50 Cent is Heading Back in the Ring in "Fightland"

What is 50 Cent All About?

50 Cent is an individual known for many things. On one hand, he battled through the depths of gangster life on the East Coast streets of New York, a decade long fight that nearly cost him his life after he was shot a dozen times. On the other hand, he rose from a struggling artist to a rap superstar with hit songs and albums. What can also be said about the hip-hop icon is that he is an astoundingly astute businessman, venturing into industries from beverages and DoorDash to TV and film. Following the success of "Power", 50 Cent is returning to television with the highly anticipated "Fightland," premiering July 31.

Early Start

Fighting has always been central to 50 Cent’s life. Whether on the streets or in the recording booth, beef was never far behind. After nearly being shot in a street altercation, 50 Cent decided to turn his life around and incorporate his struggles into his music. His impactful yet relatable lyrics caught the attention of Marshall Mathers, better known as Eminem, who willingly molded the young up and comer into his protege. By the time he had fully developed his songs from personal experience, he was ready to release what would become his magnum opus, “Get Rich or Die Tryin”. The album became the defining record of his career, resonating with critics and audiences through its personal themes of struggle and hustle. With the album’s success, Curtis Jackson realized his life could be made into a movie. As a semi-autobiographical, some aspects may be exaggerated, but one thing is certain: the experiences behind it are very much real.

Venturing into Boxing

It should come as no surprise that Curtis’ love for throwing hands translated into the boxing ring as well. "I've been a lover of boxing ever since I was a young child." Jackson stated. "I think it goes all the way back to Rome. It's the gladiators, it's our modern-day version of it." Americans have embraced boxing for generations, and now 50 Cent is bringing his passion for the sport to the small screen. "Fightland" is the forthcoming inclusion in the Power franchise. It follows Meduka "Duke" Kilroy, a disgraced former boxing champion who returns back to London to seek revenge against his crime family. Curtis said, "Living in the streets of the Ghetto is like The Godfather. Bloods and Crips are pretty much the modern day equivalent of Italian mob groups." The show showcases that not everything is black and white. We are all shades of greys, not just heroes and villains. The character stylings are very reflective of our real lives. "We are all flawed." said Jackson. "So when a person sees an obviously flawed character, they become relatable to them."

Conclusion

With the immense success of Jackson's own Power franchise, expectations are at an all time high with his upcoming project. Jackson believes this is going to be far more powerful than "Power". Anything that has to do with "Power", expect 50 Cent to be involved. "Fightland" premieres July 31st only on Starz.

Photo Credit: Showtime/Starz