50 Cent

American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur, born on July 6, 1975, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. He began his music career in 1996 and recorded his debut album "Power of the Dollar" for Columbia Records in 1999, which was shelved after he was shot nine times in 2000. In 2002, his mixtape "Guess Who's Back?" caught the attention of Eminem, leading to a deal with Shady Records under Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. His debut studio album, "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," released in 2003, topped the Billboard 200 and featured hits like "In da Club" and "21 Questions." The album achieved nine-times platinum status in the U.S. and sold over 15 million copies worldwide. In 2005, he released his second album, "The Massacre," which also achieved commercial success with singles like "Candy Shop" and "Just a Lil Bit." Subsequent albums include "Curtis" (2007), "Before I Self Destruct" (2009), and "Animal Ambition" (2014), though they didn't match the success of his earlier work. Beyond music, 50 Cent found success in business ventures, investing in companies like Vitaminwater, founding G-Unit Records, and establishing G-Unit Films and Television Inc. From 2014 to 2020, he served as executive producer and actor in the television series "Power" and its spin-offs. In 2025, he planned a joint performance with Mary J. Blige at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and is considered a potential headliner for the Glastonbury Festival. His work is characterized by an aggressive style reflecting his journey from street hustler to successful artist and businessman.