In the world of hip hop, few names shine as brightly as 50 Cent. With over 30 million albums sold worldwide, 50 Cent rose to fame in the early 2000s and has remained a prominent figure in rap ever since. As we enter 2023, many are wondering—just how old is 50 Cent now? And what has his life and legacy amounted to so far? Let‘s take a closer look.
Who is 50 Cent?
- Birth Name: Curtis James Jackson III
- Date of Birth: July 6, 1975
- Current Age: 48 years old (will be turning 49 in 2023)
50 Cent, aka Curtis Jackson, is an American rapper, actor, entrepreneur and investor from New York City. He burst onto the music scene in the late 90s, but it was his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ in 2003 that cemented his status as a hip hop superstar. With smash hits like "In Da Club" and "21 Questions", 50 Cent became one of the biggest names in rap, lauded for his streetwise lyricism and masterful flow.
Beyond music, 50 Cent has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, published books, launched clothing lines, invested in startups and much more. Even with all his success, 50 Cent has still faced controversies, beefs with other rappers, and very public financial issues. But through it all, he‘s remained a prominent figure in hip hop as he continues to record new music and expand his business ventures.
From Humble Beginnings to Superstardom
50 Cent endured a turbulent upbringing in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York. He was raised primarily by his grandparents after his mother was murdered when he was 8 years old. Despite dealing drugs as a teenager, 50 Cent discovered a passion for rapping and began recording mixtapes and tracks. He caught the attention of hip hop icons like Eminem and Dr. Dre, who signed 50 Cent to his Shady/Aftermath record label.
This set the stage for his explosive debut Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ in February 2003, which sold a staggering 872,000 copies in its first week. Fueled by the smash hit "In Da Club", the album introduced 50 Cent‘s charismatic yet aggressive style to the mainstream. Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ would go on to sell over 15 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best selling hip hop albums ever.
50 Cent cemented his superstar status with follow-up albums like The Massacre (2005) and Curtis (2007). He racked up numerous accolades including a Grammy Award, 13 Billboard Music Awards, 4 American Music Awards and more. At his peak in the mid 2000s, 50 Cent was one of the most popular faces of hip hop.
Ups and Downs: Controversies, Beefs and Financial Woes
50 Cent‘s career has not been without its share of controversies, conflicts and money problems. He‘s feuded with other major rappers like Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and perhaps most famously, The Game. The bitter rivalry between 50 Cent and The Game resulted in diss tracks, public insults, and even associates of the rappers exchanging gunfire.
50 Cent has also faced financial issues in recent years after losing millions in a lawsuit. He filed for bankruptcy in 2015 when he couldn‘t pay a $7 million judgement to a woman whose sex tape he posted online. Despite earning over $300 million from music, tours, endorsements and investments, 50 Cent cited excessive spending on luxury cars, jewelry and a lavish lifestyle as reasons for money problems.
Outside of music, 50 Cent has been open about his various beefs and controversies on social media over the years. Never one to shy away from public feuds, 50 Cent continues to be an outspoken, divisive figure in hip hop.
Venturing Beyond Music
Much of 50 Cent‘s recent focus has expanded beyond rapping into film, television, writing and business ventures:
Film Roles: 50 Cent has appeared in movies such as Get Rich or Die Tryin‘, Setup, Spy, Southpaw and more. He often plays tough guy, gangster-type roles.
Television: 50 Cent was executive producer of the popular Starz drama Power, which ran for 6 seasons. He also created and produced other shows like For Life and Black Mafia Family.
Writing: In 2005, 50 Cent published a memoir titled From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a Time in Southside Queens. He also co-wrote a series of young adult novels called Playground.
Business ventures: 50 Cent has invested in companies like Vitamin Water (later sold to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion), SMS Audio headphones, Effen Vodka, FRIGO underwear and more. He‘s known for his business and investment acumen.
Even in his late 40s, 50 Cent has proven to be much more than just a rapper, building an entertainment empire that expands across music, film, television and business.
50 Cent Now: New Music and Next Moves
As he cruises through his late 40s, 50 Cent shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to release new music, including the albums Animal Ambition (2014) and Street King Immortal (planned for 2023). While these albums haven‘t matched his early 2000s commercial success, they show 50 Cent‘s continued dedication to evolving his musical style.
50 Cent also keeps busy with his various business ventures, television projects, and investments. He seems just as focused on expanding his wealth through smart deals and assets as he does rapping. With a current estimated net worth of $30 million, 50 Cent has rebuilt his fortune since declaring bankruptcy in 2015.
On the personal side, 50 Cent has a son named Sire Jackson (born 2012) with model Daphne Joy. He has generally kept his romantic life private in recent years.
As he looks ahead to his 50th birthday in 2025 and beyond, the world waits to see what other moves 50 Cent has in store. No matter what, his place in hip hop history is set in stone.
The Legacy of 50 Cent: His Cultural Impact
- Sold over 30 million albums worldwide, one of the best selling rappers ever
- Hit songs like "In Da Club", "21 Questions" and "Candy Shop" were hip hop smashes in the 2000s
- Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ was a generation-defining rap album
- Rivalry with The Game was one of the biggest beefs in hip hop history
- Lauded for his husky vocals, masterful flow and raw, emotional lyricism
- Expanded beyond music into TV, film, writing and business
- Despite controversies, remains an influential figure in hip hop in his late 40s
As rapper Lord Jamar said of 50 Cent in a 2021 interview: "He’s one of the biggest artists that we’ve had in hip-hop, ever… Very few people attain that kind of mega-stardom that 50 achieved."
50 Cent is undoubtedly one of the most significant rappers of his era. As he nears his 50th birthday, Curtis Jackson has already solidified a lasting legacy through his music and his multiple ventures beyond hip hop. Even decades into his career, the iconic rapper stays relevant by reinventing himself. And fans await whatever comes next from 50 Cent.
