50 Cent: The Story Behind

By Author: James Griffith
Total Articles: 41
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From being an only child in a broken home in the rough neighborhoods of Queens living the street life and facing all the dangers it involves, 50 Cent has actually lived the kind of life that most rappers write about. From drugs, crimes and prison time to stabbings and even being shot nine times, this infamous rapper has seen it all, done it all. The turbulent life of 50 Cent pictures as a living proof that hip-hop is not just a type of music, it’s a lifestyle.

But all his life experiences have only fuelled his determination to make a name for himself. He reveled in much discussed past, used his life to fuel the grittiness that is signature to his music and even looks like the ideal hardcore rapper-with his big-framed body, often showcased biceps, abs, and tattoos covering his entire frame. Add his trademark bulletproof vest, pistol, and iced crucifix, and you have a prototypical bad boy! But don’t be fooled! It’s not just a catchy look that he has crafted, 50 Cent has also carved a place for himself amongst the elite heavyweights of the hip hop music industry. He was named the sixth best artist of the 2000s AND ...
... the third top rapper falling behind only legends like Eminem and Nelly. 50 Cent music videos and songs are some of the most highly anticipated numbers in the industry and he is currently the highest selling rapper in the game. You don’t get such accolades for nothing!

His musical career began in 1996 when a friend introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC. Jay practically taught him everything he knows about music from counting bars, writing choruses, giving structure to songs and making record. The artists himself credits Jay as the influence that enabled him write his world famous hooks. Jay even produced his first album although it was never released. After leaving Jay in 1999, 50 Cent started building fan base for himself in New York through underground mixtapes. That’s when he came into the notice of Columbia Records who signed him on.

But life wouldn’t have it so easy for him. Shortly after the release of his single-‘How to Rob’ he was stabbed at a studio in Manhattan while shooting the 50 Cent music video for the song ‘Thug Love’. Not much later, he was shot in his car on a street in Queens. So much controversy and danger now surrounded the rapper that Columbia Records didn’t want anything to do with him and shelved his upcoming album.

After being black listed from the industry, he returned to the underground where he had started, forming G-Unit and churning out mixtapes, singles and 50 Cent video songs, and building a high esteem for himself in the streets of New York. Eminem noticed his talent, signed him on and his success is now written in golden letters on the pages of history.

Interested in some of the latest 50 Cent songs, hottest music videos, latest music news & gossip, then visit Urban-Nation.com!
About the Author:

James Griffith is a freelance writer from London specialising in writing hiphop r&b music and UK Grime music articles. Over the years he has developed an extensive knowledge of urban music and urban music artists and is considered one of the leading authorities on this subject. With a passion for Hip hop and R&B music since childhood, James Griffith brings great knowledge and a great understanding of this exciting music genre and his articles are both informative and entertaining too.