The Hip Hop Report
Episode 16: 50 Cent

Video Transcript:

THE HIP HOP REPORT
EPISODE 16: 50 CENT


Hello? Anybody out there? Let's do it!

If you can't get enough about 50 Cent, you're in the right place because on this episode of The Hip Hop Report, it's all about 50! We'll check out a couple of his hottest videos, find out what the hold up is with his latest CD "Curtis," and we'll catch up with 50 himself as he speaks on the Don Imus situation and defends his lyrical content. All that and more 50 coming up next on The Hip Hop Report!


All hell broke loose when radio talk show host Don Imus made derogatory comments about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Not only did he lose his job, but it raised the question of racism and censorship in America.

Imus and others were quick to shift the blame on the rap community, singling out the lyrics of rap stars such as Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent. We caught up with 50 at this year's BET Awards press conference, and this is what he had to say about it.

Roll the clip!


50 Cent: "You know, it's not really a tragedy to me that that's happening, you know what I mean? I think for a moment that a lot of people forgot that our country's at war. And they'll point to usage of content in music like hip hop and say it's the problem, maybe it influences violence on some levels, and not point to the actual films that are released that have this similar content and have image and sound that is definitely more impressionable than just sound. And I personally believe on every level that it's easier to attack a individual than it is to go after a corporation, you know, so they point to specific hip hop artists to go after opposed to going after Paramount or Columbia Pictures. It's a tougher fight, man, their corporate attorneys."


The Don Imus situation also sparked community organizations across the nation to come down on record companies, radio stations, and rap artists to clear up their lyrics and music videos. 50 speaks on it.

50 Cent: "Sure, the music is a mirror and hip hop is a reflection of the environment we grew up in. It's the harsh realities that end up in the music. If I asked you to paint a picture of the American flag and not use the color red, you'd have a difficult time. So what we're trying to capture in the art form I'm sure some conservative Americans can't actually idea with it because of their lifestyle and the way they've actually been brought up. And they haven't been exposed to these realities. You know, I understand it. I'm actually angry at some points when I'm confused or I don't have information. So again I understand why I'm constantly being attacked on some levels. But, it's difficult for you to find a hip hop album that's had any success that hasn't had content on some level that was a little racy."

Let's check out the cut that put 50 on the map, "In Da Club"! Go Shawdy, it's your birthday! We gonna party like it's your birthday!


(Music video: 50 Cent - "In Da Club")


That joint "In Da Club" catapulted 50's initial debut album "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" to multi-platinum status. It sold over 872,000 copies within four days of its release, and it sold over ten million today. His second major release "The Massacre" didn't do too bad either with sales of over 70 million copies.


(Music Video: 50 Cent "Just a Lil' Bit")


Mr. Jackson is now prepared for the release of his third joint "Curtis" due out September 4th. It got pushed back from its original June 26th date, reportedly because 50 wants to release it to all his fans worldwide on the same day. But rumor is the label wants him to head back to the lab because they got a little nervous after the album's first two singles didn't live up to their expectations.

Whatever the case, 50 is going straight to the bank with this!


(Music Video: 50 Cent "Straight To The Bank")


50 is stacking paper non-stop since his debut. He's sold about 20 million records worldwide. He landed G-Unit Sneakers, G-Unit Records, G-Unit Films, G-Unit Books, and a lucrative endorsement deal with Coca-Cola for his own vitamin water called Formula 50. I heard he's also planning to release another book titled The 50th Law, an urban take on the book The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. And he's already working on his forth CD, called "Before I Self-Destruct" due out in early 2008. His latest project "Curtis" which features production by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Eminem, and a appearances by Mary J. Blige and Robin Thicke amongst others is set to drop September 4, 2007.


I hope you got your 50 fix 'cause that's it for this episode of The Hip Hop Report! Join us back here for more news, more drama, and all things Hip Hop.

Peace!