Oh wait a minute.” Then, when I stopped by his studios, I immediately identified with how he was moving faster, the pace. We have the old Hollywood pace, the old “we are doing white Hollywood.” He’s doing the diverse version of Hollywood that has to move faster to make more. And you don’t have to compromise quality. You will notice the difference in the premium programming when it’s done correctly. It’s just better planning. That definitely changed my perspective.

Perry complimented you in a recent interview. Do you guys have something in the works?

Power has never earned an Emmy nomination, while Game of Thrones has won 59 from 159 nods, and I always thought it was interesting that the final season of Power had its premiere at Madison Square Garden but Game of Thrones ‘ final season only premiered at Radio City. How did you pull that off?

I was able to convince Starz that what they felt was big wasn’t big to me. They think the Chinese Theatre in California is it. I’m like, “OK.” Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden — I sell those shits out in a blink and I go, “Wait, why do you think there will be an issue? Are you not sure that what’s happening is actually happening?” And I had to talk them into it to get them to support the Radio City Music Hall idea first. There were people standing outside; when you use prestigious venues, landmarks, people get dressed to go to Radio City Music Hall. They will clean up for that. When we look good, we feel good, right, they take pictures now and post, “Going to the Power premiere.” And it got so much coverage that they didn’t know they were paying [for it]. It felt like we were paying for a premiere, not for each individual who documented the experience. And it turned out that we premiered far higher than the prior season.

Do you feel like if the Power audience wasn’t predominantly Black, it would get more attention and awards?

I do. And the acknowledgement that’s missing, I receive from Tyler. He understands it. He’s gone through it all the time.

He’s never received a competitive Emmy nomination. [He was honored with the Governors Award in 2020.] Have you ever had conversations with the Television Academy?

I have done that several times.

What were the conversations like? Did any of it make sense?

No, it does not make sense. The easiest way to point it out to the public is the actual facts: When the show is clearly No. 1 in African American households, if you don’t want to acknowledge it, you don’t want to acknowledge African Americans and Latinos. It’s a choice. I don’t know if it’s OK, but it’s a choice.

You have won an Emmy — alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z — for the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show. When the lineup for the show was first announced, your name was not on the list … you came out as a surprise …

They wanted to leave me out of it. They didn’t want me there.

Roc Nation. Yeah, they didn’t want me there. Eminem wouldn’t do it without me. That’s how I ended up on the show because he was not coming if I didn’t do it. When that happens, you go, “Damn, so you just lost Eminem because you didn’t bring 50? Damn. All right. Bring 50 then.” But if it was up to them, they would not have me there. I’m the surprise. I’m not on the bill at all. But they couldn’t get Em to do it without me.

What are your thoughts on the Grammys?

I don’t care about them. They don’t mean anything. It’s an acknowledgment of the success of the project, and the excitement is to be in the room with your peers. Other than that, what is the acknowledgment? It doesn’t mean anything. I haven’t even seen anyone in a bad financial space where they would sell their Grammys. Then it would mean something that you received this award. It has zero value.

Do you vote at the Grammys?

No. I don’t know who’s voting in that shit. It’s crazy. Whoever they are, they’re off at Beyoncé’s house because she has 30 of them.

A lot of people on your level don’t handle their own social media accounts, but that’s definitely you on Instagram, right?

As a metaphor, a person across the street looks at you and because they see the clothes you got on they assume, right? “He thinks he’s smarter than all of us.” If they assume that and they don’t know you, are you the kind of person that would go across the street? Because that would require energy for you to cross the street. For me, the position that I’m in makes me look across the street and if I identify it as something negative or uncomfortable, then I don’t go across the street to explain myself. I simply say, “Fuck you,” from across the street, and I keep going. And I only do this because if it doesn’t affect me emotionally, then it doesn’t slow me down from my journey.

You were featured on “Monster” from Michael Jackson’s posthumous album, 2010’s Michael . But that song and two others were removed from streaming services in 2022 because people questioned the authenticity of Michael’s vocals. Did you feel like Michael was singing on “Monster”?

Those were definitely Michael’s vocals. You know what’s crazy, Teddy Riley [who worked on Michael’s 1991 Dangerous album] produced that record. And Chris Tucker will tell you how excited Michael was about the music I was making.

You and Michael didn’t record together, right?

Yeah. The communication about doing it started before he passed [in 2009]. And when he died, Teddy was like, “Yo, you got to do this joint.” “Monster” was like his new “Thriller.” I was like, “Yo, definitely. Let’s do it.” I was excited to do it.

No. I didn’t. You know how excited I was to record that record? Because I had the Michael Jackson photo, when he was moonwalking and the street was lighting up during “Billie Jean,” that shit was over my bed when I was growing up, and he was the coolest person in the world. At that point, there was nobody cooler than Mike.

Is there anything that you regretted doing?

Regretted? Look, I think we wasted too much time arguing, me and Fat Joe, me and Cam’ron. There’s other guys like Jada[kiss], we cleared it up easier. But we wasted time because it was just the competitive nature. It wasn’t like we crossed paths and had real heat for each other. It went on more with Joe because he’s more like me, he’s closer in character to me. When we’re at odds, we are at odds, and we did that for a long time. And because of his loyalty to Irv [Gotti] and Ja [Rule], because he worked with them, I was seeing him not be happy from the things that were making me happy. It’s easy for me to say, “Fuck you,” if what makes me happy makes you unhappy, then we’re not on the same page and it turns into some shit, and I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly happened. When you look back at it, you go, “Wait, what happened?” Because we didn’t even have no altercation or no specific thing that created it. Now he’s like my friend, and I don’t care that he has relationships with people that I don’t, because he’s always had those relationships.

This is hip-hop. I think it’s competitive to a degree, obviously. Even Drake, his position and the attitude and his choices, those are 50 Cent choices. “Fuck it, everybody got to get it then.” When it becomes Drake versus Kendrick, it’s because it’s the only thing you can put up against Drake’s success.

Look, our culture loves to see you go up because it’s confirmation that they can go up. But when you stay up — “I want this shit forever, man” — they go, “Well, goddamn. When you going to come down? If you don’t come down, I ain’t going to have my chance to go up.” And then it’s these clouds that come over you, and that cloud is doubt, a shadow of doubt that doesn’t come from material or your work ethic. It’s doubt from the artist community, where they say, “I don’t know, his new shit is cool, but it’s not his first shit.” They do that to you and Drake’s just experiencing what you experience as a backlash from success, from the consistency he’s delivered over and over. I don’t see a loss for Drake. The people who bought Drake material are going to buy Drake material when his next song comes out. Now, the shit that I do, it ruins your whole fucking career.

Speaking of beefs — have you ever talked to Ja Rule?

This story first appeared in the July 31 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe .

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• What Is Cinema?

My Adventures in Roots -land with 50 Cent

A couple of years ago, I set out to trace the ancestry of the gangsta rapper 50 Cent for a VH1 television program. The basic idea was to connect the “genealogy chic” movement with a younger audience than watches Henry Louis Gates’s ancestry shows on PBS, and to bring hip-hop-generation African-American stars face-to-face with the legacy of slavery. 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was willing to give the process a whirl, and the result is 50 Cent: The Origin of Me, which airs on VH1 this Monday, May 23, at nine p.m.

It’s happenstance that the show is airing now, in the very spring in which we’re observing the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, but 50’s ancestral history turned out to be very much entangled in that of the Confederacy. (50, by the way, is what he likes to be called—pronounced “Fifty” rather than “Fiddy.” Curtis is also acceptable.) My research took me from the borough of Queens in New York City, where Jackson was born and raised, to the small town of Edgefield, South Carolina, from whence his maternal family came.

Edgefield is no ordinary small town. It was, long, long ago, a nexus of the Palmetto State aristocracy, sending 10 governors to the state house in Columbia, the last of whom, Strom Thurmond, served from 1947 to 1951 before becoming an eight-term U.S. senator. Edgefield also had a reputation in the antebellum era for violence—not the interracial kind, but white-on-white violence in the name of honor: duels, beefs, and brawls over perceived slights.

As a matter of fact, this Sunday marks the 155th anniversary of a notorious act of violence committed by a native Edgefieldian: the brutal beating on the U.S. Senate floor of Charles Sumner, a senator from Massachusetts, by Preston Brooks, who represented South Carolina as a congressman. Sumner, a fervent abolitionist, had delivered a speech that Brooks took to be insulting toward his cousin, the U.S. senator (and fellow Edgefield native) Andrew Butler. On May 22, 1856, during a lull in Senate proceedings, Brooks approached Sumner, who was sitting at his desk, told him that his speech was “a libel on South Carolina,” and proceeded to beat Sumner to a pulp with his gutta-percha cane. The attack so incapacitated Sumner that he did not return to the Senate for three years. It also turned Brooks into a folk hero back home.

In Edgefield, I found a welcoming and cooperative group of historians and archivists who helped me delve into Curtis Jackson’s ancestral past. We determined that one of 50’s great-great-great-grandmothers, a slave named Jane Jenkins, had been owned by a prominent citizen of the town named R. G. M. Dunovant. Dunovant was a significant player in the Civil War’s opening act, the Battle of Fort Sumter: the brigadier general who commanded the Confederate forces on Sullivan’s Island, site of Fort Moultrie.

Dunovant also happened to be married to a woman named Ellen Brooks, who came from a still more prominent family. One of her brothers was none other than … Preston Brooks.

This was startling enough: discovering how readily the family narrative of Jackson, the ghetto-raised “In Da Club” hitmaker, converged with those of the Confederacy’s (literal and figurative) heavy hitters. More startling still, though, was seeing how alive this history remains once you get on the ground in Edgefield.

Last year, Bob McDonnell, the governor of Virginia, caught flak for declaring April 2010 to be “Confederate History Month” in his state. But in Edgefield, whose picturesque square looks much as it did in the 1860s, every day is Confederate History Day. There’s nothing coy or subliminal about the area’s embrace of its Rebel heritage. In the square stands a 32-foot-high obelisk that was dedicated in 1900 to the memory of the area’s Confederate war dead. The sports teams of the local high school, named for Strom Thurmond, call themselves the Fighting Rebels. (I saw a picture in the local paper, the Edgefield Advertiser, of Strom Thurmond High’s football squad, a group of mostly black kids in jerseys with the word rebels across the front—normal to them, loaded with head-hurting layers of cognitive dissonance to me.)

Another town attraction is Oakley Park, a museum housed in the former mansion of Martin Witherspoon Gary, like Dunovant a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. After the war, Gary was instrumental in the formation of the Red Shirts, a paramilitary group that, through violence and intimidation, suppressed the voting rights of black freedmen and their Radical Republican allies.

You might think that parachuting 50 Cent and a film crew into a place like this would have resulted in fisticuffs and histrionic arguments—especially when you consider that this was for VH1, home of Rock of Love, Mob Wives, and Sober House with Dr. Drew. But you’d be wrong. What transpired when we filmed there in May 2010 was much more nuanced and revelatory.

There were moments approaching rapprochement, as when a descendant of R. G. M. Dunovant confessed to Jackson that the historical connection that had brought them together “makes my skin crawl.” There were also, inevitably, some uncomfortable moments. Oakley Park is administered and staffed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and 50 bristled when a docent there blithely insisted to him that the Civil War was about states’ rights rather than slavery, and that the slaves who had lived on the property’s grounds had been treated well, among other curious assertions:

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“She’s offering her truth, what she’s accepted as the truth based on information given to her. But I don’t agree with it,” 50 told us. Still, he took pains not to condemn the woman. “I don’t blame her for having pride in her heritage,” he told me off-camera. “She’s acting on the natural instinct to be proud of who your grandparents were, who your great-grandparents were.”

The most pronounced conflict, in fact, was one that occurred between 50 and us, the filmmakers. (I worked with the director Ron Yassen and the writer-producer Sacha Jenkins, both of the production company Roadside Entertainment.) We were interested in exploring the notion that, perhaps, the trip-wire violence with which 50 Cent and his peers grew up in urban Queens was a twisted inheritance from the white Old South.

Could it be possible, we wondered, that Edgefield’s violent code of honor had hopped cultural and geographical boundaries—first from masters to slaves, and then from southern freedmen to northern gangstas? In all seriousness: did Preston Brooks’s beef with Charles Sumner somehow indirectly inform 50’s long-simmering beefs with Ja Rule and Rick Ross? (Like 50, a former drug hustler whose face and body are pocked with bullet wounds from an ambush in 2000, Brooks carried a souvenir of a gun-related incident: a permanent limp from having been shot in the hip in an 1841 duel with Louis T. Wigfall, another hotheaded Edgefieldian of renown.)

But 50 wasn’t having it. He’s not a “root cause” kind of guy. In fact, he got so frustrated with our pursuit of this angle that he asked for the cameras to be turned off at one point. “I don’t necessarily see a connection between stuff that happened 200 years ago in Edgefield and stuff that happened to me on the south side of Jamaica, Queens,” he said. “Some people just choose to be bad.”

It was an unexpected twist: the kid from the ’hood rejecting the idea that he bears the psychic scars of slavery, while we were protesting to him, “No, really, pal, you do!”

Yet it was merely a point of contention, not a big fight. To me, disagreements like these were a vital part of the experience. By delving into 50’s backstory, we unlocked bits and pieces of family history and national history, and, in so doing, prompted some thoughtful discussions about how the Civil War and its surrounding issues resonate with us today.

I won’t pretend that there were tidy resolutions to these discussions. But that we could so peaceably engage in them, Edgefieldians and visitors both, was a sign of progress. As was our discovery that every kid at Strom Thurmond High School—black, white, or otherwise—knows exactly who 50 Cent is.

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The Tragic Real-Life Story Of 50 Cent

The following article contains references to drug dealing, murder, domestic abuse allegations, and mental health issues.

His tracks may not blast through every mall like they used to, but 50 Cent remains one of the biggest names in hip-hop. Since landing ( upside down ) on our screens in the iconic " In Da Club " music video in 2003, Fiddy has amassed legions of fans and more than a few 50 cents to his name. In addition to his musical endeavors, he has branched out into clothing and merch, film, and even boxing promotion . But the path towards success was anything but smooth for the kid from Queens.

From a young age, 50 Cent learned to survive and thrive in the most challenging conditions, an approach that he carried into his adult life. As a youngster, he was bullied and blindsided; as a teen, he was sent to juvie; and when he reached adulthood, he was almost killed. Few have lived to tell the tale after being dropped into such stark adversity, something that 50 himself is acutely aware of. As such, these many past traumas have created an aura of mystique around the rapper, who's become something of a hip-hop folk legend. As he mused to Rolling Stone in 2003, "People love the bad guy. ... It's cinematic law: The bad guy has to die. But sometimes the bad guy gets a record deal and becomes a superstar like 50."

Despite his continuing misfortunes, Fiddy resolved to get rich or die tryin', going from traumatized teen to international superstar. This is the tragic real-life story of 50 Cent .

50 Cent's teen mother was a drug dealer

Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, didn't have an easy start in life. Born on July 6, 1975 to his 15-year-old single mother, Sabrina Jackson, he was raised in a drug-afflicted neighborhood of Queens, New York. Accordingly, Fiddy's childhood would be fraught with hardship. To make ends meet, Sabrina dealt drugs, a profession she had pursued long before her son's birth, per the book " 50 Cent: No Holds Barred ." As the rapper told Spin , "She didn't see welfare or Burger King as a real option. She did what she thought she had to do to take care of me."

Although he has acknowledged that his mother's career path was ultimately a means of supporting him, 50 has also said that drug dealing brought out the worst in Sabrina. Fiddy admittedly feared his mom, so much so that he would rather face school bullies than his own mother. "I got bumped around a lot in the park but I was more afraid of my mom than the people I got bumped around [by] because I could not escape her," he told Page Six .

Sabrina was apparently a hard-boiled woman who would not tolerate her young son exhibiting emotional vulnerability. As 50 explained to Page Six, his mom would often scold him and question his masculinity if he dared to cry. "She would look at me on the floor [when he was upset] and say, 'Get up — what you over there crying for acting like a little girl [for],'" he divulged.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

His mother died horrifically

At the age of 8, 50 Cent's childhood would be irreparably changed when he lost the most important person in his life. In 1983, Sabrina Jackson died in a fire, per Page Six . She was just 23. "I think shock is the best way to describe how I felt when my mother died," he told The Big Issue . "I didn't understand it. To have a single parent as your guardian — they're your whole life." At first, 50 was in denial. He explained to Oprah Winfrey  that he struggled to comprehend what his grandmother meant by "she's not coming back." As such, 50 would tell himself that his mother was still with him whenever someone would remind him that she was gone forever. "It didn't register," he said.

There remains much speculation as to how exactly Sabrina died, but it is generally believed that there was foul play involved, with a number of outlets reporting that she was murdered . According to The Guardian , she met a stranger who spiked her drink, took her home unconscious, and left the gas on, killing her. 50 told the publication that his mom's "body was all f***ed up" when she was found later that week.

Despite his mother's harsh tendencies, Fiddy remembers her fondly, acknowledging in an interview with MSNBC that she had to adopt a tough veneer "to play in a man's world." Tragically, he also conceded that, of his grandmother's nine children, "My mother is the only one dead.”

50 Cent's grandmother took him in when no one else would

Following his mother's tragic demise, 50 Cent found himself a lost waif. But there was one person whom he could always count on: his grandmother, Beulah Jackson. In the VH1 documentary "50 Cent: The Origin of Me" (via Digital Spy ), the rapper revealed that his grandmother legally adopted him when he was a boy. Accordingly, Beulah raised 50 as if he were her own son, and his gratitude would remain unwavering. In 2005, he would say thank you for everything Beulah did for him by buying his grandparents a house, per Vanity Fair .

But things weren't easy growing up in his grandparents' home. In addition to his unresolved grief, 50 ultimately felt unwelcome by certain family members in the bustling household. This was largely due to the supposed resentment of his Aunt Sylvie, who had always been "the baby" and thus the apple of her mother's eye, a role seemingly usurped by 50 once he moved in. As he heartbreakingly recounted to The Big Issue , Sylvie noted that her mom reserved a special look just for Fiddy, which would often be accompanied by a hug. "And I said to Sylvie, do you notice she always pauses and looks at me before she speaks to me? And Sylvie said, yeah. ... And I said, I think she sees my mother's face on top of mine," he related. 

The rapper later claimed on Twitter  that Sylvie's alleged resentment culminated in her poisoning his dog with cockroach killer.

The rapper has a lot of childhood trauma

Born into poverty, neglect, and narcotics — and practically an orphan by the age of 8 — 50 Cent had to endure a lifetime's worth of tragedy before he reached adolescence. This inevitably caused the youngster a great deal of emotional trauma, which he has been forthright in discussing. "After my mom passed, everything ... that went wrong, went wrong because she wasn't there," he told Spin . "If I wanted to go to the park, and it would start drizzling, it was happening because my mom wasn't there." Subsequently, he found solace in his grandparents' basement, admitting to Oprah Winfrey  that he was "running away from having to deal with people." What's more, he couldn't bear to talk about his grief with others.

In addition to losing his mother as a child, 50 grew up without a father. Much mystery surrounds the identity of the rapper's biological father, and it would appear that he is as much in the dark as to his identity as the general public is. He told Larry King that he has "no interest" in ever meeting the man who sired him.

50 has acknowledged that childhood trauma led to a wealth of anger and emotional vulnerability as an adult. Accordingly, he has grappled with expressing himself when things go wrong. "I get mad," he told Rolling Stone . "Some people know how to express themselves emotionally and cry and do all that other s***. Me, emotionally, I'm, like, thirteen."

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website .

50 Cent began dealing drugs as a child

When 50 Cent was just 12, he followed in his mom's footsteps and began dealing crack on the streets. This decision was precipitated by a realization that "the only people I'd seen that had what was a representation of financial freedom were people involved in that lifestyle," as he told Oprah Winfrey . He explained that he lied to his grandparents that he was in an after-school program when he was in fact dealing drugs.

Although his relationship with his mother was troubled, 50 has acknowledged that her unconventional profession enabled her to raise him in moderate luxury. When she died, he struggled to reconcile his past wealth with the vastly different lifestyle of his impoverished grandparents. "I had gotten used to a certain style of living with Mom hustling," he explained to MSNBC , noting that "my grandmother couldn't afford to buy me Air Jordans. ... So I started hustling to buy things." Accordingly, he said that he "became two people — one was the hard-core drug dealer in the day and the other was my grandmother's baby by night.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone , 50 dismissed any notions of guilt or regret regarding selling drugs at such a young age, believing it was the only way for his traumatized younger self to get by in a brutal and indifferent world. "It don't seem like one of the options, it seem like the only option," he emphasized. "I provide for myself by any means."

He was shot nine times and almost died

In May 2000, 50 Cent's life would take a terrifying turn. According to reports , Fiddy, then aged 24, and a friend were in a car parked nearby his grandparents' Queens home when he was shot multiple times. Tragically, his grandmother witnessed the brutal attack, per The Guardian . It later transpired that he had been shot nine times. Of that fateful day, he told Rolling Stone , "You don't actually feel each one hit you. The adrenaline is pumping. You movin' and tryin' to get out of the way. I was bouncing around the back seat." Eventually, he made it to the hospital, and thus began a lengthy period of recovery.

Fiddy's brush with death has become the stuff of hip-hop legend. But the truth is, the ordeal was anything but worthy of sensationalism. According to Rolling Stone, 50 was hospitalized for 13 days and had to learn to walk again, regaining the ability to move freely after six weeks. The attack also left him with permanent physical disfigurements, which impacted his speech patterns and rap style. "I have a [bullet] fragment lodged inside my tongue, scars all over my hands and my face," he explained to Vanity Fair . "The piece that stayed in my tongue affected the way I talk."

As The Guardian reports, Fiddy initially believed that his attacker was a drug dealer. In actuality, he was shot "by a three-man hit squad" following a diss track aimed at Kenneth McGriff, a powerful drug lord.

After being shot, 50 Cent lived in fear

50 Cent may have survived the brutal attempted murder, but the nightmare wasn't over. The traumatic ordeal unsurprisingly led to psychological distress. As such, Fiddy lived life on the edge. For instance, a 2003 Rolling Stone profile emphasized his reliance on bodyguards and bulletproof vehicles for safety. What's more, he feared the possibility of another attack. "When you get hurt as bad as I did you become afraid of everything because you know anything can happen at any time," he explained to The Big Issue . "I got shot in the afternoon, broad daylight. So I got scared, and that made me harder than I was before."

In an interview with Hot 97 , 50 elaborated on the overwhelming anxiety in which he lived on a daily basis. He explained that living in a constant state of fear caused him even greater discomfort, as he struggled to deal with a barrage of negative emotions. However, his unrelenting agitation was somewhat alleviated by a drive to find the perp. In addition to his anxiety, the rapper was overcome with paranoia. Accordingly, he believes that the attack fundamentally changed him as a person. 

"The paranoia from the experience of actually being hurt heightens your senses to everything and the possibilities of things happening," he stated. "It shifted me. It's either when you get hurt that bad the fear consumes you or you become a bit insensitive, and you'll start to approach the problem instead of running from it."

His mentor Jam Master Jay was murdered

A male role model was much needed in 50 Cent's life. So, when Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC came along when Fiddy was a budding young rapper, he became his mentor, per The Guardian . The rapper explained to Billboard that he met Jay entirely by chance after a friend struck up a conversation with the iconic DJ. "He said he wanted to develop a new artist and I told him, 'I rap, you know,'" 50 recalled. "And from there, he gave me a shot to do it, but Jay, he helped me develop my whole song structure."

But his alliance with Jay would be tragically short-lived. In 2002, the DJ was shot dead at the age of 37. The case would remain unsolved for decades. In 2020, two men were charged with his murder, per AllHipHop , and they would face trial in the fall of 2022. Reflecting on the lessons he learned from his erstwhile mentor, 50 told the New York Daily News (via Gigwise ) that Jay was the first person who ever truly believed in his work as an artist, and he sought to emulate his self-promo capabilities.

Police initially believed that Jay may have been killed as a means of getting to 50, though the rapper firmly denied this in his 2012 book " From Pieces to Weight ." He elaborated on this in a chat with Davey D . "He's a good dude ... but where I'm from people get killed," 50 said, noting that he himself was shot in the same area as Jay.

50 Cent channeled his pain into music

From a young age, 50 Cent knew he had to make it on his own. His debut album was, of course, entitled "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" — and this was a mantra he would live by. "I took all the dysfunctional behavior, everything damaging or that wasn't good in my life, and I turned it into the most beautiful nightmare you can actually create. That's my life," he told The Guardian . 

The path to success wasn't easy. Following the shooting, he was dropped by Columbia records. The rapper explained to Billboard that the label didn't want to touch him after the incident, thereby leaving his career in turmoil. It was thanks to Eminem that 50 was given a second chance in the music biz. Em had himself been taken under the wing of Dr. Dre years earlier, and he wanted to do the same for Fiddy. After Eminem sent one of the upstart's mixtapes to Dre, he was signed to the duo's Aftermath/Shady Records, per MSNBC . "It didn't take a genius to know that 50 was going to be big,” Dre told the outlet. "He had the style, the flow ... and he wanted it badly.”

Subsequently, 50 released his aforementioned debut album, which  sold over 12 million copies  in 2003. In a bitter irony, 50's near-death experience aided his success. As Eminem quipped to Rolling Stone , "Kids wanna see a guy that got shot that many times and lived. There's a whole mystique about him."

The rapper no longer speaks to his eldest son

In 1996, 50 Cent welcomed a son, Marquise Jackson, with his then-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins. Sadly, 50 has become increasingly absent from Marquise's life. The apparent hostility between the pair seems to stem from the rapper's acrimonious breakup with Tompkins. In 2008, he alleged to  MTV News  that his ex was preventing him from seeing their son.

In 2017, Marquise released a rap track of his own, " Different ," which includes the lyrics, "Lost my pops, he's still alive." The following year, People reported that 50 appeared incensed after Marquise posted an Instagram snap posing with the son of Kenneth McGriff, the very man linked to Fiddy's 2000 shooting. Commenting on the post, 50 wrote that if the duo "got hit by a bus, I wouldn't have a bad day."

When discussing his admitted aversion to maintaining a close relationship with his son, 50 has been surprisingly blunt. Speaking with The Guardian , he partly blamed the estrangement on Marquise supposedly growing up in privilege in contrast to his own upbringing, claiming that he had tried his best to connect with him to no avail. "That sense of entitlement is scariest when it's someone you love," he said. "He still manages to feel deprived when he's had everything. You love the person ... and he looks at you as if you're the enemy. ... This is not a kid, it's a grown man we're talking about." 

When asked whether he actually "still loves" Marquise during an Instagram Live session in 2020 (via Metro ), 50 essentially dodged the question.

Tragedy struck again in 2009 when his friend was murdered

50 Cent has  had numerous beefs with celebs , but none resulted in catastrophic outcomes. However, that all changed in 2009. By his early 30s, 50 had already lost some of the most important and influential people in his life. And, despite his immense fame and riches, the tragedy didn't end.

In 2009, his friend, Lowell Fletcher — better known by the alias Lodi Mack — was murdered, per ABC News. Fletcher was tight with Fiddy, and it's believed that his murder was payback for a long-running feud between industry exec James Rosemond (aka Jimmy Henchman) and the rapper's crew. It appears that 50 long had beef with Rosemond , which led to him expelling fellow rapper Game (whom Rosemond managed) from his G-Unit squad and Fletcher attacking the gangster's teen son. "These dudes ain't going to be happy until they go to a funeral" are the chilling words apparently uttered by Rosemond regarding the feud.

Per The New York Times , Rosemond was among six people charged with the murder of Fletcher. The publication highlights that he has also been linked to the killings of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., though he's denied having been involved in the legendary rappers' deaths. According to reports, Rosemond had hired several men to gun down Fletcher, and the former exec was subsequently sentenced to life in prison  in 2018. As Vibe notes, 50 referred to Rosemond as a "rat" in a now-deleted Instagram post reacting to the murder case.

Money woes have plagued the rapper

"I don't think there's such a thing as too rich," 50 Cent once told the  Independent . But when Fiddy was no longer eating caviar, he was certainly eating his words. At one point, the rapper's net worth was reported to be a jaw-dropping $155 million, seeing him rank 4th in Forbes ' rundown of the wealthiest hip-hop artists in 2015. Yet, that very year, he found himself strapped for cash and filing for bankruptcy . Per ET , the rapper claimed "assets and debts between $10 million and $50 million" in 2015. However, his money woes appear to predate this. As The Guardian notes, he once couldn't afford to pay the $800 monthly rent on his and then-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins' home.

How exactly did a man who once commanded a multimillion-dollar salary find himself with next to nothing? Fiddy's economic downward spiral can largely be attributed to his various disputes in both his personal and professional life. For instance, a feud with rapper Rick Ross cost him $5 million after he distributed a sex tape of Lavonia Leviston, Ross' ex, per the  Mirror . He also found his music career faltering, with the  New York Post noting that the rapper didn't even manage to shift 200,000 copies for his 2014 album "Animal Ambition."

Moreover, 50 was involved in a long-running dispute with headphone company Sleek Audio. In 2016, Radar reported that he agreed to pay the audio supplier over $16 million after he was accused of stealing their designs.

The many legal troubles of 50 Cent

Throughout the years, 50 Cent has had numerous brushes with the law. By the age of 15, he had already purchased his first gun, per The Guardian . According to Rolling Stone , he was arrested for the first time — for possession of crack — when he was in the 10th grade. Promoting the show "For Life," 50 opened up about his stint in jail following a later drug conviction, noting how his role as a prison cook enabled his understanding of secret prisoner codes. "An inmate didn't like a certain dish, he'd signal to give only a little. If he liked it, he'd gesture for a lot," he revealed, per Page Six .

When Fiddy added on two more arrests in 1994, he believed that his only future options were either time in behind bars or an untimely death, telling Rolling Stone, "It was comin'. Long as you stay there, you don't beat the odds." Although he did beat those bleak odds, the legal issues continued. He was arrested for gun possession in 2002, per MTV News . Then, in 2004, he allegedly attacked a fan at one of his concerts after being hit with a thrown bottle. However, he agreed to attend anger management classes, among other terms, to avoid prison.

In 2013, he was accused of domestic violence against Daphne Joy, the mother of his second child, son Sire Jackson. Per TMZ , the case was dropped after he pled no contest to misdemeanor vandalism. He was subsequently sentenced to three years' probation and paid Joy $7,100 in damages.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website .

Losing his grandmother devastated 50 Cent

Following his mom's death, 50 Cent's grandmother, Beulah Jackson, was the most important figure in his life. Thereafter, no other person could ever compare to her. "My grandmother took care of me. ... How can another person be that important?" he asked The Guardian . Sadly, in 2014, the rapper  lost his guiding force , the woman whom he credits with making him the man he is today. 

After being diagnosed with cancer, Beulah had a stroke, and her devoted grandson rushed to the hospital to see her before she passed on. "I've seen a lot of people pass in the neighborhood, I've lost them to motorcycles or altercations or drugs," he explained to The Big Issue . "But none of them impacted like when my grandmother died. She was the love of my life." Although doctors said his grandmother was unresponsive following the stroke, Fiddy told the outlet that he was still able to communicate with her, noting some movement in her eyes as he talked to her.

Reflecting on the loss, he told Meredith Vieira (via Express ) that Beulah's death was particularly painful since she was the only person who stuck by him when he was at his lowest. "She's been the most consistent person in my life," he said. "She was the only person in my life that I could give everything that I had and she would think of me first before she would make a decision about anything else." 

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• Born July 6 , 1975 · Queens, New York City, New York, USA
• Birth name Curtis James Jackson III
• Height 6′ (1.83 m)
• 50 Cent (Curtis James Jackson) is an American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He began a musical career and in 2000 he produced Power of the Dollar for Columbia Records, but days before the planned release he was shot and the album was never released. In 2002, after Jackson released the compilation album Guess Who's Back?, he was discovered by Eminem and signed to Shady Records, under the aegis of Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. With the help of Eminem and Dr. Dre (who produced his first major-label album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'), Jackson became one of the world's best selling rappers and rose to prominence with East Coast hip hop group G-Unit (which he leads de facto). In 2003, he founded G-Unit Records, signing his G-Unit associates Young Buck, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo. Jackson had similar commercial and critical success with his second album, The Massacre, which was released in 2005. He released his fifth studio album, Animal Ambition, in 2014 and as of 2019 is working on his sixth studio album, Street King Immortal. During his career Jackson has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won several awards, including a Grammy Award, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, six World Music Awards, three American Music Awards and four BET Awards. He has pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005), the Iraq War film Home of the Brave (2006) and Righteous Kill (2008). - IMDb Mini Biography By: Tango Papa
• Children 25 Cent
• His mother was killed at age 23, when he was just eight years old.
• Released a series of street mixtapes (2002). They became so popular that Eminem heard them and signed him to his record label. Even after his success, 50 Cent still releases street mixtapes on a regular basis.
• His cartoon-like photo on the cover of his album "The Massacre" was meant to make him look like a Ninja Turtle, his son's favorite cartoon characters. He is also a huge fan of the cartoon, his favorite turtle being Donatello.
• His debut album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" was the highest debut ever with 900,000 copies sold in the first week.
• Neither drinks alcohol nor smokes. 50 has stated in multiple interviews that after peddling drugs on the street for money (but never partaking himself), he saw how drugs, alcohol and smoking were adversely affecting his close relatives, so he made a conscious decision to change not only himself by finding legitimate means of making money, but also abstaining from the things that were destroying his relatives.
• The only thing that I'm scared of is not livin' up to the expectations of Dr. Dre and Eminem .
• [on his feud with rapper Ja Rule ] Right now he's desperate. He should be talking about me, not Eminem and Dr. Dre and everybody else. He will lose, he knows that. The route that he has to take is the "I'm a mad gangsta" hardcore route, and ain't nobody gonna believe him.
• In Hollywood, they say there's no business like show business. In the hood, they say there's no business like ho' business.
• I'm not trying to save the world. As a musician and artist, it just ain't me.
• A man becomes as attractive as an attractive woman when he becomes successful and is publicly noted. Power is an aphrodisiac.

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 50 Cent Digital Biography

It was hard in his early life, but Curtis James Jackson III aka 50 Cent finally made it to become a renowned popular African American hip hop artist the world ever has. Born on July 6, 1975 in South Jamaica, Queens in New York, he grew up in a broken home family, his hustler mother Sabrina Jackson died when he was merely eight years old, while his father left the family, leaving his grandmother to parent him. Lost those closest to him at an early age and encouraged by his desire for things would drive him begun drug dealing at the age of twelve. Eventually encountered the law and began making visits to prison, 50 pursued his dream of becoming a heavyweight boxer, but finally fell back on rapping. 

Took rapping seriously, it was in the mid '90s that the young man stayed away from crime and began making music. His break came soon thereafter upon meeting Jam Master Jay of Run DMC through a friend who instead of only taught him how to count bars, write choruses, and structure songs, passed over a tape of beats and asked him to rap over it. Got the man impressed, he was signed to his label, JMJ Records. Unfortunately, the deal didn't result much which prompted 50 to leave the label and quickly signed another deal with Columbia Records, thanks to the platinum selling producers Trackmasters who took noticed on his rapping skill. Began working on his debut album, he produced thirty-six songs in two and a half weeks, eighteen of which were included on his unofficially released album, "Power of the Dollar [Unreleased]" in 2000. 

A trio of singles preceded the album's proposed release, namely "Your Life's on the Line," "Thug Love" featuring Destiny's Child, and "How to Rob," in fact, contributed to 50's rising to popularity. The latter track, which lyrics detail how he would rob particular big-name rappers, attracted a lot of attention thus making it a hit. Shortly after the release of the single, on May 24, 2000, just before Columbia was set to release "Power of the Dollar [Unreleased]", he encountered a deadly incident on 161st Street in Jamaica, Queens when an assassin attempted to end his life, shooting him nine times with a 9mm pistol while he sat helpless in the passenger seat of a car. Spent thirteen days in recovery, he survived but Columbia Records decided to drop him, blacklisted him in the recording industry after finding out he had been shot, put "Power of the Dollar [Unreleased]" to shelve. 

Hard for him to find a studio to work with in the US during the two following years, 50 Cent headed for Canada. With the help from his business partner Sha Money XL, he made a return to the rap underground, began recording over thirty songs for mixtapes and formed a hip hop group G-Unit, featuring Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, and Tony Yayo, with the intention to set up a solid career in the industry. Together they produced large quantities of tracks, some of which featured the companions rapping over popular beats, while the others mocked popular rappers, and had them compiled on "Guess Who's Back?" in 2002. Much to their surprise, the mixtape garnered industry attention as well as street esteem, particularly popular rapper Eminem who declared on a radio show his admiration for 50 Cent. And amidst a bidding war that followed, Em indeed got him signed to his and Dr. Dre 's Shady/Aftermath label. 

Not only Em and Dre lent their hand to executive produce 50's upcoming album, but also each of them helped producing a few tracks for the set, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'", released on February 6, 2003. Prior to the release of the LP, Em got him debuted on the soundtrack to his film "8 Mile", singing "Wanksta" which became a runaway hit in late 2002, setting the stage for "In da Club," the Dre-produced lead single from "Get Rich". The so-called "most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade" by All Music Guide, satisfyingly sold 872,000 copies in its first week of release, led the LP to be certified gold in its first week, platinum the following week, and was eventually certified six times platinum by the RIAA. In 2003, 50 established his own record label, G-Unit Records, and appointed his manager Sha Money XL as the president. Subsequently, a second effort "The Massacre" was put on the market by March 3, 2005, spawned two major hit singles, namely "Candy Shop" and "Disco Inferno". 

"The Massacre" sold extremely well, 1.15 million copies in its first four days of release, exceeding its predecessor while making it the sixth fastest-selling album since SoundScan began tracking sales data in 1991. Had his music career sky rocketed, 50 gave hand at acting, starred alongside senior actor Terrence Howard in the semi-autobiographical film "Get Rich or Die Tryin'", chronicling his personal life, an inner city drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his passion, rap music. Put a gun theme in its advertisement, the flick provoked protest from some community leaders who at the end had the movie posters banned. Amid the controversies, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" made its way to hit the theaters as slated though, on November 5, 2005. Already became a household name, 50 added more film projects into his resume, starring in the 2007 "Home of the Brave", being in the same scene with Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel among others. 

As of 2007, 50 was billed to star in three more films, "The Dance", "Live Bet", and "The Ski Mask Way", all slated for 2008 release with the latter also saw him served as producer for the first time. In the meantime, his music career was still going strong as the third studio album "Curtis" is set to release on September 4, 2007. He was about to name this piece "Before I Self Destruct" because he saw himself doing so but then thought otherwise. He then came up with "Curtis S.S.K." with the abbreviation referring to SoundScan Killa before deciding for the last time to name the album simply "Curtis" He claimed that the moniker "Before I Self Destruct" would be kept for his next project, the fourth album that will be released February 4, 2008. 

As of his personal life, 50 has a son, named Marquise Jackson, with his then girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, who was born in 1997. It was the birth of the infant that brought drastic changes to the star's life, of which he was quoted as saying, "[w]hen my son came into my life, my priorities changed, because I wanted to have the relationship with him, that I didn't have with my father." Greater than that, he also credited his son to become the inspiration of his career, revealed "[m]e being an artist on the music front came from my son actually. He was motivation to go in a different direction." Rose to stardom mostly due to his music works, 50 also became media darling due to his run in with the law and feud with fellow rappers, The Game and Ja Rule, just to name a few. Meanwhile, he was engaged in a creative battle with Kanye West who happened to release his new album 'Graduation' on September 11, 2007, the same date his 'Curtis' will be released. Predicted chart battle occurred with Kanye offering a national debate on TV defending each album. Although the debate was shut down few weeks after the idea came out, 50 took the battle seriously. He stated that if his album sale is below Kanye's, he will quit writing music for himself. 

(source: aceshowbiz.com)

Learn about how hip hop has been commercialized, impacted pop culture, education, & the universe. Take the journey through the 2000s with 50 Cent, T.I., Kanye West & more!!

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How 50 Cent became major success

Gunplay and drug dealing are common topics in rap songs, but not every rapper has personal experience living the thug life.

50 CENT, born Curtis Jackson July 6, 1976, in South Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., was raised by his grandparents after his mother was murdered at age 23. As is well-known by his fans, he was dealing drugs by the time he was 12, and seven years later he was running a local drug cartel.

Signed to Columbia Records, 50 Cent was about to make a video for his first single when he was shot nine times May 24, 2000. To this day, the rapper — whose name comes from an infamous Brooklyn, N.Y., gangster — carries a bullet fragment in his tongue and a hole in his jaw that gives him a distinctive slur.

After the shooting, he was dropped by Columbia and continued recording on his own, releasing mix-tape albums through the independent G-Unit label. “Guess Who’s Back? (Full Clip)” collected his biggest mix-tape hits, including the controversial “How to Rob.” Released in May 2002, that indie release has sold 316,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The underground success of these mix-tape albums led to Eminem and Dr. Dre signing 50 Cent to Interscope-distributed Shady/Aftermath.

“Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” 50 Cent’s major-label debut, sold 872,000 copies in its first week, the best opening for any album this year. Sales have now reached 5.6 million, making it the top seller of 2003, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Two songs from “Get Rich” have topped the Billboard Hot 100: “In Da Club,” which spent nine weeks at No. 1, and “21 Questions,” which led the list for four weeks.

50 Cent’s latest Billboard Hot 100 entry, “P.I.M.P.,” stands at No. 4 this issue.

Q: How did you become a rapper?

A: A friend of mine was having a conversation with Jam Master Jay, and I was able to kind of work my way into that conversation. He said he wanted to develop a new artist and I told him, “I rap, you know.” And from there, he gave me a shot to do it, but Jay, he helped me develop my whole song structure, because I didn’t know how to count bars or anything.

I had recorded over an album’s worth of material while I was under Jam Master Jay. His touring schedule with Run-D.M.C. had become so hectic that he wasn’t able to focus on me at the time, so I moved on. I was blessed with the opportunity to work with the Trackmasters and Cory Rooney at Columbia, and then three days before I was supposed to shoot a video for “Thug Love” with Destiny’s Child, I got shot. Columbia Records was afraid to work with me after I got shot.

Q: You then signed to Shady/Aftermath. What’s it like working with Dr. Dre?

A: He’s great. Dre’s a perfectionist. He’ll make you do something over and over and over and over, and he’s right. I had trust issues at first. If I fail, it has to be because I made a mistake. It’s not until you get in a crew like when I joined Eminem and Dr. Dre that I could become comfortable enough with people to take their advice.

Q: How did you choose “In Da Club” as the first single?

A: We had so many good records at the time that it was kind of hard to pick. At the time, they were selling “If I Can’t Do It, It Can’t Be Done.” But then I said, “Dre, which one do you like, man?” He said, “I like ’In Da Club.’ “ And Eminem was saying, “Well, we like this one and Part Two on that one,” and I said, “Well, Dre said ’In Da Club.’ “ I know how to generate the interest of the hood. I know how to get the streets going. I get on the mix tape and I generate interest through giving up a quality performance over and over in the street. Dre and Em both have been able to sell records worldwide, so that humbles me and allows me to take consideration of what they’re saying.

A: At that time, the clubs had so many street records on me that they would have a 50 Cent segment. For maybe 40 minutes in the club, it would just be me, but before they got into that, they would play “In Da Club” about five or six times in a row and it would keep the club going. When they were playing it that much, I was so excited about the record that I would just be at home listening to my record by myself.

Q: Do you follow the charts?

A: Oh man, I follow them all the time, that and SoundScan.

Q: How did you feel when you found out your album was No. 1?

A: Actually, when the album came out, the first week was the most incredible feeling I have ever felt in my life. The first two days, it sold out. There were no more records. We couldn’t even get the record in the store. The first week it sold 827,000 and then the second week, it did 823,000. It was more than I could imagine.

Q: Your next hit was “21 Questions.” Some people might be surprised at the presence of a slow song on the album.

Q: You also have a big hit with your duet with Lil’ Kim, “Magic Stick,” which is on her album.

A: I recorded “Magic Stick” for my album. I sent it to Trina, and they kept it for so long that when they sent it back, when it wasn’t done exactly the way I felt like the record should be put together, I wasn’t interested in having Trina on the record anymore. So I sent it to see if Lil’ Kim could pull it off. Kim got the record. She held on to it for so long that it missed the deadline for my album . . . I heard Lil’ Kim’s version finally. I was excited. It came out great, so I let them use it.

Q: How did your current hit, “P.I.M.P.,” come about?

Q: How are you enjoying touring?

A: At first, my love was just to be in the studio and make the music and enjoy it when I hear it played back, but now the biggest thing for me is to see the response of the people. When you go out and see the energy in the crowd—man, like when I’m with Em, we do, like, 70,000 people at a time, so it’s incredible. The people in the back just look like dots. I’ve been in situations like in Tokyo where people sang my song word for word and then when the music stopped, they couldn’t speak to me. I’ve seen the music break the language barrier.

Q: Do you ever get bored of hearing your songs on the radio?

© 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.

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48 Facts About 50 Cent

Written by Ashien Bock

Modified & Updated: 04 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

• Acting Career Facts
• Legal Issues Facts
• Musical Collaborations Facts

When it comes to the world of hip-hop and music, few names are as iconic as 50 Cent. Born Curtis James Jackson III, the rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, commonly known by his stage name 50 Cent, has left an indelible mark on the industry. With a career spanning over two decades, 50 Cent has achieved tremendous success, both in music and beyond.

In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of 50 Cent and present 48 intriguing facts about the man himself. From his childhood in Queens, New York, to his rise to fame, and his ventures in business and acting, we explore the many facets of this multifaceted artist. So, buckle up and get ready to discover some lesser-known aspects of 50 Cent as we take a deep dive into his remarkable life and career.

Key Takeaways:

• 50 Cent’s journey from a tough upbringing to becoming a successful rapper, actor, and entrepreneur showcases resilience and determination, inspiring others to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.
• With hit albums, business ventures, and philanthropy, 50 Cent has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, proving that hard work and talent can lead to a multifaceted and influential career.

50 Cent’s real name is Curtis James Jackson III.

Before he became renowned as 50 Cent, the rapper was known by his birth name Curtis James Jackson III.

He was shot nine times.

During an incident in 2000, 50 Cent was shot nine times, which left him with multiple injuries and scars. This event became a defining moment in his life and career.

50 Cent grew up in Queens, New York.

He was born and raised in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York City, where he had a rough upbringing.

He started dealing drugs at a young age.

Facing financial struggles, 50 Cent turned to selling drugs from a young age as a way to survive.

His breakthrough album was “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”.

Released in 2003, “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” propelled 50 Cent into stardom, selling over 870,000 copies in its first week.

He has won numerous awards.

50 Cent has received accolades throughout his career, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance and several Billboard Music Awards.

50 Cent has been involved in business ventures.

Aside from his music career, 50 Cent has invested in various business ventures, including a stake in VitaminWater and his own line of headphones.

He has acted in movies and TV shows.

50 Cent has showcased his acting skills in several films and television series, including “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and the hit TV show “Power”.

He is a philanthropist.

Despite his tough image, 50 Cent has been involved in various charitable endeavors, supporting causes such as hunger relief and education.

Eminem played a significant role in his rise to fame.

Renowned rapper Eminem played a pivotal role in 50 Cent’s success by signing him to his record label, Shady Records.

50 Cent has his own production company.

He established his production company, G-Unit Films, which produced films like “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and the TV series “Power”.

He is a New York Times bestselling author.

50 Cent released his autobiography, “From Pieces to Weight,” which became a bestseller on the New York Times list.

He has collaborated with numerous artists.

50 Cent has collaborated with various musical artists, including Eminem, Dr. Dre , Justin Timberlake, and Snoop Dogg.

He has his own clothing line.

Known for his fashion sense, 50 Cent launched his clothing line called “G-Unit Clothing Company”.

He has a successful entrepreneurial career.

In addition to his music and acting ventures, 50 Cent has achieved great success as an entrepreneur, with investments in areas such as real estate and boxing promotions.

He has faced legal issues.

Throughout his life, 50 Cent has dealt with legal troubles , including bankruptcy filings and lawsuits.

He is known for his iconic musical release, “In da Club”.

“In da Club” was one of 50 Cent’s biggest hits, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a cultural phenomenon.

He has been involved in feuds with other artists.

50 Cent has had publicized feuds with various artists, including Ja Rule , The Game, and Rick Ross.

He is a successful producer.

50 Cent has served as a producer for several TV shows, including “Power” and “For Life”.

He has a massive social media following.

50 Cent is known for his active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where he has millions of followers.

He is known for his unique rap style and delivery.

With his distinctive voice and delivery, 50 Cent has created a recognizable style that sets him apart from other rappers.

He has released multiple successful albums.

In addition to “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”, 50 Cent has released albums such as “ The Massacre ,” “Curtis,” and “Animal Ambition,” all of which achieved commercial success.

He has been involved in the film industry as an actor and producer.

50 Cent has acted in films such as “All Things Fall Apart” and “Den of Thieves,” and has also produced movies like “ Southpaw ” and “Escape Plan.

His music is known for its explicit lyrics.

50 Cent’s music often contains explicit lyrics and themes, which have contributed to his controversial image.

He has created his own record label.

50 Cent founded his own record label, G-Unit Records, which has signed artists like Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo .

He has collaborated with major brands.

50 Cent has partnered with well-known brands such as Reebok and Effen Vodka for various endorsement deals.

He has had successful business ventures in the beverage industry.

50 Cent’s involvement with VitaminWater resulted in a lucrative deal when The Coca-Cola Company acquired the brand.

He has showcased his acting skills in Broadway productions.

Aside from movies and TV shows, 50 Cent has also performed in Broadway productions, such as “A Raisin in the Sun”.

He has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry.

Throughout his career, 50 Cent has received numerous accolades, including BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and World Music Awards.

He has released a fragrance line.

Expanding his brand even further, 50 Cent launched his own fragrance line called “Power by 50 Cent”.

He is a successful entrepreneur in the audio industry.

With his brand SMS Audio, 50 Cent has developed a successful line of headphones and audio products.

He has been involved in charity work.

Despite his tough exterior, 50 Cent has shown a philanthropic side by supporting organizations such as Feeding America and the G-Unity Foundation.

He has pursued acting in television series.

In addition to film, 50 Cent has acted in popular television series such as “The Oath” and “Power Book II: Ghost”.

He has made investments in the technology sector.

50 Cent has invested in tech companies such as Hang w/ and SKEE.TV, showcasing his diverse business interests .

He has written an inspirational book.

Aside from his autobiography, 50 Cent has authored a self-help book titled “Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter,” sharing motivational insights from his journey.

He has a successful career in television production.

50 Cent has found success as a television producer, creating and executive producing shows like “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” and “For Life.

He has not been afraid to express his opinions.

Known for his outspoken nature, 50 Cent has often used his platform to express his views on various social and political issues.

He has been involved in the gaming industry.

50 Cent has lent his image and voice to video games, including the popular “50 Cent: Bulletproof ” and “Blood on the Sand.

He has collaborated with major artists on hit songs.

Throughout his career, 50 Cent has collaborated with artists such as Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige , and Justin Timberlake, creating chart-topping hits.

He has a strong social media presence.

With millions of followers across his social media platforms, 50 Cent engages with fans and shares updates on his various ventures.

He has ventured into the energy drink market.

Expanding his entrepreneurial endeavors , 50 Cent launched an energy drink called “Street King,” with a portion of the sales going towards helping fight global hunger.

He has received praise for his acting performances.

50 Cent’s acting abilities have earned him critical acclaim, including a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Black Reel Awards for his role in “Get Rich or Die Tryin'”.

He has his own TV production company.

Under his production company, G-Unit Films, 50 Cent has produced various television shows, including the successful series “Power” and its spin-offs.

He has been an influential figure in hip-hop culture.

With his unique style and impactful music, 50 Cent has made a significant impact on the hip-hop culture and influenced future artists.

He has been involved in philanthropic partnerships.

50 Cent has formed partnerships with organizations such as Feeding America, the United Nations, and the World Food Programme to help fight hunger.

He has a successful boxing promotion company.

50 Cent established his own boxing promotion company, SMS Promotions, working with professional boxers to organize fights and provide opportunities for up-and-coming talent.

He has dabbled in the fashion industry.

Besides his clothing line, 50 Cent has made appearances at fashion shows and has been featured in fashion magazines, showcasing his sense of style.

He has maintained a successful career for over two decades.

Despite facing various challenges and controversies, 50 Cent has stayed relevant in the music and entertainment industry for over two decades, solidifying his status as a prominent figure.

50 Cent, also known as Curtis Jackson, is a renowned rapper, actor, and entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry. From his humble beginnings to achieving worldwide success, 50 Cent’s journey is an inspiration to many aspiring artists.

Throughout this article, we have explored 48 fascinating facts about 50 Cent, shedding light on his life, career, and achievements. From surviving a near-fatal shooting to his rise to stardom with the release of his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” 50 Cent’s story is one of resilience and determination.

Not only has 50 Cent dominated the music charts with his hit songs, but he has also ventured into acting and business. From producing and starring in multiple films and television series to launching successful business ventures, such as his own clothing line and record label, 50 Cent has proven to be a force to be reckoned with.

As we conclude, it is clear that 50 Cent’s impact on the entertainment industry goes beyond his music. His ability to reinvent himself and diversify his talents has made him a true icon. Whether it’s through his philanthropic efforts or his influential presence , 50 Cent continues to leave a lasting legacy.

1. When was 50 Cent born?

50 Cent was born on July 6 , 1975.

2. What is 50 Cent’s real name?

3. What is 50 Cent’s most famous album?

50 Cent’s most famous album is “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” which was released in 2003.

4. How did 50 Cent get shot?

50 Cent was shot multiple times in a 2000 incident outside his grandmother’s home in Queens, New York.

5. What other ventures has 50 Cent been involved in?

Aside from music, 50 Cent has ventured into acting, producing films and television series, and launching his own business ventures such as a clothing line and record label.

6. What is 50 Cent’s net worth?

According to Forbes, 50 Cent’s net worth is estimated to be around $30 million.

7. Has 50 Cent won any awards?

Yes, 50 Cent has won numerous awards, including Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and BET Awards.

8. Is 50 Cent involved in any philanthropic activities?

Yes, 50 Cent is involved in various philanthropic activities, particularly focusing on initiatives to combat hunger and poverty.

9. Has 50 Cent authored any books?

Yes, 50 Cent has authored several books, including his autobiography “From Pieces to Weight” and “The 50th Law” in collaboration with Robert Greene.

10. What is 50 Cent’s latest project?

50 Cent’s latest project is the television series “Power Book II: Ghost,” which is a spin-off of the popular show “Power.”

From his humble beginnings in Queens to becoming a rap icon, 50 Cent's life is filled with remarkable stories. His music, business ventures, and personal experiences have shaped him into the influential figure he is today. If you enjoyed learning about 50 Cent's incredible journey, you might also be interested in exploring the life of another influential figure in the music industry, Chris Lighty, whose extraordinary story is just as captivating.

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Who is 50 Cent?

Curtis James Jackson III is known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, television producer, entrepreneur, and investor. He rose fame after released Guess who's back. He won a Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, 16th Times.

What is 50 Cent Famous for 50 Cent?

50 Cent is famous for a rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, TV producer, entrepreneur, and investor. He started concentrating on his musical career, and his first claim to fame came in the form of "Get Rich or Die Tryin". The album turned out to be a blockbuster and has been honored as an 8 times platinum ever since. He has sold nearly 30 million copies of his records and is a recipient of many music awards. His business ventures have also been quite successful and 50 Cent is frequently listed among the richest rappers of our times. Young Buck threatens to Expose 50 Cent: I'll burn your career down.

Where did 50 Cent grow up?

50 Cent was born on July 6, 1975, in South Jamaica, New York, the U.S. He holds American nationality and belongs to African-American. His birth sign is Cancer. His mother died in a strange fire when he was only 8 years old. This led to his father leaving him in the shade of his grandmother. He used to trade drugs and often brought guns and drugs to the school. He got caught by the police with cocaine, heroin, and other drugs and from then, his drug dealer career came to an end. He adopted the nickname 50 Cent as a metaphor for change. The name was inspired by Kelvin Martin, Brooklyn robber.

Who are 50 Cent's Family?

50 Cent was born to mother Sabrina Jackson, a drug dealer in Queens, New York City, USA. When he was only 8 years old his mother died in strange fire. His father leaving him in the shade of his grandmother. There is no information about his father and siblings.

What is 50 Cent Body Features?

50 Cent height of 6 feet (1.83m) and body weight of 94 kg. His chest size is 49 inches, biceps is 17 inches, and waist is 34 inches. He is left-handed.

Is 50 Cent Married?

50 Cent girlfriend Shanique Tompkins and gave birth to son Marquise Jackson. Later, Tompkins sued him for $50 million, saying that he said that he would take care of her life. The suit with 15 causes of action was dismissed by a judge who called it an unfortunate tale of a love relationship gone sour. The two have bickered for years, and have even taken their feud to social media many times. He dated model Daphne Joy and had his second son Sire Jackson with her on September 1, 2012. At the age of two years, Sire modeled for Kidz Safe, a headphone brand for kids, earning $700,000 through his contract. He then dated a lot of high profile ladies including Nia Long, Dollicia Bryan, Meagan Good, Kim Kardashian, and so on. He was last seen with Tatted-up Holly for two years from 2013-2015.

How much is 50 Cent's Net Worth?

50 Cent estimated net worth of $20 million and his salary has not been revealed yet but will be updated soon.

How many Awards has 50 Cent won?

50 Cent has been nominated for a total of One Hundred and Thirty-Five awards, out of which he was won Eight-six.

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Birthday July 6 , 1975

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace New York City , NY

Age 49 years old

#716 Most Popular

Rap sensation who is also a member of the East Coast group G-Unit and was ranked the sixth-best artist of the 2000s by Billboard magazine. His first hit, " In da Club ," became a sensation in 2003. His Get Rich or die Tryin' album also went 6x platinum.

Before Fame

After his mother died, he moved in with his grandparent's and his eight aunts and uncles. He competed in the Junior Olympics as a boxer.

He is notorious for surviving nine gunshot wounds in 2000 and released Guess Who's Back? in 2002. Eminem discovered him and connected him with  Dr. Dre  that same year.

Family Life

His parents named him Curtis Jackson, and he had a son named Marquise Jackson (nicknamed 25 Cent) on October 13, 1997 with  Shaniqua Tompkins . He also had a son named Sire Jackson with model Daphne Joy .  Cuban Link  has been his girlfriend.

Associated With

He has been in feuds with Sean Combs , G-Unit, The Game , and Nas .

50 Cent Movies

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Escape Plan

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Curtis James Jackson III famed as 50 Cent , is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, television producer, entrepreneur, as well as investor who rose into the fame after the released Guess Who's Back. He has won a Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, 16th Times. Back to his career, he used to sell drugs and later he began pursuing a musical career. He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won several awards, including a Grammy Award, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, six World Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and four BET Awards. Rolling Stone consider Get Rich or Die Tryin' and "In da Club" to be in their lists of "100 Best albums of the 2000s" and "100 Best songs of the 2000s" at numbers 37 and 13 respectively. He is a very talented rapper. 

Young Buck Threatens To Destroy 50 Cent's Career: "I'll Ja Rule You"

Young Buck's been subject to many roasts at the hands of 50 Cent. With Buck's new project on the way, 50 Cent took an unorthodox route in raising awareness for it on social media. "Young buck is almost ready to drop his album. He worked hard on this project, I told him his personal choice to date a transexual will confuse some of his core audience but with the support of the LGBT he should be fine," 50 Cent wrote on Instagram, reminding everyone of Buck's alleged affair with a transgender person. Young Buck caught wind of the topic and threatened to "Ja Rule" the Power executive's career on Instagram Live. 

Birth Facts, Early Life, Birthday, Family, Wiki, Siblings, Education, And More

50 Cent was born on 6th July 1975 as Curtis James Jackson III in South Jamaica, Queens of New York under the birth sign Cancer. At present, his age is 43 but his age will be 44 on his upcoming birthday in July as of 2019. He was born to mother Sabrina Jackson, a drug dealer in Queens, New York City, USA. He was only 8 years old when his mother died in strange fire. This led to his father leaving him in the shade of his grandmother. His nationality is American and his ethnicity is African-American. During his young age, he used to trade drugs and often brought guns and drugs to the school. Later, he got caught by the police with cocaine, heroin, and such other drugs and from then, his drug dealer career came to an end. After all this incident, he adopted a nickname, 50 Cent. His religion is Christian. There is no information regarding his education and more but it will be added soon. 

Body Statistics (Height, Weight, Measurement, And More)

50 Cent is a very handsome rapper with a charming smile on his face attracting a lot of people towards him. He stands at a height of 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and he weighs 94 kg. His chest measures at 49 inches, biceps 17 inches and waist 34 inches. He is left-handed. His other body measurement will be added soon. 

Career (Beginning-Present)

• Back in his career, he used to sell drugs. 
• Later, he got caught by the police with cocaine, heroin, and such other drugs and from then, his drug dealer career came to an end. 
• 50 Cent began his career after he met with a New York hip-hop group Run. 
• He then went on to create his own crew, G. 
• With his crew containing Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks, he published his first record, Guess Who's Back in the year 2002.
• This song grabbed the attention of the huge rap artists like Eminem and Dr. Dre. 
• He then released 50 Cent Is the Future backed by G-Unit, a mixtape revisiting material by Jay-Z and Raphael Saadiq.
• The rapper was later signed up for their record label Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment. 
• He then released No Mercy, No Fear.
• Eminem and 50 Cent collaborated together to create the 8 Mile soundtrack, Wanksta. 
• Later, Dr. Dre mentored the rapper during release his of his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin. 
• This album debuted at the first spot in the Billboard 200 of 2003. 
• Later, he produced another album titled, G. However, his official second album titled The Massacre came out in 2005. 
• In the year 2007, he released yet another album titled Curtis.
• This album took the second spot at the Billboard 200. 
• In the year 2009, he released his fourth album titled Before I Self Destruct. Animal Ambition: The Untamed Desire released five years later in the year 2014. 
• His popular singles include How to Rob, In Da Club, Candy Shop, Hustler's Ambition, Ayo Technology, and more.
• He released "Get Low" on May 20, 2015, as the intended first single from his sixth studio album, Street King Immortal (2015).
• On 13th July 2015, he announced bankruptcy.
• Interscope Records released 50 Cent's final album for the label, a greatest hits album titled Best Of on 31st March 2017. 
• Besides rapping, he is also a profound actor and has been spotted in over 30 movies and TV shows until now. 
• His latest movies include Escape Plam 2: Hades and Den of Thieves. 
• His last televised series was in 2017 in 50 Central. 
• Moreover, he has also an impeccable business sense.
• He has investments in industries such as gaming, liquor, book publishing, footwear, video games, apparel, and so on. 
• He also had his own film production companies, G Unit Films.

Achievements And Awards

50 Cent has been nominated for a total of One Hundred and Thirty-Five awards, out of which she has won Eighty-Six. Some of the awards includes American Music Awards (03 Times), ASCAP Awards (11 Times), AVN Awards (02 Times), BET Awards (03 Times), BET Hip Hop Awards (01 Times), Billboard Music Awards (13 Times), Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards (16 Times), Grammy Awards (01 Times), MOBO Awards (03 Times), MTV Video Music Awards (02 Times), The Source Awards (03 Times), Vibe Awards (06 Times), World Music Awards (06 Times) and more.

Married, Unmarried Or In A Relationship

Moving towards 50 Cent's marital status, he is not married yet but he has been around 30 dating relationships till date. In the year2006, when he was dating his girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins, he became a father for the first time. His girlfriend gave birth to a son, Marquise Jackson. During his birth, his girlfriend asked for $50 million for nurturing the kid, but the case was turned down. He then dated a lot of high profile ladies including Nia Long, Dollicia Bryan, Meagan Good, Kim Kardashian, and so on. He was last seen with Tatted-up Holly for two years from 2013 to 2015. He became a father for the second time during his dating affair with Daphne Joy. They gave birth to a daughter, Sire Jackson. As of today, he is not dating anyone nor is in any kind of marital relationships. He is focusing on his career and he is living a happy life without any disturbances. 

Net Worth, Earnings, Source of Wealth

50 Cent has accumulated the net worth of $20 million. He earns a huge amount from his albums and singles. He also earns much from her business ventures. His exact salary has not been revealed yet but there is no doubt in the mind of his follower that he is earning a considerable amount of salary from his present work. He is satisfied with his earnings.

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Mekai Curtis Wiki, Age, Parents, Family, Height, Net Worth, Dad, 50 Cent Son, Instagram

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Mekai Curtis Biography – Mekai Curtis Wiki

Mekai Curtis (born Mekai Matthew Curtis) is an American actor, voice actor, and musician. He is known for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (2014), Kirby Buckets (2014), and Milo Murphy’s Law (2016). He portrays Kanan Stark on the Starz original crime drama Power Book III: Raising Kanan. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly , Curtis revealed that he was a big Power fan when he auditioned for the series.

He said: “I was a fan. My parents actually were the biggest fans and I kind of was sleeping on it for the first two seasons, but then I came around and I’ve been hooked ever since. So when I got the call to be a part of the universe myself, I lost it for a second.”

The actor did not know he was playing young Kanan Stark until his final audition. He said: “I literally had no knowledge that I was playing Kanan or it was Raising Kanan until my chemistry read, which was my last audition. Up until this point, we were using code names. I knew it was Power, so that was the thing I was excited about. I didn’t care, I just wanted to be on Power. So when they told me, “You’re going to play Kanan,” I was like, “Oh! Okay, all right.””

In addition to having a small role on Girl Meets World, Mekai starred on Disney XD’s Kirby Buckets alongside Cobra Kai actor Jacob Bertrand from 2014 to 2017. Following his role on Kirby Buckets, Mekai voiced the character of Zack Underwood on Disney XD’s animated series Milo Murphy’s Law from 2016 to 2019. On top of acting and doing voice work, he’s also a musician, and has shared a handful of videos of him playing the drums on Instagram.

Mekai Curtis Age

He was born on October 14, 2000, in New Jersey, United States. While his Raising Kanan character hails from South Jamaica, Queens, Curtis was actually born and raised in New Jersey.

Mekai Curtis 50 Cent Son – Mekai Curtis related to 50 Cent

Is actor Mekai Curtis related to 50 Cent? Curtis plays the younger version of 50 Cent’s Power character on Starz’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan, which follows a 15-year-old Kanan Stark living in 1991 Queens, NY. Curtis and 50 Cent are not biologicaly related. They only enjoy a working relationship.

Curtis spoke to Entertainment Weekly about his relationship with 50 Cent, saying: “The relationship between me and 50 has been great. Ever since the jump, he’s just always been there. He’s always got stories, whether Kanan was doing something that kind of resembled something he was doing when he was younger, or little nuggets. Between the, I think, 7 or 8 other shows that he’s got in the air, whenever I get a chance to sit down and chop it with him, I take it.”

Mekai Curtis Parents

Who are Mekai Curtis’ parents? The actor was born to his mother, Hadassah Curtis, and father, Paul Curtis.

Mekai Curtis Family

Curtis is the son of Hadassah and Paul Curtis. He has four siblings: a sister Kaidynce Curtis, and three brothers Kezii Curtis, Zemyhe Curtis, and Jesigh Curtis.

Mekai Curtis Height

He stands at a height of 5 feet 5¼ inches (1.66 m).

Mekai Curtis Net Worth

Mekai Curtis’ net worth is estimated to be $200,000.

Mekai Curtis Instagram

Mekai Curtis’ Instagram handle is @themekaicurtis .

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Tiffany Haddish recently shared a surprising story about her early struggles in Hollywood during an appearance on the “We Playin’ Spades” podcast with Nick Cannon and Courtney Bee.

The 44-year-old actress revealed that in a period of financial difficulty before she made it big, she sold used underwear on Craigslist — and claimed they belonged to actress Halle Berry.

“I would say my name was Rosalinda and I was a housekeeper for Halle Berry and I [had] some of her dirty panties if anybody wanna buy some,” she recalled.

She then admitted that the underwear she sold was actually her own, not Berry’s.

“I would make $300. It was literally on Craigslist — selling panties on Craigslist,” the “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” actress added.

Haddish is known for her candidness in interviews. In June, she discussed her arrest in November 2023 for driving under the influence on an episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Haddish was arrested in Los Angeles after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel. The actress faced two misdemeanors but accepted a plea deal in February, resulting in the charges being dropped.

Haddish pleaded no contest to a “wet reckless” charge.

“I be tired, Jimmy, because I do a lot,” Haddish told host Jimmy Kimmel.

The incident occurred the day after Thanksgiving, following a full day of volunteering and a family dinner. During her interview, Haddish recounted that she woke up at 5 a.m., worked out, cooked collard greens, showered and then “served food to the homeless — almost 3,000 people — all day long” at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles.

She noted that after delivering food to her aunt’s house, she received a phone call from a “rich friend” who asked her if she had any leftover food because they had nothing to eat, leading her to deliver even more food.

“Now I’ve learned a valuable lesson — I should’ve sent it in an Uber or sent someone else to take it there,” Haddish said. “But I wanted to take it myself because I felt like there was [an] opportunity to talk business, so I went. And I did have a drink and I was very sleepy.”

“I have a Tesla. … The way that a Tesla is set up, if you get drowsy, or your eyes are closed too long, or your head [is] bobbing … it will pull over and park the car in such a way that gets you help,” she added. “It saved my life.”

In another recent headline, Haddish faced criticism after posting a TikTok video of her visit to a grocery store in Zimbabwe.

In the video, she expressed amazement at the store’s size and selection, saying, “They got a grocery store! It’s beautiful… Look at this grocery store, it’s huge! It’s absolutely humongous. In Africa, baby. Believe it.”

“It don’t smell bad. They got the sodas. They got a whole wall of alcohol. They got a frozen section. Unlike the grocery stores at home, they actually sell dishes,” she added.

The video was swiftly met with criticism from social media users, who called Haddish’s reaction to the store “ignorant,” and labeled the video as “misguided.”

Critics accused the comedian of ignorance and insensitivity, suggesting her reaction was misguided.

One X (formerly Twitter) user reshared a snippet of the video with the caption “Tiffany Haddish is surprised that there’s grocery stores in Africa..? What’s wrong with these people?” and Haddish quickly responded in defense of her actions.

“I am an American a Black one at that and Told for years that people are starving in Africa, showed pictures of babies with flies on them,” she wrote on X. “Told crazy stories of how they kill each other and there is war everyday there.”

She also explained that her visit to Zimbabwe was to challenge misconceptions and highlight the reality of life there.

“I asked my Black friends to go with me and they were scared. We got here and I have been eyes full of tears finding out the truth. The media be lying. I thought I would share cause I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything.”

“If they would have showed you the whole video you would have seen me say I am demystifying some bulls— that we have been told and showed in America,” she wrote.

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Is Sire Jackson 50 Cent’s son? His Age, Parents, Biography

• 1 Who is Sire Jackson? Is he 50 Cent’s son?
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Who is Sire Jackson? Is he 50 Cent’s son?

Did sire’s parents marry, a glimpse into 50 cent’s legacy and life.

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