50 Cent traveled to the UK recently to present his SMS Audio headphones at The Gadget Show Live 2012. While there he took some time out for an interview with Metro. Fif clarified that there is absolutely no beef with Dr. Dre over his headphone line. He also talked about the importance of celebrities paying close attention to the products they endorse to make sure they are up to standard.
Check out the interview below.
You’re a huge international star who would have drawn a massive crowd whatever your choice of venue. Why did you decide to launch your headphones at the Gadget Show?
For me, this is the coolest place outside of the US.
So what do you think of Gadget Show Live and how does it compare with the big guys?
The show is great and you can spend more money here walking around, as there’s a lot more to buy.
There are plenty of products here that have been endorsed by celebrities; what’s your view on that, and would you buy anything endorsed by a celebrity?
Some of the products are pretty good that celebrities endorse, but towards the end of those deals I’ve seen it go bad with companies not being in the space they projected themselves being in... That person's name is associated with products that are not high quality and does damage to their brand and the perception of that celebrity because they see themselves on really cheap stuff.
What do you make about the stories in the press about a so-called feud between you and Dr Dre over headphones?
There is no feud. I just saw Dr Dre two days ago in Los Angeles. We got a chance to talk and he’s going to be mixing records for me on his album.
Are there any plans to bring the charity side of your project to this country?
Yeah, what I’d like to do, as this is our first step towards turning SMS Audio into a global brand, I think we will be exploring opportunities to work with real established charitable organisations in different territories to make it apply to that specific area.
I Think the charity side of your work is brilliant since you are putting something back.
Certainly, it’s the way people will be more open to us. First the artists will follow me the same way they followed in looking for equity involvement in companies that they are endorsing - the vitamin water deal [from which 50 Cent made hundreds of millions of dollars] influenced them to do the same so I’m hoping this will be something that trends.
People have said your work ethic sets you apart - that you are incredibly hard working - but do you worry that one day you will burn out?
No, when you work and you are doing something that you are passionate about, you don’t. Let’s say I exercise the 'whistle while you work' concept. I really enjoy what I’m doing so I don’t feel like I exhaust myself doing it.
Depending on which reports you believe, you’re either rich or very rich. Now that you have the kind of money that means you can have virtually anything you want, what do you do for kicks and what gives you that rush that only buying something you can only just afford gives you?
You know what, in the beginning, and it even ended up in the title of my music, the culture of hip-hop, like, if it ain't about money' it don’t make sense. And that concept comes from finances being that big restraint in front of you.
When you have enough success you start to look around you, sort yourself, and you come up with what’s really important to you.
You’re not after a specific amount of money, you're after happiness, you start to be more conscious about what your legacy will be or how people will perceive you by your work later.
This is when those Street King Projects and SMS Audio come into play, where you’re connected to the philanthropy and try to make a difference and have a trend and people follow you and have it effect things in a major way.
Follow Me
}