50 Cent

Un article de Vev.

Modèle:Pp-semi-protected Modèle:Redirect Modèle:For Modèle:Redirect Modèle:Infobox musical artist Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6 1975),<ref name=OMM>From the cradle to the grave (nearly). The Observer (August 21 2005). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre. 50 Cent achieved multi-platinum success with both albums, selling over twenty-one million records worldwide.<ref>Thornburgh, Nathan (September 10 2007). 10 Questions for 50 Cent. Time. Accessed September 13 2007.</ref>

Born in South Jamaica, Queens in New York, 50 Cent began drug dealing at the age of twelve during the 1980s' crack epidemic.<ref name=OMM2>Campion, Chris (August 21 2005). Right on the money. The Observer. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> After leaving drug dealing to pursue a rap career, he was shot nine times in 2000. After releasing his mixtape Guess Who's Back? in 2002, 50 Cent was discovered by rapper Eminem and signed to Interscope Records. With the help of Eminem and Dr. Dre—who produced his first major commercial successes—he became one of the highest selling rap artists in the world. In 2003, he founded the record label G-Unit Records, which signed successful rappers such as Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo. 50 Cent has engaged in numerous feuds with other rappers including Ja Rule, The Game, and Fat Joe.

50 Cent has also pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2005 and the Iraq War film Home of the Brave in 2006.

Sommaire 1 Life and music career 1.1 Early life 1.2 Early career 1.3 Shooting 1.4 Rise to fame 1.5 Personal life 2 Business ventures 3 Controversy 3.1 Murder Inc. 3.2 New York rappers 3.3 The Game 3.4 Lawsuit 4 Discography 5 Awards 6 Filmography 7 References 8 External links

Life and music career

Early life

50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, grew up in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens in New York City. He grew up without a father, and was raised by his mother Sabrina Jackson, who gave birth to him at the age of fifteen. Sabrina, a cocaine dealer, raised Jackson until the age of eight, when she was murdered. Twenty-three at the time, she became unconscious after someone drugged her drink. She was then left for dead after the gas in her apartment was turned on and the windows shut closed.<ref name=RS>Touré (April 3 2003). The Life of a Hunted Man. Rolling Stone. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref><ref name=MSNBC>Samuels, Allison (February 21 2007). The Flip Side of 50 Cent. MSNBC. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> After her death, Jackson moved into his grandparents house with his eight aunts and uncles.<ref name=OMM/><ref>Otto, Jeff (September 6 2005). Interview: 50 Cent. IGN. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref><ref name=MTV3>Reid, Shaheem (November 7 2005). 50 Cent: Return to Southside. MTV. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He recalls, "My grandmother told me, 'Your mother's not coming home. She's not gonna come back to pick you up. You're gonna stay with us now.' That's when I started adjusting to the streets a little bit."<ref name=MTV>Reid, Shaheem (February 12 2003). 50 Cent: Money to Burn. MTV. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> Jackson grew up with his younger cousin, Michael Francis, who earned the nickname "25 Cent" for being his younger counterpart. Francis raps under the stage name "Two Five".<ref>Associated Press (December 23 2005). Two Five says success has changed 50 Cent. MSNBC. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref>

Jackson began boxing around the age of eleven. At fourteen, a neighbor opened a boxing gym for local kids. "When I wasn’t killing time in school, I was sparring in the gym or selling crack on the strip", he recalled.<ref>Weiner, Jonah (August 2007). 33 Things You Should Know About ... 50 Cent. Blender. Accessed September 30 2007.</ref> In the mid 1980s, he competed in the Junior Olympics as an amateur boxer. He recounts, "I was competitive in the ring and hip-hop is competitive too... I think rappers condition themselves like boxers, so they all kind of feel like they're the champ."<ref name=MTV2>Reid, Shaheem (February 25 2005). All Eyes on 50 Cent: The Sequel. MTV. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> At the age of twelve, Jackson began dealing narcotics when his grandparents thought he was at after-school programs.<ref>The Phenomenon '50 Cent' Revealed. Female First (February 1 2006). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He also took guns and drug money to school. In the tenth grade, he was caught by metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School. He later stated, "I was embarrassed that I got arrested like that... After I got arrested I stopped hiding it. I was telling my grandmother [openly], 'I sell drugs.'"<ref name=MTV/>

On June 29 1994, Jackson was arrested for helping to sell four vials of cocaine to an undercover police officer. He was arrested again three weeks later when police searched his home and found heroin, ten ounces of crack cocaine, and a starter gun. He was sentenced to three to nine years in prison, but managed to serve six months in a shock incarceration boot camp, where he earned his GED. Jackson said that he did not use cocaine himself, he only sold it.<ref name=OMM/><ref>The Smoking Gun: 50 Cent. The Smoking Gun (February 27 2003). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref><ref>Dave (November 2 2003). 50 Cent Interview on Howard Stern Show. Rap News Network. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He adopted the nickname "50 Cent" as a metaphor for "change".<ref name=AOL>Interview w/ 50 Cent. AOL Music (August 1 2003). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> The name was derived from Kelvin Martin, a 1980s Brooklyn robber known as "50 Cent". Jackson chose the name "because it says everything I want it to say. I'm the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means."<ref>Boots, Tone (August 3 2005). Get Rich or Die Trying. Stuff. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref>

Early career

50 Cent started rapping in a friend's basement where he used turntables to record over instrumentals.<ref>"La Méthode Cauet" (2006). TF1.</ref> In 1996, a friend introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC who was organizing his label Jam Master Jay Records. It was the first time he entered a studio. Jay taught him how to count bars, write choruses, structure songs, and make a record.<ref name=BBC>Youngs, Ian (December 23 2002). 50 Cent: The $1m rapper. BBC News. Accessed August 16 2007).</ref><ref>Tarek, Shams (May 16 2003). Jamaica’s ‘Own Bad Guy' 50 Cent Making Good in the Music Biz. Queens Press. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> 50 Cent's first official appearance was on a song titled "React" with the group Onyx on their 1998 album Shut 'Em Down. He credited Jam Master Jay as an influence who helped him improve his ability to write hooks.<ref name=MTV2/> He produced 50 Cent's first album, however it was never released.<ref name=RS/> In 1999, after leaving Jam Master Jay, the platinum-selling producers Trackmasters took notice of 50 Cent and signed him to Columbia Records. They sent him to a studio in Upstate New York, where he produced thirty-six songs in two weeks.<ref name=MSNBC/> Eighteen were included on his unofficially released album, Power of the Dollar in 2000.<ref name=50Cent>Biography. 50cent.com. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He also started the now-defunct company with former G-Unit member Bang 'Em Smurf called Hollow Point Entertainment.<ref>Chery, Carl (May 18 2004). 50 Cent's a Fake, Says Ex-G-Unit Member, Bang Em Smurf. SOHH. Accessed June 5 2007.</ref><ref>Williams, Houston (February 2004). Bang'em Smurf: Life after G-Unit. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref>

Modèle:Sound sample box align right Modèle:Multi-listen start Modèle:Multi-listen item Modèle:Multi-listen end Modèle:Sample box end 50 Cent's popularity started to increase after the successful but controversial underground single, "How to Rob", which he wrote in half an hour while in a car on the way to a studio.<ref name=AOL/><ref name=Part5>50 Cent. From Pieces to Weight Part 5. MTV. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> The track comically explains how he would rob many famous artists. He explained the reasoning behind song's content as, "There’s a hundred artists on that label, you gotta separate yourself from that group and make yourself relevant."<ref name=AOL/> Rappers Jay-Z, Big Pun, DMX, and the Wu-Tang Clan replied to the song<ref name=Part5/> and Nas, who received the track positively, invited 50 Cent to travel on a promotional tour for his Nastradamus album.<ref name=MTV3/> The song was intended to be released with "Thug Love" featuring Destiny's Child, but two days before he was scheduled to film the "Thug Love" music video, 50 Cent was shot and confined to a hospital due to his injuries.<ref name=dubcnn>Ninja (December 2002). 50 Cent Interview. Dubcnn. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref>

Shooting

On May 24 2000, 50 Cent was attacked by a gunman outside his grandmother's former home in South Jamaica, Queens. He went into a friend's car, but was asked to return to the house to get jewelry. His son was in the house while his grandmother was in the front yard.<ref name=MSNBC/> On returning to the back seat of the car, another car pulled up nearby. An assailant then walked up to 50 Cent's left side with a 9mm handgun and fired nine shots at close range. He was shot nine times—in the hand (a round hit his right thumb and came out of his pinky), arm, hip, both legs, chest, and left cheek.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MTV/><ref name=TIME>Tyrangirl, Josh (February 17 2003). Rap's Newest Target. Time. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> The face wound resulted in a swollen tongue, the loss of a wisdom tooth, and a small slur in his voice.<ref name=MTV3/><ref name=MTV/><ref>Get Rich or Die Tryin': The Movie (2003) (bonus documentary DVD). Interscope Records.</ref> His friend also sustained a gunshot wound to the hand. They were driven to the hospital where he spent thirteen days in recovery. The alleged shooter, Darryl "Hommo" Baum, was killed three weeks later. His funeral was attended by close friend Mike Tyson shortly before his fight with Lou Savarese.<ref name=SOHH>Chery, Carl (October 24 2005). 50 Cent Shot by "Hommo" Reveals Tell-All Book. SOHH. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref><ref>Tyson bout placed in doubt. The Independent (June 15 2000). Accessed November 25 2007.</ref>

50 Cent recalled the incident saying, "It happens so fast that you don't even get a chance to shoot back... I was scared the whole time... I was looking in the rear-view mirror like, 'Oh shit, somebody shot me in the face! It burns, burns, burns.'"<ref name=MTV/> In his memoir, From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a Time in Southside Queens, he wrote, "After I got shot nine times at close range and didn't die, I started to think that I must have a purpose in life... How much more damage could that shell have done? Give me an inch in this direction or that one, and I'm gone."<ref name=OMM/> He used a walker for the first six weeks and recovered after five months. When he left the hospital, he stayed in the Poconos with his then-girlfriend and son. His physical workout regimen helped him attain his muscular physique.<ref name=RS/><ref name=MTV/><ref>Jenkins, Sacha (July 9 2007). I Was There. XXL. Accessed July 31 2007.</ref>

While in the hospital, 50 Cent signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records. However, he was dropped from the label and "blacklisted" in the recording industry after it was discovered he was shot. Unable to find a studio to work with in the U.S, he traveled to Canada.<ref name=TSG>Mace, Francis (September 6 2005). Surveilling 50 Cent. The Smoking Gun. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref><ref name=Blender>Weiner, Jonah (April 2005). Dear Superstar: 50 Cent. Blender. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> Along with his business partner Sha Money XL, he recorded over thirty songs for mixtapes, with the purpose of building a reputation. 50 Cent's popularity rose, and in early 2001, he released material independently on the mixtape, Guess Who's Back?. Beginning to attract interest, and now backed by G-Unit, 50 Cent continued to make songs. They released the mixtape, 50 Cent Is the Future, revisiting material by Jay-Z and Raphael Saadiq.<ref name=50Cent/>

Rise to fame

Modèle:Sound sample box align right Modèle:Multi-listen start Modèle:Multi-listen item Modèle:Multi-listen item Modèle:Multi-listen end Modèle:Sample box end In 2002, Eminem listened to a copy of 50 Cent's Guess Who's Back? CD. He received the CD through 50 Cent's attorney, who was working with Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg.<ref name=dubcnn/> Impressed with the album, Eminem invited 50 Cent to fly to Los Angeles, where he was introduced to Dr. Dre.<ref name=RS/><ref name=BBC/><ref name=dubcnn/> After signing a one million U.S. dollar record deal,<ref name=BBC/> 50 Cent released the mixtape, No Mercy, No Fear. It featured one new track, "Wanksta", which was put on Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack.<ref name=50Cent/> He was also signed to Chris Lighty's Violator Management and Sha Money XL's Money Management Group.

On February 6 2003, 50 Cent's commercial debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin' was released. All Music Guide described it as "probably the most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade."<ref>Birchmeier, Jason. Get Rich or Die Tryin' Review. All Music Guide. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> Rolling Stone noted the album for its "dark synth grooves, buzzy keyboards and a persistently funky bounce" with 50 Cent complementing the production in "an unflappable, laid-back flow."<ref>Hoard, Christian (March 6 2003). Get Rich or Die Tryin' Review. Rolling Stone. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 872,000 copies in the first four days.<ref name=USA>Gundersen, Edna (September 3 2005). 'Massacre' sales top one million. USA Today. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> The lead single, "In da Club", which The Source noted for its "blaring horns, funky organs, guitar riffs and sparse hand claps"<ref>Rosario, Boo (March 2003). "Record Report". The Source, p. 192.</ref> broke a Billboard record as the 'most listened-to' song in radio history within a week.<ref>Timeline. Rock on the Net. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref>

Interscope then granted 50 Cent his own label, G-Unit Records in 2003.<ref>Winston, Dallas (April 9 2003). G-Unit Records Signs with Interscope. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref> He signed Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck as the established members of G-Unit. The Game was later signed under a joint venture with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. On March 3 2005, 50 Cent's second commercial album, The Massacre was released. The album sold 1.14 million copies in the first four days (the highest in an abbreviated sales cycle)<ref name=USA/> and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 for six weeks.<ref>Whitmire, Margo (April 15 2005). 50's 'Massacre' Extends Chart Lead to 6th Week. Billboard. Accessed June 13 2007.</ref> He became the first solo artist to have three singles on the Billboard top five in the same week with "Candy Shop", "Disco Inferno", and "How We Do".<ref>Montgomery, James (March 9 2005). 50 Cent's The Massacre Makes Huge Chart Debut. MTV. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> Rolling Stone noted that "50's secret weapon is his singing voice - the deceptively amateur-sounding tenor croon that he deploys on almost every chorus."<ref>Brackett, Nathan (March 10 2005). The Massacre Review. Rolling Stone. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref>

After the departure of The Game, 50 Cent signed singer Olivia and rap veterans Mobb Deep to G-Unit Records. Spider Loc, M.O.P., and Young Hot Rod later joined the label.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (September 2 2005). 50 and Mase: The Pastor Isn't Officially G-Unit Yet, But a Song Is Already out. MTV. Accessed May 31 2007.</ref><ref>Chery, Carl (May 27 2005). Pulse Report: M.O.P. Signs to G-Unit. SOHH. Accessed June 22 2007.</ref> 50 Cent expressed interest in working with rappers outside of G-Unit, such as Lil' Scrappy of BME, LL Cool J from Def Jam, Mase from Bad Boy, and Freeway of Roc-A-Fella, some of whom he recorded with.<ref>Black, Bea (February 8 2006). Roc-A-Fella Rapper Freeway Collaborating with G-Unit for New Album. AllHipHop. Accessed July 22 2007.</ref> In September 2007, he released his third album Curtis, which was inspired by his life before Get Rich or Die Tryin'.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (April 27 2007). 50 Cent Talks Timberlake Collabo, Star-Studded New LP Curtis. MTV. Accessed October 4 2007.</ref> It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 691,000 units in the first week.<ref>Mayfield, Geoff (September 18 2007). Kanye Crushes 50 Cent in Huge Album Sales Week. Billboard. Accessed October 4 2007.</ref>

Personal life

On October 13 1997, 50 Cent's then-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins gave birth to a son, Marquise Jackson.<ref name=OMM2/><ref>B96jobo (September 6 2007). 50Cent Pt 2 Interviewed by B96 Jobo, Erica & Showbiz Shelly. YouTube. Accessed September 9 2007</ref> The birth of his son changed his outlook on life, "when my son came into my life, my priorities changed, because I wanted to have the relationship with him, that I didn’t have with my father."<ref>Williams, Kam. 50 Cent’s 2 Cents on Shooting Scenes, Samuel L., and His Son. AALBC. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He credited his son for inspiring his career and being "motivation to go in a different direction."<ref>50 Cent chats to ilikemusic.com. I Like Music (2005). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> 50 Cent has a tattoo of "Marquise" with an axe on his right bicep. "The axe is 'cause I'm a warrior. I don't want him to be one, though,"<ref name=Blender/> he explains. He also has "50", "Southside", and "Cold World" inscribed on his back because "I'm a product of that environment. It's on my back, though, so it's all behind me."<ref name=Blender/> 50 Cent dated actress Vivica A. Fox in 2003. After a few months, he announced their split up on the The Howard Stern Show when pictures from a photo shoot they did together ended up on the cover of Today's Black Woman magazine without his knowledge.<ref name=Playboy>Tannenbaum, Rob (April 2004). "Playboy Interview: 50 Cent". Playboy, p. 140.</ref><ref>Exclusive Interview with Vivica A. Fox. Langfield Entertainment (May 1 2005). Accessed June 23 2007.</ref>

50 Cent expressed support for President George W. Bush in 2005 after rapper Kanye West criticized him for the slow response in assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina.<ref>Lynskey, Dorian (January 20 2006). 'I'm not trying to save the world'. The Guardian. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> If his felony convictions did not prevent him from voting, he claimed that he would have voted for Bush.<ref>For the Record: Quick News on 50 Cent, Kanye West, Irv Gotti, Beyoncé, Zack de la Rocha, Alice in Chains & More. MTV (November 23 2005). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He later stated that Bush "has less compassion than the average human. By all means, I don’t aspire to be like George Bush."<ref>Williams, Ben (July 23 2007). Influences: 50 Cent. New York. Accessed August 1 2007.</ref> In 2007, 50 Cent was recognized for his wealth by Forbes, placing him second behind Jay-Z in the rap industry.<ref>Goldman, Lea (August 16 2007). Hip-Hop Cash Kings. Forbes. Accessed August 20 2007.</ref> He resides in Farmington, Connecticut, in the former mansion of ex-boxer Mike Tyson.<ref>Bernard, Sarah (August 22 2005). How Would 50 Cent Spend $3.5 Million?. New York. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He put the mansion for sale at US$18.5 million to move closer to his son who lives in Long Island with his ex-girlfriend.<ref>Keil, Braden (May 4 2007). For Sale: Fitty Swanksta Crib. New York Post. Accessed May 27 2007.</ref> On October 12 2007, the Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut declared it "50 Cent Curtis Jackson Day." He was honored with a key to the city and an official proclamation.<ref>Madonna Signs Live Nation Deal; Plus Foxy Brown, 50 Cent, Linkin Park, 'Hannah Montana' & More, in For the Record. MTV (October 16 2007. Accessed October 28 2007.</ref>

Business ventures

50 Cent has established himself in a wide variety of fields outside of his rapping career. In November 2003, he signed a five year deal with Reebok to distribute a G-Unit Sneakers line as part of his G-Unit Clothing Company<ref>Reebok and 50 Cent Announce the Successful Launch of New "G-Unit Collection by RBK" Footwear. Reebok (November 13 2003). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref><ref>Leeds, Jeff (December 26 2004). $50 Million for 50 Cent. The New York Times. Accessed June 9 2007.</ref>. He provided the voice-over as the protagonist in the video game 50 Cent: Bulletproof, which was released for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and the PlayStation Portable. He worked with glacéau to create and market a grape flavored Vitamin Water drink called Formula 50. In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased glaceau for US$4.1 billion. 50 Cent, who owns a stake in the company, was estimated by Forbes to have earned $100 million after taxes.<ref>Goldman, Lea (September 30 2007). Forbes and 50 Cent 'Get Money'. Forbes. Accessed September 30 2007.</ref> He also launched a condom line and plans to donate a part of the proceeds to HIV awareness.<ref name=NYPost>Mirchandani, Raakhee (January 5 2007). The Merchant of Menace. New York Post. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref>

In 2005, 50 Cent made a cameo appearance on The Simpsons episode "Pranksta Rap", in which he makes light of his legal troubles. The same year, he starred alongside Terrence Howard in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin'. He also starred in the 2006 film Home of the Brave as a soldier returning home from the Iraq War, traumatized after killing an Iraqi woman.<ref>Topel, Fred (December 12 2006). CraveOnline Talks to 50 Cent. Crave Online. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> 50 Cent is working on a role as a fighter in an Angola State Prison in The Dance alongside Nicholas Cage, and is set to star opposite Robert De Niro in 2008's Righteous Kill, a movie regarding a police death.<ref>Brevet, Brad (December 11 2006). Interview: 50 Cent on 'Home of the Brave'. Rope of Silicon. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> He also started a production company called G-Unit Films.<ref>For The Record: Quick News on Eminem, Ciara, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Nas, Public Enemy & More. MTV (March 23 2007). Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> On August 21 2007, 50 Cent announced plans to launch a dietary supplement company in conjunction with his movie The Dance.<ref>Jokesta (August 21 2007). 50 Cent launches dietary supplement company. Def Sounds. Accessed August 21 2007.</ref><ref>Kilkelly, Daniel (August 21 2007). 50 Cent launches dietary supplement company. Digital Spy. Accessed August 21 2007.</ref>

Shortly before appearing in Get Rich or Die Tryin', 50 Cent released a memoir about his life and how he became successful titled From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a Time in Southside Queens. On January 4 2007, he launched his G-Unit Books imprint at the Time Warner Building in New York.<ref>Strong, Nolan (January 2 2007). 50 Cent to Launch G-Unit Books, Meet Fans. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref> He also co-wrote The Ski Mask Way, a novel about a small-time drug dealer who attempts to rob his employers, which is to be turned into a film before 2008.<ref name=NYPost/> 50 Cent said he was reading The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene and worked with the author on a book titled The 50th Law, an urban take on The 48 Laws of Power.<ref name=NYPost/><ref>Richburg, Chris (6 February 2007). '48 Laws' Author Robert Greene Working with 50 Cent on New Book, QD3 on New Film. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref>

Controversy

Murder Inc.

Before signing with Interscope, 50 Cent engaged in a well-publicized dispute with rapper Ja Rule and his label Murder Inc. Records. The rappers engaged in numerous mixtape "disses". 50 Cent claimed the feud began in 1999 after Ja Rule spotted him with a man who robbed him of his jewelry.<ref name=Playboy/> However, Ja Rule claimed the conflict stemmed from a video shoot in Queens because 50 Cent did not like seeing him "getting so much love" from the neighborhood.<ref>Ja Rule on 50 Cent, God and Hip-Hop. MTV (November 3 2003). Accessed June 4 2007.</ref> In March 2000, while at The Hit Factory studio in New York, 50 Cent had an altercation with associates of Murder Inc. Records. He was treated for three stitches after receiving a stab wound.<ref name=Playboy/><ref>Smith, Dominic (July 2005). 50 Cent Interview. FHM. Accessed July 11 2007.</ref> Rapper Black Child claimed responsibility for the stabbing, saying he acted in self-defense because he thought someone was reaching for a gun.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (April 25 2003). DJ Tells 50 Cent, Ja Rule: One More Dis Record, Then Quit It. MTV. Accessed June 5 2007.</ref>

An affidavit by an IRS agent suggested that the label had ties to Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, a New York drug lord who was suspected of being involved in the murder of Jam Master Jay and the shooting of 50 Cent. An excerpt of the affidavit read:

Insert the text of the quote here, without quotation marks.

New York rappers

Before releasing The Massacre, 50 Cent recorded a song, "Piggy Bank", which was leaked before the album's release. The song "disses" rappers including Fat Joe, Nas, and Jadakiss.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (February 22 2005). 50 Cent's LP Pushed Up, Harsh 'Facts' Sound Like Disses on Leaked 'Piggy Bank'. MTV. Accessed May 23 2007.</ref> Fat Joe responded with a song, "My Fo, Fo", accusing 50 Cent of taking steroids, hiding in his home, and being jealous of The Game. Jadakiss also responded with a song, "Checkmate", and said that 50 Cent was trying to "create a buzz for his new album".<ref name=PB>Reid, Shaheem (March 10 2005). Jadakiss, Fat Joe Retaliate for 50's 'Piggy Bank'. MTV. Accessed May 23 2007.</ref> The music video for "Piggy Bank" portrays animated caricatures of Jadakiss (as a Ninja turtle), Fat Joe (as an overweight boxer who receives a knockout), Nas (as a kid chasing a "milkshake" truck in a Superman costume), and The Game (as Mr. Potato Head).<ref>Reid, Shaheem (August 4 2005). 50 Mocks Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Game, Nas in 'Piggy Bank' Video. MTV. Accessed May 23 2007.</ref>

Modèle:Sound sample box align left Modèle:Multi-listen start Modèle:Multi-listen item Modèle:Multi-listen end Modèle:Sample box end 50 Cent spoke negatively about Bad Boy Entertainment mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs and recorded a song, "Hip-Hop", revealing the reasons behind his negative feelings: primarily, a contract dispute over Ma$e. In the song, he implied that Diddy knew about The Notorious B.I.G.'s murder and threatened to expose him through former associates.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (September 6 2005). 50 Goes after Diddy on New Mixtape. MTV. Accessed June 4 2007.</ref> The feud was resolved, with both rappers appearing on MTV's TRL and Sucker Free, respectively, stating that there were no longer problems.<ref>Strong, Nolan; Jeffries, Alexis (September 7 2006). Exclusive: 50 Cent, Sean 'Diddy' Combs Declare 'Cease Fire'. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref>

On February 1 2007, Cam'ron and 50 Cent had a live argument on The Angie Martinez Show on Hot 97 radio. 50 Cent commented that Koch Entertainment was a "graveyard", meaning major record labels would not work with their artists.<ref name=NYT>Sanneh, Kelefa (February 27 2007). Rappers Find That a Small Label Can Have Its Uses. The New York Times. Accessed May 22 2007.</ref> Cam'ron then ridiculed the record sales of G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Mobb Deep by stating that Jim Jones outsold their albums despite being signed to an independent label and that his group, The Diplomats, had a distribution deal from several labels.<ref name=NYT/> Both rappers released "diss" songs with accompanying videos on YouTube. 50 Cent suggested in "Funeral Music" that Cam'ron is no longer able to lead The Diplomats and that Jim Jones should take his place. Cam'ron responded with "Curtis" and "Curtis Pt. II", in which he makes fun of 50 Cent's appearance, calling him "a gorilla, with rabbit teeth".<ref>Petipas, Jolene (February 9 2007). It's Official, 50 Cent Starts War with Cam'ron. SOHH. Accessed May 25 2007.</ref> 50 Cent responded by releasing "Hold On" with Young Buck.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (March 28 2007). Kanye, Cam'ron, More MCs Skip Million-Dollar Videos, Go Straight to the Web. MTV. Accessed May 25 2007.</ref>

The Game

Main article: G-Unit vs. The Game feud

In early 2005, 50 Cent began a feud with The Game, whom he was close to before releasing his debut album The Documentary. After its release, 50 Cent felt The Game was disloyal for saying he did not want to participate in G-Unit's feuds with other rappers and even wanting to work with artists they were feuding with. He also claimed that he wrote six songs on the album and was not receiving proper credit for his work, which The Game denied.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (March 1 2005). 50 Cent and The Game — Doomed from the Very Beginning?. MTV. Accessed May 25 2007.</ref>

50 Cent later dismissed The Game from G-Unit on Hot 97 radio. After the announcement, The Game, who was a guest earlier in the evening, attempted to enter the building with his entourage. After being denied entry, one of his associates was shot in the leg during a confrontation with a group of men leaving the building.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (February 28 2005). 50 Drops Game from G-Unit; Shots Fired at Radio Station. MTV. Accessed June 2 2007.</ref><ref>Hope, Clover (March 2 2005). 50 Cent Cancels New York Appearance amid Shooting Inquiry. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref> When the situation escalated, both rappers held a press conference to announce their reconciliation.<ref>Fresh, Remmie (March 9 2005). The Game and 50 Hold Press Conference Today to End Dispute. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref> Fans had mixed feelings as to whether the rappers created a publicity stunt to boost the sales of the albums they had just released.<ref>Rodriguez, Jayson (March 1 2005). Update: Man Shot Not with 50 Cent; Violator Offices Shot Up. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref> Nevertheless, even after the situation deflated,<ref>Williams, Houston (May 9 2005). Game: Winds of Change. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref> The Game's street credibility was criticized by G-Unit. The group denounced The Game and announced that they will not feature on his albums. During a performance at Summer Jam, The Game launched a boycott of G-Unit called "G-Unot".<ref>Rodriguez, Jason (June 6 2005). The Game Taunts 50 Cent, Jay-Z Returns at Hot 97’s Summer Jam. AllHipHop. Accessed July 20 2007.</ref>

After the Summer Jam performance, The Game released a track, "300 Bars and Runnin'", which addresses 50 Cent and G-Unit.<ref>Chery, Carl (June 24 2005). Game gone wild. SOHH. Accessed June 8 2007.</ref> He continued his attacks with a DVD titled Stop Snitchin, Stop Lyin'. After numerous songs aimed at G-Unit, 50 Cent responded to The Game's rebuttals on mixtapes. One track, "Not Rich, Still Lyin'", imitates The Game, attacks his credibility, and mentions his feud with his brother, Big Fase 100.<ref>Chery, Carl (February 3 2006). The Game takes on Spider Loc, 50 Cent strikes back. SOHH. Accessed June 2 2007.</ref>

The Game also released mixtape covers parodying the rap group. After he displayed pictures of G-Unit dressed up as the Village People, 50 Cent posted a cover of The Game's head on the body of a male stripper.<ref>Reid, Shaheem (July 10 2006). Mixtape Monday: 50 Cent Strips Down The Game. MTV. Accessed June 15 2007.</ref> Although he was signed to Aftermath Entertainment, The Game left the label and signed with Geffen Records to terminate his contractual obligations with G-Unit.<ref>Petipas, Jolene (August 1 2006). Update: The Game Officially Leaves Aftermath. SOHH. Accessed June 9 2007.</ref>

Lawsuit

On July 21 2007, 50 Cent filed a US$1 million lawsuit against advertising company Traffix Inc. of Pearl River, New York for using his image in a promotion which he says threatens his safety. He learned about the internet ad after one of his staff members saw it on a MySpace page. According to court documents, the ad features a cartoon image of the rapper and the message: "shoot the rapper and you will win $5000 or five ring tones guaranteed." Though the ad did not use his name, the image allegedly intended to resemble him, suggesting he endorsed the ad. The lawsuit calls it a "vile, tasteless and despicable" use of 50 Cent's image that "quite literally calls for violence against him". The lawsuit also seeks for unspecified punitive damages and a permanent injunction against the use of his image without permission.<ref>50 Cent says ad threatens his life, files lawsuit. CBC (July 21 2007). Accessed July 23 2007.</ref><ref>50 Cent Sues over 'Shoot the Rapper'. Fox News (July 20 2007). Accessed July 27 2007.</ref>

Discography

Main article: 50 Cent discography

• Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003)
• The Massacre (2005)
• Curtis (2007)
• Before I Self Destruct (200Image:Cool.gif

Awards

Main article: List of 50 Cent awards

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2003	50 Cent: The New Breed	himself	Documentary DVD
2005	"Pranksta Rap"	himself	The Simpsons episode 16.9
	Get Rich or Die Tryin'	Marcus	Motion picture debut
	50 Cent: Bulletproof	himself	Video game, voice only
2006	Home of the Brave	Jamal Aiken
2007	The Dance	—	announced
2008	The Ski Mask Way	Seven	in production
	Righteous Kill	Spider	Filming
	Live Bet	—	announced

References

External links

Modèle:Wikiquote

• Official website
• Official community website
• Modèle:Allmovie
• Modèle:Allmusicguide
• 50 Cent at AOL Sessions
• Modèle:Imdb name
• 50 Cent at MTV
• Modèle:Myspace
• Modèle:YouTube channel

Modèle:50 Cent Modèle:G-Unit Modèle:G-Unit Family

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