Top Rapper 50 Cent To Visit Chiswick

But it's strictly business as he visits QVC to sell his headphones

He was named Curtis James Jackson III but his fans know him as 50 Cent. And this weekend the larger-than-life American hip hop artist comes to Chiswick to talk about music.

But it's strictly business as the point of his visit is to 'plug' his own brand 'Street by 50' On-Ear headphone range. Launching on 7th July as a UK first to shopping channel QVC which is based in Chiswick Park, the rapper, whose albums include 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin' will show his entrepreneurial side to pursuade viewers to buy his 'on trend' headphones which come in seven colours. He celebrates his 38th birthday the day before his visit to W4.

50 Cent and his headphones

“I wanted to do something as an extension of my passion for music, my aim for the STREET by 50 On-Ear Wired Headphone range is to present music as it’s meant to be heard, in studio-mastered sound,” he says. The headphones cost £149.95 a pair.

Born in the South Jamaica neighbourhood in Queens, New York, the 37-year old began drug dealing at the age of twelve but left it to pursue a rap career following a period in a corrective facility. Following his release, he adopted the nickname "50 Cent" derived from Brooklyn robber Kelvin Martin, who known as "50 Cent". Jackson chose the name because, "I'm the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means."

In 2000, he was shot and struck by nine bullets during an incident but went on to release an album 'Guess Who's Back' two years later. Jackson was originally discovered by rapper Eminen who helped him produce his first major commercial successes.

Billboard magazine ranked 50 Cent as the fourth top male artist and the third top rapper, and he has also appeared in a number of films, including Righteous Kill ( Robert de Niro) in 2008.

He remains a controversial character who has engaged in fueds with other rappers. His music and his commercial activities, ranging from a vitamin drink to a body spray made him a wealthy man and he purchased in a house formerly owned by ex-boxer Mike Tyson. In 2011, Jackson was ranked the fifth richest figure in American hip hop with a net worth estimated at $100 million although he claims to have lost millions from investments in the recession.

Speaking about the new line of headphones, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson says: “STREET by 50 is all about giving our fans the finest music experience we possibly can. The response to the limited edition colours so far speaks for itself – the fans want the opportunity to match their headphones to their personal style, and we definitely want to make sure to give them what they want.”

Curtis Jackson will be presenting the range live on QVC’s Super Sunday, the 7th July 2013 at 00.01am, 3pm and 7pm.

July 2, 2013