Ciara
Ciara attending Maxim magazine's 10th Annual Hot 100 Celebration in Santa Monica, California, on May 13, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Ciara Princess Harris
Born	(1985-10-25) October 25, 1985 (age 26) Austin, Texas, United States
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	R&B, pop, hip hop, dance
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, model
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Epic, LaFace, Sho'nuff
Website	onlyciara.com

Ciara Princess Harris (born October 25, 1985), known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer Jazze Pha. With his help, she signed a record deal with LaFace Records.

In 2004, Ciara released her debut studio album Goodies, which debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 and included the hit singles "Goodies", "1, 2 Step" and "Oh". The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and earned her four nominations at the 48th Grammy Awards. She released her second studio album Ciara: The Evolution in 2006, which spawned the hit singles "Get Up", "Promise" and "Like a Boy". The album reached number one in the US and was certified platinum. Her third studio album Fantasy Ride, released in May 2009, was considerably less successful than Ciara's first two albums. However, it produced the worldwide top-ten hit "Love Sex Magic" featuring Justin Timberlake, which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The following year, Ciara released her fourth studio album Basic Instinct, which was met with low sales and continued a downward trend in her commercial success. In 2011, she signed a new record deal with Epic Records.

Since making her musical debut in 2004, Ciara has attained eight Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles, including a number one. She has also earned numerous awards and accolades, including three BET Awards, one Grammy Award, three MTV Video Music Awards and three MOBO Awards. Ciara has sold over seven million albums worldwide,^[1] and more than 4.3 million albums and 6.9 million digital singles in the United States alone.^[2]

Biography[link]

1985-2003: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Ciara was born in Austin, Texas on October 25, 1985 as the only child of Jackie and Carlton Harris. Since her father was in the United States Army, throughout her childhood, Ciara grew up on army bases in Germany, New York, Utah, California, Arizona, and Nevada.^[3] In speaking of this, Ciara states that while she hated to lose good friends, this helps her in her career when she has to travel all over the world. During her teens, Ciara and her family settled in Atlanta.^[3]

In her mid-teens, Ciara formed the all girl group Hearsay with two of her friends. The group recorded demos, but as time went on, they began to have differences and eventually parted ways.^[3] Despite this setback, Ciara was still determined to reach her goal and signed a publishing deal as a songwriter. Her first success was the song, "Got Me Waiting" for R&B singer Fantasia Barrino's debut album, Free Yourself^[3] It was when she was writing songs that she met music producer, Jazze Pha, whom she called her "music soulmate". In 2002, the two recorded four demos, "1, 2 Step", "Thug Style", "Pick Up the Phone", and "Lookin' at You", which all appeared on her debut album, which was released two years later. The former was the second single released from it and became a hit.^[3]

After graduating from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia in 2003, she was signed by LaFace Records executive, L.A. Reid, whom she was introduced to by Jazze Pha.^[4] She began production on her debut album later that year. In early 2004, Ciara wrote a demo with record producer, Sean Garrett. The demo was later brought to the attention of Lil Jon and became her debut single "Goodies". Lil Jon stated later that he knew it would be big seeing how it sounded similar to Usher's international hit, "Yeah!".^[3]

[edit] 2004–05: Goodies

	"Goodies" noicon "Goodies", the crunk counterpart to "Yeah", lyrically speaks of female empowerment and abstinence-promoting lyrics. It became Ciara's first single to top the Billboard Hot 100.
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Ciara released her debut album Goodies on September 28, 2004. Following the release of the album, Ciara was hailed as the "Princess or First Lady of Crunk&B". She worked with several writers and producers on the album, including Jazze Pha (who discovered her), Lil Jon, Bangladesh, R. Kelly, Johntá Austin, Sean Garrett, and Keri Hilson, among others. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, selling 124,750 copies in its initial week^[5] and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Goodies itself had a seventy-one week stint on the Billboard 200, and certified three times-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 10, 2006,^[6] and has sold around 2.7 million copies in the United States as of June 2010.^[2] Charting at twenty-two on the Canadian Albums Chart, it was certified Platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.^[7] The album charted at twenty-six on the UK Albums Chart, and spent twenty weeks on the chart.^[8] It was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry, remaining to be Ciara's sole certified album in the UK.^[8] Goodies' lead single, the title track, featuring Petey Pablo, was released on June 8, 2004. Conceived as a crunk female counterpart to Usher's "Yeah", the lyrical content goes against the grain, speaking of abstinence, rejecting advances because "the goodies will stay in the jar." Critics hailed it as an "anthem of the summer" and one of the best singles of the year, complementing its dance-feel and beat, and the irony of the "clever" lyrics. The single performed well worldwide, topping the charts in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, and charting in the top ten of other charts, receiving Platinum certification in the United States.^[9][10] "1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott was released as the album's second single.^[11] While topping the charts in Canada, it additionally appeared the in top ten of six other countries, and was certified Platinum or Gold in multiple regions.^[9][10] The song was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 48th Grammy Awards.^[12] "Oh" featuring Ludacris was released as the third single on March 5, 2005. The song performed well worldwide, appearing in the top ten of seven charts, and certified either Platinum or Gold in multiple regions.^[9][10] Following the success of the album, Ciara released a CD/DVD entitled Goodies: The Videos & More in the United States on July 12, 2005 which featured remixes to "1, 2 Step" and "Oh", including two new songs. The release was certified platinum in the United States. Ciara also served as an opening act for Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005 and went on tour with Chris Brown and Bow Wow on the Holiday Jam Tour in December 2005. She made a guest appearance on Missy Elliott's single "Lose Control" and also on Bow Wow's single "Like You", which both peaked at number three in the United States and obtained worldwide success. At the 48th Grammy Awards, Ciara received four nominations including a Grammy award for "Best New Artist", "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" for "1, 2 Step", and "Best Rap Song" for "Lose Control" for Elliot's single. She won "Best Short Form Music Video" with Elliott for the single.^[12] In 2005, Ciara began dating rapper Bow Wow. They ended their relationship in April 2006.^[13]

[edit] 2006–07: Ciara: The Evolution

Ciara in March 2007

On December 5, 2006 Ciara released her second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution. According to the singer, the title of the album is "about so much more than just my personal growth – it's about the evolution of music, the evolution of dance, the evolution of fashion".^[14] The source of the album's creativity such as the sound and edge comes from Ciara in general.^[15] Although, Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna were influences on the album.^[16] Ciara worked with a new line of producers including Rodney Jerkins, Pharrell, Bryan-Michael Cox, Will.i.am and many others, as well as working with producers Jazze Pha and Lil Jon who previously worked with the singer on her debut album. Ciara: The Evolution became Ciara's first number one album on the US Billboard 200 and second on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts with sales of more than 338,000 becoming her highest first week of sales to date. The album went on to be certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States, within only five weeks of its release, and has sold 1.3 million copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.^[2] It sold over two million copies worldwide.^{[citation needed]} The album's international lead single "Get Up" which features Chamillionaire reached number seven in the United States and gained a platinum accreditation. It reached number five in New Zealand.^[17] The song was used for the film Step Up and featured on the film's soundtrack. The album's lead single in the United States, "Promise" reached number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her third number one single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Like a Boy" was released as the second international single which reached within the top twenty in the UK,^[18] Finland,^[19] France, Ireland, Sweden^[20] Switzerland, and also in the United States.^[21] In support of the album, Ciara headlined The Evolution Tour in October 2006. The tour went to seventeen different clubs in cities throughout the United States. In August 2007 she headlined the Screamfest '07 tour with fellow rapper, T.I.. Ciara along with Chris Brown and Akon, was a support act for Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad Tour in the United Kingdom. She made guest appearances on singles such as "So What" by Field Mob and also on Tiffany Evans' single "Promise Ring". In addition to her music, Ciara made her acting debut in the MTV Films production All You've Got in May 2006. In the movie she played Becca Whiley, a teenager who is competing in a Volleyball Tournament. Ciara became the face of Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line and spokesperson for the women campaign entitled "I Will Not Lose", which debuted in the summer of 2007.

[edit] 2008–10: Fantasy Ride and Basic Instinct

Ciara in February 2009

In October 2008 Ciara was honored as Billboard's "Woman of the Year", because of her success as a recording artist and leadership in embracing the changing music business.^[22] In the October issue of Vibe Magazine, Ciara appeared to be naked on the magazine's cover but she has stated that Vibe airbrushed her clothes off to make it appear she was completely nude. Ciara told MTV News she was hurt by the photos and was quite shocked when she finally got her hands on the month's issue. She later confirmed that she was in fact clothed.^[23] Although her third album was originally intended for a September 2008 release, Fantasy Ride was released after a number of delays in May 2009. It became Ciara's first top ten album in the UK and Canada. In the United States, Fantasy Ride debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, becoming Ciara's third consecutive album to debut within the top three on the chart; it has sold 193,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.^[2] The album's lead single, "Never Ever" (featuring Young Jeezy), was released in the United States in January 2009 and reached a peak of number nine on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The second single, "Love Sex Magic" (featuring Justin Timberlake), became a worldwide hit, reaching within the top ten in twenty countries including the U.S., where it peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. It went on to be certified platinum in Australia^[24] and received a gold accreditation in New Zealand.^[25] It received a nomination for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" at the 52nd Grammy Awards and also for Best Choreography in a Video at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. "Work", the final single, achieved moderate success in international markets. In July 2009, Ciara headlined the Jay-Z & Ciara Live tour with Jay-Z. She was also the support act for Britney Spears's Circus tour, where she performed eight nights at London's prestigious O2 Arena during June 2009.^[26] Ciara made a guest appearance on Nelly's single "Stepped On My J'z" from his album Brass Knuckles, and also on Enrique Iglesias' international hit single, "Takin' Back My Love", from his Greatest Hits album.

In February 2010, rapper Ludacris released a remix to his single "How Low" which had Ciara as a featured artist alongside Miami rapper Pitbull. In March 2010 Ciara made a cameo appearance in the music video of Usher's single, "Lil' Freak". Her fourth studio album Basic Instinct was released in December 2010. Ciara told Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul magazine, that the album "is really about her trusting her instinct and going back to the R&B/urban basics in her music – like where she first started, in the days of "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step".^[27] It was executively produced by the singer alongside her A&R agent Mark Pitts and writing/production duo Tricky Stewart and The-Dream who, also produced records for her previous album, Fantasy Ride. Basic Instinct debuted at number forty-four on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 37,000 copies.^[28] Consequently, it marks the first time in Ciara's career that one of her album's has missed the top three, as well as continuing a downward trend in success. On the U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, the album opened at number eleven,^[29] again becoming Ciara's lowest charting album of her career thus far.

"Ride", which features Ludacris, was released as the album's lead single on April 26, 2010. It peaked at number forty-two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number three on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,^[30] and number seventy-five on the UK Singles Chart.^[31] It became Ciara's twelfth top-ten R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs hit.^[32] The song won the award for "Best Dance Performance" at the 2010 Soul Train Music Awards.^[33] "Speechless" and "Gimmie Dat" were released as the second and third singles from the album in the fall of 2010.^[34] Both only managed to peak within the lower half of US R&B charts,^[21] while the latter achieved minor urban chart success in the UK.^[35] In November 2010 Ciara travelled to Australia to be part of the Summerbeatz tour alongside Flo Rida, Jay Sean, Akon, Travie McCoy and Ja Rule.^[36]

In 2011 Ciara starred in her first film Mama, I Want to Sing!. Tarralyn Ramsey and Paris Bennett auditioned for the role of Amara before CodeBlack Entertainment offered the role to Ciara. Vy Higginsen, the original playwright for the off-Broadway production of "Mama, I Want to Sing!", assisted Charles Randolph-Wright with the script. Shalyric Self was set to portray the younger version of Amara, but due to contract issues, she was replaced by Mariah Roberson.^[37] Ciara performed in Dubai on December 28.^[38] In 2011, Ciara confirmed a relationship with basketball player Amar'e Stoudemire.^[39][40]

[edit] 2011–present: Epic Records, That's My Boy and One Woman Army

In February 2011, following rumors that Ciara had been dropped by Jive Records, she released an official statement to her Facebook page complaining of inadequate promotion and funding from the label. She stated that she received a lack of support from the label, and even paid for the promotion of some singles, such as "Gimmie Dat", herself. The frustration she felt while working with her third and fourth albums led her to request that she be released from her contract.^[41] In May 2011, Ciara was removed from the Jive Records website roster.^[42] On July 12, 2011, it was reported that she had reunited with the L.A. Reid by signing with his record label Epic Records.^[43] Billboard.biz confirmed her move to Epic in September 2011.^[44]

During an interview with Sway in the Morning in February 2012, Ciara revealed that she will be taking her time recording her fifth studio album, stating: "It's just really about the vibe, and I'll just tell you that it's a good vibe going. It's really important for me to take my time with this record and it's important for the whole team. It's really, really good energy."^[45] She has been working on the album with Hit-Boy, Soundz and Diane Warren.^[46][47] During a press conference with MTV, Ciara confirmed the fifth studio albums title, One Woman Army along with the title of the first single, "Sweat", which she announced would be out very soon.^[48][49]

Artistry[link]

Musical style[link]

	"Oh" noicon "Oh" makes uses of a heavy bassline, showcasing Ciara's trademark breathy vocals.
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With the release of her debut single "Goodies", Ciara was referred to as the Princess of Crunk&B.^[50] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post commented that she has a "reedy, agile voice, capable of conveying the only three emotions (sexy, sassy, sad) an R&B singer needs.^[51] Randall Roberts of Los Angeles Times commented that "Ciara has been the most synthetic of the R&B divas over the past decade, an electro-leaning vocalist whose instrumental palate has heavily favored stark 808 beats, sassy and seductive vocal lines."^[52] In reviewing her second album Ciara: The Evolution, Jody Rosen of Entertainment Weekly writes "Ciara's comfort with rave-inspired beats sets her apart from Cassie, Amerie, Rihanna, and other would-Beyoncés...[Her] singing is nimble throughout: She whispers, coos, wails, and reels off speedy syncopations worthy of Beyoncé herself."^[53] Her third album Fantasy Ride saw the singer showcasing a new pop and dance direction. Bill Lamb of About.com commented that her hit "Love Sex Magic" has a "retro funk guitar feel" to it and that "the song rides a beat that brings simultaneous echoes of 70's R&B and classic Janet Jackson.^[54] Ciara's music is generally contemporary R&B, but she also incoporates various styles of musical genres including, hip hop, crunk, rap, dance-pop, electro pop and funk into her songs. Critics have described her singles "Goodies", "1, 2 Step", "Get Up" and "Go Girl" as club bangers.^[55]

Ciara's debut album featured production from Jazze Pha who discovered her. Critics compared the album to the late singer Aaliyah.^[56][57] and said it had qualities of Destiny's Child.^[57] On her second album, Ciara worked with one of her debut album collaborators Lil Jon on "That's Right", sampling Pretty Tony's "Fix It in the Mix".^[58] She has also taken to sampling songs from other artist such as, Lyn Collins's "Think (About It)" and Rob Base's "It Takes Two" on "Make It Last Forever",^[58] Jive Rhythm Trax’s 80's electro cut "122 BPM" on "C.R.U.S.H"^[59] and also Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me by Now", sampling the chorus of the song onto "Never Ever".^[51]

Influences[link]

Ciara said that watching Destiny's Child and Janet Jackson perform on a television program while staying home from school inspired her to pursue a career in music,^[3] and cites superstar siblings Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson as her biggest inspiration.^[60] Ciara is quoted to have reached what she considered "a career pinnacle" when she recorded with Janet Jackson on Jackson's 2008 Discipline album.

Other Ventures[link]

Products and endorsements[link]

In 2009 Ciara signed a multi-million dollar deal with the modeling agency Wilhelmina Models. After signing the deal she has been in many magazine spreads. In addition to that, she also has her eyes set on beginning a new clothing line. In June 2008 she was in talks with the department store Steve & Barry's to create an affordable clothing line.^[61] On November 9, 2009 it was announced that Ciara would be modeling in the German edition of "Vogue".^[62] During that time, it was also announced that Ciara would be the new face of a major multimedia ad campaign for Verizon's smartphone the LG Chocolate Touch. Ciara filmed a commercial for the campaign, which features her dancing to her 2009 single "Work".^[63]

In March 2010 it was officially confirmed and announced that Ciara was the spokesperson in the new ad campaign for Adidas Originals. A commercial for the campaign was released the same month, featuring numerous of other celebrities.^[64]

Philanthropy[link]

In September 2008 Ciara contributed to the song "Just Stand Up!" with fifteen other female artists, who shared the stage to perform the song live on September 5, 2008 during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special. The proceeds from the single were given to the fundraiser.^[65] The television special helped raise $100 million dollars for cancer research.^[66] In 2009, Ciara became the face of Dosomething.org's "Do Something 101" campaign to raise school supplies for those in need at the start of the school year.^[67] She filmed a public service announcement to endorse the campaign.^[68]

Discography[link]

• Goodies (2004)
• Ciara: The Evolution (2006)
• Fantasy Ride (2009)
• Basic Instinct (2010)
• One Woman Army (2012)

Tours[link]

Filmography[link]

See also[link]

	Book: Ciara
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of awards and nominations received by Ciara

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ciara

• Official website
• Ciara at the Internet Movie Database

Moses Barrett III (born July 22, 1973),^[1][2] known by the stage name Petey Pablo, is an American rapper from Greenville, North Carolina.

Biography[link]

Born in Greenville, North Carolina, Barrett spent five years in prison for a 1993 armed robbery and on his release moved to New York City, where he met Black Rob and Busta Rhymes, and, according to legend, was signed by the A&R director of Jive Records after hearing him rapping in a club bathroom.^[1][3]

Musical career[link]

[edit] 2001-2002: Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry

After a few guest spots, his first solo single was "Raise Up" in 2001 at the age of 28, produced by Timbaland, followed by debut album Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry the same year.^[3] "Raise Up" was helped by rotation on MTV and heavy play on urban radio, reaching number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot Rap Singles Chart.^[4]

[edit] 2003-2004: Still Writing in My Diary: 2nd Entry

The release of his second album, Still Writing in My Diary: 2nd Entry, was delayed until 2004.^[3] Lead single from the album, the sexually-explicit "Freek-a-Leek" was another major success, reaching #7 in the Hot 100, although little chart success followed. In 2005 Petey Pablo formed a relationship with Suge Knight, but never signed an official contract with his former label Death Row Records.^[5]

Present status[link]

Barrett currently resides in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he is working under his own label: Carolina Music Group, or CMG.^[4] He released the first single from the new album on July 22, 2010 entitled "Go", produced by Timbaland.^[6] In January 2012, he has recorded and released his new song "What I Stand For" featuring rapper/singer Stuicide, and album Carolina #1, available for download online.

Arrest[link]

On September 11, 2010, he was arrested at Raleigh-Durham International Airport after allegedly trying to carry a 9mm automatic pistol aboard a US Airways flight bound for Los Angeles.^[7] On September 26, 2011 Pablo was sentenced to 35 months in jail for this incident. It is unclear when he will begin to serve time.^[8]

Film career[link]

• In 2002 Petey played himself in the film Drumline performing "Club Banger", "You Can Find Me", and "Raise Up/I Told Y'All.^[9]
• In 2009 Petey played a character named B-Bone in the film Just Another Day. The film is about the intersecting lives of an aspiring rapper and an old successful rapper over the course of one day. B-Bone is another successful rapper that has a beef with the successful rapper, A-maze.^[10]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• 2001: Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry
• 2004: Still Writing in My Diary: 2nd Entry
• 2012: Carolina #1

References[link]

External links[link]

• Petey Pablo entry at Allmusic
• Petey Pablo on Myspace
• Petey Pablo on Twitter
• Petey Pablo video interview with Money Train & Thenkman on YouTube

Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Jay Wayne Jenkins
Also known as	Lil J
Born	(1977-10-12) October 12, 1977 (age 34) Columbia, South Carolina[1]
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter
Years active	2001–present
Labels	CTE World/Def Jam, Def Jam South
Associated acts	USDA, Akon
Website	http://youngjeezy.defjam.com

Jay Wayne Jenkins (born October 12, 1977),^[1] better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America (USDA) and a former member of BMF (Black Mafia Family). He began his career in 2001 under an independent label and joined Boyz 'N Da Hood in 2005, the same year his solo major label debut Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 was released. Its single "Soul Survivor", which featured Akon, became a top-ten hit in the US.

The Inspiration followed in 2006, and The Recession followed in 2008; both albums yielded chart-topping singles. Jeezy has also appeared on numerous other rap and R&B singles such as "Say I" by Christina Milian, "I'm So Paid" by Akon, "Hard" by Rihanna, and "Love in This Club" by Usher, the latter being a number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2008.

Early life[link]

Jay Wayne Jenkins was born in Columbia, South Carolina^[1] and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia when he was a toddler.^[2][3] Because his parents were separated, custody of him transferred between family members frequently. In an interview with XXL magazine, he described his childhood as "empty". In 1994, he spent nine months in YCA (Youth Challenge Academy), a boot camp in Fort Stewart, Georgia, for narcotics possession.^[4]

Music career[link]

Independent debut[link]

Jeezy released his first independent album, Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.), in 2001 under the name Lil J.^[5] It featured artists such as Freddy J.,Kinky B, Fidank, and Lil Jon, who also produced some of the tracks. In 2003, Jeezy released (also independently) Come Shop wit Me, a two CD set featuring completely new tracks with some songs from T.U.I. Jeezy signed with Bad Boy Records in 2004 and joined the group Boyz n da Hood, whose self-titled album was released in June 2005 and peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 albums charts.

[edit] Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 (2005)

In May 2004, Jazze Pha's manager Henry 'Noonie' Lee showed Young Jeezy's demo to his friend Shakir Stewart, Vice President Artist and Repertoire (VP A&R) at Def Jam.^[6] Stewart "fell in love with it [the demo] the first time [he] heard it" and took it to L.A. Reid.^[6] Reid recognised the talent and gave Stewart the green light to sign him.^[6] As the "hottest thing on the street" at the time, various labels - including Warner and Interscope – were after his signature. However, Jeezy decided he wanted to be in business with Stewart and Reid. As a result, signed with Def Jam Records.^[6]

Jeezy's major label debut, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, was released on July 26, 2005. He debuted at #2, selling 172,000 copies in its first week.^[7] It spawned several hit singles such as "Soul Survivor" featuring Akon. It reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts. "And Then What" featuring Mannie Fresh, which reached #67 on the Hot 100 and #13 on the Hot Rap Tracks. "My Hood", #19 on the Rap chart. In an interview with HitQuarters, A&R Shakir Stewart said that Jeezy had recorded over 60 songs for the album.^[6]

Jeezy partially wrote and performed on Gucci Mane's song, "Icy". Supposedly, Jeezy was never paid properly for his services. Those in Gucci Mane's camp have suggested that gang members from the Mechanicsville area attacked Gucci Mane to defend Jeezy's honor.^[8] Jeezy put out a track called "Stay Strapped" dissing Gucci Mane to the beat of "T.I.'s" song "A.S.A.P." Jeezy responded to Gucci Mane's, while rapping "even his own momma know, Radric Davis a bitch". In a recent Cutmaster C mixtape, The Hood News Page 3: Jay-Z Boycotts Cristal, Gucci disses Jeezy along with Jay Z in his track, "745". Jeezy addresses Gucci back on the same mixtape. While on the track "Break It Down", featuring Cmillz. On "Streets On Lock", from The Inspiration, Jeezy addressed Gucci Mane again, saying "What type of real nigga name himself after a bag?/Nigga you's a hoe, a Louis Vuitton fag". Towards the end of 2009, DJ Drama brought Young Jeezy to the radio station and called Gucci Mane to settle the beef once and for all. The two stopped feuding but throughout early 2010, the crews of Jeezy & Gucci (CTE & Brick Squad) have been in and out altercations with each other despite the fact Jeezy & Gucci have nothing to do with that. In 2011, Jeezy plans to release a new single featuring DJ Spluge and the rest of the Gangster Brigade.

In interviews and on several records, Jeezy has affirmed his resistance to commercialism in his music.^[9] Maintaining his street credibility, according to Jeezy, is of the utmost concern to him as an artist.^[4] In 2005, Jeezy was featured in several popular hip hop songs including Gucci Mane's "Icy"^[10] and Boyz n da Hood's "Dem Boyz". Due to having a successful solo career, he left the group. From time to time he still keeps in contact with a few of the members, but in early 2010 Jeezy & Jody Breeze (who is still a member of Boyz N Da Hood) began to diss each other which started a new beef between the two.

[edit] The Inspiration, U.S.D.A. (2006–2007)

In 2006, he was featured in Christina Milian's single "Say I". Jeezy's second major label album was The Inspiration, released in 2006. The album's first single "I Luv It" peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Bury Me A G" and "Go Getta" featuring R. Kelly, and "Dreamin’" featuring Keyshia Cole followed.

He also portrayed himself in the hip-hop fighting themed game Def Jam: Icon. In 2007, Jeezy released Cold Summer, an album by rap group USDA which consists of Jeezy, Blood Raw, Slick Pulla, 2Eleven and Boo Rossini.^{[citation needed]}

Jeezy presented a week-long toy drive and charity event series with his CTE family with the first annual Toyz n da Hood toy drive. The series presented 1,000 toys for 1,000 kids at various locations in Macon and Atlanta, which began on December 17, 2007, with the CTE Christmas Kickoff from 10 pm to 5 am at Club Miami. The toy giveaway took place in the Unionville neighborhood of Macon and at the Old Fourth Ward Community in Atlanta.^[11]

[edit] The Recession (2008)

His third album, The Recession, was released in 2008. "Put On" featuring Kanye West was the lead single, which also led to a Grammy Nomination for Best Rap performance by a duo, but it came short. Put On was followed by "Vacation", "Crazy World", "My President" with Nas, and "Who Dat" to complete the Recession's singles. Jeezy appeared on the R&B singles "Love in This Club" by Usher and "I'm So Paid" by Akon (also with Lil Wayne). "Love in This Club" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Later, he performed on Ciara's single "Never Ever", from her album Fantasy Ride.^[12]

In the summer of 2008, Jeezy was at the center of a controversy over his choice for president. While he had previously endorsed Barack Obama, he spoke about meeting and supporting John McCain during an interview with Vibe magazine. The statement caused a stir, and Jeezy quickly clarified his choice, via a viral video. In the four-minute explanation, Jeezy made it clear, Obama was his main choice. "I represent the Democratic party. ... I've never been nor do I ever plan to be a John McCain supporter", the rapper said. "I support Barack Obama."^[13] Jeezy and Jay-Z performed in a concert to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 18, 2009.^[14] On The O'Reilly Factor, commentator Bill O'Reilly criticized their performance as a "rant that offended people",^[15] but Jeezy responded: "I got white friends. It's nothing like that. I'm a taxpayer, I got a right to voice my opinion at any point in time. I don't think he really understands my struggle."^[16]

[edit] Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition (2011-present)

Jeezy is working on Thug Motivation 103, his latest LP, as of November 2009.^[17] In March 2010, it was reported that Young Jeezy dropped "Young" from his stage name.^[18] Later, Young Jeezy denied the name change and claimed it was just a rumor:^[19] however, on the cover for his single "Lose My Mind", his name is printed as "Jeezy". On May 17, 2011, Jeezy released the first single for Thug Motivation 103, "Ballin", which features Lil Wayne.

On March 4, 2010 Jeezy released the track "Illin", featuring the group Clipse; specifically Pusha T. On the track Pusha T raps, "No amount of record sales could derail this ...Stuffing dead prezzies in the wall like that Yale bitch..." The line was controversial and many felt the line was in bad taste and demeaned Yale student Annie Le, who was murdered in 2009, by making light of a crime that had grabbed a lot of media attention due to its extremely upsetting and tragic nature.^[20] On July 22, 2011, Young Jeezy released the second single off TM103, "Shake Life". On July 26, 2011, Young Jeezy announced a September 20, 2011 release date for TM103.^[21] However the album was pushed back yet again, this time to December 20, 2011.^[22] On September 29, 2011, Young Jeezy released the third single off TM103, named "F.A.M.E. (Fake Ass Mothafu*kas Envy)",^[23] featuring T.I. This is the first official song T.I. was featured on since his latest stint in prison.

Personal life[link]

He is a personal friend of fellow Atlanta rapper Yung Joc.^[24] After Hurricane Katrina, Jeezy opened his house to the victims in an effort to help them have a place to stay. In October 2005, the mother of his 9 year old son used this as the basis to petition for child support. Early in the year, she had claimed that she had little income, no assets and did not even have a house.^[25]

On March 11, 2005, Jeezy was arrested after an alleged shooting involving some of his friends in Miami Beach, Florida.^[26] He was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without a permit; however, prosecutors dropped his charges two months later over lack of evidence.^[27] In the early hours of September 29, 2007, Jeezy destroyed his Lamborghini when it was hit by a taxi crossing Peachtree Street, outside of Justin's, Sean Combs’s restaurant in Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported his claim that this gave him "a new appreciation for life".^[28] In Atlanta on June 18, 2008, police arrested him for DUI.^[29]

Discography[link]

Studio albums 2005: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 2006: The Inspiration 2008: The Recession 2011: Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition Filmography[link] 2009: Janky Promoters [30] Awards[link] BET Awards 2010, Viewer's Choice Award ("Hard") with Rihanna [Won] 2009, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist [Nominated] 2008, Best Collaboration ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated][31] BET Hip-Hop Awards 2008, Best Hip-Hop Video ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Nominated][32] 2008, Best Hip-Hop Collabo ("I'm So Hood [Remix]") with DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, & Rick Ross [Won][33] 2008, People's Champ Award ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated][34] 2006, Hip-Hop CD of the Year ("Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101") [Nominated][35] 2006, Hip-Hop MVP of the Year [Nominated][35] Grammy Awards 2009, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Put On") with Kanye West [Nominated][36] 2010, Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group ("Amazing") with Kanye West (Nominated) 2011, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Lose My Mind") with Plies (Nominated) Ozone Awards[citation needed] 2008, Best Rap Artist [Nominated] 2008, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Love in This Club") with Usher (Won) 2007, Best Rap Album The Inspiration (Won) 2007, Best Rap/R&B Collaboration ("Go Getta") with R. Kelly [Nominated] 2007, Best Video ("Grew Up a Screw Up") with Ludacris [Nominated] 2007, Best Group with Slick Pulla & Blood Raw as USDA [Nominated] References[link] ^ a b c Kellman, Andy (2008). "Young Jeezy: Biography". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p640485/biography. Retrieved 2009-01-16.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (June 1, 2005). "Young Jeezy". You Hear It First. MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/young_jeezy/. Retrieved April 1, 2010.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (August 1, 2005). "Young Jeezy: Putting His Mouth Where His Money Is". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/bands/y/young_jeezy/young_jeezy_inw_050801/. Retrieved April 1, 2010.  ^ a b Thompson, Bonsu (October 2005). "I'm a King". XXL. http://www.xxlmag.com/magazine/2005/10/im-a-king/. Retrieved January 13, 2011.  ^ "Thuggin Under the Influence". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005M96X/. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ a b c d e "Interview With Shakir Stewart". HitQuarters. November 14, 2005. http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_ShakirStewart.html. Retrieved Jun 22, 2010.  ^ Ethan Brown (May 4, 2006). "Black Mafia Family – Mo' Money, Mo' Problems". http://www.vibe.com/news/magazine_features/2006/05/bmf_mo_money_mo_problems/. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Beef with Gucci Mane". http://atlanta.about.com/od/celebrityprofiles/p/guccimane.htm. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "My Hood lyrics". http://ezsonglyrics.com/lyrics/young-jeezy/my-hood.html. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Popular single "Icy"". http://atlanta.about.com/od/celebrityprofiles/p/guccimane.htm. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "''HHWorlds.com'' – Young Jeezy Hosts 'Toyz n da Hood' (December 14, 2007)". Hhworlds.com. 2011-05-08. http://www.hhworlds.com/f11/12-14-07-young-jeezy-hosts-toyz-n-da-hood-10052.html. Retrieved 2011-08-05.  ^ Ciara's New Single Confirmed Rap-Up.com. Retrieved December 19, 2008. ^ Starbury, Allen (2008-07-02). "Young Jeezy Clarifies McCain Comments, Pledges Support For Obama". BallerStatus.com. http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2008/07/5016/.  ^ St. Pierre, Jay (2009-02-19). "Get Sillay: Young Jeezy enforces country's racial segregation". The Daily Reveille. http://www.lsureveille.com/opinion/get_sillay_young_jeezy_enforces_country_s_racial_segregation-1.1485034.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-01-22). "Young Jeezy Defends 'My President' Against Bill O'Reilly". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603361/20090122/jeezy_young.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-03-15.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-02-13). "Kanye West Explains 'Jockin' Jay-Z' Sample, Drops Exclusive Freestyle, More In Mixtape Monday". Mixtape Monday (MTV News). http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605130/20090213/west_kanye.jhtml.  ^ Reid, Shaheem (2009-07-09). "Young Jeezy Is Working On Thug Motivation 103 'Right Now'". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615584/20090708/story.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-07-27.  ^ Young Jeezy Changes His Name. Island Def Jam. Retrieved March 19, 2010. ^ Jeezy denies name change says he still Young Jeezy | Young Jeezy. Rap Basement (2010-04-13). Retrieved on 2010-12-27. ^ Gendreau, Leanne. (2010-09-20) Rap Lyric Makes Light of Annie Le Murder. NBC New York. Retrieved on 2010-12-27. ^ "Young Jeezy Announces ‘TM103’ Release Date". Rap-Up.com. 2011-07-25. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/07/25/young-jeezy-announces-tm103-release-date/. Retrieved 2011-08-05.  ^ Iandoli, Kathy (2011-09-20). "Rap Release Dates: Young Jeezy, Mac Miller, Bow Wow, DJ Drama | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16909/title.rap-release-dates-young-jeezy-mac-miller-bow-wow-dj-drama. Retrieved 2011-10-31.  ^ "Young Jeezy – F.A.M.E. (Fake Ass Muthaf*ckas Envy) f. T.I". Fashionably-early.com. 2011-09-29. http://fashionably-early.com/2011/09/29/young-jeezy-%e2%80%93-f-a-m-e-fake-ass-muthafckas-envy-f-t-i/. Retrieved 2011-10-31.  ^ Krista Desens (July 11, 2006). "Yung Joc". http://netmusiccountdown.com/inc/news_article.php?id=10617. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Jeezy helps hurricane victims". The San Francisco Chronicle. October 21, 2005. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=1409. Retrieved November 29, 2006.  ^ "Young Jeezy arrested after Florida shootout". Associated Press. March 16, 2006. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/11808183. Retrieved June 27, 2010.  ^ "Young Jeezy weapons charges dropped". Associated Press. May 19, 2006. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12818427. Retrieved June 27, 2010.  ^ 40/40 Club Stabbing. SOHH. Retrieved October 10, 2007. ^ Harris, Chris (2008-06-18). "Young Jeezy Arrested In Atlanta". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1589553/20080618/jeezy_young.jhtml. Retrieved 2009-02-03.  ^ Kuperstein, Slava (2008-07-10). "Jeezy Talks Movie With Ice Cube, Remix With Jay-Z". Hiphopdx.com. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7285/title.jeezy-talks-movie-with-ice-cube-remix-with-jay-z. Retrieved 2011-08-05.  ^ Best Collaboration. BET Awards 2008. ^ Best Hip-Hop Video. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. ^ Best Hip Hop Collabo. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. ^ Alltel People's Champ Award. BET Hip Hop Awards 2008. ^ a b Adaso, Henry. "2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards". About.com. http://rap.about.com/od/awards/a/BETHipHopAwards.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-10.  ^ "The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". NARAS. 2009. http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/51st_show/list.aspx#07. Retrieved 2009-04-10.  External links[link] Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Young Jeezy Official website Young Jeezy at the Internet Movie Database Young Jeezy Interview at prefixmag Young Jeezy Circulate Music Video Young Jeezy Talks About Nas v t e Young Jeezy Studio albums Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 The Inspiration The Recession Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition Independent albums Thuggin' Under the Influence (T.U.I.) Come Shop wit Me Collaboration albums Boyz n da Hood Cold Summer Singles "And Then What" "Soul Survivor" "Go Crazy" "My Hood" "I Luv It" "Go Getta" "Dreamin'" "Put On" "Vacation" "Crazy World" "My President" "Who Dat" "Lose My Mind" "Ballin'" "F.A.M.E." "I Do" "Leave You Alone" Featured singles "Icy" "Get Throwed" "Say I" "Grew Up a Screw Up" "Diamonds" "5000 Ones" "100 Million" "Love in This Club" "Louie" "I'm So Paid" "Never Ever" "Amazing" "Better Believe It" "Fed Up" "Hard" "Put Your Hands Up" "(Ha Ha) Slow Down" Collaborative singles "Dem Boyz" "White Girl" Other songs "I'm Goin' In" "Be the One" Related articles Discography Boyz n da Hood United Streets Dopeboyz of America v t e Def Jam Recordings Founders Russell Simmons Rick Rubin Current artists 2 Chainz Ameriie Asher Roth Big Boi Big Sean Brutha Chrisette Michele DJ Clue? The-Dream Electrik Red Fabolous Fast Life Yungstaz Ghostface Killah Jadakiss Jennifer Lopez Jeremih Juelz Santana Kanye West Karina LL Cool J Ludacris Method Man Method Man & Redman Nas Patti LaBelle Pusha T Redman Rick Ross Rihanna Ron Isley Sheek Louch Shyne The Roots Triple C's U.S.D.A YG Young Jeezy Former artists 3rd Bass Ace Hood Alyson Williams Ashanti Beanie Sigel Beastie Boys B.G. Knocc Out Bobby V Boss Cam'ron Capone-N-Noreaga Case Chingy Cormega Cru Davy D Def Squad The Diplomats DJ Richie Rich DMX Domino Downtown Science The Dove Shack Dresta Dru Hill EPMD Fam-Lay Flatlinerz Foxy Brown Funkmaster Flex Flesh-n-Bone I-20 Ja Rule Jay-Z Jayo Felony Joe Budden  · Jonell Keith Murray Kelly Price Lady Gaga Lady Luck Lil Ru Lil Scrappy Lloyd LovHer Megan Rochell MoKenStef Montell Jordan Musiq Soulchild Ne-Yo Nikki D N.O.R.E. Nice & Smooth Nicole Wray N-Dubz Onyx Oran "Juice" Jones Peedi Peedi Pete Nice Playa Rell Rev Run Richie Rich Rocko Scarface Selan Lerner Shareefa Shawnna Sisqó Slayer Slick Rick South Central Cartel Terminator X Terri Walker Unladylike Warren G WC Y?N-Vee v t e Def Jam South Founders Russell Simmons Current artists Mannie Fresh Ludacris Rick Ross DJ Khaled The-Dream Troy Gentile Yung Berg Ace Hood Young Jeezy USDA Slick Pulla Triple C's Big Sean Willy Northpole Brutha TK N CASH Unladylike Lil Fate Fast Life Yungstaz Former artists Bobby V Scarface Jarvis Lazy Eye LeLe Serius Jones Shawnna Blood Raw Shareefa Steph Jones Lil Scrappy I-20 Lil Ru Related articles and record labels Def Jam Recordings We the Best Music Group Disturbing tha Peace Slip-N-Slide Records Persondata Name Young Jeezy Alternative names Short description American rapper Date of birth September 28, 1977 Place of birth Columbia, South Carolina Date of death Place of death

50 Cent
50 Cent in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Curtis James Jackson III
Born	(1975-07-06) July 6, 1975 (age 36)
Origin	South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Aftermath, Shady, G-Unit
Associated acts	G-Unit, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Sha Money XL, DJ Whoo Kid
Website	50cent.com

Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003) and The Massacre (2005). His album Get Rich or Die Tryin' has been certified eight times platinum by the RIAA.^[1]

Born in the South Jamaica of Queens, New York City, Jackson began drug dealing at the age of twelve during the 1980s crack epidemic.^[2] After leaving drug dealing to pursue a rap career, he was shot at and struck by nine bullets during an incident in 2000. After releasing his album Guess Who's Back? in 2002, Jackson was discovered by rapper Eminem and signed to Interscope Records. With the help of Eminem and Dr. Dre, who produced his first major commercial successes, Jackson became one of the world's highest selling rappers. In 2003, he founded the record label G-Unit Records, which signed several successful rappers such as Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo.

Jackson has engaged in feuds with other rappers including Ja Rule, Nas, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Cam'ron, Puff Daddy, Rick Ross, and former G-Unit members The Game and Young Buck. He has also pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2005, the Iraq War film Home of the Brave in 2006, and Righteous Kill in 2008. 50 Cent was ranked as the sixth-best artist of the 2000s by Billboard magazine. The magazine also ranked him as the fourth top male artist and as the third top rapper behind Eminem and Nelly.^[3] Billboard magazine also ranked him as the sixth best and most successful Hot 100 Artist of the 2000s^[4] and as the number one rap artist of the 2000s.^[5] Billboard ranked his album Get Rich or Die Tryin' as the twelfth best album of the 2000s^[6] and his album The Massacre as the 37th best album of the 2000s.^[7] As of September 2011, 50 Cent is working on his fifth studio album, which is set to be released in 2012.^[8]

Early life[link]

Curtis Jackson III grew up in South Jamaica, a poverty-stricken urban neighborhood in Queens, New York City. He grew up without a father and was raised by his mother, Sabrina, who gave birth to him at the age of fifteen. Sabrina, a cocaine dealer, raised Jackson until the age of eight, when she was killed in 1983. Twenty-seven years old at the time, she became unconscious after someone drugged her drink. She was then left for dead after the gas in her apartment was turned on and the windows shut closed.^[9][10]

After her death, Jackson moved into his grandparents' house with his eight aunts and uncles.^[11][12][13] He recalls, "My grandmother told me, 'Your mother's not coming home. She's not gonna come back to pick you up. You're gonna stay with us now.' That's when I started adjusting to the streets a little bit".^[14]

Jackson began boxing around the age of eleven. At fourteen, a neighbor opened a boxing gym for local kids. "When I wasn't killing time in school, I was sparring in the gym or selling crack on the strip", he recalled.^[15] In the mid 1980s, he competed in the Junior Olympics as an amateur boxer. He recounts, "I was competitive in the ring and hip-hop is competitive too... I think rappers condition themselves like boxers, so they all kind of feel like they're the champ".^[16] At the age of twelve, Jackson began dealing narcotics when his grandparents thought he was at after-school programs.^[17] He also took guns and drug money to school. In the tenth grade, he was caught by metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School. He later stated, "I was embarrassed that I got arrested like that... After I got arrested I stopped hiding it. I was telling my grandmother [openly], 'I sell drugs.'"^[14]

Following time spent in a correctional boot camp, Jackson adopted the nickname "50 Cent" as a metaphor for "change".^[18] The name was derived from Kelvin Martin, a 1980s Brooklyn robber known as "50 Cent". Jackson chose the name "because it says everything I want it to say. I'm the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means".^[19]

Music career[link]

1996–99: Early career[link]

Jackson started rapping in a friend's basement where he used turntables to record over instrumentals.^[20] In 1996, a friend introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC who was organizing his label Jam Master Jay Records.

Jay taught him how to count bars, write choruses, structure songs, and how to make a record.^[21][22] Jackson's first official appearance was on a song titled "React" with the group Onyx on their 1998 album Shut 'Em Down. He credited Jam Master Jay as an influence who helped him improve his ability to write hooks.^[16] Jay produced Jackson's first album; however, it was never released.^[9]

In 1999, after leaving Jam Master Jay, the platinum-selling producers Trackmasters took notice of Jackson and signed him to Columbia Records. They sent him to a studio in Upstate New York where he produced thirty-six songs in two weeks.^[10] Eighteen were included on his unofficially released album, Power of the Dollar in 2000.^[23] He also started the now-defunct Hollow Point Entertainment with former G-Unit affiliate Bang 'Em Smurf.^[24][25]

Jackson's popularity started to increase after the successful but controversial underground single, "How to Rob", which he wrote in half an hour while in a car on the way to a studio.^[18][26] The track comically explains how he would rob famous artists. He explained the reasoning behind song's content as, "There's a hundred artists on that label, you gotta separate yourself from that group and make yourself relevant".^[18] Rappers Jay-Z, Kurupt, Sticky Fingaz, Big Pun, DMX, Wyclef Jean and the Wu-Tang Clan replied to the song^[26] and Nas, who received the track positively, invited Jackson to travel on a promotional tour for his Nastradamus album.^[13] The song was intended to be released with "Thug Love" featuring Destiny's Child, but two days before he was scheduled to film the "Thug Love" music video, Jackson was shot and confined to a hospital due to his injuries.^[27]

2000–01: Shooting[link]

On May 24, 2000, Jackson was attacked by a gunman, alleged to be Darryl "Hommo" Baum, outside his grandmother's former home in South Jamaica, Queens. He went into a friend's car, but was asked to return to the house to get jewelry.

His son was in the house, while his grandmother was in the front yard.^[10] Upon returning to the back seat of the car and already seated, another car pulled up nearby. An assailant then walked up to Jackson's left side with a 9mm handgun and fired nine shots at close range. He was shot nine times: in the hand (a round hit his right thumb, to where the bullet passed through and out his little finger), arm, hip, both legs, chest, and his face (his left cheek).^[9][14][28] The face wound resulted in a swollen tongue, the loss of a wisdom tooth, and a small slur in his voice.^[13][14][29] His friend also sustained a gunshot wound to the hand. They were driven to the hospital where Jackson spent thirteen days.

Baum, the alleged shooter, was killed three weeks later.^[30]

Baum was also Mike Tyson's close friend and bodyguard.^[31]

Jackson recalled the incident saying, "It happens so fast that you don't even get a chance to shoot back.... I was scared the whole time.... I was looking in the rear-view mirror like, 'Oh @#!*% , somebody shot me in the face! It burns, burns, burns.'"^[14] In his autobiography, From Pieces to Weight: Once upon a Time in Southside Queens, he wrote, "After I got shot nine times at close range and didn't die, I started to think that I must have a purpose in life... How much more damage could that shell have done? Give me an inch in this direction or that one, and I'm gone".^[11] He used a walker for the first six weeks and fully recovered after five months. When he left the hospital, he stayed in the Poconos with his then-girlfriend and son. His workout regime helped him attain his muscular physique.^[9][14][32]

While in the hospital, Jackson signed a publishing deal with Columbia Records. However, he was dropped from the label and "blacklisted" in the recording industry because of his song "Ghetto Qu'ran".

Unable to find a studio to work with in the U.S, he traveled to Canada.^[33][34] Along with his business partner Sha Money XL, he recorded over thirty songs for mixtapes, with the purpose of building a reputation.

According to Shady Records A&R Marc Labelle in an interview with HitQuarters, Jackson shrewdly used the mixtape circuit to his own advantage saying, "He took all the hottest beats from every artist and flipped them with better hooks. They then got into all the markets on the mixtapes and all the mixtape DJs were messing with them."^[35] Jackson's popularity rose and in 2002, he released material independently on the mixtape, Guess Who's Back?. Beginning to attract interest, and now backed by G-Unit, Jackson continued to release music including 50 Cent Is the Future. The mixtape revisited material by Jay-Z and Raphael Saadiq.^[23]

2002–09: Rise to fame[link]

In 2002, Eminem listened to a copy of Jackson's Guess Who's Back? CD. He received the CD through Jackson's attorney, who was working with Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg.^[27] Impressed with the album, Eminem invited Jackson to fly to Los Angeles, where he was introduced to Dr. Dre.^[9][21][27] After signing a $1 million record deal,^[21] Jackson released the mixtape, No Mercy, No Fear. It featured one new track, "Wanksta", which was put on Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack.^[23] He was also signed to Chris Lighty's Violator Management and Sha Money XL's Money Management Group.

In February 2003, Jackson released his commercial debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. Allmusic described it as "probably the most hyped debut album by a rap artist in about a decade".^[36] Rolling Stone noted the album for its "dark synth grooves, buzzy keyboards and a persistently funky bounce" with Jackson complementing the production in "an unflappable, laid-back flow".^[37]

It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 872,000 copies in the first four days.^[38] The lead single, "In da Club", which The Source noted for its "blaring horns, funky organs, guitar riffs and sparse hand claps",^[39] broke a Billboard record as the most listened-to song in radio history within a week.^[40]