another 50 interview

[STILLDRE IS THE GODFATHER]

We’re back with Part II of our interview with 50 Cent. In case some of you doubted his abilities, let it be known that not only did 50 Cent top both the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-hop charts, he also sold a whopping 872,000 units of Get Rich or Die Trying’ according to SoundScan figures released Wednesday (February 12th) in four days. With such a tremendous total, this album is the best-selling debut album since SoundScan started its tracking system in May 1991. Only Snoop Dogg's 1993 debut, Doggystyle, comes close with 803,000 copies sold in its first week.

Although staggering, 50's mass appeal is not that much of a mystery. At a time when many MCs are obviously rhyming fairytales, hip-hop fans believe 50 when he spits those vivid life narratives and love him for having the audacity to talk about them. In Part II of our interview with 50 Cent, he talks about his belief in God, why he thinks he’s getting such a bum rap, and where he fits in at in the rap game.

Chronicmagazine.com: “So, is the deal, studio time, creative control, everything you expected?”

50 Cent: “It exceeded my expectations. It’s more that I ever thought it would be. It’s almost to the point where we’re not working. It’s that easy. Everyone knows exactly what they’re supposed to do and they're executing [it]. Shit just got done so fast. I had 48 records recorded prior to the deal being done. They took 16 records of the 48 that they felt like had to stay.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “So, you already started with something going in?”

50 Cent: “Yeah. I started right after we signed. They tripped on me because I sent 12 at a time. I didn’t want them to listen to so much at once that they couldn’t pick what they liked, so I sent 12 at a time. After they listened to [those] records, they decided we’re going to do a few more records and that’s it. I went to Los Angeles. I was there for five days. I recorded seven records with Dre and then I went to Detroit and did six more records with Em. Four records went on the 8 Mile Soundtrack, but we’ve done some more records since then.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Right now, it’s safe to say you’re the hottest person out. How does that feel?”

50 Cent: “It feels great. Right now, I’ve been doing [so many] shows it’s ridiculous. It feels really good.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “What’s your favorite city?”

50 Cent: “My favorite city? It’s gotta be New York. Let me tell you why. Everywhere I’ve been [there] has been ridiculously packed. It’s to the point where we can’t even get into the clubs because the clubs are filled to capacity and there are still people outside. Fire marshals are there and everything. Em told me it’s because I don’t belong in the clubs anymore. He said I belong in an arena…It’s just crazy to see that many people.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Have you changed since the shooting?”

50 Cent: “Absolutely.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “How?”

50 Cent: “I think anytime you’re in a life threatening situation and someone is standing a foot away from you…it makes you believe in God and [allows you to realize] you have a purpose and a reason for being because there are people who have things happen to them for no reason and they’re gone. There are babies that are born dead and didn’t have a chance to live. I got shot nine times and there’s nothing wrong with my fingers and toes. Everything moves perfect. I don’t wake up with my bones aching.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “That’s a blessing.”

50 Cent: “Yeah, but when it rains, I’m a weather center.” (laughs) “I’m just as good as Channel 7 News. I can predict rain.”

Chronicmagazine.com: (laughs) “The shooting, coupled with the release of your Columbia deal was a really rough time for you. Did you ever consider quitting the music thing?”

50 Cent: “If I had an option, I may have, but I had no options. It was either this or sell drugs…There is no Plan B. The music business has no [prerequisites]. You can be fresh out of the pen and make money. You would be blessed and able to move forward. You wouldn’t have to go back to the penitentiary unless you made a mistake.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “What’s the best part about being in the rap game so far?”

50 Cent: “The best part is having an influence. Having people look to you and identify with you.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Does that make you ever second guess some of the things that you say?”

50 Cent: “Absolutely not. I look at it like this, if I’m a role model it’s not because of the things that I say, it will be because of the things they know [about me]. People know I’m from the bottom and it’s possible. For people who grew up without finances, that seems to be the answer to every problem…You go to the club and think, ‘If I had that Benz they would be treating me different.’”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Do you ever fear for your safety now?”

50 Cent: “No. [I believe in God] and I believe he has a plan for me.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Do you think people overreacted to ‘How to Rob’?”

50 Cent: “You know what, I believe that whenever you’re aggressive enough to make your presence known, someone’s toes are being stepped on…If no one’s bothered by your presence you don’t count.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “What do you think about the status of hip-hop now?”

50 Cent: “I believe people need to go to the next level musically. I think the reason why [some people] don’t sell is because of the quality of their music…I know the war is going to change things, the economy will change, but quality music still sells. [Consumers] are making a choice to purchase Eminem [for example,] instead of some other albums and its obvious by the 8 Mile Soundtrack sales. Other albums are out and they can’t even compete and it’s not even an album, it’s a soundtrack.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Is beef in hip-hop good or bad?”

50 Cent: “I think it’s good. Hip-hop has always been competitive. It depends on what type of beef it is. I don’t get into rap beef for no reason. I don’t jump on anyone because I don’t like the way their last song sounded.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Like Benzino?”

50 Cent: “Yo, he’s crazy. (laughs) That’s not beef. That’s a stunt, a promotional stunt. We have no altercations, no interaction and now we have beef? How?”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Where do you fit in hip-hop?”

50 Cent: “Somewhere closer to the top than the bottom.” (laughs)

Chronicmagazine.com: (laughs) “You’re probably closer to the top right now.”

50 Cent: “I don’t care whether [my publicity] is good or bad, whether they like me or they hate me, just tell somebody.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Do you think you’ve been getting a bum rap in the game so far?”

50 Cent: “Yeah, I am. [It has a lot to do] with the situations that surround me without me even doing anything. Everyone has a stigma or aura around them. Mine is from the hood. I brought it with me…I’m not affiliated with anything negative, but when I walk in a room, people go, ‘There he goes.’ I had problems when I first started shopping for deals because the executives were scared of me. They figure since I got shot nine times and came back the same way I was before that, they don’t want to do business with me because I’m crazy.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Does that bother you?”

50 Cent: “A little bit, but it’s okay because when you do business with people who [are scared of you] they don’t play games with you.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Who did you work with on your album?”

50 Cent: “I worked with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Busta Rhymes, Trina, and G-Unit – Lloyd Banks and Tony YaYo.”