KOREAN HERALD

Rapper 50 Cent coming to Seoul


Curtis James Jackson, one of America`s most popular rappers, and better known as 50 Cent, will give his first solo concert for Korean fans on April 20 at the Olympic Hall in Seoul Olympic Park.
Born in the drug-riddled South Jamaica section of Queens in New York, the hip-hop artist started dealing drugs when he was only 12. In his teens, Jackson aspired to become a boxer, but he had deeply been involved in the drug trade until his son, Marquise was born in 1997.
Jackson`s talent was discovered by Run-DMC`s Jam Master Jay and later by Trackmasters -- the production duo of Poke (Jean-Claude Olivier) and Tone (Samuel Barnes) -- who gave the rapper, who was notorious for his raw lyrics and dangerous lifestyle, a chance to join a sub label of Columbia Records.
His 1999 album, "Power of a Dollar" was never released, but it spawned a single, "How to Rob," which shot him to fame, as it ridiculed all the major hip hop artists of the time. Rappers Jay-Z, Big Pun, DMX and the Wu-Tang Clan took the message of the song seriously and replied to it, while Nas, who replied positively, invited 50 Cent to go on a promotional tour for his "Nastradamus" album.

The song was intended to be released with his song "Thug Love" (featuring Destiny`s Child), but two days before he was scheduled to film its video, he was shot nine times in the front yard of his grandparent`s house, which caused him to be dropped by Colombia Records while he spent months recovering from his wounds.
Because of the incident, record companies shied away from 50 Cent. However, he continued to record, and cultivated a large underground following of loyal fans as he worked independently to release the mix album "Guess Who`s Back" in 2002.
This CD got him noticed by rapper Eminem and Dr. Dre, and enabled him to sign a $1 million record deal. Through the two iconic rappers and producers, he signed a contract with Shady Records, and released the "Get Rich or Die Trying" album, with the classic rap anthem single "In Da Club" being one of its hits.
The song became one of the year`s biggest hits. In 2005, his second album, "The Massacre," topped the charts once again, with such songs as "Candy Shop," "Disco Inferno" and "How We Do" ruling the airwaves.
The 32-year-old rapper has made an appearance on one episode of "The Simpsons" -- a skit called "Pranksta Rap." He also has a deal with the shoemaker Reebok, with his own line of G-Unit sneakers. As an actor, he appeared in the semi-autobiographical film titled "Get Rich or Die Tryin" and "Home of the Brave."
His fourth studio album, "Before I Self-Destruct," is scheduled to come out this month. Tickets for the upcoming Seoul concert range from 66,000 won to 88,000 won. For more information, call（02）3141-4956.
By Lee Yong-sung
(danlee@heraldm.com)

I like 50 cent myself.