50 Cent

50 Cent
Name	50 Cent
Caption	50 Cent performing in 2011
Birth name	Curtis James Jackson III
Birth date	6 July 1975
Birth place	Queens, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, actor, entrepreneur, investor
Years active	1996–present
Associated acts	G-Unit, Eminem, Dr. Dre, The Game
Label	Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records

50 Cent. Curtis James Jackson III, known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur. Rising from the South Jamaica, Queens neighborhood, he achieved global fame in the early 2000s with his influential debut album, *Get Rich or Die Tryin'*. His career has since expanded into successful ventures in film, television, and various business sectors, making him a prominent figure in hip hop culture and beyond.

Early life and background

Curtis James Jackson III was born in the Queens borough of New York City and raised by his mother in the South Jamaica neighborhood. Following her untimely death, he was raised by his grandparents and began selling narcotics as a teenager. He adopted the name "50 Cent" as a metaphor for change, inspired by a local Brooklyn robber. His early life was marked by legal troubles, including arrests, and a pivotal turn towards music after a meeting with Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, who taught him songwriting and gave him studio time. In 2000, he was shot nine times in an incident in Queens, a defining moment that preceded his major-label breakthrough.

Music career

His music career began with the underground album *Power of the Dollar* in 2000, which caught the attention of Eminem and Dr. Dre. After signing to Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records, he released *Get Rich or Die Tryin'* in 2003, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was propelled by hit singles like "In da Club" and "21 Questions." He founded the group G-Unit, which included rappers like Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, and released the successful album *Beg for Mercy*. Subsequent albums like *The Massacre* and *Curtis* continued his commercial success, though later work saw more modest reception. His prolific mixtape output, particularly the *G-Unit Radio* series, was highly influential in the hip hop mixtape circuit.

Business ventures and entrepreneurship

He has established a significant portfolio of business ventures beyond music. In 2004, he co-founded G-Unit Records and later launched G-Unit Clothing Company. His most notable entrepreneurial success came with an early investment in Vitaminwater; its acquisition by The Coca-Cola Company in 2007 earned him a reported $100 million. He founded SMS Audio, a headphone company, and has been involved in spirits with brands like Effen Vodka and his own Bruton champagne. In 2016, he executive produced and starred in the Starz television series *Power*, which became a massive hit and spawned multiple spinoffs, greatly expanding his media empire.

Acting and film production

His acting career began with a semi-autobiographical role in the 2005 film *Get Rich or Die Tryin'*, directed by Jim Sheridan. He has since appeared in numerous films, including *Righteous Kill* with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, *The Frozen Ground*, and *Escape Plan* alongside Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Through his production company, G-Unit Film & Television Inc., he has been a driving force behind the *Power* universe on Starz, including series like *Power Book II: Ghost* and *Power Book III: Raising Kanan*. He also voiced a character in the video game *Bulletproof*.

Legal issues and controversies

His career has been accompanied by numerous legal issues and public controversies. He has been involved in long-standing feuds with fellow artists, most notably with The Game, which led to a 2005 shooting incident at Hot 97, and with Rick Ross. He filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015 following a lawsuit from Lastonia Leviston over a sex tape, though he exited bankruptcy the following year. He has faced multiple lawsuits related to his business dealings, including one from Sleek Audio, and has been criticized for social media behavior, including mocking the disabled son of Terry Crews.

Personal life

He is the father of two sons. He maintains a high-profile lifestyle, often documented on social media, and resides in Farmington, Connecticut. A dedicated bodybuilding enthusiast, his physical transformation for film roles is well-documented. He has been involved in extensive philanthropy, particularly through his G-Unity Foundation, which has provided grants to community organizations in Queens and other underserved areas. In 2020, he launched the "Fraternity Forward" fund to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Category:American rappers Category:American male actors Category:American entrepreneurs Category:1975 births Category:Living people