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Curtis James Jackson III
July 6, 1975
Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), in South Jamaica, Queens.
Drug dealing
July 6, 1987
50 Cent began drug dealing at the age of twelve during the 1980s' crack epidemic.
Shot
September 1, 2000
After leaving drug dealing to pursue a rap career, he was shot nine times in 2000.
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Feburary 20, 2003
In February 2003, 50 Cent released his commercial debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. All Music Guide described it as "probably the most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade". 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". It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 872,000 copies in the first four days. The lead single, "In da Club", which The Source noted for its "blaring horns, funky organs, guitar riffs and sparse hand claps" broke a Billboard record as the 'most listened-to' song in radio history within a week.
G-Unit Records
June 1, 2003
In 2003, he founded the record label G-Unit Records, which signed successful rappers such as Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo.
Vivica A. Fox
October 8, 2003 - December 3, 2003
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.
The Massacre Album
March 10, 2005
In March 2005, 50 Cent's second commercial album, The Massacre sold 1.14 million copies in the first four days (the highest in an abbreviated sales cycle) and peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 for six weeks. 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". 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".
The Simpsons Cameo
March 11, 2005
In 2005, 50 Cent made a cameo appearance on The Simpsons episode "Pranksta Rap", in which he makes light of his legal troubles.
Support for President George W. Bush
September 3, 2005
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. If his felony convictions did not prevent him from voting, he claimed that he would have voted for Bush. He later stated that Bush "has less compassion than the average human. By all means, I don’t aspire to be like George Bush".
Home of the Brave
September 1, 2006
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.
The Angie Martinez Show
Feburary 1, 2007
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. 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. Both rappers released "diss" songs with accompanying videos on YouTube.
Lawsuit against Traffix Inc.
July 21, 2007
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.
Plans to launch a dietary supplement company
August 21, 2007
On August 21, 2007, 50 Cent announced plans to launch a dietary supplement company in conjunction with his movie The Dance.
Curtis Album
September 10, 2007
In September 2007, he released his third album Curtis, which was inspired by his life before Get Rich or Die Tryin'. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 behind Kanye West's album "Graduation"; selling 691,000 units in the first week when compared to Kanye West's 957,000. 50 Cent later claimed that if Graduation were to sell more records than Curtis, he would stop releasing solo albums. However, 50 Cent would later dispel his comments.
"50 Cent Curtis Jackson Day"
October 12, 2007
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.
Recognized for his wealth by Forbes
November 11, 2007
In 2007, 50 Cent was recognized for his wealth by Forbes, placing him second behind Jay-Z in the rap industry.
Endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton
January 27, 2008
50 Cent has endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential election and said if there is a black president, he could be killed.
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand Game
June 15, 2008
A sequel called 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is scheduled for a 2008 release.
