Sneak Preview: 50 Cent’s New Headphones
CHECK OUT 50’S NEW HEADPHONE LINE!!
Young Buck Begins New Outlawz Mixtape & Welcomes C-Bo Home
Young Buck is preparing a return to rap now that his legal troubles have passed, in addition to his securing a new record deal. Young Buck was already facing prison time over a $300,000 dollar tax bill with the IRS that streteched back to 2006, he reached a settlement deal with the government. The issue became complicated when Buck, who is a convicted felon, was accused of possessing a .40 caliber pistol, which was found during a raid of his Nashville, Tennessee home. His most recent case has resulted in five years of probation, allowing the rapper to continue on with his rap career. Young Buck is focusing on his label, Cashville Records, which counts artists such as Tupac’s group The Outlaws and solo artist C-Bo from the West Coast on the roster. Young Buck recently inked a deal with Sony Red to release the albums from artists signed to his label. The signings are the latest for Sony Red, which also recently inked deals with Cormega and Mobb Deep. While court cases and industry beef seemingly pushed the rapper-turned-CEO up in smoke, the Internet and online media has presented a way for Buck to get his music heard. He has taken to the streets with several mixtape offerings, including Back On My Buck S**t 1 & 2 and Bond Money. The Outlaws recently announced via Twitter, that they would be doing a full mixtape together with Young Buck. @TheOutlawz The Outlawz Just got off the phone wit tha homie @youngbuck we bout to do a whole mixtape together on sum ridah s###! In addition to The Outlaws & Young Buck being in the lab working on a new project , Buck took to Twitter to let the world know the West Coast’s own, C-Bo has returned home from a jail bid. @youngbuck The Real Young Buck Just got off the phone wit my Big Bro @CboTheMobFather!!!!! Welcome Back Cuzz!! #GodisGood
50 Cent “Shady Murder” (Street King Energy Track # 9)
[ahh_audio src=/10-5-11/50-Cent-ShadyMurderStreetKingEnergyTrack9).mp3] NEW 50 CENT SONG “SHADY MURDER”
Henchman Hires Gerald Shargel, Statement Issued; Machine Gun Charges Unveiled
(AllHipHop News) Embattled Hip-Hop mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond has been indicted for allegedly possessing a machine gun and a silencer. The New York Post reports that assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky unveiled the new charges yesterday (September 23rd) in court. The machine gun and silencer was found in one of Rosemond’s properties during raids conducted by the DEA, during the investigation into his $10,000,000 a year cocaine ring. To defend himself from the cocaine and machine gun charges, Rosemond has retained the services of high-powered attorney Gerald Shargel. In addition to representing John Gotti and Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, Gerald Shargel successfully defended Irv and Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo against money laundering charges, when the brothers were acquitted in December of 2005. “This is my kind of case and it is my privilege to represent Jimmy,” Gerald Shargel told AllHipHop.com, while remaining tightlipped about the defense strategy for obvious reasons. Rosemond could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison on the machine gun charges alone, while he is facing life in prison for allegedly running a continuous criminal enterprise. Meanwhile, the New York Post reports that during a hearing yesterday, assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Kaminsky revealed more details into how Rosemond’s drug operation managed to ship cocaine across the country, in shipping crates used to house musical equipment. Members of the organization, including Rosemond’s older brother Kesnar Rosemond, 50, would obtain the identities of people from loan applications that were submitted to an unnamed New York car dealership. Accounts were then opened at FedEx and Rock–It Cargo, where millions of dollars in cocaine was sent to various recording studios in New York and Los Angeles, with the proceeds being sent to drop boxes on the West coast, in vacuum sealed bags with mustard, to throw off the scent of any dogs sniffing for currency. Last week, Rock-It Cargo issued a statement denying any knowledge of the criminal enterprise’s activities, while reassuring its customers that their shipments were secure. Rosemond’s brother Kesnar has already pleaded guilty to the charges of distributing cocaine and he is also accused of making side deals with various suppliers, without the knowledge of his younger brother. At its height, Rosemond’s company CZAR Entertainment handled the careers of artists like Game, Akon, Brandy, Sean Kingston, Wyclef, Mario Winans and others.
Shipping Company Says Its Cleared In Government Investigation Of Jimmy Henchman
(AllHipHop News) The shipping company that James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond used to allegedly’s ship millions of dollars in cocaine and drug proceeds has issued a statement regarding the Federal government’s ongoing investigation into the drug dealing operation. Rosemond is accused of using Rock-It Cargo to ship hundreds of kilos of cocaine per month to various recording studios and then sending the illegal proceeds back to the West Coast, in vacuum sealed bags stuffed with $20 and $50 dollar bills. Rock-It Cargo, was founded in 1978, employs over 300 people and has 23 offices throughout the United States and the world. “Rock-It Cargo is neither the subject of the investigation, nor implicated in any way. The Company has provided the U.S. Attorney with all the documentation it has requested,” Rock-It Cargo’s CEO told AllHipHop.com in a statement. The company, which specializes in handling complex itineraries mainly for the global music and touring industry, assured its customers that it was committed to maintaining the highest levels of transportation security throughout the world. “With regard to the current investigation, the company followed all of the government’s and its own required procedures and remains in compliance with all Federal and state regulations.” James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is facing a life sentence for allegedly heading up a cocaine dealing operation that distributed hundreds of kilos of cocaine per month and raked in over $10 million annually, since the investigation began in 2007. Several of Rosemond’s former associates have become cooperating witnesses and have started testifying against him, including a former associate named Khalil Abdullah, while his 49-year-old brother Kesnar has already pleaded guilty. In a statement released to AllHipHop.com a month before his capture, and during the time period that he was evading federal authorities, Rosemond accused federal prosecutors Todd Kaminski and Carolyn Pokorny of conspiring to bring him down. “Todd Kaminsky is a 33-year-old Jewish Hip Hop head that if he weren’t a lawyer he would probably be a member of the Beastie Boys,” Rosemond wrote. “Second, Carolyn Porkony, who failed in convicting the Murder Inc. Irv Gotti brothers on trumped up charges of money laundering. Both have a personal stake in pursuing me and will stop at nothing to bring down an innocent man.” James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is facing 18 counts of distributing cocaine. He faces up to life in prison if he is convicted.
Interscope Issues Statement Regarding Drug Shipments
(AllHipHop News) Interscope Records has responded to recent reports that their office was used as a drug distribution center for James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond. Last week, TheSmokingGun.com reported that federal prosecutors had found evidence that Interscope’s Los Angeles office was used to funnel millions of dollars worth of cocaine and drug proceeds. According to a rep for the label, the information that is being reported is very inaccurate. While the statement stopped short of denying that the office was used by Rosemond, the rep stated that Interscope Records, nor any of their employees, were being targeted in the ongoing investigation. “The information being reported in the press regarding Interscope Records’ involvement with the ongoing criminal prosecution of James Rosemond is both erroneous and completely unsupported,” Interscope told Billboard Magazine in a statement. “Interscope Records has been informed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York that there is no evidence that any employee of UMG or Interscope Records had any involvement in the drug trafficking ring being prosecuted by that office, nor any knowledge of the contents of any of the packages that were purportedly shipped to its offices. Further, neither UMG nor Interscope Record are a subject or target of the investigation. UMG and Interscope will continue to cooperate with the United States Attorney’s Office regarding this matter.” Rosemond is currently being held without bail at the Metropolitan correctional Center in Manhattan. He is facing up to life in prison for allegedly heading up the “Rosemond Organization,” which distributed hundreds of kilos of cocaine per month. Rosemond is accused of using music cases to ship cocaine to various recording studios and then sending millions in illegal proceeds back to Los Angeles in vacuum sealed bags filled with cash. Rosemond pleaded not guilty to 18 felony charges. In related news, AllHipHop.com has learned that several rappers and executives associated with James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond are now being investigated and could soon be charged, for allegedly helping Rosemond launder his drug proceeds.
Interscope Records Office Used To Pick Up Millions In Coke; Cash
(AllHipHop News) The offices of Interscope Records were used to ship millions of dollars worth of cocaine and drug proceeds across the country it has been revealed in the ongoing case of James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond. According to TheSmokingGun.com, defense lawyers for James Rosemond received detailed shipping records showing that Interscope’s Los Angeles office was used to pick up drugs and cash, stuffed in road cases used to ship musical equipment. Prosecutors are trying to determine why and how Interscope’s offices were used, although they are aware that Rosemond manages rapper Game, who is signed to Interscope. Investigators claim that Rosemond used Rock It Cargo, to deliver kilos of cocaine from Los Angeles to New York, where the cocaine was distributed. The proceeds were then packed in the music cases and sent back to music studios in Los Angeles. According to the TSG, a number of Rosemond’s former associates are cooperating and are explaining how the cash and cocaine shipped cross-country. Investigators claim that Rosemond used his Czar Entertainment as a legitimate front, and then utilized Rock It drugs disguised as legitimate freight. James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is currently being held in Metropolitan Correctional Center without bail.
Former Czar Exec To Testify Against Jimmy Henchman
(AllHipHop News) A former executive who worked for James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond Czar Entertainment has agreed to testify against the accused mogul in his upcoming federal cocaine distribution conspiracy trial. TheSmokingGun.com reports that Czar Entertainment exec Tony Martin had been named and charged with multiple felonies in an indictment surrounding Jimmy Henchman’s cocaine dealing operation. Last week, Martin, 30, agreed to cooperate with the government in order to gain leniency in the case. A variety of narcotics charges will be dropped and Martin has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, for his role in the operation. Martin is free on a $100,000 bond, and will be sentenced for money laundering in January. Meanwhile, Jimmy Henchman remains incarcerated with no bail, for heading up a nationwide cocaine operation, that sent hundreds of kilos of cocaine to New York from Los Angeles, shipped in road cases for music equipment.
Feds Seek To Remove Jimmy Henchman’s Counsel From Drug Case
(AllHipHop News) James ”Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond’s legal defense could become complicated, if federal prosecutors have their way. Prosecutors are seeking to remove his counsel Jeffrey Lichtman from the case, claiming the defense lawyer presents numerous conflicts of interests in representing Rosemond. Rosemond, who was accused of running a $10 million per year cocaine operation, is facing life in prison. Federal prosecutors have not charged Lichtman with any crime, but they believe that his close affiliation to several suspects could compromise his role as defense attorney for Rosemond. According to federal prosecutors, the Hip-Hop mogul, who handled the careers of Akon, Brandy, rapper Game, and others, paid Lichtman $150,000 in cash for legal services. Lichtman denied a number of allegations that prosecutors presented in court, including a claim that the lawyer tried to find out if a man involved in the cocaine operation was cooperating with federal agents. Lichtman has denied any wrongdoing and has offered to take a lie detector test. He is still Rosemond attorney. Rosemond is currently indicted for his role in a massive cocaine conspiracy ring, which allegedly shipped hundreds of kilos of cocaine to studios in New York and sent tens of millions in proceeds to the West coast.
Feds Seek to Confiscate Millions In Property From Jimmy Henchman
(AllHipHop News) Former rap manager/mogul James Jimmy Henchman Rosemond has been hit with 13 charges related to his role in a drug dealing operation that the government claims earned more than $10 million annually, in drug proceeds. According to reports, the 46-year-old has been charged with maintaining a supervisory and management position in a continuing criminal enterprise that began trafficking large amounts of cocaine in 2007. Rosemond was arraigned yesterday (July 6th), along with other men, including his brothers Kesner and another brother named Mario.Also named on the indictment are Jason Williams, Tony Martin, and a man named Dennis Graham a.k.a. Mark Black.” Federal authorities are seeking to confiscate Rosemond’s $1 million-dollar condominium on the Hudson River in Manhattan, as well as a luxury condo in BelTell loss in Brooklyn worth almost $3 million. While Rosemond was indicted for his role in the drug viewing operation, he was not charged with the murder of 50 Cent’s associate Lowell Lodi Mack Fletcher, a crime he can legally still be charged with. Fletcher was allegedly gunned down by two associates within the Rosemond drug dealing organization. The slaying was allegedly in retaliation for Tony Yayo’s assault on Rosemond’s young son, as he walked to the offices of Czar Entertainment, one of the companies Rosemond used as a front for his drug dealing operation. Rosemond faces up to life in prison if he is convicted on the drug charges, alone.
Feds Offer Jimmy Henchman Informant A Plea In Return For Missing $100K
(AllHipHop News) A key witness against former rap manager/mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond is close to striking a plea deal with prosecutors, according to reports. According to TheSmokingGun.com, Khalil Abdullah, one of Rosemond’s associates and top members in the collective known as the Rosemond organization, is close to making the deal, if he returns a missing $100,000 to the government. Abdullah allegedly entrusted the $100,000 to an unnamed associate, whom he cannot locate. In order to receive the plea deal with prosecutors, Abdullah must forfeit the $100,000, which Abdullah allegedly stole from the Rosemond organization, which helped trigger the current federal investigation.According to an indictment, Abdullah’s thieving helped lead to a bigger investigation into the Rosemond organization’s trafficking conspiracy. DEA agents claim that the organization used Federal Express and other overnight couriers to send millions of dollars worth of narcotics and proceeds from New York to the West Coast, and back. Abdullah, who knew that he was in the process of being indicted for his role in the cocaine distribution conspiracy, was the original person to contact lead prosecutor Todd Kaminsky, with information on the conspiracy. Abdullah allegedly faxed a letter to prosecutors from a Kinko’s on April 25th, where he told agents about of a shipment that was being sent to a recording studio in New York, in a “road case” for music equipment. When agents seized the road case they found $790,000 in $20 bills, which helped lead Kaminsky to indict the investigation’s main target, James Rosemond.Abdullah, who is facing at least 10 years in prison for his role in distributing the cocaine, is seeking to receive a lesser sentence by testifying. James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond was apprehended by authorities in New York on June 20th, after being on the run for nearly 2 weeks. The following day, he appeared in Brooklyn federal court, where he pleaded not guilty to intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, witness tampering, and obstruction of justice. Police are also investigating Rosemond involvement in a murder for hire plot that resulted in the death of an associate of 50 Cent named Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, who was killed last year, for allegedly smacking Rosemond’s son during a dispute in March of 2007.
> Jimmy Henchman Pleads Not Guilty; Denied Bail, Vows to Fight
(AllHipHop News) James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond appeared in Brooklyn federal court yesterday (June 21st), where he pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges stemming from an indictment accusing the mogul of distributing multiple kilos of cocaine. Rosemond, who runs Czar Entertainment, was arrested yesterday in New York, after being a fugitive for over two weeks.Due to his flight risk, a judge denied Rosemond bail and he is currently being housed at the Metropolitan Department Correctional (MDC) Facility in Brooklyn, New York. When agents arrested him yesterday, Rosemond was carrying five BlackBerries, an iPad, two false drivers licenses and a fake passport, published reports said. During the arrest, DEA agents found a plane ticket and learned that Rosemond was planning to leave the United States for the Bahamas on June 24th. According to a new criminal complaint that was unsealed yesterday, Rosemond was dealing drugs as recent as May 11th. A confidential witness named Winston Harris allowed agents monitor the mogul’s e-mails and even wore a wire during one of their alleged drug deals. One of the correspondences reportedly shows Rosemond setting up a deal to sell over a kilo of cocaine in Brooklyn, but he couldn’t execute the deal, because his car was not working. Rosemond is accused of being the leader of a large-scale narcotics trafficking organization, that dealt hundreds of kilos of cocaine since at least 2008. Rosemond’s lawyer Jeffery Lichman vowed to fight the charges levied at the rap mogul, who is also being accused of helping to set up the murder of G-Unit associated Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher. Fletcher was shot and killed in the Bronx, apparently in retaliation for smacking Rosemond’s son in March of 2007. This indictment was built on the backs of witnesses that have been threatened and bribed by federal prosecutors,” Rosemond’s lawyer Jeffery Lichtman told The Wall Street Journal. “And I plan to expose all of it. If the government wants a fight, theyre going to get a fight. Ironically, James Rosemond is being housed in MDC, the same facility housing convicted murder, Dexter Isaac, who recently came forward with shocking allegations that Rosemond paid him to have Tupac Shakur beaten and robbed in November of 1994.
James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond Apprehended
(AllHipHop News) Music mogul James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond was apprehended in New York City today (June 20th), after a brief foot chase with authorities. According to reports, federal agents spotted the Hip-Hop mogul near The W Hotel around Union Street in midtown Manhattan early this morning. He fled when approached by agents, who caught and tackled him, reports say. Arresting agents apprehended Rosemond during the foot chase near E. 21st Street. Rosemond is currently indicted for his role in a massive cocaine conspiracy ring, which allegedly shipped hundreds of kilos of cocaine to studios in New York and sent millions in proceeds to the West coast. Two of Rosemond’s associates have also been charged with the murder of Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher, who was shot and killed in the Bronx. Rosemond’s capture today ended a two week manhunt that started on May 29th, when it was announced that federal agents were seeking him. Last week, AllHipHop.com broke the news about Rosemond’s alleged involvement in the 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur, inside The Quad studios in Manhattan. A convicted murderer and associate of Rosemond’s named Dexter Isaac, claimed Rosemond paid him $2,500 to rob Shakur, who was subsequently shot five times.
Jimmy Henchman Associates Charged With Murdering 50 Cent’s Friend
(AllHipHop News) Two men associated with music manager James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond have been charged with the murder of an associate of superstar rapper 50 Cent, after he allegedly smacked Rosemond’s teenaged son in March of 2007. Lowell “Lodi Mac” Fletcher was gunned down in September of 2009, shortly after he was released from prison for assaulting Rosemond’s son with G-Unit associate, Tony Yayo. Federal investigators believe that Rosemond hired two men to murder Fletcher in retaliation for the assault on his son, which occurred on West 25th street in Manhattan, just blocks away from Violator Management, which handles the careers of 50 and Tony Yayo. Henchman’s son was wearing a Czar Entertainment shirt and walking to the offices of Rosemond’s Czar Entertainment, which is on the same street as Violator’s headquarters.Fletcher along with Tony Yayo were accused of accosting and smacking Rosemond’s son. Fletcher was sentenced to jail time for his role in the assault, while Tony Yayo received probation for harassment charges. Fletcher was shot and killed in the Bronx, just weeks after he was released from prison. Now, two men associated with the Rosemond’s cocaine dealing operation are accused of carrying out the hit on Fletcher. Rodney Johnson, 37 and Brian McLeod, 40, were hired by persons known and unknown to murder Fletcher, in exchange for drugs. The news of the murder charges comes as federal authorities investigate Rosemond, who is currently a fugitive on the run for cocaine distribution charges. Rosemond is accused of trafficking hundreds-of-kilos of cocaine through various recording studios and using overnight delivery services to ship the proceeds back to the West coast. Sources also told AllHipHop.com that Rosemond could be hit a RICO charge, due to his alleged ongoing criminal activities over the past 15 years. Another source told AllHipHop.com that Fletcher’s murderers could have ties to the Jam Master Jay case. A number of incidents are being investigated as part of the investigation into Rosemond, who has handled the careers of artists like Groove Theory, Brandy, Gucci Mane and The Game, whom he managed through the most tumultuous period of his career, shortly after his split with 50 Cent’s G-Unit. Game and Rosemond spearheaded the “G-Unot” campaign during the feud, which climaxed with a shooting in front of Hot 97 that left one man from California wounded. Shortly afterwards, 50 Cent and Game publicly ended their feud, although incidents of violence continued to occur in the years after. In 2006, Henchman was accused of assaulting a Washington, D.C. DJ. In March of 2007, G-Unit cohorts Tony Yayo and an associate named Fletcher, were accused of striking Rosemond’s son, who was 14-years-old at the time. In April of 2007, Tony Yayo’s mother’s house was sprayed with bullets, although no one was arrested for the incident. In January of 2008, a house belonging to a road manager associated with 50 Cent was shot up and firebombed, as well, just one day before Yayo’s court appearance over the assault. In May of 2008, a Dix Hills, Long Island mansion that was the center of a dispute between 50 Cent and his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins burnt down, with Tompkins, 50 Cent’s son Marquis and four other people inside. In a previous interview, before the murder charges were unsealed, Violator CEO Chris Lighty spoke about the drug case relating to Henchman. “I can’t really worry about what’s happening in his world,” Chris Lighty told AllHipHop.com. “I can only worry about what’s happening in mine….no real comment. Nobody wishes the feds on anybody because they’re ugly beasts. It is what it is.”
The Game Extends Peace Treaty To 50 Cent
The G-Unot campaign may very well be over. That is, if 50 Cent accepts the Game’s request that the two once-affiliated rappers end their ongoing beef. During an interview in New York yesterday (Sept. 29) with Hot 97 radio personality Angie Martinez, the Game extended an olive branch to his bitter rival, repeatedly urging 50 Cent to call into the station. The Compton-bred rapper also insisted he was sincere and said he hoped to find a resolution with 50 Cent, who played an active role on his debut album The Documentary. “[I want] just to talk and just to see where our heads are and see if maybe we can come to an even playing field — respectfully to each other,” said the Game. “[I want to] see if we can figure it out [as] grown-ups.” In February 2005, a man affiliated with the Game was shot in front of Hot 97’s Manhattan office building minutes after 50 Cent publicly kicked his West Coast counterpart out of G-Unit during an on-air interview. The pair would later reconcile at a highly-publicized press conference, but the Game claimed the two weren’t mentally prepared for it. “We weren’t ready to do that. You can’t force us to do anything,” he told Martinez. “I don’t think that either of us was ready to get on that stage.” Game further likened the failed resolution to removing a steak out of an oven before it is done cooking. “You bit into [the steak] and it wasn’t ready because it wasn’t done,” he philosophized. “We were just coerced into that situation. At the end of the day, we are all getting money and it should be good. Its Hip-Hop, it’s a competition.” While Game sought to end his most salacious beef, he noted that his other rap rivals won’t be so fortunate. “Y’all ain’t off the hook. I don’t want everybody to think that it’s all good,” he said, alluding to his recent altercation with rapper Ras Kass. “Tomorrow, nothing is promised and that statement is bigger than Hip-Hop.” Additionally, Game re-confirmed that neither Dr. Dre, nor his beats, will appear on his sophomore opus, The Doctor’s Advocate, due in stores on Nov. 14. Game stated, however, that he still has a good relationship with his mentor. “Dre is not on the album. No Dre involvement on this album,” he said. “If you looking to buy my album just because Dre did a beat or two, leave it on the shelf. This album is executive-produced by the Game. Dre took me from the ‘hood and gave me an opportunity so I’m always going to pay him that respect.”
50 Cent: 1999 Throwback – Get Rich or Die Tryin’
This interview was conducted by the author in 1999 while interning at Columbia Records. AllHipHop.com presents a six-year time machine glance into the hungry, but prophetic eyes of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in 1999. Hopefully on the verge of releasing Power of a Dollar, 50 Cent had already stirred up the industry with his “How to Rob” anthem on the Deep Blue soundtrack. Reactions from Terror Squad and Sticky Fingaz had surfaced, and 50 welcomed the taste of opposition. Get a vintage view of 50’s competitive spirit, his Columbia signing, and some more philosophical looks at life, death, and getting rich in between… AllHipHop.com: How did you get started in the music industry? 50 Cent: When you look like money, its easier to get next to people in high positions cause they feel like you dont need anything from them. So, its just cool for you to hang with them. They actually like you hanging out with them. Many of these industry people go with the persona of street n***as that are out to get you. [If] you dont carry yourself like that, [then] they hang with you. AllHipHop.com: So, thats what led you to getting signed? 50 Cent: Yeah, like how I was when I met Jam Master Jay – I looked like money. It made it easier. Its not like I knew the guy. Jam Master Jay signed me to his label, JMJ. I made 18 records under JMJ. I realized that I was goin nowhere. I had a meeting with Mark Morales [formerly, Prince Markie Dee of Fat Boys]. I played my tape for him, and while Im playin the tape, hes listening to someone on his cell phone, and talkin to his girl at the car lot. So basically, no ones really payin attention to my music, but me. Then Marks boy goes to him, “Yo, Mark what you think of this?” Hes like, “Its aight.” Im like, “Gimme my motherf**kin tape, man. Yall n***as is mad old school.” I just took my tape and left. Like a week later, Mark calls me at three oclock in the morning. We linked up, and he wanted me to go upstate with him that night. But I dont go upstate with n***as. Where Im from, n***as go upstate, and dont come back. The next day, my man came with me, and then we went upstate. I met Tone & Poke [Trackmasters] and them Femme Fatale girls. When I went up there, I still wouldnt have been able to work, because the studio was all occupied. Them Femme Fatale girls started arguing and fighting with each other, and they left back to the city. That left the opportunity open for me. In the next 18 days, I made 36 songs. After doing that, I knew regardless to what was going on, I was gonna get signed. AllHipHop.com: Thats hot. The 36 songs were your demo 50 Cent: Once I get in the zone, like throughout those 18 days, I get in the mood and s**t just keeps comin to me. Therell be no problem, everything I write works. AllHipHop.com: What kind of things do you get your ideas from to write a song? 50 Cent: A lot of different things – conversations. You might say something in a conversation thats real. I was in the projects yesterday, and I was talking to one of the gods out there. He was telling me, “You can determine how great a man is, by how many people hate him, cause envys a mothaf**ka.” He just said it like nothing, so naturally that he didnt even understand what kind of jewel he was droppin. After, I had a conversation with my boy and he was telling me, “You know youre good when people constantly try to challenge you. They feel like youre a threat to everything else thats going on. You should feel good.” There was this kid from the Terror Squad on the radio who had a song called “Two Quarters.” Sticky Fingaz did “Jackin for Beats.” Neither one of them are hit records, so I dont really mind. Im gonna address them though, when Its the right time. I dont want to make myself out to be that kid who talks about everybody. So, right now Im gonna let them slide. Im gonna continue to do what I gotta do and after I build my fan base, Ill start finishing off their careers. [Laughs] AllHipHop.com: What made you want to do the song “How To Rob? Was it influenced by the label? 50 Cent: Not really. It originated in a conversation with myself and my A&R. He said, “You should do a record where youre robbing everybody, but as a joke.” I came in the following week with the song and his jaw dropped. AllHipHop.com: So, you basically did it as a joke and people are taking it seriously 50 Cent: I dont care if they take it seriously. It doesnt matter to me. That record did for me what a poster board cant do. Without making a record that separates you from everybody else, who are you? There a million people out there that are rappin, you need a reason why people will wanna work with you. The reason why its comedy, is because comedy has some truth to it, all the time. You can put your good clothes on and go to the comedy club and the comedian is gonna pick you to pieces. The comedian will have the whole place laughing at you, then how do you feel? Comedy is always at somebody elses expense. The Terror Squad can be upset cause they got these hardcore killer images, but like I said, thats an image. If they were killers, Id be dead already. AllHipHop.com: What do you think of Hip-Hop at its standing point right now, do you think were losing Hip-Hop? 50 Cent: Were not losing Hip-Hop. Im taking straight it back to when Hip-Hop was more […]
