50 Cent: Difference between revisions
| Line 154: | Line 154: | ||
==Disputes and controversy== |
==Disputes and controversy== |
||
It |
It is a fact that 50 Cent was only shot 3 times and he claims to be shot 9 times. This can be read in the police report and medical report. |
||
===The Original 50 Cent=== |
===The Original 50 Cent=== |
||
Revision as of 01:05, 23 February 2006
- For the U.S. currency value, see Half dollar (U.S. coin).
50 Cent | |
|---|---|
| File:9579274.jpg Grammy nominated rapper 50 Cent | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City, New York |
| Years active | 1999-present (solo) |
Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known commonly as 50 Cent, is a popular rapper who rose to fame following the success of his 2003 debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'.
Early history
Originally from Southside Jamaica, Queens, 50 Cent is currently one of the most well-known and commercially successful rappers in the world. Because the success of an artist in gangsta rap often depends on street credibility and reputation, Interscope Records has sold 50 Cent as the "real deal". His mother was murdered in a drug deal. He has been shot three times, stabbed, and he built a large rap empire in New York City before ever signing a major record deal.
50 Cent's continued success seems guaranteed by his modest underground fanbase and the street credibility he has gained by appearing on almost every major mix tape sold in New York in the past few years. The rapper, who was the first to sign to a joint effort between Eminem's Shady Records and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, was scouted before knowing Dr. Dre or Eminem.
Eminem first encountered 50 Cent with MTV News reporter Sway Calloway, apparently having not heard any of his performances before seeing him in person. He then appeared on the 8 Mile soundtrack with an accompanying song and video ("Wanksta") that immediately went into heavy rotation on BET, MTV, and radio stations across the country.
Before signing to Interscope, 50 Cent was living with his grandparents. He soon became immersed in the drug trade, hustling around his native neighborhood by the name of "Boo Boo" with fellow Queens native Tony Yayo. In June of 1994, Jackson was arrested on felony drug charges. Being a second time offender, Jackson was able to plead out of significant prison time by accepting seven months in a "shock incarceration" boot camp. He would later brag about this as his doing "seven to nine." He became a father to a son, Marquise, in 1997.
Jackson met up with Jam Master Jay (JMJ) of Run-DMC fame and was signed to his label JMJ. Once Jam Master Jay had taught him the basics, Jackson left the label in search of someone who could help him achieve his dream of rap stardom. He teamed up with the hip-hop production duo Track Masters, who had recognized his talent for incisive lyrics. 50 Cent was signed to Columbia Records in 1999.
"How to Rob", an ode to robbing a slew of industry rappers, was a hit for New York radio. His debut album "Power of the Dollar" was never released, as he was dropped from Columbia Records shortly after his shooting in 2000.
Music career
Recording label signing
50 Cent is the Future was heard by Eminem who brought the rapper to Dr. Dre's attention. Eminem was quick to get onto New York's hip-hop radio circuit with the message that 50 Cent was his favorite rapper of the moment. They endorsed the idea of signing a deal and working with 50 Cent on an album.
Before starting production of his new album with Eminem and Dre, Jackson quickly released another mixtape (a bootleg album of raps over other artists' instrumentals), entitled "No Mercy, No Fear". Some songs on the album, such as "Wanksta" appeared to be aimed at rapper Ja Rule. Although the song was never meant as a radio single, due to the buzz over his record deal with Shady/Aftermath, "Wanksta" quickly became the most requested song on New York radio.
Capitalizing on the appropriated song's success, it was added to Eminem's hit movie soundtrack 8 Mile and had its own video release, quickly entering heavy rotation on MTV, BET, MuchMusic, and radio stations around the country.
Breakthrough
In its first week of release, 50's major label debut "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" sold 872,000 units. The album was certified gold in its first week and platinum the next, and it broke the record for first week sales of any major label debut in the entire Soundscan era. On April 12, 2004 "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" was certified six times platinum by the RIAA.
On March 3, 2005, Jackson released the album The Massacre. It was originally entitled St. Valentine's Day Massacre, but changed when the album release date was set back. He scored a hit with the album's first single "Candy Shop". The album's second single, "Just A Lil' Bit" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After the success of 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin', Interscope granted 50 Cent his own label. In 2003, G-Unit Records officially came into being. 50 Cent appointed his manager Sha Money XL as the president. In 2003, the label signed on Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck as the established members of G-Unit. In 2004,R & B singer Olivia, and DJ Whoo Kid were signed to the label. The Game was featured by G-Unit as a promotional deal between 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. Recently Spider Loc, Mobb Deep, .40 Cal, Mase, and M.O.P. joined G-Unit Records. 50 Cent is rumored to be in talks of signing Lil John, Lil Scrappy, Freeway, Paul Wall, The B.G., and Mike Knox. None of them got signed however, except B.G. and Lil Scrappy who are in Young Buck's G-Unit South.
On July 18, 2006, Fifty plans on releasing his third studio album entitled I Can't Stay Away.
Commercial products
After the release of Beg For Mercy from his group G-Unit, he teamed up with Reebok to release his own G-Unit Sneakers. He also invested in bottled water and his own clothing line. 50 Cent appeared on an episode of The Simpsons entitled, "Pranksta Rap" in February 2005.
A video game starring 50 Cent, called "50 Cent: Bulletproof," is available on the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox, and there is another version in production for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The game stars 50 Cent as he fights his way through the criminal underworld to hunt down the men who shot him and take his revenge. "50 Cent: Bulletproof" also has many rap artists in the game helping out 50, such as Eminem, Dr. Dre, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck. The game has received negative reviews on the grounds that there is little variety amongst its levels.
Grammy Award History
Career Stats
- Career Wins: 0
- Career Nominations: 11
| 50 Cent's Grammy History | ||||
| Category | Genre | Song / Album / Artist | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Rap Album | Rap | The Massacre | 2006 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Hate It or Love It" | 2006 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Encore" | 2006 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "Disco Inferno" | 2006 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Rap | "Candy Shop" | 2006 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Rap | "Hate It or Love It" | 2006 | Nominated |
| Best New Artist | General | 50 Cent | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Male Rap Solo Performance | Rap | "In Da Club" | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group | Rap | "Magic Stick" | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Song | Rap | "In Da Club" | 2004 | Nominated |
| Best Rap Album | Rap | Get Rich or Die Tryin' | 2004 | Nominated |
Film Career
50 Cent starred in the semi-autobiographical 2005 film Get Rich or Die Tryin' directed by Jim Sheridan, and co-starring Joy Bryant and Terrence Howard. The film earned $12 million in its first weekend of US release, and only managed $30 million in total US gross.
Literature
50 Cent released a memoir about his life up to his success entitled From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens; the book was released on August 9, 2005. He is currently (as of 2006) working on a new book that will include information on the members of G-Unit. It is planned for release in 2007.
Disputes and controversy
It is a fact that 50 Cent was only shot 3 times and he claims to be shot 9 times. This can be read in the police report and medical report.
The Original 50 Cent
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson took his name from a notorious stick-up artist of the 1980s by the same name. The Original 50 Cent was named Kelvin Martin who measured 5'-3". Martin worked with the notorious Supreme Team, and he was aligned with rap artists Eric B and Rakim. Martin robbed and murdered several people, including several former friends and high ranked drug lords, and robbed the rap group Whodini. His criminal pursuit of money eventually caught up with him, resulting in his murder. The surviving family members of Kelvin Martin do not endorse Curtis Jackson.
Ja Rule and Murder Inc. Records
Before even signing to Eminem's and Dr. Dre's label, 50 Cent was engaged in a well-publicized dispute with rival rapper Ja Rule and his label The Inc. Records. The rappers engaged in numerous mix tape "disses," but have since ended the conflict. The conflict stemmed from Jackson's alleged robbery of Ja Rule's jewelry, which led to a confrontation and 50 Cent's stabbing.
Before the release of Get Rich Or Die Tryin, Murder, Inc alongside The Source began a smear campaign against the rapper. A restraining order document was floating around the Internet stating that 50 Cent had placed label CEO Irv Gotti and rapper Black Child in the document forging a belief that 50 Cent is a "snitch" or a police informant. Although 50 Cent dismissed the claims of not talking to police, the bad publicity continues to be a tool used by various rappers who have rivalries with G-Unit.
This was one of the most well known feuds in hip-hop history. 50 Cent accused Ja Rule of "singing" instead of rapping. Ja Rule retaliated, accusing him of insulting other rappers to gain fame. Ja Rule eventually tried to squash the beef with 50 Cent by using Louis Farrakhan in a televised interview. Ja Rule soon lost credibility when the interview was done a day before his album Blood In My Eye was released, leading 50 Cent to dismiss the interview as a blatant publicity stunt. 50 Cent had not commented much on Ja Rule's and Irv Gotti's situation. The FBI is probing Murder Inc.'s ties to drug-kingpin Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff who is possibly involved in the murder of Jam Master Jay.
According to website The Smoking Gun a 2003 search warrant affidavit for the Manhattan offices of the Murder, Inc. record label showed that McGriff, an incarcerated drug lord with ties to Murder Inc., was still trying to kill 50 Cent and that he "communicates with Murder, Inc. employees concerning the target." An excerpt of the affidavit reads:
- "The investigation has uncovered a conspiracy involving McGriff and others to murder a rap artist who has released songs containing lyrics regarding McGriff's criminal activities. The rap artist was shot in 2000, survived and there after refused to cooperate with law enforcement regarding the shooting. Messages transmitted over the Murder Inc. Pager indicate that McGriff is involved in an ongoing plot to kill this rap artist, and that he communicates with Murder Inc. employees concerning the target."
New York rappers
50 Cent also has a rivalry with Shyne, Nas, Lil' Kim, Joe Budden, Fat Joe, Jadakiss and D-Block. He claimed that Nas had made disparaging comments about him and his G-Unit camp while performing at a New York concert. The rapper has denounced Nas as a traitor over the allying himself with Ja Rule and Irv Gotti. 50 Cent points out that Jadakiss and Fat Joe had painted a target on themselves for partnering up with Ja Rule while filming a video in which the rapper took shots at him. He recorded the "Piggy Bank" and attacked Jadakiss and Fat Joe for their association with Ja Rule. Shyne was named as an enemy of 50 Cent. Shyne had Irv Gotti produce his album, and 50 Cent also attacked him for this association. Even though things cooled down, at 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Fat Joe made a disparaging comment about G-Unit during a performance. 50 Cent and G-Unit retaliated on set by shouting obscenities toward Fat Joe and Terror Squad. Fat Joe, Nas, and Jadakiss among others have accused 50 Cent of singing, using "Window Shopper" as evidence. 50 Cent has replied, by mainly attacking their record sale numbers. For Nas, "Window Shopper" itself is more than a cult hit, but really a whole track and music video accusing Nas of only looking out for himself.
50 Cent has a long-standing dispute with former G-Unit artists Bang 'Em Smurf and Domination over internal conflicts. On the song "Love Me" off the 8 Mile soundtrack, 50 Cent criticized Lil' Kim for having breast implants and discusses why he refused her request to be in a video clip for her single "Magic Stick", which he refused to record with her, citing that the song was originally entitled to Miami rapper Trina.
50 Cent also had a little known feud with Jay-Z in 1999. Jay-Z did not take too kindly to 50 Cent's mention of him on "How to Rob" and responded with a line in his song "It's Hot". 50 Cent responded with "Be a Gentleman," though the track was never heard by many due to 50 Cent getting dropped from Columbia Records after his shooting. 50 Cent and Jay-Z eventually squashed their beef, and they toured together in 2003. Jay-Z and 50 Cent even appeared in a Reebok commercial together promoting their sneaker lines, called S. Carter and the G-Unit, respectively. In early 2006 Jay-Z announces that he and 50 Cent will be working on Freeway's sophmore album.
The Game
50 Cent currently has an escalating feud with labelmate The Game. The Game, who was previously co-signed to G-Unit, was booted by 50 Cent. Fans mostly believed that 50 Cent and The Game were bonding at the time of The Documentary's release. The Game's major debut album was surrounded by controversy. Right after its release, 50 Cent felt that the rapper was disloyal for saying he wanted to work with artists G-Unit were feuding with and he formally dismissed the rapper.
50 Cent also claimed that he was not getting proper credit for the debut of the album. During that dispute, a member of The Game's entourage was shot and wounded after confrontation at Hot 97. After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and The Game decided to hold a press conference to announce their reconciliation. Many fans felt that the supposed feud, and particularly the incident at the radio station was a publicity stunt designed to boost the sales of the two albums the pair had just released. Nevertheless, even after the situation had apparently deflated, 50 Cent and G-Unit continued to feud with The Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claiming that without their support, he will not score a hit from his second album. 50 Cent also sued The Game's manager Jimmy Henchmen over unauthorized filming for a documentary about Kelvin Martin. The Game during a performance at the Summer Jam launched "G-Unot".
After the performance at Summer Jam, The Game responded with a hard hitting diss titled "300 Bars And Runnin'", which directly addresses 50 Cent and G-Unit. 50 Cent has mixed feelings towards the diss, but nevertheless responded through his "Piggybank" video, which features The Game dressed as a Mr. Potato Head and parodies many other nemeses. This was the first of many feuds where two rappers from the same label were involved against each other.
Other controversies
While appearing at the Summer Jam XI concert in New York, 50 Cent and members of G-Unit were criticized for speaking out against other notable artists including R&B singer R. Kelly. Before going onstage, 50 Cent mentioned R. Kelly's pending child pornography trial. He and his crew received mixed reactions from the crowd and chairs were thrown onstage, forcing 50 Cent and his G-Unit crew to leave the stage for safety reasons.
The rapper also had a falling out with Eminem's former deejay Green Lantern. The deejay has been labeled a "snitch" and "traitor" for his apparent phone conversation with rival Jadakiss. The rapper had a phone interview with DJ Green Lantern over his the feud with 50 Cent. The DJ was apparently encouraging Jadakiss to "deliver a major blow" to 50 Cent. The rapper never confronted the deejay about the situation, but it did affect the relationship within the Shady Records. The situation forced Green Lantern to leave Shady Records and other ventures associated with Eminem.
On a taping of The O'Reilly Factor, conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly has urged boycotts against rap music. O'Reilly named 50 Cent as a target of his crusade to prevent rappers who promote bad behavior from endorsing mainstream merchandise. He criticized shoe maker Reebok for partnering up with 50 Cent to endorse his G-Unit Sneakers. O'Reilly has rallied a boycott against the shoe maker. Despite the boycott, sales remain excellent, and Reebok still continues to endorse 50 Cent's products. However, a television advertisement for Reebok which featured 50 Cent was recently taken off air in the United Kingdom. The advertisement contained lyrics from one of 50's tracks, which resulted in complaints against their violent imagery of life.
Before the release of the movie Get Rich or Die Tryin', controversy erupted over billboard advertisements placed near schools that feature an image of Fifty holding a gun in one hand and a microphone in the other. Protesters targeted Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles and Clear Channel in Philadelphia. Some billboards were removed. On the film's opening night, Shelton Flowers, 30, was fatally shot to death after an argument with another man near the concession stand inside a Loews multiplex in Homestead, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh), after a showing of the movie. In response, National Amusements theater chain ended after-midnight showings of the film, fearing unrest. [1]
Dan McTeague, a member of Canadian Parliament suggested that the government ban 50 Cent from entering the country. McTeague said the rapper's message was inappropriate at a time when its largest city Toronto was experiencing a huge increase in gun violence. [2] 50 Cent's Canadian tour did go on as planned [3].
Also, 50 Cent has claimed credit for the sucessful career of Kanye West. [4] In addition to this, after the statements Kanye West made about Hurricane Katrina, 50 Cent has spoken out against Kanye's comments, saying "The New Orleans disaster was meant to happen. It was an act of God." [5]
Discography
Studio Albums
| Album Cover | Album Information | Alternate Cover |
|---|---|---|
 |
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
|
|
The Massacre
|
||
 |
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (soundtrack)
|
|
| Cant Stay Away |
.jpg){kind=link}
Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 | US R&B/ Hip-Hop | US Rap | UK Singles | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "How To Rob" (featuring The Madd Rapper) | - | 62 | - | - | - |
| 2002 | "Wanksta" | 13 | 4 | - | - | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2003 | "In Da Club" | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2003 | "Patiently Waiting" (featuring Eminem) | - | 56 | - | - | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2003 | "21 Questions" (featuring Nate Dogg) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2003 | "P.I.M.P." | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2003 | "What Up Gangsta" | - | 26 | 15 | - | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2003 | "If I Can't" | 76 | 34 | 15 | 10 | Get Rich or Die Tryin |
| 2004 | "Disco Inferno" | 3 | 4 | 3 | - | The Massacre |
| 2005 | "Candy Shop" (featuring Olivia) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | The Massacre |
| 2005 | "Piggy Bank" | 88 | 64 | - | - | The Massacre |
| 2005 | "Just a Lil Bit" | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | The Massacre |
| 2005 | "Outta Control (Remix)" (featuring Mobb Deep) | 6 | 11 | 5 | 7 | The Massacre [Special Edition] |
| 2005 | "Outta Control" (Original Album Version) | 92 | - | - | - | The Massacre |
| 2005 | "Hustlers Ambition" | 65 | 74 | - | 13 | Get Rich or Die Tryin' [Soundtrack] |
| 2005 | "Window Shopper" | 20 | 19 | 14 | 11 | Get Rich or Die Tryin' [Soundtrack] |
| 2005 | "Have A Party" (Featuring Mobb Deep and Nate Dogg) | - | - | - | - | Get Rich or Die Tryin' [Soundtrack] |
| 2006 | "Best Friend (Remix) (featuring Olivia)" | Get Rich or Die Tryin' [Soundtrack] |
Guest Appearances
From Get Madd Wit Me (by The Madd Rapper): "How To Rob" (The Madd Rapper f. 50 Cent)
From Shut 'Em Down (by Onyx):
- 1998 "React" (Onyx ft. 50 Cent, Bonifucco, Still Livin, and X1)
From 8 Mile (OST)
- 2002 "Love Me" (Eminem, Obie Trice, and 50 Cent)
- 2002 "Places To Go" (50 Cent)
- 2002 "Rap Game" (D12 and 50 Cent)
- 2002 "Wanksta" (50 Cent)
From La Bella Mafia (by Lil' Kim):
- 2003 "Magic Stick" (Lil' Kim featuring 50 Cent)
From Cheers (by Obie Trice):
- 2003 "We All Die One Day" (Obie Trice featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Eminem)
From Tupac: Resurrection (OST) (by 2Pac):
- 2003 "Realest Killaz" (2Pac featuring 50 Cent)
From And Then... (by (Joe)):
- 2003 "Ride Wit You" (Joe featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck as G-Unit)
From Grand Champ (by DMX):
- 2003 "Shot Down" (DMX ft. 50 Cent, and Styles P)
From The Hunger For More (by Lloyd Banks):
- 2004 "On Fire" (Lloyd Banks featuring 50 Cent)
- 2004 "I Get High" (Lloyd Banks featuring 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg)
- 2004 "Warrior, Part 2" (Lloyd Banks featuring Eminem, 50 Cent, and Nate Dogg)
From Straight Outta Cashville (by Young Buck):
- 2004 "I'm A Soldier" (Young Buck featuring 50 Cent)
- 2004 "Bonafide Hustler" (Young Buck featuring 50 Cent and Tony Yayo)
From R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece (by Snoop Dogg):
- 2004 "Oh No" (Snoop Dogg featuring 50 Cent)
- 2004 "Never Enough" (Eminem featuring 50 Cent and Nate Dogg)
- 2004 "Spend Some Time" (Eminem featuring Obie Trice, Stat Quo, and 50 Cent)
- 2004 "Encore" (Eminem featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
From Loyal To The Game (by 2Pac):
- 2004 "Loyal To The Game" (2Pac featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck as G-Unit)
From The Documentary (by The Game):
- 2005 "Westside Story" (The Game featuring 50 Cent)
- 2005 "Hate It Or Love It" (The Game featuring 50 Cent)
- 2005 "How We Do" (The Game featuring 50 Cent)
From Searching For Jerry Garcia (by Proof):
- 2005 "Forgive Me" (Proof featuring 50 Cent)
From Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (by Tony Yayo):
- 2005 "So Seductive" (Tony Yayo featuring 50 Cent)
- 2005 "We Don't Give A Fuck" (Tony Yayo featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Olivia)
- 2005 "I Know You Don't Love Me" (Tony Yayo featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck as G-Unit)
DVDs
| DVD Cover | DVD Information |
|---|---|
| The New Breed |
Note
- Many sources incorrectly list 50 Cent's birth year as 1976. See the article on age fabrication and relevant information on the talk page for details.
- 50 Cent enjoyed a short stint in the United States Air Force; briefly attending pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma in the fall of 1998. His service was terminated due to a previously undiagnosed astigmatism which rendered him medically ineligible.
See also
References
- Toure. "The Life of a Hunted Man", Rolling Stone. (April 3, 2003)
External links
Official
- 50 Cent Official Site
- Aftermath Entertainment page
- Shady Records
- G-Unit Records
- Violator Management profile
- 50 Cent: Bulletproof site
Other