Born Curtis James Jackson II, 50 Cent is an American rapper, actor, TV producer, and businessman.
From his early days as a street hustler to his current status as one of the wealthiest rappers in the world, 50 Cent’s life and career show an accomplished artist and celebrity.
So, what’s 50 Cent’s net worth, and how did he earn his wealth? This guide tells you about his net worth and how he built his business empire.
Plus, find out how we can coach you to grow your own net worth FREE.
What is 50 Cent’s net worth?
50 Cent’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million, the wealth he earned through music, acting, business ventures, and investing.
50 Cent’s net worth | $40 million |
Full name | Curtis James Jackson III (50 Cent) |
Gender | Male |
Date of Birth | Jul 6, 1975 |
Place of Birth | South Jamaica, Queens, New York |
Citizenship | American |
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
Profession | Musician, Rapper, actor |
Sources of Wealth | Rapper, songwriter, actor, TV producer, record executive, record producer, entrepreneur |
Organization | G-Unity Foundation |
Who is 50 Cent?
50 Cent, Curtis James Jackson III, is an American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He’s well known for his role in the development of rap music. 50 Cent’s net worth is estimated at $40 million. But, throughout his career, 50 Cent has earned over $260 million from various endeavors, including selling records, touring, acting, and brand partnership deals.
Early life
50 Cent was born Curtis James Jackson III on July 6th, 1975, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City and raised by his mother.
He was raised by his mother, Sabrina, a drug dealer, until she died when Jackson was 8. After his mother’s death, 50 Cent was raised by his grandmother. He began dealing drugs when he was 12 and started boxing at 11. At 14, he joined a local youth boxing gym.
In 1994, he was caught trying to sneak guns and drugs into school. He was arrested and served six months in a boot camp, where he earned a GED.
Early career and shooting
Around that same time, 50 Cent began to rap, releasing his underground rap single “How To Rob” in 2000.
Jackson adopted his nickname 50 Cent as a metaphor for change, inspired by Kelvin Martin, a 1980s Brooklyn robber known as 50 Cent. The name resonated with him fending for himself in all ways.
His “How To Rob” (2000) Rap single helped him gain popularity.
When 50 Cent almost released another single, “Thug Love,” he was shot 7 times and hospitalized, allegedly by Mike Tyson’s bodyguard.
After hospitalization, 50 Cent signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records, kick-starting his professional rapping career. But Columbia dropped him when he tried to publish the “Ghetto Qu’ran.”
After the U.S. recording industry blacklisted him, 50 Cent went to Canada to record songs and build his popularity.
Rise to Fame and Fortune
In 2002, he released the mixtape Guess Who’s Back? Eminem, who was impressed by the mixtape, discovered him and invited him to Los Angeles to meet Dr. Dre. 50 Cent signed a $1 million record deal, and shortly released No Mercy, No Fear.
In 2003, 50 Cent gained massive popularity with his debut album Get Rich or Die Trying.This song was featured in Eminem’s movie 8 Mile soundtrack and the album debuted at #1 on Billboard. It sold over a million copies in the first four days.
The second 50 Cent’s album, The Massacre (2005) sold over 1.14 million copies in its first four days and held #1 on the Billboard charts for six solid weeks. His third album came out in 2007, Curtis, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. 50 Cent’s other albums include:
- Before I Self Destruct (2009)
- Street King Immortal (2012)
- 5 (Murder By Numbers (2012)
- Animal Ambition (2014)
- The Kanan Tape (2015)
To date, 50 Cent’s studio albums have sold over 30 million units.
50 Cent also branched out into acting, appearing and producing several movies and V series, including Power (2014).
How much money did 50 Cent make in the streets?
50 Cent earned a significant amount of his money from record sales. But the deal with Coca-Cola made a big impact on his income. Here’s how 50 Cent’s career earnings shape up over the last few years:
- 2007 – $32 million
- 2008 – $150 million
- 2009 – $20 million
- 2010 – $8 million
- 2011 – $6 million
- 2012 – $7 million
- 2013 – $7 million
- 2014 – $8 million
- 2015 – $4 million
- 2016 – $6 million
- 2017 – $5 million
- 2018 – $4 million
- 2019 – $4 million
- 2020 – $4 million
- 2021 – $5 million
50 Cent’s total earnings from the streets = $261 million
And here’s 50 cent’s estimated net worth over the years from 2015 :
- 2015 – $155 million
- 2016 – $16.5 million
- 2017 – $15 million
- 2018 – $20 million
- 2019 – $30 million
- 2020 – $50 million
- 2021 – $30 million
- 2022 – $40 Million
How did 50 Cent make his money
1. Music
50 Cent’s music career has been a significant source of his wealth. He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and has earned hundreds of millions of dollars from singles, albums, tours and concerts. His Studio albums include:
- Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003)
- The Massacre (2005)
- Curtis (2007)
- Bulletproof (2007)
- Before I Self Destruct (2009)
- 5 (Murder By Numbers) (2012)
- Animal Ambition (2014)
- The Kanan Tape (2015)
And his collaborative albums include:
- Beg for Mercy (with G-Unit) (2003)
- T·O·S (Terminate on Sight) (with G-Unit) (2008)
2. Acting
50 Cent branched into acting, film production and directing. His on-screen debut was in Get Rich Or Die Tryin. He’s also appeared in many other films and TV series. The notable ones include:
- The Simpsons (2005)
- The Howard Stern Show (2003-4)
- America’s Next Top Model; (2007)
- 50 Cent; The Money and Power (2008-9)
- 13 (2010)
- Gun (2010)
- Twelve (2010)
- Escape Plan (2013, 2018, 2019)
- Power (2014-2022)
- The Today Show (2014)
- Spay (2015)
- Den of Thieves (2018; 2023)
- For Life (2020)
- The Expendables (2023)
3. Business ventures
50 Cent has launched several successful business ventures, including his record label G-Unit Records in 2003, G-Unit Books (2007), and G-Unit clothing line, which generated over $100 million in revenue. Some of his other businesses he founded and owned include the following:
- Sire Spirits – Owner
- G-Unity Foundation Inc. (2003) – Founder
- SMS Audio – CEO, founder
- Cheetah Vision (2008) — Founder
- SMS Audio (2011) – CEO, Founder
- SK Energy – Founder
- The Money Team (2012)
- Effen Vodka– Former minority shareholder
- 50 Cent trademark (2003) — for clothing, sound recordings, and live performances
4. Author
Through G-Unit Books (2007) book publishing imprint, 50 Cent published several books he wrote such as:
- From Pieces To Weight— A memoir (2005): sold 73,000 hardcover copies and 14,000 paperback copies.
- The 50th Law — A crime novel and book with Robert Greene to add on The 48 Laws of Power.
- 50 Cent’s Playground ( 2011) — a young adult fiction novel about a bullied, violent boy and gay mother.
5. Deals and Endorsements
Throughout his career, 50 Cent has secured lucrative endorsement deals with various companies such as Coca-Cola, Reebok, and Right Guard. Here’s a list of some of his deals and endorsements:
- Reebok (November 2003): 5-year deal to distribute G-Unit Sneakers for his G-Unit Clothing.
- VitaminWater: deal to be spokesperson, which he continues to do today.
- Right Guard: to introduce a body spray called Pure 50 RGX and endorsed Magic Stick condoms.
- Steiner Sports (2007): a multi-year deal to sell his memorabilia.
- Spectacular Regret (2007): He announced a partnership plan for a dietary-supplement company.
- April 2015: his company, SMS Audio, announced co-branding deals with Reebok and Marvel, adding those to existing partnerships with Lucasfilm’s Star Wars, Walt Disney Parks, and Intel.
6. Investments
50-Cent’s first business venture was a partnership with Glacéau to create an enhanced water drink called Formula 50. In 2004, he earned a minority share and became a beverage investor in exchange for being the company’s spokesperson.
In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased Glacéau for $4.1 billion and reports said that 50 Cent earned about $100 million after taxes from the deal.
In 2014, 50 Cent became a minority shareholder in Effen Vodka, after investing in the company Sire Spirits LLC and sold the stake in 2017 for about $60 million.
In December 2014, 50 Cent signed a $78 million deal with FRIGO Revolution Wear.
In 2011, 50 Cent reportedly made $10 million after using Twitter to promote a marketing company of which he was part shareholder.
His endorsement company, G Unit Brands Inc., controls 12.9% of H&H Imports.
8. Boxing promotion
In July 2012, 50 Cent became a licensed boxing promoter in New York after he formed his new company, TMT (The Money Team). He signed gold medalist and former featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa and middleweight Olympic medalist Andre Dirrell. In 2012, 50 Cent and boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. signed IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib. The two parted ways in December 2012.
9. Video games
In 2013, 50 Cent became a minority investor in Hang w/, a live video broadcasting mobile app celebrities use to chat with fans and broadcast their daily activities.
50 Cent has also appeared in several video games that have earned him more money, including:
- 50 Cent: Bulletproof (2005) — Himself with Voice and likeness
- 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (2009) — Himself with Voice and likeness
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) — Navy SEAL with Voice only
10. Lawsuits and legal settlements
In addition to his successful business ventures, 50 Cent has also earned money through legal settlements, such as his lawsuit against Taco Bell for using his image without permission. In 2016, a judge declared that Brandon Parrott gave Dr. Dre and 50 Cent the rights to Bamba for the song P.I.M.P.
How does 50 Cent make money today?
50 Cent continues to make money through his various business ventures, acting career, music production, and investments. Together, these sources of income yield millions.
FAQ
What is 50 Cent’s net worth?
50 Cent’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million.
How did 50 Cent become successful in the rap music industry?
50 Cent became successful in the rap music industry with the release of his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin, which sold over 10 million copies worldwide. He then released several hit albums that earned him millions.
What is 50 Cent’s debut album?
Get Rich or Die Tryin (2003).
What endorsements and other business endeavors has 50 Cent pursued?
50 Cent has pursued several business endeavors, including his G-Unit clothing line, investments in Formula 50 Vitamin Water and mining, and co-founding TMT Promotions. He has also secured endorsement deals with companies such as Coca-Cola and Reebok.
What is the source of 50 Cent’s wealth?
50 Cent’s wealth comes from various sources, including his music career, business ventures, investments, and legal settlements.
How has 50 Cent used his fame to benefit others?
50 Cent has used his fame to benefit others by founding the G-Unity Foundation, which provides grants to non-profit organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for children and families. In July 2011, he launched a philanthropic initiative to provide food for one billion starving people in Africa by 2016, joining Pure Growth Partners to introduce Street King.
What feuds has 50 Cent been involved in?
50 Cent has been involved in several high-profile feuds with other celebrities, including Ja Rule, Rick Ross, and Floyd Mayweather.
What is the story behind 50 Cent’s bankruptcy filing?
In July 2015, 50 Cent filed for Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy protection in the U.S. bankruptcy court in Hartford Connecticut. He cited debts of around $36 million. Lawsuits are the main reason behind his debts including losing a lawsuit against a woman who claimed he leaked a sex tape of her.
How did 50 Cent’s rap career start?
50 Cent’s rap career started in the mid-1990s, but he gained widespread recognition with the release of his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin.
What awards has 50 Cent won?
50 Cent has been nominated for a long list of awards, many of which he eventually won, including a Grammy Award, six World Music Awards, and three Billboard Music Awards. Some of the notable awards he’s won include:
- 2003: Billboard Music Awards Album of the Year
- 2003: Mobo Awards Best Hip-Hop Act
- 2003: MTV Video Music Awards Best Rap Video
- 2007: World Music Awards Best Selling Hip Hop Artist
- 2010: Grammy Awards Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group
Takeaway
50 Cent has built his empire from the streets to the top of the charts, and his business ventures and investments continue to generate wealth for him today. Despite his controversial past and high-profile feuds, 50 Cent has used his fame to make a positive impact through his philanthropic efforts.
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