Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), better known as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, television producer, and businessman. Jackson, who was born in Queens’ South Jamaica neighborhood, began his musical career in 1996.
He recorded his “debut” album Power of the Dollar for Columbia Records in early 2000, but he was hit by nine bullets during a shooting in May of that year, leading the album’s release to be canceled and Jackson to be released from the label. Eminem discovered Jackson and signed him to his label Shady Records, an imprint of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, after he released the mixtape Guess Who’s Back? in 2002
How did 50 Cent attain his notoriety?
Eminem discovered 50 Cent in 2002. Eminem was so taken by “Guess Who’s Back?” that he invited Jackson to visit Dr. Dre in Los Angeles. 50 Cent signed a record deal for $1 million and released “No Mercy, No Fear.” The soundtrack to Eminem’s film “8 Mile” included a song by 50 Cent. 50 Cent shot to fame in 2003 with his debut album “Get Rich or Die Trying.” It debuted at the top of the Billboard charts and sold nearly a million copies in the first four days.
In just one week, the first single, “In Da Club,” became the most-played song in the radio ever. Interscope soon granted 50 his own label, G-Unit Records. Interscope soon granted 50 his own label, G-Unit Records. In March 2005, Jackson released his next album, “The Massacre.” It was another smash hit, selling 1.14 million copies in its first four days and remaining at the top of the Billboard charts for six weeks.
In 2007, his third album, “Curtis,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The fourth album, “Before I Self Destruct,” was released in November 2009. Disagreements with his record label forced him to postpone the release of his fifth album, “Street King Immortal,” until November 2012. His studio albums have sold over 21 million units to date.
Source: www.ghgossip.com
