50 Cent

View comments (80) Comment on this artist

50 Cent Biography

50 Cent (born Curtis James Jackson, 6.7.1975)

50 Cent is an American rapper whose albums Get Rich Or Die Tryin' and The Massacre have both achieved multi-platinum status.

50 Cent's Childhood

Curtis Jackson was born in the Queens suburb of New York to Sabrina Jackson, a drug dealer. She died when Curtis was 8, when he was sent to live with his grandparents. Despite a disadvantaged start in life, Curtis Jackson competed in the Junior Olympics as an amateur boxer in the mid-1980's. However, he began dealing drugs during the 1980's crack epidemic, aged 12. Jackson was arrested in 1994 for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer. He was sentenced to three to nine years in prison but served only six months in an incarceration boot camp.

The nickname '50 Cent' was adopted as a metaphor for change. He took the name from a robber in the 1980s named Kelvin Martin, whose nickname was also 50 Cent.

In 2000, when he had quit dealing to pursue a music career, he was shot nine times.

50 Cent's Musical Career

50 Cent started out rapping in a friend's basement. When he was introduced to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, Jay taught him to count bars, structure songs and record tracks.

Jay produced his first record, though it was never released. In 1999, though, best-selling producers Trackmasters became interested in 50 Cent and signed him to Columbia Records. They recorded 36 songs in two weeks, half of which became the unofficially released album Power of the Dollar (2000). The controversial song 'How To Rob' earned him a support slot on Nas' tour.

50 Cent was then picked up by US rapper Eminem, who introduced him to Dr Dre, (who went on to produce 50 Cent's music) and signed him to Interscope Records, after he heard 50 Cent's debut album, Guess Who's Back?

Helped by Eminem and Dr. Dre, who produced his next album, 50 Cent became on the best-selling rap artists in the world. A new track, 'Wanksta' was included on the soundtrack to Eminem's film, 8 Mile and he also signed to Chris Lighty's Violator Management and Sha Money XL's Money Management Group.

His first commercial album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin' was released in 2003. The album debuted at number one in the Billboard 200 and sold 872,000 in the first four days alone.

Interscope Records granted 50 Cent license to set up his own label, G-Unit Records. G-Unit released tracks by Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck and later, rap veterans Mobb Deep. 50 Cent released his second commercial album in 2005. Entitled The Massacre, it sold 1.4 million copies in the first four days and again reached number one in the Billboard 200.

The third album by 50 Cent, Curtis was released in 2007. The album was said to be inspired by his life before becoming a famous rap artist. It debuted at number two in the Billboard 200 charts and his wealth was recognized by Forbes which placed him second behind Jay-Z in the rap industry.

50 Cent's Private Life

50 Cent has been involved in a well-publicised feud with rapper Ja Rule and his label Murder Inc. Records. Engaging in various 'disses' via the medium of their own mixtapes, 50 Cent claimed that the feud began when Ja Rule spotted 50 Cent with a man who had robbed him of his jewellery. Ja Rule, on the other hand, claimed that it stemmed from aa video shoot in Queens, because 50 Cent could not stand Ja Rule getting so much respect from the neighbourhood.

In 2005, 50 Cent went on to start a feud with G-Unit rapper The Game. He felt that The Game was disloyal for refusing to back G-Unit in their dispute with other rappers and was also trying to work with rappers that they were feuding with. 50 Cent dismissed the Game from G-Unit on Hot 97 radio. G-Unit attempted to enter the radio building and one of his associates was shot in the leg during the attempt. They eventually were reconciled, and many fans wondered if the whole debacle was a publicity stunt.

50 Cent now lives in Farrington, Connecticut in the former home of Mike Tyson. His son lives in Long Island with 50 Cent's ex-girlfriend. The Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut declared October 12 2007 "50 Cent Curtis Jackson Day."

Back to top

50 Cent Picture Gallery

50 Cent picture 5783444
50 Cent picture 5768732
50 Cent picture 5768752
50 Cent Piers Morgan picture 5768721
50 Cent picture 5768670

More 50 Cent Pictures

Back to top

The Latest 50 Cent News

50 Cent Visits Famine Victims In Africa

9th February 2012

Rapper 50 Cent has flown to Africa to visit some of the region's most deprived areas as part of his....

Birdman To Bet 5 Million On New England Patriots

27th January 2012

Cash Money boss Birdman is lining up a $5 million bet on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to....

50 Cent Offers Birdman 1 Million Super Bowl Bet

26th January 2012

After winning $500,000 on the New York Giants last week, 50 Cent is willing to up-the-stakes and....

50 Cent Bet Rapper Poses With 500000 Winnings

25th January 2012

50 Cent has posted a picture of himself on Twitter with wads of dollar notes resting on each....

50 Cent Bet Rapper Wins 500000 On New York Giants

24th January 2012

In wonderful news, 50 Cent - who early last year was estimated to have a net worth of a mere $100....

More 50 Cent News

Back to top

50 Cent Video and Audio

13 - Trailer

13 - Trailer

13, Trailer and Information

13, Trailer And Information

Morning Glory, Trailer and Information

Morning Glory, Trailer And Information

Morning Glory, Trailer

Morning Glory, Trailer

50 Cent Do You Think About Me video

50 Cent, Do You Think About Me - Video

More 50 Cent Video and Audio

Back to top

50 Cent Reviews

50 Cent, Hustler's Ambition, Single Review

31st January 2006

‘Hustler’s Ambition’ has raw rhymes and soul sizzler sample that takes you back to the hungry streets of Queens. The...

50 Cent - Just A Lil Bit - Single Review

11th July 2005

The music is interesting. It has an Eastern feel with a nice hip hop rhythm with some subtle touches of heavy synths...

50 Cent - Candy Shop - Single Review

21st March 2005

Candy Shop will doubtless emulate the success of the Massacre album it was first heard on and follow it to #1 in the...

50 Cent - The Massacre - Shady - Album Review

10th March 2005

50 is one of the real kings of rhyme slayers and yes he should be held in the same light as Snoop, Pac, Biggie, Nas,...

More 50 Cent Reviews

Back to top

50 Cent Film / Movie Reviews

Get Rich Or Die Tryin'2005, Review by KB

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s meteoric rise to superstardom has been attributed to many different ....

More 50 Cent Film / Movie Reviews

Back to top

50 Cent Related Artists

eminem

Eminem

dr dre

Dr Dre

the game

The Game

rick ross

Rick Ross

young buck

Young Buck

lloyd banks

Lloyd Banks

tony yayo

Tony Yayo

sean combs

Sean Combs

 

Back to top

Links

These are the best links to 50 Cent Sites on the web:

Back to top

Newsletter

Subscribe to this news alert service to receive news and reviews on

Unsubscribe

Comments View All Comments (80)

8th December 2011   08:25

Ms. CJ (1)

Hello 50 my name is Claudette Jarmon-Guerrero and I would hope to one day meet you in person to speak to the Spirtit that dwells inside of you. By watching you grow in the industry I have admireed your style of business antics and it has motivated me to step out on faith and let the woman that God has designed in me to come forth and start up my own business in the world of fashion and cosmetics. Im starting from the bottom but am working my way up to make all the desires in my heat come to reality, God willing. Im wanting to be the CEO of my own fashion retail company. My birthday is Dec. 31 and I would like it if I could be wherever you are on that day. I have a testimony and all I hope for in this life is to live life if you want to know who I be then you can locate me on Facebook or on Tagged. I would want you to look at who I am as a spirit of God not as a carnal minded individual upon this earth because I do not live as the world but I do live in the world if you have the ears to hear them listen and know that Im not out for anything from you. I just want to meet the man this is behind 50cent and leave it at that. Spirit to Spirit the Flesh to Flesh. You are my birthday wish or a wish for one day to come. Have a blessed day and please at least respond to me either way of what you think about this note from me to you. 21 questions. Peace

8th January 2011   04:08

blackbeauty (1)

Dear curtis 50 cent jakson, You're an angel from [god] to have gone through the hard times and being shot and lived, you have [angels] all around you. I have always wanted to meet you in person but i know that want happen so thats why i always download your pictures, i have to ask for your forgiveness because i know i'm not suppose to do that but i cant help my-self. I'm an older woman in love with a young man who could be my grandson. I do need to ask a favor from you if you can help me i will be so happy, but if you cant i will understand. Curtis i live in low income federal housing and i don't have children but i have a lot of [cats] i've been in this apartment for 5 years with these babys now the manager is makiing me get rid of them, this is heart breaking for me beause i don't have family here and their all i have that i can call my own,plus i may be put some where else that i don't want to be if i don't comply. Do you have any one you know that can take some of my babys so they want be killed if no one wants to adopt them,?? I wish i had my own home that way no one could take them form me, i love all your music and i wish you the best in all you do stay safe and [god bless]. bmauricecat@sbcglobal.net

6th September 2009   17:42

Abolore (2)

I like 50 cos he raps like he dönt care.So kudos 2 50 & d rest of d Gunit crue.
Breaking News: Chris Brown To Remain On Probation For Rihanna AttackJoely Richardson Wants To Grow Old 'Gracefully'Demi Lovato's Mother Is Her 'Anchor' Chris O'dowd's 'Wedding Planner' FianceeHulk Hogan Will Shave Moustache For 'Couple Million Bucks'Kelly Rowland Lands Music AwardLabrinth's Classical Electro Punk SingleLeann Rimes Confronts Chelsea Handler Live On AirStar Wars Returns In 3D But Does Anybody Care?Baby Girl Delight For Marla SokoloffJourney 2: The Mysterious Island Branded 'Blithely Idiotic'Macaulay Culkin Is In Perfectly Good Health, Says RepHackney Riots Heroine Pauline Pearce Stuns Britain's Got TalentEmma Roberts Never' Serious' About Chord OverstreetEscaped Madonna Stalker Roaming The Streets Of Los AngelesFlu Strikes Down American Idol Hopefuls In HollywoodThe Beach Boys To Perform With Maroon 5 And Foster The People At Grammy AwardsAdele To Sweep Grammys? History Of Upsets Suggests OtherwiseDanielle Lloyd Was Close To Death After Blood ClotSuge Knight Behind Bars Again This Time For MarijuanaNaomi Watts Playing Princess Diana In Biopic About Her Last DaysO'dowd Mistaken For Festival Stage Hand By Plan BThe Artist And War Horse Win At Pawscar AwardsMickey Rourke And Basinger To Reunite For New MovieAlan Cumming Helps Save Hometown CinemaJobs Branded 'Deceptive' In Fbi FilesRichardson's Fears Over Play ComparisonsIvanka Trump Fan Pleads GuiltyAlicia Keys' Stick Fly To Close After Three MonthsBert Newton Hospitalised In SingaporeStars Raise $1.4 Million For Taylor's CharityJessie J Eyeing Adele DuetPlan B Eyeing Second Stint As DirectorSir Paul Mccartney Films Ad For Speakers GiantIovine Honoured In HollywoodMadonna Ends Triumphant Week With World RecordDanielle Lloyd Hospitalised Courteney Cox To Direct Tv MovieKourtney Kardashian Has Fun At Disneyland Jennifer Lopez Feels 'Picked On'Daniel Radcliffe Pestered By Fan At Urinal Demi Moore Seeking Spiritual AdviceRonnie Wood Turned Down Led ZeppelinJustin Bieber Too Humble To Give Advice Morgan Freeman Joins Sci Fi Movie OblivionParadise Lost Has Been AxedJennifer Lopez's Daughter Loves PerformingLindsay Lohan Requested Gift At AuctionM.I.A. Has Bizarre Tour RiderNicolas Cage Wore Ghostly Voodoo 'Mask'Elton John Fears Son Will Be 'Stigmatised'Chris O'dowd Not Hopeful About Bafta Chances David Cronenberg's Spanking Worries Symone Black Fully Recovers After American Idol CollapseAmfar New York Gala Pulls In Heidi Klum, Cindy CrawfordThe Rock Wrestles Life Out Of 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island'Foo Fighters Announce These DaysKyle Dyer, Television Host, Bitten By Dog Live On AirGlade Festival Returns: Sven Vath And Andy C To Headline Main StageBourne Legacy Trailer Sees Jeremy Renner Step Into Damon's ShoesStormtroopers Share Popcorn At Star Wars 3D ScreeningShakira Awarded Prestigious French Government HonourColeen Rooney's Blackmailers Jailed For 'Despicable' Act