Curtis James Jackson III, more famously known as 50 Cent, was born on July 6, 1957 and grew up in Queens, New York, where he experienced many struggles, including poverty. He was raised by his mother, Sabrina Jackson, who was a drug dealer and later died in a fire. At the time of her death, 50 Cent was only eight years old, and it affected him tremendously. This caused him to stay with his grandmother who had a significant impact on his life.
In his teen years, 50 Cent was introduced to narcotics and started to deal drugs. This began a pathway that influenced a lot of his later songs and the way he acted later as an adult. But even through all of these hardships, he became one of the most successful artists in the music industry.
In 2000, 50 Cent survived a deadly shooting, where he was shot nine times, and this immensely affected his life. 50 Cent began his music career in his friend’s basement using a turntable over instrumentals to record his songs. In 1996, he met a man named Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, who was his mentor during his rap and music career.
50 Cent’s first appearance was on “React” with Onyx for the 1998 album Shut ‘Em Down. After he parted ways with Jam Master Jay, 50 Cent signed with Columbia Records in 1999, he released 36 songs in 2 weeks under Columbia Records. This resulted in eighteen of his tracks being recorded for his 2000 album Power of the Dollar.
50 Cent’s introduction to fame started when he released his album Get Rich Or Die Tryin in 2003. This album sold over twelve million copies in the U.S. alone. He then released his first hit single, “In Da Club”, that reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track earned him a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. This made an impact on the industry, but 50 Cent also received many connections with other artists and producers.
Other than the rap industry, 50 Cent quickly became huge in the business industry. He founded G-Unit Records, which launched many rappers’ careers and brought them quick fame. His later investment in Vitaminwater soon became a money loophole, when it was sold to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion, and his percentage earned him a whopping $100 Million. This made him grow to be a huge entrepreneur and a businessman.
50 Cent’s rise from his rough childhood growing up in Queens, to becoming a businessman and artist, showcases his strength, resilience, and determination. Despite all his personal problems and struggles, and surviving a shooting, he turned it into success with his music and business decisions. To this day, 50 Cent continues to inspire and motivate, proving that with hard work and perseverance, success is possible, both in the rap industry and beyond.
