"In Da Club", "P.I.M.P.", "Candyshop" - for anyone who came into contact with American rap in the 2000s, the titles of these superhits from the pen of 50 Cent alone will give you a juicy earworm. With his first two albums "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" and "The Massacre", the superstar catapulted himself to dizzying heights of success. Since he appeared on the scene, 50 Cent has embodied the epitome of a gangsta rapper. As such, he knows how to inspire as well as provoke, for example when he once again lashes out at colleagues. Beef with fellow rappers is firmly linked to the name 50 Cent.
Born Curtis James Jackson III in New York City in 1975, 50 Cent grew up in modest to difficult circumstances in the borough of Queens. After losing his mother as a child, he follows in her footsteps at an early age and deals drugs. The gangsta rap thing is completely authentic with 50 Cent. Apart from his initial dealing, the fact that he was shot several times in the face as well as in the arms and legs in 2000 also testifies to this. An incident that fortunately ended smoothly for the aspiring rapper. The release of his debut album "Power of the Dollar", which was imminent at the time, was subsequently cancelled by the record company.
New discovery and breakthrough with "Get Rich or Die Tryin'"
But it doesn't take long before two rap heavyweights take notice of the young talent: In 2003, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" was released on Eminem's label Shady Records - and within a very short time made the still-newcomer the new star of the genre. Fifty continued his triumphal march in 2005 with the follow-up "The Massacre". Subsequently, two more albums, "Curtis" and "Before I Self Destruct", are released on Shady Records before 50 Cent releases his fifth work "Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire to Win" in 2014 on his own label G-Unit Records and Caroline Records.
In the following years, 50 Cent concentrates on other activities. The rapper's activity is far from being limited to music. Since the feature film "Get Rich or Die Tryin'", based on Fifty's turbulent life story, in which he himself plays the leading role, 50 Cent has been active as an actor. In addition, he earns millions as a successful entrepreneur with products from his label "G-Unit" (also the name of a hip-hop crew to which 50 Cent belonged) - everything from clothing to computer games. Get rich: check.
Most people might still know the multi-talent as a rapper. Because even in times when 50 Cent does not present any new music, his importance within the rap scene and pop culture is unbroken. Simply a true rap legend!
