Mega-star 50 Cent says he's still seen as an armed thug

Nov 7, 2007, 11:01 GMT

Handout picture released on 29 October 2007 shows US Rapper 50 Cent showing off the tricked-out Pontiac G8 he customized with Unique Autosports and General Motors during the SEMA after-market auto show in Las Vegas, Nevada on 29 October 2007. EPA/Isaac Brekken

Dublin - A little over an hour before he is due to blast onto stage with the force of a V8 engine, US rapper 50 Cent is tucked neatly into the corner of a sofa in his Dublin dressing room.

His arms leave his lap only to emphasize gracefully a point as he speaks eloquently and softly of his career to date and his future plans in Hip Hop, a music genre in which he has achieved mega- stardom.

In an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, the trademark headscarf and New York peak cap, the pumped arms, tattoos and chunky jewellery of the artist known to his fans simply as 50 or 'Fiddy' are in place. The aggressive and explicit language, finger- jabbing, groin-grabbing and 'disses' (insults) can wait until the spotlights come on.

The US gangster turned musician, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is touring Europe to promote his latest album (Curtis), with a string of concerts in cities in among others, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.

That he turned to music after an early life of drug-dealing in New York and survived a gang-related gun attack in which he was shot nine times, is widely known and appreciated by his fans.

His records reflect the aggression, violence, pain, contempt, and unabashed craving after and relish for the trappings of wealth and, some would say, sheer narcissism, that dominates the output of 'gangsta'-style and mainstream rap culture and sells records like hotcakes.

In just a few years, he has become the artist industry players and fans alike look to for the future of an industry that has produced big names such as Dr Dre, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Eminem.

'I've only been around for four years. It feels like a lot longer because I've been consistent in being involved with hit music and different things rapidly in that short period,' he tells dpa.

Laying bare his life through his music has been a winning formula that he has no intention of diverting from in seeking recognition as 'one of the biggest rap artists, if not the biggest' rap artist.

He took his cue from those who have gone before him, in particular Eminem, the Detroit rapper who gave him a first step up the ladder.

'I've watched my music break language barriers. Places where people don't actually speak English, are filled, the arena is filled, the entire soccer fields are filled.'

He plans to take his music to a new level by looking deeper into his childhood and emotions at various points in his life, in trying to reach out to fans.

'The kid that has my poster in his shack, he has to absolutely know that his dreams are possible because I exist. Because I come from not very much. I come from a violent upbringing myself. I had obstacles that were placed in front of me that were tailor-fitted for me.'

50 Cent's worldwide performance schedule has been relentless since the release of his official multi-platinum debut album in Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003.

He says live performances are 'critical' for him but also helps to promote the entire artform rather than a single artist. 'At the same time, I'm accomplishing what I want out of it and that's to be recognized worldwide for it - for my music,' he adds.

He says the direction of Hip Hop music will change, but does not elaborate. The content of his own music will change gradually 'because my own perspective is changing,' he says.

50 Cent and rappers like him face constant criticism for glamourizing violence and other anti-social behaviour. The latest controversy surrounding his music is the reported rejection by broadcasters such as MTV of the title of his song I Still Kill.

Publicity images in which he brandishes a gun have also come under fire.

His music, he insists, 'comes from somewhere real' and reflects 'harsh realities' and for real-life gangsters 'from Johannesburg to South Jamaica' and 'runs parallel' to their experiences.

He seems outraged that guns 'are totally acceptable as far as marketing of film is concerned' and points to film projects that promotes 'images of people we consider stars holding guns for actual films.'

'The same network, they don't want to play I Still Kill.'

He laughs that he will have a chance to get his own back with his latest film project. 'So I'm gonna make Righteous Kill where I shoot the shit out of people and do whatever, and they ain't got nothing to say 'cause I'm with Robert de Niro and Al Pacino.'

'You know on some level their perception of me is that any day now I can actually have that gun, using it, because that's just their perception. It becomes irritating,' he says.