Rapper-turned-actor-turned-entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson not only typified the street thug persona in his music and film roles, he actually came from the New York streets where he sold crack, robbed street corner rivals and escaped attempts on his life. But without his checkered past, which he routinely mined for lyrics and self-promotion, Jackson might not have become a top-selling artist. As it turned out, Jackson parlayed his huge musical success into business ventures as a producer and founder of clothing and shoe lines. It was natural that the popular performer would try his hand
Raised by grandmother and turned to selling drugs at an early age
Sentenced to three to nine years in prison for possession of heroin, crack and a starter pistol; earned GED while in prison and released in 1995
Began rapping as an alternative to selling drugs after being released from prison
1996
Began an apprenticeship with Jay Master Jay of Run DMC fame, who signed the fledgling rapper to his tiny JMJ Records label; not much resulted from this collaboration
