50 CENT BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

50 Cent is one of the most successful rappers in hip-hop history. Born Curtis Jackson, he grew up in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York City, and turned a turbulent early life into a career spanning music, film, television and business. Now 50, he stands as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop — a Grammy winner with more than 30 million albums sold worldwide.

Few careers in music have been as dramatic as his. Shot nine times in May 2000, he fought his way back, built G-Unit into a hip-hop empire, and later became a television powerhouse. Read on for his full story — early life, career, biggest songs and key facts.

Early Life

Curtis James Jackson III was born on 6 July 1975 in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City. He began his music career in 1996 and was mentored by Jam Master Jay, the legendary Run-DMC DJ, who helped him hone his craft in the studio.

His early major-label break stalled when his Columbia album Power of the Dollar was cancelled. Then, in May 2000, he was shot nine times in an attack outside his grandmother’s house — and survived. His stage name, as he has explained, was taken from Kelvin Martin, a 1980s Brooklyn figure known as “50 Cent,” a symbol of transformation he wanted to embody.

Career

Jackson’s breakthrough came when his 2002 mixtape Guess Who’s Back? was discovered by Eminem — see the Eminem biography — who signed him to Shady Records. His major-label debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (February 2003), debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 872,000 copies in its first four days. It produced two Hot 100 No. 1 singles, “In da Club” and “21 Questions” featuring Nate Dogg, went 9x platinum (RIAA), and earned him two VMAs in 2003. “In Da Club” set a record for the most radio listens in a single week, and its remastered video has passed 2.5 billion YouTube views.

In 2003 he founded G-Unit Records, launching the careers of Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo. His follow-up album, The Massacre (2005), also hit No. 1, powered by the chart-topping “Candy Shop.” He later released Curtis (2007) — which famously went head-to-head in a sales battle with the Kanye West biography subject’s Graduation — Before I Self Destruct (2009) and Animal Ambition (2014). By the mid-2000s he stood among hip-hop’s elite, in the company of figures like Jay-Z — see the Jay-Z biography — and West Coast veterans like Snoop Dogg — see the Snoop Dogg biography. In 2023, Billboard ranked him the 17th best rapper of all time.

Television & Business

50 Cent created, executive-produced and starred in Starz’s Power (2014–2020) through his G-Unit Films & Television banner, later expanding it into a full spin-off universe. His film roles include Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005), Home of the Brave (2006) and Righteous Kill (2008).

Beyond entertainment, he built a business empire — most famously his Vitamin water deal, followed by his Sire Spirits liquor brand. In 2026, he executive-produced Netflix’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning, which reportedly earned 3 Emmy nominations, according to reports.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the official remastered video for “In Da Club” — one of the biggest hip-hop videos of all time:

Recent Work (2026)

On 26 October, a Florida judge granted him a temporary protective order for his 14-year-old son Sire against Rick Ross's ex Tia Kemp, barring her from approaching within 500 feet or contacting him, including on social media, over alleged online harassment; a hearing on a longer order is set for 3 November. The same day he filed a separate federal lawsuit in California seeking at least $6 million in damages.

FAQ

What is 50 Cent’s real name?

His real name is Curtis James Jackson III.

How did 50 Cent become famous?

After surviving being shot nine times in 2000, his 2002 mixtape Guess Who’s Back? caught Eminem’s attention. He signed to Shady Records and exploded with Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003.

What is his biggest song?

“In Da Club” — a Hot 100 No. 1 that set a weekly radio-listens record and has more than 2.5 billion YouTube views.

What TV shows has 50 Cent produced?

He created, executive-produced and starred in Starz’s Power (2014–2020) and its spin-off universe, and in 2026 executive-produced Netflix’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning, which reportedly received 3 Emmy nominations.