50 Cent (character)

50 Cent is a controversial rapper who appeared in The Simpsons. He appears in the episode Pranksta Rap playing himself when Bart encounters him in Alcatraaz's car.

Background information Birth name Curtis James Jackson III Born July 6, 1975 (1975-07-06) (age 33) Origin New York City, New York United States Genre(s) Hip hop Occupation(s) Rapper, actor, entrepreneur, executive producer Years active 1998 – present Label(s) Jam Master Jay, Columbia, Aftermath, G-Unit, Interscope, Shady, Violator Associated acts G-Unit, Eminem, Dr. Dre Website www.50cent.com Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975),[1] better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) and The Massacre (2005). Both albums achieved multi-platinum success, selling over twenty-one million copies combined.[2]

Born in South Jamaica, Queens, 50 Cent began drug dealing at the age of twelve during the 1980s' crack epidemic.[3] After leaving drug dealing to pursue a rap career, he was shot nine times in 2000. After releasing his album Guess Who's Back? in 2002, 50 Cent was discovered by rapper Eminem and signed to Interscope Records. With the help of Eminem and Dr. Dre—who produced his first major commercial successes—he became one of the world's highest selling rappers. In 2003, he founded the record label G-Unit Records, which signed successful rappers such as Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo.

50 Cent has engaged in feuds with other rappers including Ja Rule, The Game, and Fat Joe. He has also pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2005 and the Iraq War film Home of the Brave in 2006.

Contents [hide] 1 Life and music career 1.1 Early life 1.2 1996–2000: Early career 1.3 2000–2001: Shooting 1.4 2002–present: Rise to fame 2 Non-musical projects 3 Personal life 4 Controversy 4.1 Murder Inc. 4.2 New York rappers 4.3 The Game 4.4 Lawsuit 5 Discography 6 Awards 7 Filmography 8 References 9 External links

Life and music career

Early life 50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, grew up in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens in New York City. He grew up without a father and was raised by his mother Sabrina Jackson, who gave birth to him at the age of fifteen. Sabrina, a cocaine dealer, raised Jackson until the age of eight, when she was murdered. Twenty-three at the time, she became unconscious after someone drugged her drink. She was then left for dead after the gas in her apartment was turned on and the windows shut closed.[4][5] After her death, Jackson moved into his grandparents' house with his eight aunts and uncles.[1][6][7] He recalls, "My grandmother told me, 'Your mother's not coming home. She's not gonna come back to pick you up. You're gonna stay with us now.' That's when I started adjusting to the streets a little bit".[8] Jackson grew up with his younger cousin, Michael Francis, who earned the nickname "25 Cent" for being his younger counterpart. Francis raps under the stage name "Two Five".[9]

50 Cent's mug shot, August 23, 1994Jackson began boxing around the age of eleven. At fourteen, a neighbor opened a boxing gym for local kids. "When I wasn't killing time in school, I was sparring in the gym or selling crack on the strip", he recalled.[10] In the mid 1980s, he competed in the Junior Olympics as an amateur boxer. He recounts, "I was competitive in the ring and hip-hop is competitive too... I think rappers condition themselves like boxers, so they all kind of feel like they're the champ".[11] At the age of twelve, Jackson began dealing narcotics when his grandparents thought he was at after-school programs.[12] He also took guns and drug money to school. In the tenth grade, he was caught by metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School. He later stated, "I was embarrassed that I got arrested like that... After I got arrested I stopped hiding it. I was telling my grandmother [openly], 'I sell drugs.'"[8]

On June 29, 1994, Jackson was arrested for helping to sell four vials of cocaine to an undercover police officer. He was arrested again three weeks later when police searched his home and found heroin, ten ounces of crack cocaine, and a starter gun. He was sentenced to three to nine years in prison, but managed to serve six months in a shock incarceration boot camp where he earned his GED. Jackson said that he did not use cocaine himself, he only sold it.[1][13][14] He adopted the nickname "50 Cent" as a metaphor for "change".[15] The name was derived from Kelvin Martin, a 1980s Brooklyn robber known as "50 Cent". Jackson chose the name "because it says everything I want it to say. I'm the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means".[16]

1996–2000: Early career 50 Cent started rapping in a friend's basement where he used turntables to record over instrumentals.[17] In 1996, a friend introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC who was organizing his label Jam Master Jay Records. Jay taught him how to count bars, write choruses, structure songs, and make a record.[18][19] 50 Cent's first official appearance was on a song titled "React" with the group Onyx on their 1998 album Shut 'Em Down. He credited Jam Master Jay as an influence who helped him improve his ability to write hooks.[11] Jay produced 50 Cent's first album, however it was never released.[4] In 1999, after leaving Jam Master Jay, the platinum-selling producers Trackmasters took notice of 50 Cent and signed him to Columbia Records. They sent him to a studio in Upstate New York where he produced thirty-six songs in two weeks.[5] Eighteen were included on his unofficially released album, Power of the Dollar in 2000.[20] He also started the now-defunct Hollow Point Entertainment with former G-Unit affiliate Bang 'Em Smurf.[21][22]

"How to Rob"

50 Cent's first underground single in which he comically describes robbing celebrity musicians.

Problems playing the files? See media help. 50 Cent's popularity started to increase after the successful but controversial underground single, "How to Rob", which he wrote in half an hour while in a car on the way to a studio.[15][23] The track comically explains how he would rob famous artists. He explained the reasoning behind song's content as, "There's a hundred artists on that label, you gotta separate yourself from that group and make yourself relevant".[15] Rappers Jay-Z, Big Pun, DMX, and the Wu-Tang Clan replied to the song[23] and Nas, who received the track positively, invited 50 Cent to travel on a promotional tour for his Nastradamus album.[7] The song was intended to be released with "Thug Love" featuring Destiny's Child, but two days before he was scheduled to film the "Thug Love" music video, 50 Cent was shot and confined to a hospital due to his injuries.[24]

2000–2001: Shooting On May 24, 2000, 50 Cent was attacked by a gunman outside his grandmother's former home in South Jamaica, Queens. He went into a friend's car, but was asked to return to the house to get jewelry. His son was in the house while his grandmother was in the front yard.[5] On returning to the back seat of the car, another car pulled up nearby. An assailant then walked up to 50 Cent's left side with a 9mm handgun and fired nine shots at close range. He was shot nine times—in the hand (a round hit his right thumb and came out of his pinky), arm, hip, both legs, chest, and left cheek.[4][8][25] The face wound resulted in a swollen tongue, the loss of a wisdom tooth, and a small slur in his voice.[7][8][26] His friend also sustained a gunshot wound to the hand. They were driven to the hospital where 50 Cent spent thirteen days. The alleged shooter, Darryl "Hommo" Baum, was killed three weeks later.[27] Darryl Baum was also Mike Tyson's close friend and bodyguard.[28]

Mike Tyson, offered $50,000 towards a "hit" on two members of a violent gang suspected of killing Darryl Baum. The allegation was made by Dwayne Meyers, another former member of the Cash Money Brothers (CMB), a Brooklyn street gang accused of drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder.

Meyers, who along with several CMB members was indicted in 2005 for drug dealing and murder, made the claims as he testified at the trial of Abubakr Raheem.[29]

Raheem is accused of driving a getaway car after two turf-war killings.

50 Cent recalled the incident saying, "It happens so fast that you don't even get a chance to shoot back... I was scared the whole time... I was looking in the rear-view mirror like, 'Oh shit, somebody shot me in the face! It burns, burns, burns.'"[8] In his memoir, From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a Time in Southside Queens, he wrote, "After I got shot nine times at close range and didn't die, I started to think that I must have a purpose in life... How much more damage could that shell have done? Give me an inch in this direction or that one, and I'm gone".[1] He used a walker for the first six weeks and fully recovered after five months. When he left the hospital, he stayed in the Poconos with his then-girlfriend and son. His workout regimen helped him attain his muscular physique.[4][8][30]

While in the hospital, 50 Cent signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records. However, he was dropped from the label and "blacklisted" in the recording industry after it was discovered he was shot. Unable to find a studio to work with in the U.S, he traveled to Canada.[31][32] Along with his business partner Sha Money XL, he recorded over thirty songs for mixtapes, with the purpose of building a reputation. 50 Cent's popularity rose and in 2002, he released material independently on the mixtape, Guess Who's Back?. Beginning to attract interest, and now backed by G-Unit, 50 Cent continued to make songs. They released the mixtape, 50 Cent Is the Future, revisiting material by Jay-Z and Raphael Saadiq.[20]

2002–present: Rise to fame

"In da Club"

The breakthrough single from Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

Problems playing the files? See media help. In 2002, Eminem listened to a copy of 50 Cent's Guess Who's Back? CD. He received the CD through 50 Cent's attorney, who was working with Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg.[24] Impressed with the album, Eminem invited 50 Cent to fly to Los Angeles, where he was introduced to Dr. Dre.[4][18][24] After signing a one million U.S. dollar record deal,[18] 50 Cent released the mixtape, No Mercy, No Fear. It featured one new track, "Wanksta", which was put on Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack.[20] He was also signed to Chris Lighty's Violator Management and Sha Money XL's Money Management Group.

In Bangkok, Thailand, February 26, 2006In February 2003, 50 Cent released his commercial debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Allmusic described it as "probably the most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade".[33] Rolling Stone noted the album for its "dark synth grooves, buzzy keyboards and a persistently funky bounce" with 50 Cent complementing the production in "an unflappable, laid-back flow".[34] It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 872,000 copies in the first four days.[35] The lead single, "In da Club", which The Source noted for its "blaring horns, funky organs, guitar riffs and sparse hand claps",[36] broke a Billboard record as the most listened-to song in radio history within a week.[37]

Interscope granted 50 Cent his own label, G-Unit Records in 2003.[38] He signed Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck as the established members of G-Unit. The Game was later signed under a joint venture with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. In March 2005, 50 Cent's second commercial album, The Massacre, sold 1.14 million copies in the first four days—the highest in an abbreviated sales cycle[35]— and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 for six weeks.[39] He became the first solo artist to have three singles on the Billboard top five in the same week with "Candy Shop", "Disco Inferno", and "How We Do".[40] Rolling Stone noted that "50's secret weapon is his singing voice - the deceptively amateur-sounding tenor croon that he deploys on almost every chorus".[41]

From left: With Olivia, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck in Bangkok, Thailand, February 2006After The Game's departure, 50 Cent signed singer Olivia and rap veterans Mobb Deep to G-Unit Records. Spider Loc, M.O.P., and Young Hot Rod later joined the label.[42][43] 50 Cent expressed interest in working with rappers outside of G-Unit, such as Lil' Scrappy of BME, LL Cool J from Def Jam, Mase from Bad Boy, and Freeway of Roc-A-Fella, some of whom he recorded with.[44] In September 2007, he released his third album Curtis, which was inspired by his life before Get Rich or Die Tryin'.[45] It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 691,000 units in the first week.[46]

Non-musical projects 50 Cent has established himself in a wide variety of fields outside music. In November 2003, he signed a five year deal with Reebok to distribute a G-Unit Sneakers line as part of his G-Unit Clothing Company.[47][48] He provided the voice-over as the protagonist in the video game, 50 Cent: Bulletproof, which was released for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and the PlayStation Portable. Its sequel, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, is set for a 2008 release.[49] He worked with Glacéau to create a Vitamin Water drink called Formula 50. In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased Glacéau for US$4.1 billion. Forbes estimated 50 Cent, who owns a stake in the company, to have earned $100 million after taxes.[50] He has teamed up with Right Guardto launched a body spray called Pure 50 RGX Body Spray and a condom line called Magic Stick Condoms,[51][52][53] in which he planned to donate part of the proceeds to HIV awareness.[54] He also plans to release a female sex toy line. 50 Cent has signed a multi-year deal with Steiner Sports to sell his memorabilia.[55]

In 2005, 50 Cent made a cameo appearance on The Simpsons episode "Pranksta Rap", in which he makes light of his legal troubles. The same year, he starred alongside Terrence Howard in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin'. He starred in the 2006 film, Home of the Brave, as a soldier returning home from the Iraq War, traumatized after killing an Iraqi woman.[56] 50 Cent is working on a role as a fighter in an Angola State Prison in Spectacular Regret alongside Nicholas Cage, and is set to star opposite Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in 2008's Righteous Kill, a movie regarding a police death.[57] He also started the film production companies G-Unit Films in 2007 and Cheetah Vision in 2008.[58][59] In August 2007, 50 Cent announced plans to launch a dietary supplement company in conjunction with his movie Spectacular Regret.[60]

Shortly before appearing in Get Rich or Die Tryin', 50 Cent released a memoir about his life and how he became successful titled From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a Time in Southside Queens. On January 4, 2007, he launched his G-Unit Books imprint at the Time Warner Building.[61] He also co-wrote The Ski Mask Way, a novel about a small-time drug dealer who attempts to rob his employers, which is to be turned into a film.[54] 50 Cent said he read Robert Greene's The 33 Strategies of War and worked with the author on a book titled The 50th Law, an urban take on The 48 Laws of Power.[54][62]

Personal life On October 13, 1997, 50 Cent's then-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins gave birth to a son, Marquise Jackson.[3][63] The birth of his son changed his outlook on life, "when 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".[64] He credited his son for inspiring his career and being "motivation to go in a different direction".[65] 50 Cent has a tattoo of "Marquise" with an axe on his right biceps. "The axe is 'cause I'm a warrior. I don't want him to be one, though",[32] he explains. He also has "50", "Southside", and "Cold World" inscribed on his back because "I'm a product of that environment. It's on my back, though, so it's all behind me".[32] 50 Cent dated actress Vivica A. Fox in 2003. After a few months, he announced their split up on the The Howard Stern Show when pictures from a photo shoot they did ended up on the cover of Today's Black Woman magazine without his knowledge.[66][67]

50 Cent expressed support for President George W. Bush in 2005 after rapper Kanye West criticized him for the slow response in assisting the Hurricane Katrina victims.[68] If his felony convictions did not prevent him from voting, he claimed he would have voted for Bush.[69] He later stated that Bush "has less compassion than the average human. By all means, I don’t aspire to be like George Bush".[70] Despite his frequent use of anti-gay slurs in music and speech 50 Cent claims not to be homophobic, saying, "Absolutely. I say faggot all day...That don't mean it's bad," and implying that he loves his lesbian or bisexual mother[71]

In 2007, Forbes recognized 50 Cent for his wealth, placing him second behind Jay-Z in the rap industry.[72] He resides in Farmington, Connecticut, in the former mansion of ex-boxer Mike Tyson.[73] He put the mansion for sale at US$18.5 million to move closer to his son who lives in Long Island with his ex-girlfriend.[74] On October 12, 2007, the Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut declared it "50 Cent Curtis Jackson Day". He was honored with a key to the city and an official proclamation.[75] One of his homes in New York purchased for 2.4 million dollars in January 2007 and at the center of a lawsuit between 50 Cent and ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins caught fire on May 31, 2008 while he was out of town filming for a movie in Louisiana. [76]

Controversy

Murder Inc. Before signing with Interscope, 50 Cent engaged in a well-publicized dispute with rapper Ja Rule and his label Murder Inc. Records. The rappers engaged in mixtape "disses". 50 Cent claimed the feud began in 1999 after Ja Rule spotted him with a man who robbed him of his jewelry.[66] However, Ja Rule claimed the conflict stemmed from a video shoot in Queens because 50 Cent did not like seeing him "getting so much love" from the neighborhood.[77] In March 2000, while at The Hit Factory studio in New York, 50 Cent had an altercation with Murder Inc. associates. He was treated for three stitches after receiving a stab wound.[66][78] Rapper Black Child claimed responsibility for the stabbing, saying he acted in self-defense because he thought someone reached for a gun.[79]

An anti-50 Cent billboard in Tribeca, New York.An affidavit by an IRS agent suggested that the label had ties to Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, a New York drug lord who was suspected of being involved in the murder of Jam Master Jay and the shooting of 50 Cent. An excerpt of the affidavit read:

The investigation has uncovered a conspiracy involving McGriff and others to murder a rap artist who has released songs containing lyrics regarding McGriff's criminal activities. The rap artist was shot in 2000, survived and thereafter refused to cooperate with law enforcement regarding the shooting. Messages transmitted over the Murder Inc. pager indicate that McGriff is involved in an ongoing plot to kill this rap artist, and that he communicates with Murder Inc. employees concerning the target.[31]

New York rappers Before releasing The Massacre, 50 Cent recorded a song, "Piggy Bank", which was leaked before the album's release. The song takes aim at rappers including Fat Joe, Nas, and Jadakiss.[80] Fat Joe responded with a song, "My Fo, Fo", accusing 50 Cent of taking steroids, hiding in his home, and being jealous of The Game. Jadakiss also responded with a song, "Checkmate", and said that 50 Cent was trying to "create a buzz for his new album".[81] The "Piggy Bank" music video portrays animated caricatures of Jadakiss (as a Ninja turtle), Fat Joe (as an overweight boxer who receives a knockout), Nas (as a kid chasing a "milkshake" truck in a Superman costume), and The Game (as Mr. Potato Head).[82]

"Piggy Bank"

A track in which he takes aim at numerous rappers.

Problems playing the files? See media help. 50 Cent spoke negatively about Bad Boy Entertainment mogul Sean Combs and recorded a song, "Hip-Hop", revealing the reasons behind his negative feelings: primarily, a contract dispute over Mase. In the song, he implied that Diddy knew about The Notorious B.I.G.'s murder and threatened to expose him through former associates.[83] The feud was resolved, with both rappers appearing on MTV's TRL and Sucker Free, respectively, stating that there were no longer problems.[84]

On February 1, 2007, Cam'ron and 50 Cent had a live argument on The Angie Martinez Show on Hot 97 radio. 50 Cent commented that Koch Entertainment was a "graveyard", meaning major record labels would not work with their artists.[85] Cam'ron then ridiculed the record sales of G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Mobb Deep by stating that Jim Jones outsold their albums despite being signed to an independent label and that his group, The Diplomats, had a distribution deal from several labels.[85] Both rappers released "diss" songs with videos on YouTube. 50 Cent suggested in "Funeral Music" that Cam'ron is no longer able to lead The Diplomats and that Jim Jones should take his place. Cam'ron responded with "Curtis" and "Curtis Pt. II", in which he makes fun of 50 Cent's appearance, calling him "a gorilla, with rabbit teeth".[86] 50 Cent responded by releasing "Hold On" with Young Buck.[87]

The Game Main article: G-Unit vs. The Game feud In early 2005, 50 Cent began a feud with The Game, whom he was close to before releasing his debut album The Documentary. After its release, 50 Cent felt The Game was disloyal for saying he did not want to participate in G-Unit's feuds with other rappers and even wanting to work with artists they were feuding with. He also claimed that he wrote six songs on the album and was not receiving proper credit for his work, which The Game denied.[88]

"Not Rich, Still Lyin'"

A track in which he takes aim at The Game.

Problems playing the files? See media help. 50 Cent later dismissed The Game from G-Unit on Hot 97 radio. After the announcement, The Game, who was a guest earlier in the evening, attempted to enter the building with his entourage. After being denied entry, one of his associates was shot in the leg during a confrontation with a group of men leaving the building.[89][90] When the situation escalated, both rappers held a press conference to announce their reconciliation.[91] Fans had mixed feelings as to whether the rappers created a publicity stunt to boost the sales of the albums they had just released.[92] Nevertheless, even after the situation deflated,[93] G-Unit criticized The Game's street credibility. The group denounced The Game and announced that they will not feature on his albums. During a Summer Jam performance, The Game launched a boycott of G-Unit called "G-Unot".[94]

After the Summer Jam performance, The Game released a track, "300 Bars and Runnin'", which addresses 50 Cent and G-Unit.[95] He continued his attacks in a Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin' DVD. After numerous songs aimed at G-Unit, 50 Cent responded to The Game's rebuttals on mixtapes. One track, "Not Rich, Still Lyin'", imitates The Game, attacks his credibility, and mentions his feud with his brother, Big Fase 100.[96]

The Game also released mixtape covers parodying the group. After he displayed pictures of G-Unit dressed up as the Village People, 50 Cent posted a cover of The Game's head on the body of a male stripper.[97] Although he was signed to Aftermath Entertainment, The Game left the label and signed with Geffen Records to terminate his contractual obligations with G-Unit.[98]

Lawsuit On July 21, 2007, 50 Cent filed a US$1 million lawsuit against advertising company Traffix Inc. of Pearl River, New York for using his image in a promotion which he says threatens his safety. He learned about the internet ad after one of his staff members saw it on a MySpace page. According to court documents, the ad features a cartoon image of the rapper and the message: "shoot the rapper and you will win $5000 or five ring tones guaranteed". Though the ad did not use his name, the image allegedly intended to resemble him, suggesting he endorsed the ad. The lawsuit calls it a "vile, tasteless and despicable" use of 50 Cent's image that "quite literally calls for violence against him". The lawsuit also seeks for unspecified punitive damages and a permanent injunction against the use of his image without permission.[99][100]

Discography Main article: 50 Cent discography 2003: Get Rich or Die Tryin' 2005: The Massacre 2007: Curtis 2008: Before I Self Destruct

Awards Main article: List of 50 Cent awards

Filmography Year Film/show/video game Role Other notes/episode April 15, 2003 50 Cent: The New Breed — Documentary DVD February 13, 2005 "The Simpsons" Himself Pranksta Rap November 9, 2005 Get Rich or Die Tryin' Marcus Motion picture debut November 17, 2005 50 Cent: Bulletproof — Video game, voice only December 15, 2006 Home of the Brave Jamal Aiken — 2008 The Ski Mask Way[101] Seven on hold Righteous Kill Spider post-production 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand Himself to be released in the Fall of 2008, Video game, voice only Live Bet[102] — announced 2009 Streets of Blood[103] — post-production Spectacular Regret[104] — pre-production 2010 The Dance[105] — on hold

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Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (September 2, 2005). 50 and Mase: The Pastor Isn't Officially G-Unit Yet, But a Song Is Already out. MTV. Accessed May 31, 2007. ^ Chery, Carl (May 27, 2005). Pulse Report: M.O.P. Signs to G-Unit. SOHH. Accessed June 22, 2007. ^ Black, Bea (February 8, 2006). Roc-A-Fella Rapper Freeway Collaborating with G-Unit for New Album. AllHipHop. Accessed July 22, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (April 27, 2007). 50 Cent Talks Timberlake Collabo, Star-Studded New LP Curtis. MTV. Accessed October 4, 2007. ^ Mayfield, Geoff (September 18, 2007). Kanye Crushes 50 Cent in Huge Album Sales Week. Billboard. Accessed October 4, 2007. ^ Reebok and 50 Cent Announce the Successful Launch of New "G-Unit Collection by RBK" Footwear. Reebok (November 13, 2003). Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Leeds, Jeff (December 26, 2004). $50 Million for 50 Cent. The New York Times. Accessed June 9, 2007. ^ Totilo, Stephen (March 26, 2008). 50 Cent Video Game Exclusive: 'Blood On The Sand' Details, First Images Revealed. MTV. Accessed March 27, 2008 ^ Goldman, Lea (September 30, 2007). Forbes and 50 Cent 'Get Money'. Forbes. Accessed September 30, 2007. ^ http://thisis50.com/profiles/blog/show?id=784568%3ABlogPost%3A4428519 ^ http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blog/show?id=784568%3ABlogPost%3A1127373 ^ kyte: The Official HNIC2 Channel: 01/10/2008. Kyte (January 10, 2008). Accessed January 13, 2008. ^ a b c Mirchandani, Raakhee (January 5, 2007). The Merchant of Menace. New York Post. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ http://www.sixshot.com/news/11045/ ^ Topel, Fred (December 12, 2006). CraveOnline Talks to 50 Cent. Crave Online. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Brevet, Brad (December 11, 2006). Interview: 50 Cent on 'Home of the Brave'. Rope of Silicon. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Rock Steady Eddy (January 22, 2008). The Economics Behind 50 Cent's New Film Production Company. Woohah. Accessed February 18, 2008. ^ For The Record: Quick News on Eminem, Ciara, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Nas, Public Enemy & More. MTV (March 23, 2007). Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Jokesta (August 21, 2007). 50 Cent launches dietary supplement company. Def Sounds. Accessed August 21, 2007. ^ Strong, Nolan (January 2, 2007). 50 Cent to Launch G-Unit Books, Meet Fans. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ Richburg, Chris (6 February 2007). '48 Laws' Author Robert Greene Working with 50 Cent on New Book, QD3 on New Film. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ B96jobo (September 6, 2007). 50Cent Pt 2 Interviewed by B96 Jobo, Erica & Showbiz Shelly. YouTube. Accessed September 9, 2007 ^ Williams, Kam. 50 Cent’s 2 Cents on Shooting Scenes, Samuel L., and His Son. AALBC. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ 50 Cent chats to ilikemusic.com. I Like Music (2005). Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ a b c Tannenbaum, Rob (April 2004). "Playboy Interview: 50 Cent". Playboy, p. 140. ^ Exclusive Interview with Vivica A. Fox. Langfield Entertainment (May 1, 2005). Accessed June 23, 2007. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (January 20, 2006). 'I'm not trying to save the world'. The Guardian. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ For the Record: Quick News on 50 Cent, Kanye West, Irv Gotti, Beyoncé, Zack de la Rocha, Alice in Chains & More. MTV (November 23, 2005). Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Williams, Ben (July 23, 2007). Influences: 50 Cent. New York. Accessed August 1, 2007. ^ "Hip Hop: Art or Poison", CNN. Approximately 2'15". ^ Goldman, Lea (August 16, 2007). Hip-Hop Cash Kings. Forbes. Accessed August 20, 2007. ^ Bernard, Sarah (August 22, 2005). How Would 50 Cent Spend $3.5 Million?. New York. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Keil, Braden (May 4, 2007). For Sale: Fitty Swanksta Crib. New York Post. Accessed May 27, 2007. ^ Madonna Signs Live Nation Deal; Plus Foxy Brown, 50 Cent, Linkin Park, 'Hannah Montana' & More, in For the Record. MTV (October 16, 2007. Accessed October 28, 2007. ^ Chicago Tribune (May 31, 2008). 'Suspicious' blaze leaves 50 Cent home gutted. Chicago Tribune. Accessed June 13 2007. ^ Ja Rule on 50 Cent, God and Hip-Hop. MTV (November 3, 2003). Accessed June 4, 2007. ^ Smith, Dominic (July 2005). 50 Cent Interview. FHM. Accessed July 11, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (April 25, 2003). DJ Tells 50 Cent, Ja Rule: One More Dis Record, Then Quit It. MTV. Accessed June 5, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 22, 2005). 50 Cent's LP Pushed Up, Harsh 'Facts' Sound Like Disses on Leaked 'Piggy Bank'. MTV. Accessed May 23, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 10, 2005). Jadakiss, Fat Joe Retaliate for 50's 'Piggy Bank'. MTV. Accessed May 23, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 4, 2005). 50 Mocks Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Game, Nas in 'Piggy Bank' Video. MTV. Accessed May 23, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (September 6, 2005). 50 Goes after Diddy on New Mixtape. MTV. Accessed June 4, 2007. ^ Strong, Nolan; Jeffries, Alexis (September 7, 2006). Exclusive: 50 Cent, Sean 'Diddy' Combs Declare 'Cease Fire'. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ a b Sanneh, Kelefa (February 27, 2007). Rappers Find That a Small Label Can Have Its Uses. The New York Times. Accessed May 22, 2007. ^ Petipas, Jolene (February 9, 2007). It's Official, 50 Cent Starts War with Cam'ron. SOHH. Accessed May 25, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 28, 2007). Kanye, Cam'ron, More MCs Skip Million-Dollar Videos, Go Straight to the Web. MTV. Accessed May 25, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 1, 2005). 50 Cent and The Game — Doomed from the Very Beginning?. MTV. Accessed May 25, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 28, 2005). 50 Drops Game from G-Unit; Shots Fired at Radio Station. MTV. Accessed June 2, 2007. ^ Hope, Clover (March 2, 2005). 50 Cent Cancels New York Appearance amid Shooting Inquiry. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ Fresh, Remmie (March 9, 2005). The Game and 50 Hold Press Conference Today to End Dispute. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (March 1, 2005). Update: Man Shot Not with 50 Cent; Violator Offices Shot Up. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ Williams, Houston (May 9, 2005). Game: Winds of Change. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ Rodriguez, Jason (June 6, 2005). The Game Taunts 50 Cent, Jay-Z Returns at Hot 97’s Summer Jam. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20, 2007. ^ Chery, Carl (June 24, 2005). Game gone wild. SOHH. Accessed June 8, 2007. ^ Chery, Carl (February 3, 2006). The Game takes on Spider Loc, 50 Cent strikes back. SOHH. Accessed June 2, 2007. ^ Reid, Shaheem (July 10, 2006). Mixtape Monday: 50 Cent Strips Down The Game. MTV. Accessed June 15, 2007. ^ Petipas, Jolene (August 1, 2006). Update: The Game Officially Leaves Aftermath. SOHH. Accessed June 9, 2007. ^ 50 Cent says ad threatens his life, files lawsuit. CBC (July 21, 2007). Accessed July 23, 2007. ^ 50 Cent Sues over 'Shoot the Rapper'. Fox News (July 20, 2007). Accessed July 27, 2007. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944844 ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0803031 ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1203523 ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216510 ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790637

External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: 50 CentWikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: 50 CentOfficial website 50 Cent at Ning 50 Cent at Allmovie 50 Cent at Allmusic 50 Cent at AOL Sessions 50 Cent at Bebo 50 Cent at the Internet Movie Database 50 Cent at MTV 50 Cent at MySpace 50 Cent's YouTube channel [show]v • d • e50 Cent

Albums Power of the Dollar · Guess Who's Back? · Get Rich or Die Tryin' · The Massacre · Curtis · Before I Self Destruct

Singles "How to Rob" · "Rowdy Rowdy" · "Thug Love" · "Wanksta" · "In da Club" · "21 Questions" · "P.I.M.P." · "If I Can't" · "Disco Inferno" · "Candy Shop" · "Just a Lil Bit" · "Outta Control" · "Hustler's Ambition" · "Window Shopper" · "Best Friend" · "I'll Whip Ya Head Boy" · "Straight to the Bank" · "Amusement Park" · "Can't Leave 'Em Alone" · "I Get Money" · "Ayo Technology" · "I'll Still Kill" · "Follow My Lead" ·

Filmography 50 Cent: The New Breed · "Pranksta Rap" · Get Rich or Die Tryin' · Home of the Brave · The Dance · The Ski Mask Way · Righteous Kill · Live Bet

Video games 50 Cent: Bulletproof · 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand

Related articles Discography · Awards · G-Unit · G-Unit Records

[show]v • d • eG-Unit

50 Cent · Lloyd Banks · Tony Yayo The Game · Young Buck

Albums Beg for Mercy · T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight)

Singles "Stunt 101" · "Poppin' Them Thangs" · "My Buddy" · "Wanna Get to Know You" · "Smile" · "I Like the Way She Do It" · "Rider Pt.2"

Related articles Discography · G-Unit Records · G-Unit Films · G-Unit Books · G-Unit Clothing Company · G-Unity · G-Unit vs. The Game

[show]v • d • eThe G-Unit family

Record labels 150 Entertainment · Cashville Records · Dumout Entertainment · G'$ Up · G-Unit Records · Baymaac Records · Infamous Records · G-Unit Philly

Companies G-Unit Books · G-Unit Clothing Company · G-Unit Films · G-Unity Foundation Inc. · Money Management Group · Shadyville Entertainment · Cheetah Vision

Persondata NAME 50 Cent ALTERNATIVE NAMES Jackson, Curtis James, III SHORT DESCRIPTION Rapper DATE OF BIRTH July 6, 1975 PLACE OF BIRTH New York City, New York, United States DATE OF DEATH PLACE OF DEATH