50 Cent

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Curtis Jackson, 26 (more commonly known as 50 Cent) has made a huge

impact on the hip hop industry. He was born July 6th, 1976, on the

south side of Jamaica, Queens. Nearby residents of Queens have

described it as the main area for all the to-be drug dealers.

50's excellentmajor-label debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin', sold 2.1

million copies in its first three weeks, breaking record sales in

America. Only last year the well-known hip-hop artists/ producers

signed him to a joint label deal. They have helped propel his career

and put 50 into the limelight. Eminem featured 50 Cent's Ja Rule diss

"Wanksta" on the soundtrack to 8 mile. Dr dre produced the debut

single from "Get Rich or Die Tryin' ", "In Da Club" and it went

platinum in a little over a week.

Unlike a lot of other rap artists though 50's lyrics about drugs,

shootings, and jail are true to life. His mother was only 15 when he

was born and a drug dealer. She murdered when 50 was just 8 years old.

50 then moved in with his grandparents only to start dealing himself

when he was 12. In 1994 50 cent was arrested on drug charges and was

sent to juvenile boot camp.

After his arrest he started rapping on the streets with friends. The

to-be-superstar was noticed by Jam Master Jay of Run DMC (who was

murdered only last October) and was soon rapping in the studio.

Unfortunately just before his debut album was about to be released 50

Cent was shot 9 times. The shootings were rumoured to be because of a

drug feud between 50 and some dealers the bullets hit him on his hand,

hip, chest, legs and face. The bullet in his face resulted in the

unique slur in his voice that 50 is famous for.

Because 50 was in hospital for so long, he was unable to promote his

debut album and his record label dropped him. Soon after his recovery

he started working on some new music.

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