Amidst a fire storm of controversy throughout the past few weeks, many of 50 Cent’s billboards are coming down. The billboards served as promotion for 50’s new movie, and soundtrack Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
Clear Channel Outdoor agreed to bring the billboards down after pleas and protests from different communities.
There were several ads promoting the movie and soundtrack. One saw Fif with his back to the camera, pistol in one hand and a microphone wrapped around his other arm. It was, in some ways, similar to a Michael Jordan photograph of him holding two basketballs.
Another poster shows 50 top less, holding a child. He has his back to the camera and one can see a pistol in the waistband of his boxers.
50 didn’t feel there was a need for protest.
“When you go to a Blockbuster or a local video store where you can rent DVD’s or cassettes, you’ll be able to find hundreds and hundreds of references to weapons used on the covers to market the actual film,” he claimed.
He also added that he felt he was a victim of protests based on his music. “Nobody had a problem with any of them until they see 50 Cent with a gun because there are different standards based on music,” he said.
Still, Fif understands that people could have misconceptions. “If you went into a music store, you wouldn’t find many CDs distributed through a major record company that had those images, so I understand why they’re saying those things but it’s absolutely nonsense,” he added.
Bilal Qayyum, a leader of the group Men United for a Better Philadelphia felt their complaints were valid, because it sent the wrong message to kids. “The message could be ‘rob to get rich.’ … It’s a very offensive message that is part of a mind-set that says you can solve problems with violence,” he says.
Regardless, the posters came down in many cities, to the delight of many. “They showed corporate responsibility,” Qayyum said.
The official soundtrack comes out on Tuesday and the film hits theatres this Wednesday.
