American actor, rapper, screenwriter, film producer and entrepreneur 50 Cent, was actually born Curtis James Jackson, on 6 July 1975, in Queens, New York City.
So just how rich is 50 Cent? Authoritative sources estimate that 50 Cent’s net worth is over $20 million as of early 2017, most of his wealth coming from his successful rapping career, but from business interests too, although a recent bankruptcy application may alter this situation.
50 Cent Net Worth $20 Million
50 Cent began rapping at the age of 21, and was later introduced to Jam Master Jay from the famous “Run D.M.C.” hip hop band. Mentored by Jay, 50 Cent learned basic structures of rapping, and his first contribution to a song was in 1998 on Onyx’s track entitled “Relax”. A year later, 50 Cent was noticed by platinum-selling producers Trackmasters, who signed him to their label Columbia Records. Hardworking 50 Cent produced 36 songs in two weeks, and half of those were included on his unofficial album entitled “Power of the Dollar” in 2000. That same year Jackson released a rather controversial song called “How to Rob”, which inspired many rap artists such as DMX, Big Pun, and Wyclef Jean to create their responses to it. In addition to controversy, this particular song significantly increased 50 Cent’s fame, and resulted in Nas inviting him to participate in his promotional tour for his album. However, soon after 50 Cent was attacked by a gunman, and suffered nine gunshot wounds, obviously none of them fatal.
Some time later, 50 Cent’s talent was recognized by fellow rap artist Eminem, who introduced him to the famous record producer Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent signed a one million dollar record deal with Dr. Dre’s label “Aftermath Entertainment”, soon releasoing a mixtape entitled “No Mercy, No Fear” – one of the tracks called “Wanksta” was featured in Eminem’s movie “8 Mile”. In 2003, 50 Cent released his commercially successful debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin”, which debuted at #1 on Billboard 200 and sold 872,000 copies during the first four days. That same year 50 Cent created his own record label – “G-Unit Records” – and signed Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and Young Buck, who were later joined by West Coast rapper The Game. 50 Cent’s ventures with G-Unit made him a familiar face in the entertainment business. Considered to be a second wealthiest artist in the rap industry after Jay-Z, 50 Cent has released a total of eight successful albums, which helped him generate his remarkable net worth.
In addition to rapping, 50 Cent is a known actor, having starred in such movies as “Home of the Brave” alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jessica Biel, as well as “Righteous Kill” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. 50 Cent has also released two video games entitled “50 Cent: Bulletproof” and its sequel “50 Cent: Blood on the Sand”.
50 Cent is also a successful businessman, with sources of wealth from G-Unit Clothing Company, film production companies G-Unit Films and Cheetah Vision, as well as an electronic company, SMS Audio.
In his personal life, Jackson’s girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, gave birth to their son in 1996, but their separation ended in court although with minimal award. Model Daphne Joy had his second son in 2012, but 50 Cent remains single. Latest news is that 50 Cent is still involved in bankruptcy proceedings, initiated in 2015.
