He's been a giant in the music industry for nearly three decades, yet many of 50 Cent 's fans are only now uncovering the true meaning behind his iconic stage name. Born Curtis James Jackson III, 50 Cent's upbringing in Queens, New York , was fraught with challenges that few children should ever face. Though he has become more known for his constant social media trolling of Sean "Diddy" Combs in the wake his shocking arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering charge, 50 Cent has a rough childhood.
Tragedy struck early when, at just eight years old, his mother Sabrina, who was involved in drug dealing, died under tragic circumstances, leaving him in the care of his grandparents following his father's absence. 50 Cent’s brutal jibe after Diddy indicted on 'sex trafficking' charges 50 Cent shares wild details of first Eminem meeting - which involved 'bulletproof' vest By the age of 11, young Curtis was already embroiled in the street life, "selling crack on the strip" while juggling school and boxing training. His illicit activities didn't go unnoticed; he was eventually busted by metal detectors at school, leading to his arrest.
In 1994, he was handed a prison sentence for drug-related offences. He served six months in a boot camp and managed to obtain his GED, which marked a turning point in his life. It was then that he embraced the moniker 50 Cent, as a metaphor for change.
The name, he explained, was influenced by Kelvin Martin, a notorious 1980s Brooklyn robber also know.