Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, has been the subject of much discussion regarding his health and physical transformations over the years. From his near-fatal shooting in 2000 to his recent weight loss, 50 Cent's journey is a testament to his resilience and determination. This article explores the various factors that have influenced his health, fitness, and overall well-being.
Early Life and Boxing
Born in Queens, New York City, 50 Cent's early life was marked by tragedy and adversity. After the murder of his mother, he became an orphan at age eight. He began boxing at age 11, finding discipline and a sense of control in the sport. "I would always identify with why we lost. So it was perfect to get into boxing because there was no one to blame anything on," he reflected. Boxing provided him with a discipline that gave him an advantage, teaching him to take responsibility for his actions and push himself to improve.
The Shooting and its Aftermath
In May 2000, 50 Cent was shot nine times outside his grandmother's house. The attack left him with injuries to his hand, arm, hip, both legs, chest, and face. One bullet pierced his jaw, resulting in a swollen tongue, the loss of a wisdom tooth, and a slightly slurred voice.
Despite the severity of his injuries, 50 Cent survived the ordeal. He spent 13 days in the hospital and used a walker for six weeks. The shooting had a profound impact on his life, leading him to re-evaluate his priorities and focus on his physical and mental strength.
The weight loss caused by his assault gifted the MC two observations that would forever change him: For the first time in Fif’s life, he could see the muscle constellation his weight had hidden throughout his years. “When you slim down, you see everything,” he says before identifying the paranoia in his initial fitness journey. “I’m also working out to get myself stronger, ’cause who’s to say you’re not gonna get hit again?” The second observation was not in the mirror but instead on television. He saw D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel (Untitled)” video and the subsequent female reaction to the Brown Sugar crooner’s defined physique. “They were talking about a Brad Pitt line!” says 50, referring to the Fight Club actor’s famously defined pelvis. “I’m like, ‘Wait, what’s that?! Oh, nah, that’s important!’”
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The "In Da Club" Era: Physical Transformation and Mental Fortitude
Following the shooting, 50 Cent embarked on a journey of physical transformation. He relocated to the Poconos and began a personal treadmill regimen, eventually skipping the grueling four-hour round trips to Jamaica Hospital to get (free) physical therapy. He channeled his energy into building his physique, recognizing the importance of both physical and mental strength.
The iconic "In Da Club" video showcased his chiseled physique, jogging to a Dr. Dre beat. "I put the gym in the middle of the video because, to me, that’s where I looked the coolest,” says Jackson. “That’s where I learned strong is not all muscle; it’s about being mentally and physically strong.”
Ironically, the attempt on 50’s life was the tipping point for him becoming the 200-pound (plus six percent body fat) herculean MC who bullied music artists and the charts for much of the aughts. One of those nine bullets pierced his jaw, placing him on a liquid diet for six weeks. He shed nearly 54 pounds off a frame that had been stocky since he began boxing at age 12.
Weight Gain for "For Life" and Subsequent Weight Loss
In recent years, 50 Cent has experienced fluctuations in his weight due to his acting roles. He put on weight for his role on the ABC show "For Life," where he played a jailhouse character. "I was eating everything to get as big as possible. Because it was a jailhouse [role], so it didn’t matter if I wasn’t cut up,” he explained.
However, he later embarked on a weight loss journey, shedding an impressive 40 pounds. He has been showcasing his new look on Instagram, attributing his weight loss to hard work in the gym. “Everybody talking about weight loss. I was in the gym. I was working the f-k out, man. Who says Ozempic? I was running,” 50 said in a video posted on Instagram. The 48-year-old continued, “You seen me on tour. I was running around. I was 253 lbs., I came down and I’m 210 right now.
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Motivation and Maintaining Focus
50 Cent has been vocal about his motivation for staying in shape. In an August 2023 interview with Men's Health, he said that the previous attempt on his life keeps him focused. “I’m … working out to get myself stronger, ’cause who’s to say you’re not gonna get hit again?” he said, also noting that age keeps him on his toes, too. “It’s more important to get back in shape now than it was then. Simply because I’m getting older.
Business Ventures and Continued Success
Beyond his music and acting career, 50 Cent has established himself as a successful businessman. He has spent the last decade learning and imposing his will on the motion picture industry-similar to his entry into the music biz-and now his rap legend tag is accompanied by the distinction of being a highly successful film and TV exec. He boasts “30 different shows across ten different networks,” including several spin-offs from his initial Power series, which continues to break nearly every existing Starz ratings record; an animation project with Nicki Minaj; and an 8 Mile scripted series.
Legacy and Influence
Despite being two generations removed from today’s MCs, his influence on young Black men desperately using spoken word to escape the trappings of inner-city underworlds is as undeniable as it is current. 21 Savage remade 50’s grave classic “Many Men.” Fif also agrees that no other music artist of this era resembled him more than the late Pop Smoke. “I saw so much of myself in him,” says Jackson about the slain Brooklyn rapper before providing levity. “I was like, ‘What’s your mother’s name again?’”
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