Tha Unit On Top

Low ceilings, no windows, walls plastered in promotional stickers. Its a small room in the basement of Curtis 50 Cent Jackson's grandmothers house in Queens. And the way 50's bulked up right now-training for a role in The Dance, an upcoming boxing movie with Nicholas Cage--Its a surprise he fits in here at all.

Course, 50's awfully big metaphorically, too. As in, the biggest hip hop star on the planet. He's got the biggest portfolio, with G Unit Records, G Unit Clothing, G Unit sneakers with Reebok, and a reported 10 percent stake in Glaceau Vitamin Water--the Queens based beverage company that just sold to Coca Cola for a cool $4.1 billion. (Some quick math will tell you that was a big pay day for 50.) Now he lives in the biggest mansion in Connecticut, formerly owned by the big, big, retired heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.

Despite his size and status, the dude keeps his ear to the street and his feet in some beef. We know this. We know he got shot nine times a few years back--right outside this house, in fact. We know that his first two albums, 2003's Get Rich or Die Tryin' and 2005's The Massacre, combined to sell some 20 million copies worldwide. We know that Dipset don Cam'ron has been tryna knock his cred via internet songs and videos and an oft-repeated cry of "Currrtis!"--this in the same spirit of former G Unit soldier The Game's G U-Not campaign.

We Also know that recently, G Units sales have been slipping, along with the rest of the raps industry's, and that 50 has adopted a harder line when it comes to sponsoring his troops--excetp for his original soldier, Tony Yayo, whom he continues to support unconditionally, even in the face of Yayo's March arrest on charges he assaulted the 14 year old son of The Games manager, Jimmy Henchmen. (And we learned, a week after this interview took place, that 50's upcoming album, Curtis, originally scheduled for a June 26 release, wont be coming out till September.)

Dam, the big homie sure has come a long way. But as he sits down on the bed where he used to rest his head, 50's more Curtis than ever.

"We're in 50's grandma's house. The very crib where it all popped off."

Were in my grandmothers basement. I kinda grew up right here. You seen in the movie, Get Rich Or Die Tryin', I got into an altercation with my unlces, so I had to move from upstairs down here, and they coverted this into a space for me. You got to bend down to walk in.

"Right. Its pretty much like a cell."

Yeah, it is. But you know what's crazy? There's, like, pinkish paneling under there. (Points to the sticker covered wall) I aint like it. So I took the stickers--promotional stickers from my first record I made with Jam Master Jay "50 Cent Means Change." This was '97.

"There must be a thousand stickers on these walls. I mean, is this a window into how your mind works? Like, in terms of focus?"

Yeah, I'll sit there and make sure each one of them fit perfectly.

"So you were living here until when?"

2000. I got shot out front. I went and stayed in the Poconos after I got out of the hospital. It was me, my son's mom and my son. I had a place that we was staying in the Poconos. And then I came back here. Then when the record took off, I went from this space right here into a 65,000 square foot home-Mikes house. But this is why I had to be that excessive. It had to be that big.

"Whats the story behind this house? How long has it been in your family?"

Prior to GRODT, this was the largest asset in my family. Its worth about 250k. Now I got cars in my yard that cost $400k. My grandmother dont stay here no more. I bought here a house in Long Island. I own, like five other houses.

"Its musty, the floor isnt finished...Why did you come back here to write?"

I mean, it just brings memories back to me. I'm in my old space, see old faces, things start feeling the way they used to. Being able to write material from a perspective I couldnt probably write from in any other space like that. And I was in one of those funky creative spaces where I couldnt come up with nothing...For me, when I come back here, Its like my feet are on the ground. I dont think nothing is more painful than having known what it feel like to be successful and then having it taken away from you. So on some levels, its healthy for me to go head and come from the financial space that I'm in back to here, as a reminder, so I can actually apprecitate what I've got.


"How did it feel coming back to this house the first time after you'd been shot?"

Initially? Paranoia. Its still like that--that dont ever go away. I think, after the experience, period, you a different person. I think anyone would. Even war. Like when you go to war. Even though you signed up and you can anticipate death being around you, the experience of having lived in those threatening situations, I think, can change your character. So it makes me almost a fatalist on some levels. I accept the fact that I'm going to die, that were all going to die. But what confuses me is, people think that when I say I'ma get rich or die tryin', they think I meant it literally. If someone you respect in the workplace tells you they going to get rich or die tryin', it simply means they're determined. That was my meaning for it at that point.

"But I think a big part of your mystique is the potential that maybe you will die."

I will. And I'm sure that everyone else will.

"No, no, no, Its in terms of--I think fans are thinking of the likelihood of your dying a violent, hip hop-related death."

I mean, you're going to have random acts of violence, period. All you got to do is say to yourself, How do you actually choose to live your life? Cause you'll never get the chance to live, being afraid to die. You'll never have an experience where you're actually free, 'cause you're conscious and you're afraid.

"But in hip hop, on a certain level, It's about being accessible. And because you are who you are, Its almost impossible for you to do that."

To be accessible. Like, when you reach a point that I'm at, when you're an international rap star, the less common you appear, the bigger your celebrity. You know, so its a different thing. You got a guy out there that just sold 500,000 copies that needs to be wherever the cameras is going off at, and I'm just not in that same space.

"Some of Cam'rons jabs are about your not being in the streets with the people"

What am I supposed to do, stand on the corner and smoke weed with him? I dont smoke week, and I'm not standing on the corner. For what? I stood on the corner when that was my hustle. I got a new hustle and a new concept of a corner to stand on. The same idiot that you just mentioned went on 60 Minutes and said he wouldnt tell police about the whereabouts of a serial killer. Only thing missing from hip hop is an IQ test. If you're smart, you know thats not the fuckin place to say that. Then you gotta send a statement out and spologize. What does that mean? That he will snitch?

"The whole Curtis thing. That was Cams thing, his way of attacking you, and now you embraced it."

I always take things people feel are uncomfortable for me, when they arent, and I make them comfortable. I make them not make sense to the public.

"Why would someone saying your name...."

Thats another point. Like I'm telling you, you're dealing with a real idiot. He calls me the name my mother named me, to make me feel like thats a disrespect on some level. Doesnt make sense. Curtis is now the name of my album.

"Speaking of your next album, its seems like its carrying a lot of weight for G Unit. Like, about representing the team right now."

Its always been like that, and its not right. 'Cause everybody benefits on a different level. I'm not trying to throw shots at them in any way... I made a mistake. 'Cause on some levels, it comes from me coming from where I came from. The concept of taking care your crew is important. But I sacrificed $8.5 million.

"For?"

On the last tour, to take everybody. Everybody was being paid.

"But didnt the tour make money?"

Listen, I gave $8.5 million that would've went in my pocket to the artists' expenses. Bringing thir entourages and bringing everybody here comfortably, that was me makeing a personal investment in growing the brand, G Unit, and having them in front of my audience, allowing them to impress these people to the point that they would become fans of them also.

"Did any of them do that?"

I think on some levels they did. I think, in all due respect, both Banks and Buck put together good albusm on there own this go around. Bucks record, they embracing it in a big way. So I think he made more friend. Buck made more relationships away from 50 cent. So he's starting to take a shape of his own. I think that's cool. I dont care to be friends with anybody. The position I'm in, I dont think everyone is capable of being a friend to me.

"So where is Banks right now?"

Banks is actually...At home, I guess. I havent spoken to him in a little while.

"Do you feel like the artists on G Unit took advantage of you?"

No, they didnt take advantage. I set up something that was unrealistic. I set up a situation where I'm fueling the entire thing, and they've grown accustomed to me just being the driver. They got to drive on there own. They want the crowd to be screaming for them, instead of 50 cent.

"I understand you had a serious meeting where all G Units artists attended."

Yep, January 3, Laze was there as representation of MOP, Havoc and Prodigy, Banks, Buck, Spider was on the conference, on the phone. Olivia was there. Sha Money was there. I broke it down. I told them that I wouldnt be assisting financially anymore...I pretty much was telling them I wouldnt be there. Before then, they'd make a lot of money and spend a lot of money and have me there to fix it. Whether I got to give them 500K or 300k...

"Your giving them 300k? For what? A car? A house?"

Just cause they want 300k more to make what they doing at the time comfortable. Like, "Yo, I want to get this new place over here." Put it like this: When I called the meeting, I looked around the room, and I was the only person with G Unit sneakers on. But they were being paid. Like, while, Shawn Carter was endorsing basketball players, the rappers on G Unit were receiving checks from RBK. You see what I'm saying? So it would look like all the money was going to 50, but they was being paid to be a part of it, and they wasnt adhering to it. Like it'd become the norm for that check to come, and they were no longer wearing , you know, the clothes. And I was like; "Well fine. You can go get your own company." And realize that there is no real money in that deal. So on some levels, they'd become spoiled. As artists. But that's not they fault, its my fault.

"So whats the difference with Yayo? It seems like he's the last one you're riding hard with."

You know what? Yayo didnt adjust. To be honest with you, Yayo is exactly where he was when we was on the corner.

"Which is what?"

Tony Yayo. He just didnt make the transition. And alot of the things that are important to the other artists arent important to him.

"Like what? Whats not important to Tony Yayo?"

Selling records.

"Why not?"

He just dont care. Cause he know he gon' be aight anyway. You understand?...Like, he comes home from jail in 2004. Then he goes back to jail 12 hours later. You know what the first thing to pop out his mouth is?

"What?"

"Yo, son mad?" He wants to know if I'm angry...You're outta jail. Putting chinchilla-mink coats on you, diamond watches. You're running around, two girls in the house. But by the time you--next morning , you go back to jail? And the first question you asking is am I upset? Because as long as I'm not really mad about it, then its okay?

"But if he was in Dipset, what would you be saying? If he was the leader of Dipset and he did stuff like that?"

I'd be saying he's an idiot.

"But he does shit that affects you, I mean..."

He does things that people pull me into for publicity. You see what I'm saying? To say that he does something is to say he's actually guilty of doing something. And we havent come to that conclusion at this point. Neither us or law enforcement.


"But still, if he's doing stupid shit."

What is he doing that's stupid? Outside of physically being in the wrong place.

"Well, you just said that if he was in Dipset and he came outta jail..."

He doesnt belong being the actual leader. He knows this. He dont want to. Thats the significance in him. I'm telling you, the other artists actally want to feel to be 50 cent.

"And thats why you guys can actually get along, because he knows his place?"

Its not...Yeah, Yes. He knows his position and is comfortable with it because he acknowledging the accomplishment.

"But do you, at times, wish he would maybe not make some of the decisions he makes?"

Nah, cause he aint did nothing wrong. If I seen him doing something wrong, I'd probably have to remove myself from him. But for me to not associate myself with Tony, he has to do something incredibly bad. Incredibly bad. Like I couldnt even come up with a scenario in my head why I wouldnt...

"And the whole thing with Henchmens son allegedly getting smacked?"

Come on, man, you dont even have to ask that question. Look what you talking about. Who, Killer Jimmy? Aint Tupac say, "Payback for you, Henchmen, in due time/I knew you bitch niggas is listening/Wolrd is mine/Set me up, wet me up." I said Tupac said it. You need me to validate that for you? Look at what you're talking about.

"Okay, Wat are your expectations, sales wise for Curtis?"

My expectations are very high, still. I feel I can still sell eight million records. I plan to tour extensively. I'll be doing about two months--August and September--domestically, in the U.S., and international for probably another six months after. The project has the kind of legs that it needs, as far as the creativity and actual music.

"But if you dont hit eight million records..."

I mean, If I dont, I dont. But feel like, at the point, the actual record sales arent going to be a reflection of the interest I generate...The music business is soing to change. Its going to be less marketing dollars. They gonna start doing single deals, becasue they make the money with ring tones, as opposed to doing full albums, If it keeps going the way it's going. there wont be another 50 cent. There wont be another person that makes it, you know, where I'm from, on the same level.

Jeezy Da Snowman

propz great read.fif always speakin the truth

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Loki1

Good Interview

shady_unit

good read props

Droog

Propz, the last part sounds really fucked up tough.

GoodMusicFam805

Good lookin for the interview... Fuuk Fif got me thinking about the whole Reebok thing.. everyone at G Unit does seem to be getting spoiled but Fif knows whats good!!!

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"I work like a Mexican and spend like a White Man"-Lupe fiasco

LostAngel

Thanks for typing all of that up.

Anyone can scan the pics?

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unitblue13

propppssssssssssss

madd_rapper

Good Read. 50 should call another meeting and tell everyone in G-Unit that if they are to survive, they cant fall apart. when i read 50 was the only one with G-Unit sneakers, it makes sense he should be mad, they should all be reppin G-Unit to keep it strong. 50, banks. buck and yayo need to be seen together more also.

Cro-Soldier

good read.. but still..fuck 50 for being so good to yayo.. "yayo is still hood, he doesnt care about record sales" .. lol.. then why da fuck did he put out all dat rnb on his cd?!? omg 50!! banks&buck>>>>>bird shit>>>>yayo!!! realize dat alrdy!!

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"On nights when Ye romance
Cameras flash so much
That i gotta do that yayo dance" - Kanyeezy

Nichino

^^ stupidest thing ever said

Baltimores Finest

how they gon be in G Unit and not be reppin it man. if i was in G Unit i'd be in G Unit from the head to the toes like Game was

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[02:32PM] xDizzeTheKingx: lol thats gay nigga
[02:32PM] xDizzeTheKingx: wtf?
[02:32PM] Stay Fly: yoo dizze, your ass is rusty for all that hand beating i be doing son.....

LostAngel

I also would have been pissed if I was the only one wearing the shoes and everybody is getting paid for it. Well, I think there has to be some "clean up" been done with the Unit. 50 seems pissed and I understand him.

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faraiking

props man yayo till the death my nigga!

Snapper

i think the mistake they made is, they didnt worry about bootleggin.

after 50's album came out (massacre) they shud hav done another g-unit album before buck and banks and everyone else came out to re-build the buzz cus is g-unit didnt release beg for mercy buck and banks wud hav sold nex to nothin.

unitymama

good read propsssss!!!!!! I made a scruf to match a pair his sneakers camouflage and white!!!!!.....

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50's dick feels so good in my candyshop mmm!!!!!

BlackBauer

co-sign......

Drizzy

props good stuff.

michaeldinho

propz for the info man. 50's right with the whole sneakers thing. I can understand why he's mad.

AR0E1

good shit but idk bout this whole thing is seems bad for tha unit then good but like yayo said once leave it all to tha mastermind fif..........

shady713

good speech fif

dunson23

uhh ok then

Otis Beats

props good shit.

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GoodMusicFam805

Ok Ok how is it that whenever Fif gets ppl thinking like "ohh so thats why he did that" and proves them (haters) wrong there are no J.T. toy soldiers to be found saying something!!!

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"I work like a Mexican and spend like a White Man"-Lupe fiasco

C@$H17

I'm not even in G-unit and I rock more G-unit gear than some of them.
Thats sad.Or maybe i need to just hop off lol

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