50 Cent - 50 Cent To Release Debut Novel 'Playground' In 2012

Despite 'Playground' being the rapper's debut as a novelist, he has published writing on two other occasions. He released the memoir 'From Pieces to Weight' in 2005 and penned the self-help book 'The 50th Law' four years later. 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, said "I had a strong desire to write 'Playground' because I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully". The book is inspired by the rapper's "own childhood and adolescence" and he hopes it will be of use to his teenage son. In response to his alleged 'bullying' of other artists such as Ja Rule, Rick Ross and Fat Joe, the rapper said, "A bully picks on people he knows he can beat. The people that I've been in altercations with will tear into (my) ass if (I) say something to them. How can I be a bully if I'm not picking weak individuals?".

50 Cent is currently working on his fifth studio album, which is reportedly scheduled for release in November 2011.