50 Cent Biography: Wife, Real Name, Net Worth, Age, Family, Career

Curtis James Jackson III — better known by his stage name 50 Cent — is one of the most recognizable figures in modern hip-hop.

From selling drugs on the streets of South Jamaica, Queens, to surviving being shot nine times, 50 Cent converted trauma into fuel for a music career that exploded in the early 2000s.

He’s since parlayed musical success into acting, producing, and lucrative business ventures, building an entertainment and commercial empire few rappers have matched.

Early life and upbringing

Born July 6, 1975, in Queens, New York, Curtis Jackson was raised by his mother, Sabrina, until she died in a house fire when he was eight. After that, he lived mostly with his grandparents in South Jamaica. Jackson has spoken openly about the harsh realities of his childhood, including early involvement in street life and drug dealing as a preteen. These formative hardships shaped his outlook, hardened his resolve, and later became recurring themes in his music.

Turning to music: mixtapes, beefs, and survival

Jackson began pursuing music in the mid-1990s. Early mixtapes and gritty street credibility helped him build a following, but his rise wasn’t linear. In 2000, before mainstream success, he survived a notorious shooting in which he was struck by nine bullets — an event that would become an integral part of his narrative and public persona. After recovering, he kept grinding: mixtapes, local buzz, and eventual interest from major figures in the industry led to partnerships that would change his life.

Breakthrough: Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and superstar status

50 Cent’s official breakthrough came with his 2003 debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which became an instant classic. The record mixed brutal street realism with hook-driven singles like “In da Club” and “21 Questions,” catapulting him to global fame. The album’s sales, chart dominance, and cultural impact made 50 Cent one of the defining artists of the early 2000s rap scene.

G-Unit and business moves

Following his breakthrough, 50 Cent formed the group and label G-Unit, launching artists and building a brand that extended into clothing, video games, and more. He showed a keen sense for brand partnerships and investments: one of the most talked-about moves was his early stake in Glacéau’s Vitaminwater, which paid huge dividends when Coca-Cola acquired the company — a deal often cited as a turning point in his business wealth.

Acting and film career

50 Cent expanded into film and television, starring in the semi-autobiographical movie Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005) and later appearing in other films. His on-screen presence helped him transition from performer to multimedia star. In the 2010s he achieved notable success as an executive producer and actor on television — especially with the Starz crime drama Power and its expanding “Power Universe,” which established him as a serious TV producer and showrunner.

Television mogul and the Power Universe

As executive producer and sometimes actor, 50 Cent built a television empire centered around Power, creating multiple spin-offs and helping turn Starz’s franchise into a cable success story. His influence in television demonstrated a new evolution for hip-hop artists: not just guests on soundtracks, but power brokers behind serialized storytelling that appealed to broad audiences.

Music after superstardom: peaks and pivots

Though his early 2000s output is considered the apex of his rap career, 50 Cent continued to release music and collaborate across genres. Albums like The Massacre (2005) carried commercial weight but also signaled the beginning of shifting critical perspectives. Over time, Jackson pivoted more toward business and screen projects, even as his name remained synonymous with a certain era and sound in hip-hop culture.

Personal life, controversies, and public persona

50 Cent’s public life has included high-profile feuds, legal battles, and candid sharing about family relationships. He has a son and has been open about how fatherhood affected his priorities. His blunt, often combative social media presence has kept him in headlines — sometimes for business announcements, sometimes for feuds with other public figures. He has also weathered financial ups and downs, including a 2015 bankruptcy filing that received widespread media attention.

Philanthropy and community work

Despite his rough background and image, 50 Cent has supported charitable causes through his G-Unity Foundation and other efforts, focusing on community uplift, disaster relief, and youth programs.

Legacy: why 50 Cent matters

50 Cent’s story is compelling because it combines survival with entrepreneurship. He turned near-death into a brand and used mainstream success to diversify into film, television, and business — an arc that has inspired many younger artists. Whether celebrated for uncompromising lyricism, business acumen, or cultural influence, 50 Cent’s fingerprints are visible across 21st-century entertainment.

FAQs

When was 50 Cent born?

Curtis James Jackson III was born on July 6, 1975.

How did 50 Cent get his name?

The name “50 Cent” is a metaphor for change and resilience, inspired by a Brooklyn robber named Kelvin Martin who used the nickname.

Was 50 Cent really shot nine times?

Yes; he survived a 2000 shooting in which he was hit by nine bullets.

What are 50 Cent’s biggest business successes?

His early stake in Vitaminwater (Glacéau) is among his most lucrative business moves; he’s also launched other brands and has film/TV production earnings.

Is 50 Cent still making music?

He continues to record and collaborate but has increasingly focused on TV production and business projects.

Conclusion

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s life is a study in adaptation. From the blocks of South Jamaica to platinum records, blockbuster films, and a television empire, he’s continually retooled his brand and business model to fit new opportunities. His legacy is complicated — part street legend, part capitalist — but undeniably influential. Whether you first heard him on an early mixtape or watched one of his shows on TV, 50 Cent’s story remains a modern blueprint for converting adversity into long-term leverage.