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50 Cent was in attendance at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" show Sunday December 11. The event is dedicated to honoring everyday people who are changing the world.
The businessman/actor/rapper/philanthropist talked to A.J. Hammer about why he felt it was important for him to be there.
"It's exciting to acknowledge everyday people making a difference," 50 said. "Some of the more influential people need to take a stand and step out there and do some different things. That's what I'm doing with my Street King initiative. I partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme. With every sale of the actual energy drink they're providing a meal on behalf of the person that made the purchase," 50 explained. "And through SMS Audio, my newest venture I partnered with Feeding America, which is the nationa's leading charitable organization against hunger to provide 250 meals for each purchase of the audio headsets."
A.J. said it was clear that 50's charitable endeavors were coming from the heart.
"I think the business model is more important than an energy drink or a headset," 50 continued. "Moving forward if I can influence other young entrepreneurs to make the same decision to have the charitable component connected to it, then it will become a standard. And we will find money for issues that we really need to focus on."
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The Source Magazine caught up with 50 Cent at the recent launch of his SMS Audio headphone line. Journalist Bernadette Giacomazzo talked to Fif about what sparked the idea for the wireless headphones and how long it took to go from the concept stage to actually seeing the finished product.
"I was working on this project actually quite some time," Fif said. "I attended a CES (Consumer Electronics Show) like two years ago to announce it. since then I've completed it. So I'm excited that it's actually going to market now."
Bernadette also managed to grab a few minutes with SMS Product Development Manager Jason Hardee, who talked about meeting the high standards 50 demanded for the product.
"To start, 50 wanted to make sure that he had the best technology that was out there," Jason explained. "We started with the best materials. We wanted to be feather light, super strong and durable. Then we moved on to the acoustics and made sure we had the best sounding headphone out there. And then from there we wanted to add features no other headphone had. Whether it be 50 foot range, a battery that lasted longer, on board controls. You know obviously the style that 50 possesses. And basically sat down hand-in-hand with 50 making sure it sounded exactly the way he wanted it to sound, which took quite some time."
The philanthropic aspect tied to both Street King and SMS Audio is a huge undertaking by 50. He says that you can expect to see him continue to give back to the community with future business endeavors.
"It's a new model that I'm adapting for all of my brand extension opportunities. Hopefully it influences my peers and other young entrepreneurs and we can do something that actually affects things," 50 said.
You can check out the rest of the interview below which includes a segment with the Brian Nohe, the President of SMS Audio.
Shouts to @bgiacomazzo
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Curtis Jackson broke into the music industry in 2002 and became the multiplatinum rapper 50 Cent. Today, he's also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He talks with WSJ's Lee Hawkins about his latest ventures.
50 Cent has a hand in so many ventures these days you wonder how he has time to sleep. His most personal film yet "All Things Fall Apart" premiered on BET Saturday (December 3) and was well received by critics and fans alike.
In addition to acting Fif has launched Street King Energy Drink, an ambitious endeavor aimed at feeding one billion people in need. There's also his new Sync By 50 "SMS Wireless Hybrid Headphones" that are available for pre-order now.
On the music front, the G-Unit boss is putting the finishing touches on his fifth studio album.
XXL caught up with 50, who graces the December/January cover (actually five covers) for the publication to chop it up about everything he's currently involved in and more.
XXL: During the photo shoot, you asked to listen to some new hip-hop artists. What do you think of the current regime in rap?
50 Cent: The whole culture, I think, is a little…confused. It’s not what I fell in love with, you know? So my job is to make a album that doesn’t have any holes in it, that is a representation of all of the elements I fell in love with. So, like, I look at artists to find what I like about them or why they’re hot or why they exist. And then you see that we’re creating momentum. We’re creating synthetic heat for new artists to generate interest and revenue. So the sales is some shit that ain’t really hot. You see what I’m saying? Like, the actual business of music is saying, “Oh, he’s hot!” and “Let’s try and do something to market it and sell it.” But there’s some shit that’s organic that’s out there that you see, like, without record-company assistance. People are gravitating to it.
How does that affect you, as a vet, to see that going on?
When I was in the mixtape circuit, there was a lot going on. I was able to take things that I wish I made myself and do ’em over. Now it’s not a lot of shit out there I would do over. I’m like, Nah, that ain’t even it right there. You know what I’m saying? When Black Rob had “Whoa!,” I wish that was my record. I wish “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” by Busta Rhymes, was my record. Fuckin’ “Lean Back,” I wish that was mine. You see what I’m saying? And you know me and Fat Joe don’t get along. You know what I’m saying? But to the culture, when you have those moments… And I’m sure they’ll tell you they wish they had “In Da Club” and “P.I.M.P.”
Does it make it harder for you to get inspired?
You know what? It makes it a difficult process of building a album. ’Cause when I hear somebody else shit is hot, I go, Oooh, I got to top that. That’s the competitive nature of hip-hop. You can’t take what’s in the DNA of the artist out. You’ll see, at different points, when I’m not active, you’ll see there’s still competition going on quietly between artist to artist. Or they’ll listen and go, I’ma kill it. If you take your time building a project that you feel is an impact on the time period—’cause that’s what it is—it’s important; music marks time. Then your peers that are in cycle are doing exactly what you’re doing. You know what I mean? So there’s no way that you can’t be competitive with what they’re doing, on some level.
So who are you competing against?
Well, for me, I’m still up against what I’ve done. So in order to top it, I know it’s a difficult task. You know, I see the bloggers. My audience hasn’t grown with me. They keep saying, “Aw, man, I want the old 50!” ’Cause those people, it would take them on a safari. I was bringing them close enough to the animals, without being able to get hurt. I was taking them into my neighborhood, where you can very well get your ass killed.
You’ve been working with Dr. Dre on Detox. Has he worked with you yet on your material?
Dre helped me a lot on this record. I went to Los Angeles, was working out there
for a little bit. I was working on the Detox records, right. I keep saying to Dre, I’m like, “Yo, you don’t have to invent nothing. All they want is a strong version of what you gave last time.” They need a new version of that. It’s like Sade. She goes away for six years, and then she comes back with a new disc. You go, I love this shit! It reminds you of the fuckin’ shit that she gave you before she left. There’s certain artists that have that luxury. You could go away and still be interesting enough to come for people to want to hear that effort. Dre is like that. As I’m busy telling him that, I go, “Wait, maybe I’m bugging for some of the shit that I’ve been doing.” You know what I mean?
So how do you balance that out, though? Giving people what they want, and allowing yourself to develop?
You mean “be creative.” ’Cause when it comes time… This is an even more interesting question: How do you write what reflects what you fell in love with within hip-hop culture while trying to send the right message to the audience?
Well, that’s a big question for you.
Well, for me, the music is an artistic choice. I’ll say, from the very beginning, that I can care less about a critic or how someone judges me for the actual music. You see, people understand within hip-hop culture that I’m passionate about actually trying to do something different. I want to make a change in a different way. This is about me personally feeling like I wanna mean more after I’m dead, when I’m gone.
You mean, from just being an artist?
Than just being an actual artist. I want to affect people’s lives in a positive way. When you look at entertainment for entertainment purposes, they may provide all the images we create through the music or in film, and I’ll explain it to you in a different way. All right, see, sexuality is necessary for entertainment purposes, so there’s a sex scene in films. Death is necessary in films, so you see people get killed a lot. In action films, being in life-threatening situations is entertaining, because death is our fate. If you look at the details that actually create scenarios that we identify with emotionally at different points, where you can feel emotion in actual films, we do the same thing through the music we create. Now, this actual project that I’m creating captures portions of my life from the past, portions of the new outlook that I have, after experiencing these different things. When you get a chance to step out of the bubble—that bubble would be my hood—and you see everything that goes on there doesn’t stop going on without you.
That’s a good feeling.
It feels amazing, because when I identified with that, I see that it’s the same shit. There’s always a new guy on the corner. Regardless what the police swept last week, there’s a new one to replace him. When your music doesn’t come out, there’s always 10 records on the Top 10 countdown. So I feel like I’m not necessary. Do you understand? I’m not necessary to my hood, as far as hustling or being down there, because there’s a replacement for me. I’m not necessary to music, because there’s always 10 in the Top 10 countdown. It’s not necessary for me to be there. Some people may miss me at different points, but I’m not necessary. So I feel like, when I involve myself in something, like the Street King project… It is very necessary that I’m involved there, ’cause nobody’s doing anything about it. And having the ability to partner with the World Food Programme is the presentation that I offer. They don’t take everybody who comes. You feel what I’m saying? But to them, my story’s a story of redemption.
And this all comes back to your music how?
’Cause you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. All of the real talented artists, the artists I respect, it’s the first CD. They’ll tell you Nas’s Illmatic, they’ll tell you Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, they’ll tell you 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’. You see what I’m saying? The giants play in New York, still, nah mean?
There’s also Lil Wayne.
He’s turning into 50 Cent. He’s going through that process of being successful, ’til people go, “You know what? Get the fuck outta here. We don’t want you here no more.” Because you’re successful.
To read the rest of the interview pick up a copy of the December/January XXL, which is on newsstands now.
Make sure you also show your support by LIKING the official Street King Facebook page HERE.
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Fans will get the chance to see 50 Cent's most dramatic role as an actor tomorrow night when his film "All Things Fall Apart" premiere's on BET as part of Black Star Cinema.
In the movie 50 plays a college football star who receives devastating news when he is diagnosed with cancer. To accurately portray the role, Fif lost more than 50 pounds. The weight loss drastically changed the rapper/actor's appearance and showed his ability to adapt to any role. He drew praise from the movie's director Mario Van Peebles for his commitment and acting ability.
“Everyone has a different skill set that takes us inside his or her characters and 50 Cent’s got good timing. I think he really held his own against actors like Ray Liotta, Lynn Whitfield and myself — we’ve all been in the game for awhile,” Van Peebles told BET.com back in September. “He never gave up. 50 was ready and I really worked him all the way. He really has a natural sense for acting. I had to lose weight — about 20 pounds when I played Malcolm X in Ali, but 50 Cent was losing so much weight I started calling him twenty-five cents. He lost a lot of weight to do the role," Van Peebles continued. "And we just timed it out so that 50 could slowly add the weight back on when we would shoot certain scenes. He was dedicated, incredibly focused and took it really seriously."
In a May 2010 interview with MTV, 50 explained why he was so committed to the role.
"I had a friend of mine who actually experienced cancer, and it's what motivated me to write this screenplay," 50 said. "You don't have to make everything personal, but that project was. That's why I committed to playing a role where I lost 54 pounds. I had to discipline myself enough until I achieved it but ... I got it."
"All Things Fall Apart" will be shown Saturday December 3 on BET at 9:30P/8:30C. The film has also been picked up by Image Entertainment and will be released to theaters in early 2012.
"All Things Fall Apart" Movie Trailer
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Meek goes in over Drake's "The Ride"
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It is one of the biggest nights in the music business and it seems that the American Music Awards was a night to celebrate the achievements of the fairer sex.
Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift were among the female stars scooping up the gongs leaving their male counterparts curiously empty handed.
Nicki who had put on a stellar performance with David Guetta to open the ceremony held at the Nokia Theatre scooped the Favorite Album Awards for Pink Friday as well as landing the coveted Favorite Artist Award.
Beaming the rapper and singer told the crowd: "There's so much love in this room."
Taylor Swift who was highly celebrated at the Country Music Awards recently scored the award for Female Country Artist and was congratulated with a warm embrace from Selena Gomez.
Jennifer Lopez, who had put on an extremely provocative performance with rapper Pitbull, before he went on to sing with her estranged husband Marc Anthony, was awarded the gong for Favorite Latin Artist.
Katy Perry who had showed off her curves in a stunning Vivienne Westwood dress on the red carpet was given a special honor to signify five of her songs from her album hitting the number one spot.
The "California Girls" singer took to the stage in her pink performance ensemble and was handed the gong by Heidi Klum.
The pair shared a kiss before Katy gave her thank you speech.
After her seriously raunchy performance which saw her strip off on stage Jennifer Lopez donned a sheer embellished gown to collect her award for Favorite Latin Artist.
Reflecting on the past year JLo told the crowd: "It's been up and down and just exciting and overwhelming and so many things."
Not all the winners were able to attend the ceremony and Rihanna gave her thank you speech via video link as she was in London.
The "We Found Love" singer was honored with the award for Favorite Soul and R&B album for Loud.
List of winners at Sunday’s 39th annual American Music Awards, presented at the Nokia Theatre:
— Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Casting Crowns
— Country Female Artist: Taylor Swift
— Country Male Artist: Blake Shelton
— Country Band, Duo or Group: Lady Antebellum
— Country Album: Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
— Latin Artist: Jennifer Lopez
— Pop/Rock Female Artist: Adele
— Pop/Rock Male Artist: Bruno Mars
— Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group: Maroon 5
— Pop/Rock Album: Adele, “21”
— Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
— Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Nicki Minaj, “Pink Friday”
— Soul/R&B Female Artist: Beyonce
— Soul/R&B Male Artist: Usher
— Soul/R&B Album: Rihanna, “Loud.”
— Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift
— Sprint New Artist of the Year: Hot Chelle Rae
Sources: Daily Mail, Associated Press, MrWorldPremiere, Rap-Up, CBS News
Drake "Headlines"
Nicki Minaj and David Guetta "Turn Me On/Super Bass"
Chris Brown "All Back/Say It With Me"
Mary J. Blige "Mr. Wrong"
Jennifer Lopez "Medley" ft Pitbull
Justin Bieber "Mistletoe"
Enrique Iglesias "I Like How It Feels/Tonight (I'm F*cking You) Ft. Ludacris
Pitbull "Give Me Everything/Rain Over Me" ft. Lil Jon and Marc Anthony
Katy Perry "The One That Got Away"
Maroon 5 and Gym Class Heroes "Moves Like Jagger" ft Christina Aguilera and "Stereo Hearts"
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Lindsay Lohan's $1 million dollar Playboy spread has piqued the interest of 50 Cent.
The G-Unit boss was attending the 1st annual American Giving Awards in Los Angeles on Friday (December 9) when Hollywood Scoop caught up with him. The subject of Lindsay's new photo spread came up and fif was more than happy to engage in a conversation about her private parts.
"I haven't seen it. But I always wondered what Lindsay's cooch looked like. Ever thought about it? I'll check it out and see what happens,” 50 said.
When he found out Hugh Hefner coughed up a cool million to get Lindsay to take it all off, Fif wondered if seeing anybody naked was worth that much.
“$1 million to pose nude is the same thing strippers do almost every day for way less," he joked. “If they give you a million dollars, does that change the status of what you've done? If I pay a 100 dollars to see a cooch is it the same thing as paying a million dollars when you're a movie star or celebrity? The same transaction? Or is it socially different? Does it register different because of how much?”
On a more serious note 50 was asked if there was anyone he looked up to currently.
"I was actually in a meeting with Jimmy Iovine, we were talking about their accomplishments because they sold [Beats by Dre] as a headset company and the success that he's had in music. And we were comparing ourselves to Steve Jobs. We said, 'we have a nice lemonade stand compared to Steve Jobs." he said laughing.
He also revealed what music is playing in his ipod currently.
"New music... The Big 10," he said. "I just released a mixtape. It's a full body of work. It's 11 cuts actually. Technically it's an album, because it's all original material. Everything that's there I reached out to producers and paid them to do the production. I'm excited... I feel the momentum of it."
Fif goes on to talk about his favorite holiday traditions (he likes hanging at his grandmother's), his take on bullying and more.
Fif, if you're still interested in seeing Lindsay's Playboy spread take a look at it HERE
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50 Cent will be dropping new new free album "The Big 10" Friday (December 9) at 12 pm Eastern. Fif has also signed a new female artist by the name of Paris who will appear on the project.
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50 Cent is about to release his new project, The Big 10 Friday December 9, at 12 PM Eastern. The good folks over at Vibe caught up with the G-Unit CEO to chop it up about what fans can expect to hear.
"Everything on it is new, it's like an LP. It's just that I got a chance to do the talking that I do on the mixtape," 50 said. "It's all original production. I took inspiration from certain things. Because it's been 10 years [since the release of 50 Cent is The Future] I called the tape The Big 10. The first song was Stop Crying, so I took content from a Biggie joint 'stop the bloodclot crying.' So i put Big on that. Half the time people don't acknowledge the thought process and don't know what I was thinking when I did it. That's why it was the first thing to come out because it was the Big thing. I actually got a strong response, the people like it. It's not the strongest song on the tape. It will build anticipation for the release of the tape because it's right."
50 also said he'll be introducing a new regime, The Ryder Gang on the project.
"I'm introducing a new regime," 50 revealed. "Not the new G-Unit, but Ryder Gang (which Kidd Kidd is a part of). The new artists that are coming out. You'll hear from Paris, a female artist on the joint. You'll hear Kidd Kidd. There will be some surprises... I don't want to blow it. When people hear the tape they will be surprised. It will hold them over until my album comes."
This is a really good interview. Check the rest of it out below.
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50 Cent hit up DJ Whoo Kid's Shade 45 show Saturday (December 10) and chopped it up about every subject under the sun. From the early days of G-Unit, meeting Lloyd Banks through Tony Yayo, how he revolutionized the mixtape game, being amazed that his mixtape ended up in Eminem's hands and what he meant when he said Lil Wayne was turning into 50 Cent.
"I see the backlash," 50 said of Wayne's Carter IV cd. "His last album I listened to it and it's some good sh*t on it, but it's not registering like that. They're [fans] are comparing it to the best material that he's ever made. Then you go, 'ok it's not that good' if you're comparing it to them big hits off of the last few albums that he had. That's what they did to the 'Curtis' album."
50 also clarified that his new artist Paris is a part of the Ryder Gang along with Kidd Kidd. In addition he is putting out another set of wireless headphones designed specifically for DJ's and is considering creating a cartoon series based on the character Butterball from his anti-bullying book 'Playground.'
For fans that were wondering why songs like "What Up Gangsta Pt. 2" weren't on The Big 10 project, 50 said he is still going to release a Street King mixtape. The Big 10 came out first because it coincided with the 10-year anniversary of 50 Cent is the Future.
There's a lot more to the interview. 50 also talks about his recent conversations with T.I. and Birdman plus his plans to continue to build G-Unit/G-Note Records through new talent.
Check the full interview up top. It's one that you don't want to miss.
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T.I. and Tiny appeared on the Wendy Williams show to promote their new VH1 reality series "T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle."
During this brief two minute clip, the talk show host seemed more interested in talking about Tip's recent trouble with the law.
Williams asked Tiny about 50 Cent's comments that she should have taken the charge when the couple were arrested in Los Angeles in September 2010 for possession of ecstacy. Tiny started to answer the question but was interrupted by Tip, who said he and 50 have talked and reached an understanding on the issue.
“I’ve already been very vocal about how I felt as it pertains to that,” he said. “I’ve since had a conversation with Fif and we have a concise understanding.”
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