50 Cent is a former drug dealer from South Jamaica, Queens who pivoted from hustling dope to hustling mixtapes. After being mentored by Queens legends like Jam Master Jay and Nas, 50 Cent signed to Columbia Records. He was ambushed and shot 9 times, his subsequent hospitalization led to him being dropped from his deal. He had to rehab, relearn how to rhyme, and change his approach and strategy. He assembled G-Unit and revolutionized mixtape-as-self-promotion, elevating himself and G-Unit and to get signed to a record deal on Eminem’s Shady imprint under Dr. Dre’s Aftermath/Interscope. He put out his classic debut album “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” in 2003.
50 Cent is a former drug dealer from South Jamaica, Queens who pivoted from hustling dope to hustling mixtapes. After being mentored by Queens legends like Jam Master Jay and Nas, 50 Cent signed to Columbia Records. He was ambushed and shot 9 times, his subsequent hospitalization led to him being dropped from his deal. He had to rehab, relearn how to rhyme, and change his approach and strategy. He assembled G-Unit and revolutionized mixtape-as-self-promotion, elevating himself and G-Unit and to get signed to a record deal on Eminem’s Shady imprint under Dr. Dre’s Aftermath/Interscope. He put out his classic debut album “Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” in 2003.