Rapper 50 Cent says money is freedom

* 50 Cent, the US rapper, during an autograph session in Berlin while promoting his move, All Things Fall Apart. The star, real name Curtis James Jackson III, says he appreciates money as the freedom to do what he likes.

By Kirstin MacLeod

US rapper 50 Cent is known for his aggressive lyrics and numerous squabbles with other hip-hop stars, but he has been talking recently about his emotional side.

Visiting Germany to promote the German dub of his 2011 movie, All Things Fall Apart, he talked about life’s stumbling blocks, money and how to deal with success. “All Things Fall Apart is a movie about the anticipation of success, diversities and the curves that life will throw at you,” he said. “My role is that of Deon, a college student on his way toward being a professional athlete. Then suddenly, he is diagnosed with cancer.

“The tumour is near his lungs, so he has to stop training. For someone like him, who spent all that time developing his skills to perform physically, training then is the last thing he is allowed to do.

“The story was inspired by one of my best friends growing up, who died of cancer.”

Getting in shape for the movie role required discipline from the rapper: he had to lose nearly 25kg.  “Basically I was on liquids for nine weeks. And I did a lot of cardio to suppress my appetite,” he said, describing the ordeal.

“It felt like I was training three times a day. I’d wake up and train, so I would’t feel hungry, and then I would drink a lot of water during the period in the gym and then I’d go lie down and go perform. Which equalled another cardio workout.

“And then I’d go do it all over again.”

The title of 50 Cent’s debut album back in 2003 was Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which sounds like the rapper’s philosophy of life.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he concurred. “If you see it literally, it’s all about the person and the circumstances that happened to me prior to writing the content. And someone who is ambitious and who is determined, would take on the same concept.”

Many fans admire 50 Cent’s enormous confidence and current wealth.

 “Money is freedom — financial freedom. It allows you to come into things as you please. It’s not the answer to your problems, it’s just freedom,” explained 50 Cent, whose real name  is Curtis James Jackson III.

 “I am confident because I have had a period of time where people didn’t believe in it. It’s important that you go through that process to prepare you for what happens after you have success.

“When you realise that what you’re doing is the greatest thing, you start to strengthen and develop. What you’re gonna need then is a defence against the general public — after you have success.” – DPA