Curtis Jackson, better known by his stage name of 50 Cent, is a name that can be felt across the globe amongst all those who love hip-hop. In a career spanning two decades, he has managed to keep himself relevant, not just with his music but with his business ventures and the bigger-than-life persona he has built up. It wasn’t until recently that 50 Cent dropped a bomb during his interview with the popular podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game when he revealed that he has spent a whopping $24 million on legal fees throughout his career.
When 50 Cent flippantly referred to the $24 million figure, it was a shocking figure to hear from their popular star and from those listeners. “I’ve spent 24 million in my career, so far. I can’t wait till I get rich. Just on lawyers,” he said, almost in disbelief himself. A lot of such an eye-watering sum comes from the many legal battles that have trailed him since his rise to prominence, especially with the release of his iconic album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003.
50 Cent talks about why he doesn’t have a manager and says that so far in his career, he’s spent $24M on legal fees PIC.TWITTER.COM/OSUT2FPTDK
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) SEPTEMBER 2, 2024
Legal issues appear to go hand in hand with stardom, and 50 Cent is an outspoken star listened to all over the world. Jackson has been entangled in everything from lawsuits stemming from a leaked sex tape to a lawsuit regarding business dealings. He joked during the interview, “The only thing someone in America can do is sue someone,” because that’s what people simply do living in litigation-heavy America.
These experiences have taught him more valuable lessons despite the staggering costs incurred, which till today mold his approach toward his career and business. In the same conversation, 50 Cent revealed another interesting aspect of his career: to operate without a manager. “Why would I need you to manage me for? I’ve done every deal a 100 f**king times,” he joked. It is not just a reflection of self-confidence but also self-belief in operating himself through the labyrinthine ways of both the music and entertainment industries.
This no-manager strategy speaks to 50 Cent’s hands-on approach and his confidence in his ability to steer his own ship. “You didn’t build this, I built this,” he said of his G-Unit Film & Television empire, which has churned out hits like Power and BMF.
It’s all about control for 50-making sure nobody else is eating off his labor and creativity. 50 Cent’s self-management began during the early days of his career. Much before he entered the scene and became a name, he was already showing signs that would later lead him to become a mogul. His first major album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, is a great example of this.
It wasn’t enough that he put his life into the lyrics, but he was sure to have much to say about how the album was marketed and promoted. This hands-on approach taken with his work helped him create a strong brand identity that resonated with the fans and also separated him from every other artist.
Well, his intuition wasn’t limited to music alone. Needless to say, 50 Cent has built a diversified portfolio of smart investments that paid off big time. Perhaps the most popular among all is his early investment in Vitaminwater; the deal reportedly earned him about $400 million when Coca-Cola acquired the company. But he has also been involved with a wide array of other ventures that have nothing to do with either music or rapping, from television production via the hit series Power to launching his own liquor brand, Sire Spirits.
50 Cent has faced a lot of challenges during his life, which shaped him into the powerful personality he is now. He was born and raised in South Jamaica, Queens; the vicinity was infamous for being riddled with crimes and poverty. With his mother’s death at such a tender age, he had to face the ordeal of the uncomfortable atmosphere, and this further engraved the instinct of survival and willpower within his body.
In 2000, he barely survived after being shot nine times. An attack like that could even have taken away not only his life but the starting of his career. Instead, it gave him a real drive into the music industry. Similarly, his two bankruptcy experiences in 2015, where he filed for Chapter 11, added more drama to his resilient story. Making his way out of bankruptcy in 2016 proved that setbacks can lead one to comebacks.
The podcast also talked about 50 Cent’s long-standing beef with Rick Ross, another big name in hip-hop. And as is expected from 50, he really did throw shade at Ross; apparently, his very lavish lifestyle is literally all for show and not much substance.
“You see that big white elephant, that property that he lives at? It costs more than the nightclubs. He’s in the nightclubs. We know what they give you,” 50 jibed at Ross’s finances. Even further, he quipped that Ross cuts his grass, suggesting maybe the rapper was pinched.
Rick Ross responds to 50 Cent’s recent comments about him on Million Dollaz Worth of Game and questions Fif’s loyalty to Dr. Dre. PIC.TWITTER.COM/WA5XIGMBCO
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) AUGUST 31, 2024
But beyond the banter and the beefs, what midway comes into view is 50 Cent‘s resilience: a man who has faced everything from near-death experiences to legal woes, yet he is still standing, always one move ahead. It’s a story of grit, determination, and belief in self.
