| 50 Cent is the stage name taken by Gangsta Rap artist, Curtis James Jackson III. Born on July 6, 1975, of Afro-American descent, he had a turbulent poverty-stricken childhood. He began living with his grandparents at 8, after his mother was murdered in a drug related killing. Circumstances forced him to enter the drug business too. He tried his hand at an upcoming genre of music, spreading through the ghettos, Rap. Rap provided the young 50 Cent an outlet for all his angst and trauma. His first big break into music arrived when he was introduced to Jam Master Jay from Run-DMC, a successful hip-hop group, who signed up 50 Cent to write all his music. In 1997, 50 Cent obtained a contract from Columbia Records, resulting in controversial singles such as ‘How to Rob’ and ‘Ghetto Qu’ran’, and the making of his debut album, ‘Power of the Dollar’, a respected hip-hop masterpiece that did not get released. In 2000, 50 Cent broke away from Columbia Records after being shot nine times, following a dispute with fellow rapper, Ja Rule, and drug don Kenneth McGriff. After recovery from his injuries, 50 Cent’s latent talents were noticed by Eminem, who mentioned his name on MTV, and subsequently, he was contracted to work jointly with Eminem’s Shady Records and Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. 50 Cents’ widely released album, ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’’, touched gold in the first week and platinum a week later. After making a record for first week sales, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) confirmed the album as a six time platinum entity. Following musical success, big endorsements came his way, with Reebok hiring him to release the G-Unit Sneakers, a contract with VitaminWater bottled water, and launch of his own clothing line. With a video game for the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox, an autobiographical film, a book of memoirs, and more album releases, 50 Cent is set to go places. |
