Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975) was born in New York City, United States. He ia an American rapper, actor, and businessman. He is better known by her stage name, 50 Cent. Jackson embarked on his musical journey in 2000. His initial foray into the music scene led to the creation of "Power of the Dollar" for Columbia Records. However, a tragic turn of events saw the album shelved indefinitely after Jackson survived a gunshot just days before its scheduled release.
The pivotal moment in 50 Cent's career arrived in 2002 when he unveiled the mixtape "Guess Who's Back?" This release caught the ear of none other than Eminem, who promptly signed Jackson to Shady Records, a subsidiary of Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. This move catapulted him into the mainstream.
In 2003, Jackson released his debut major-label album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." It achieved monumental commercial success, with chart-topping hits like "In da Club" and "21 Questions," both securing the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's outstanding performance resulted in a 9× Platinum certification from the RIAA.
Not content with just his own success, 50 Cent founded G-Unit Records, ushering in the likes of Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo. This marked the beginning of his leadership within the East Coast hip-hop group, G-Unit. His musical evolution continued with subsequent albums, including "The Massacre" in 2005 and "Animal Ambition" in 2014.
Beyond music, Jackson expanded his horizons into the realm of television, executive-producing and starring in the acclaimed series "Power" from 2014 to 2020, with spin-offs in the pipeline. His versatile talent extends to acting, with notable appearances in films like "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2005), "Home of the Brave" (2006), and "Righteous Kill" (2008).
Throughout his illustrious career, 50 Cent has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and amassed an impressive collection of awards, including a Grammy, a Primetime Emmy, and numerous Billboard Music, World Music, American Music, and BET Awards. Billboard has recognized him as one of the greatest rappers of all time, and Rolling Stone has honored his album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" and hit single "In da Club" on their prestigious lists of the best music of the 2000s. Jackson's impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable, and his legacy continues to evolve with each new endeavor.
