For our January 2011 issue, rapper Curtis “50 Cent†Jackson provides BLACK ENTERPRISE an all-access look at how he’s evolved into an entrepreneur extraordinaire. In a revealing interview, the 35-year-old speaks candidly about recent deals, notable milestones and future plans that make up his burgeoning business empire. But just what goes into being Curtis “50 Cent†Jackson? You’ll have to pick up the January issue when it hits newsstands on December 28 to get the full story, but in the meantime BLACKENTERPRISE.com will whet your appetite with a series of Web exclusive content that further unmasks the controversial businessman…
For the first time, Curtis “50 Cent†Jackson, one of our 40 Next, responds to the now infamous Twitter incident where he sent out a series of photos of himself literally playing with money. In this exclusive online story, Jackson proves that depending on the value of your brand, a picture can be worth more than a thousand words.
It’s no surprise: Building the brand known as 50 Cent comes with risks. Not everyone will like Jackson’s moves, methods or motives. Of course, he seems to believe the good, the bad, and the backlash all come with the territory.
“Everyone has a right to their opinion on you when you’re public property,†says Jackson.
Most recently, the hip-hop mogul gave the blogosphere something to buzz about. Last month, after tweeting pictures, as well as posting video of himself playing with stacks of cash–published reports say
as much as $50,000–many questioned his insensitivity for those struggling in a tough economy. “Some people who may not be in a good financial state are angry that you have the ability to do that,†says Jackson about the reaction the images and footage received. He adamantly defends his actions as pure entertainment, saying, “I sent a joke on Twitter at the wrong time and it was completely misinterpreted.â€While that move was all in good fun, Jackson takes his digital presence very seriously.
His Twitter account boasts over 3.6 million followers. Besides that, he interacts with his 7.5 million fans on Facebook and 12,000 subscribers via his YouTube channel. Add to that his ThisIs50.com website–which offers Jackson enthusiasts an online community with videos, blogs, news, among other 50 Cent-related content updated daily–and saying Jackson is a social media savvy celebrity is an understatement.
What makes him a talking point can vary.
“You could say my name and it will provoke emotion,†says Jackson. “Some people love it. Some people hate it. Some people don’t have enough interest in it to care either way, but they [still] know who you’re talking about.â€
And knowing his celebrity makes him a prime target for discussion, Jackson says criticism like what he received after posting his Twitpics is unavoidable.
“They’ll say something negative [about] where you can put that money,†Jackson explains. “Then, when you have no money, they’ll have something negative to say about that [too], whichever way, whatever situation you’re in, they have something to say about it, regardless.â€
For more on Curtis “50 Cent†Jackson, read “The Many Faces of 50†in the January 2011 issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE, which hits national newsstands on December 28.
Tell us what you think: Did Jackson go too far with his Twitter antics? How easy is it for a celebrity’s actions to be taken out of context?
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