| Full Name | Curtis James Jackson III |
| Stage Name | 50 Cent |
| Birthday | July 6, 1975 (age 48) |
| Origin | New York City |
| Occupation | Rapper, Actor, Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth | $30 Million |
| Social Profiles | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
As a longtime hip hop fan, I‘ve been following 50 Cent‘s career since his breakout in the early 2000s. Born Curtis Jackson III and raised in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, 50 Cent overcame incredible hardship to become one of the most influential rappers ever.
50 Cent burst onto the scene with a swagger and vocal delivery that was instantly captivating. His real life street experiences gave his lyrics an authenticity few rappers could match. Songs like "In Da Club" and "21 Questions" had hooks that stuck in your head for days.
Surviving Gun Violence to Achieve Stardom
In May 2000, 50 Cent was shot 9 times at point blank range outside his grandmother‘s house. As legendary hip hop producer Dr. Dre later said, “50 took an insane amount of bullets and survived it. That makes you interesting.”
The shooting gave 50 Cent‘s voice a raspy quality. But he channeled the experience into fierce lyrics. On songs like "Many Men (Wish Death)" he vividly depicted his mortality and invincibility.
“God‘s gotta put me through more pain, I‘m back spittin‘ nines again. Extra clips whenever crowds gather; I‘m back trippin‘ like I‘m on caps again” – 50 Cent, "Many Men"
Ruling Hip Hop in the 2000s
50 Cent‘s 2003 major label debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin‘, is one of the best selling hip hop albums of all time. It opened at #1 on the Billboard charts and was hailed for bringing New York rap back to prominence.
With his crew G-Unit, 50 Cent dropped hit after hit throughout the 2000s. He collaborated with legends like Dr. Dre and Eminem on iconic tracks. At his peak, he was the world‘s #1 selling rapper.
“50 Cent has a mystique about him. He rose from the ashes…and took over. He‘s one of hip-hop‘s living legends.” – XXL Magazine
Building a Lasting Legacy
50 Cent transcended just music to become a cultural force. He starred in semi-autobiographical films bringing his life story to the big screen. As an entrepreneur, 50 Cent made savvy vitaminwater investments that earned him hundreds of millions.
While 50 Cent is now in his 40s, his longevity speaks volumes. Very few rappers have been able to adapt and thrive over two decades like him. 50 Cent will forever be remembered for his storytelling, charisma, business acumen and determination.
“50 Cent inspired a generation of hip hop artists and entrepreneurs. He earned respect by boldly overcoming adversity. Even years later, the name 50 Cent conjures up memories of dominance."
Why I Will Always Be a 50 Cent Fan
- His life story epitomizes determination and resilience
- Timeless songs that evoke nostalgia of mid-2000s rap
- Relatability – 50 rapped authentically about his real life experiences
- Incredible business sense and diversified success
- Charisma, bold personality and showmanship
- Collaborations with all-time greats like Eminem and Dr. Dre
- Consistent dedication to his craft over 20+ year career
50 Cent has crafted classics that will live on for decades. For any hip hop fan, getting to witness his meteoric rise was unforgettable. 50 Cent remains one of the legendary pillars of rap music.