Grimy, streetwise and absolutely fearless, 50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson,
has dealt with more in his 26 years than most deal with in an entire
lifetime.
Raised without a father, 50 lost his mother when she was found
dead of "mysterious circumstances" before he was a teenager and the
orphaned rapper was taken in by his grandparents. After a crash course in
street life on the infamous New York Avenue, now known as Guy R. Brewer
Blvd., 50 amassed a heavy rep and a lengthy rap sheet. It wasn't until his
son was born that 50 entered the rap game with the intent to win. He
signed with JMJ, the label of Run DMC DJ, Jam Master Jay, and began
crafting his skills. When the platinum hit makers The Trackmasters took
notice of 50 and signed him to Columbia Records in 1999, his breakthrough
seemed inevitable. They shipped 50 to upstate New York and locked him up
in the studio. In just over two weeks, 50 cranked out 36 songs, which
resulted in Power of a Dollar, which Blaze Magazine deemed a classic. The
album produced a sarcastic stick-up anthem called "How to Rob" which blew
through the roof and playfully depicted a ruthless up-and-comer detailing
how he would rob famous artists like Master P and Timbaland.
The song
became an underground hit but not everyone was impressed. Jay-Z, Big Pun,
Sticky Fingaz and Ghostface Killah all replied to the song. "It wasn't
personal. It was comedy based on truth, which made it so funny," claimed
50 Cent. Amidst the controversy and a potential breakout cut, "Thug Love"
with Destiny's Child, heavy bootlegging tainted Columbia's position on the
controversial 50 and they pulled the album. Then, in April of 2000, 50 was
shot nine times, including a nine millimeter bullet to the face. He spent
the next few months recovering and Columbia Records promptly dropped him
from the label. Despite a lack of backing and money, 50 teamed up with new
business partner Sha Money XL and produced over 30 new songs with the sole
purpose of creating a buzz on the underground tip. The recordings spread
through New York on black market CDs and mix-tapes like a virus and the
rapper eventually released the new material independently on the makeshift
LP, Guess Who's Back? Beginning to attract interest, and now backed by the
G-Unit crew, 50 kept grinding out more songs.
With a red, white and blue
bootleg called 50 Cent is the Future circulating, the 50 Cent spark was
turning into a five-alarm fire. In the midst of a major-label bidding war
between Jive, Universal and J, according to reports, Eminem began
proclaiming repeatedly that 50 Cent was his favorite rapper. After
consulting with Dr. Dre, Eminem ended up signing 50 to his Shady/Aftermath
label, reportedly for over a million dollars. 50 has made it clear,
though, that it wasn't the money that lured him to the Shady side of the
tracks; it was the opportunity to work with the "dream team." In the wake
of the deal, 50 Cent was becoming hailed as the most anticipated newcomer
in almost a decade. Never one to miss an opportunity, 50 quickly released
a track called "Wanksta" which found a home on Eminem's multi-platinum 8
Mile soundtrack. With several huge hits already under his belt, 2003 could
be 50's year. Promising an LP up to the snuff of rap classics like
Illmatic, Ready to Die and Reasonable Doubt, 50 has big footprints to
follow. But with production from both Dre and Eminem, an infectious,
rugged flow and a vicious sense of humor, 50 Cent just might Get Rich or
Die Trying.
