50 Cent, the renowned rapper and businessman, is juggling an impressive array of projects as he opens up about his career’s evolution and personal life. During a recent Zoom call from his home in Houston, Texas, he discussed his latest film role in “Street Fighter,” the challenges he faced in the industry, and his reflections on his upbringing.
Back in the Ring as Balrog
The occasion for the chat is his role in Street Fighter, a high-profile film adaptation of the iconic video game. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the movie follows Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken (Noah Centineo) as they navigate a World Warrior tournament orchestrated by the villainous M. Bison (David Dastmalchian). 50 Cent portrays Balrog, a boxer styled after Mike Tyson, a transformation that required him to train rigorously for nine weeks, shedding 38 pounds. “And no, I didn’t do no weight-loss shot!” he clarifies, emphasizing his dedication to the role.
A Business Empire
Now at 51, 50 Cent has become more of a business magnate than a rapper, managing a vast portfolio that includes the successful Power franchise and critically acclaimed documentaries like the Emmy-winning Sean Combs: The Reckoning. He is also developing a docuseries about his own life on Hulu.
Confronting Industry Relationships
In an unfiltered interview with Variety, 50 Cent spoke candidly about various relationships, including the fallout with Power showrunner Courtney Kemp, whom he states he would not work with again. “I don’t think that she’s wholeheartedly a bad person…but I do think it got out of control for her,” he expressed, adding that he feels his contributions to the show have been minimized.
Diddy’s Smear Campaign
His remarks turn to Sean “Diddy” Combs, detailing what he describes as a smear campaign against him by Diddy after the release of the documentary. “He was trying to find people to make frivolous accusations against me,” 50 Cent alleges, suggesting that Diddy sought to cloud the public’s perception ahead of the documentary’s release. He believes that if someone feels they can evade accountability, it allows them to misbehave further.
Reflecting on Personal Life
During the conversation, 50 Cent also reflected on his upbringing, including the moment he learned his mother was gay. “I’m not ashamed of that in any way,” he stated, discussing how that revelation shaped his understanding of the LGBT community. “I grew up around that,” he added, indicating it added depth to his personal narrative, which sometimes finds its way into his lyrics.
The Path Forward
Looking ahead, 50 Cent remains committed to expanding his creative influence, with reports of 40 shows across 12 different networks, including upcoming projects such as Power: Origins and Bone Parish. He expressed confidence in his ability to revitalize the industry and contribute positively to communities through his filmmaking endeavors, particularly in Shreveport, Louisiana.
As he navigates the complexities of fame and personal struggles, 50 Cent continues to push boundaries, embodying resilience and evolution in both his career and personal life.
