Powered by determination and wit, 50 cent pushed through a difficult start in life to become one of the world’s top rap stars. His drive
for success, style and appreciation for the finer things—now including a line of cognacs and champagnes available at Hy-Vee—is spurring his entrepreneurship to new heights.
THE
HUSTLE
Jackson first appeared in 2005’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, a biopic loosely based on his life story. Since then he has been credited with roles and appearances in more than 30 television projects and more than 20 motion pictures, some with Hollywood royalty like Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gerard Butler, Jake Gyllenhaal, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone and Melissa McCarthy. In addition, Jackson has forged a path as a film and television executive producer, with hit shows like Power, which led to multiple spin-off prequels including Raising Kanan, based on the younger life of Jackson’s character. Jackson has also had multi-season scripted and unscripted projects on ABC (For Life), Starz (Black Mafia Family), BET (50 Central), SundanceTV (Dream School) and MTV (50 Cent: The Money and The Power).
CURTIS
“50 CENT”
JACKSON
“I think the only thing that separates people is their passion,” says Curtis James Jackson III, aka 50 Cent.
For Jackson—born in 1975 in South Jamaica, Queens, where crime, gang violence and drugs were common at the time—it is a passion born of struggle. At age 8, following the death of his mother, Jackson moved in with his grandmother, but soon he was hell-bent on providing for himself. He was boxing by 11, which helped him through a difficult upbringing. Jackson produced his first album, Power of the Dollar, by 25. He began calling himself 50 Cent. He said, “It’s a metaphor for change.”
But like most who climb a towering ladder of success, each new rung comes with its own set of unexpected obstacles. Days before his first single was to be released by Columbia Records, he was shot nine times and lived to tell about it. He knew then that he had a greater purpose in life.
Previously, at age 21, he’d hit the jackpot when his musical talents led to a random introduction to Jam Master Jay (the late Jason Mizellof popular hip-hop group Run-DMC). “He was one of my biggest inspirations,” he says, crediting Mizell for the career boost. “Early on, he helped me with my writing habits. His influence propelled me to the next level. I learned from him.” Jackson’s star had been on the rise—until he got shot.
It was an unexpected knockdown that became the catalyst for his first big success. During his recovery, Jackson created and released five albums’ worth of material in just a few months. His fame was growing and soon he became an instant millionaire after penning a joint label deal with Eminem and Dr. Dre. When his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, was released and it sold more than 2.1 million copies in its first three weeks alone, Jackson knew he had arrived.
Fans responded to his personal music, rooted in a difficult, but not unfamiliar, struggle to those living in inner cities. “Your personal life experience is the unique part of you. That’s part of the journey. It creates a connection with the audience,” he says.
Maintaining that connection while looking for the next challenge is a big part of who Jackson is. He has built a professional legacy well beyond the music world, especially in the television and motion picture industry. “I’m just getting started,” he says. “I’m almost, you can say, more successful in television and film than music because of how many shows there are in a short time period.... I’m enjoying it.” It makes sense, because having a successful film or television project mirrors the feeling of having a hit music single. The big difference is that Jackson has carved out a lane for himself in film and television that is unparalleled.
GIVING BACK
In 2003, Jackson founded the G-Unity Foundation to support programs that foster social and leadership skills to empower urban youth to develop the confidence, tools and knowledge they need to excel in life. The Foundation’s goal is to help promote positive outcomes by providing the kind of opportunities and knowledge Jackson had to acquire on his own. “Team building and entrepreneurship are skills I learned along the way, but they are so important to develop early,” he says.
“I’ve spent years donating my time and energy to communities in need.
I started G-Unity to do the same—to give back to kids so they have it a little easier than I did. We recently launched an entrepreneurship program with the Houston Independent School District. They are the seventh-largest school district in the U.S. and matched funds with me to create a program to help at-risk youth learn practical entrepreneurship skills. I plan to expand this program to other schools across the country in the near future.”
THE BIG
SCREEN
CRACK A
BOTTLE
GIVING BACK
Smoothly transitioning from one industry to another as easily as walking between rooms may be hard for some, but for Jackson, it just seems to bring energy. “I love what I’m doing, not just the things that come from it. So I’m enjoying myself. And I continue. They always say, ‘You’ve accomplished a lot. What do you want to do?’ And I say, ‘More! More of what I’m doing. More of what I’m already doing.’” In 2016, Jackson formed Sire Spirits, a luxury producer of Champagne and Cognac. His Branson Cognac line is sourced from the finest vineyards in France’s Cognac region. “I am proud to have developed quality Cognac blends that are resonating with both established Cognac connoisseurs and new drinkers alike. As an aspirational lifestyle brand, it was important for me to deliver Cognac that can be enjoyed in nightlife, at restaurants, but even more importantly, at home with close friends and family. Right now, the completion of an at-home bar requires having one or more of our Cognacs present, and that means we did it right,” he says.
Jackson had a comprehensive role in the development of Le Chemin du Roi Champagne and Branson Cognac and continues to push the brands forward. “Since I solely own Sire Spirits, I have been involved in all aspects of developing the brands, from selecting the Champagne and Cognac blends, to the finest detail involved in the bottle design and marketing... The packaging and branding was something I personally worked on—I had a glassblower in Brooklyn help me do the design for the Branson Genie bottles. It was my vision to put the king chess piece on the front of the Champagne bottle.” The struggles of Jackson’s youth all factor into his drive to keep moving, learning and pivoting to the next project. Whatever the reason, he has his eye on the final outcome: his legacy. “People who help people have the strongest legacies,” he says. “Who I assisted, who I helped along their unique path to success will be my legacy.”
THE BIG
SCREEN
CONT.
THE BIG
CONT.
SCREEN
Branson
Cognac
View Recipe
Sidecar
Branson
Cognac
Boulevardier
View Recipe
They always say, ‘You’ve accomplished a lot. What do you want to do?’ And I say, ‘More! More of what I’m doing. More of what I’m already doing.”
1975
Born July 6 in Queens, New York.
Meets mentor, Jam Master Jay.
1996
Releases first album, Power of the Dollar, as a bootleg version.
1999
Signs record deal with Columbia Records.
2000
Signs $1 million label
deal with Shady
Records/Aftermath Entertainment.
2001
Lead single, In Da Club, sets Billboard record as most-listened-to song in radio history.
2003
Releases debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
2003
Starts his own record label,
G-Unit Records, soon followed by G-Unit Clothing Company, G-Unit Films and G-Unit Books in subsequent years.
2003
Registers “50 Cent” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
2004
Wins first of 14 Grammys.
2004
Second commercial album, The Massacre, sells 1+ million copies in four days.
2005
Stars in Get Rich or Die Tryin’, a fictional film based on his life.
2005
Publishes memoir,
From Pieces to Weight.
2005
Credited as writer, director and actor in Before I Self Destruct.
2008
Publishes New York Times best seller, The 50th Law.
2009
Co-stars, co-creates and executive produces STARZ show, Power.
2014
Launches Le Chemin du Roi Champagne.
2018
Launches Branson Cognac.
2019
Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2020
Wins an NAACP Image Award for outstanding directing for an episode of Power.
2020
Partners with Hy-Vee to offer buyers premium Champagne and Cognac.
2020
LEGACY BRAND
Integrating his past and his future led Jackson to create Sire Spirits. “The company is named after my son, Sire. I hope to leave the company to him,” he says.
DEGREES OF COGNAC EXCELLENCE
XO: Extra old, aged 10 years or more; serve on ice or pair with food
VSOP: Very superior old pale, aged 4 or more years, intended for sipping or mixed drinks
VS: Very superior, aged 2 or more years, intended for mixed drinks
what is cognac?
A double-distilled brandy aged at least 2 years made with white grapes that are grown in the cognac region of southwest France.
PARTNERSHIP WITH
HY-VEE
WINE & SPIRITS
BUSINESS
THE
As yet another way to share the best life has to offer, Jackson developed a line of award-winning Champagnes and Cognacs that evoke sophisticated evenings spent in well-heeled drinking establishments. And because of his partnership with Hy-Vee, that nightlife can now be found close to home.
CHAMPAGNES In 2018, Sire Spirits
launched a line of wines called Le Chemin du Roi Champagne (“The King’s Path”), which includes a Brut, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Each delicate wine is made from hand-selected grapes from the Champagne region of France. The Brut has brioche, apple and tarragon notes. The Blanc de Blancs has flavors of toasted caramel and orange peel with a balancing acidity. And the Rosé has ripe black cherry fruit with lightly toasted almonds and a crisp finish.
COGNACS In 2019, Jackson developed four varieties of Cognac under the Branson label. His move into Cognacs was also inspired by the idea of legacy. “It’s one of the most popular spirits in nightlife, and it’s a classic spirit that has been enjoyed since the 17th Century.” Aged in French oak barrels, Branson Cognac varieties are available in VS, VSOP and XO grades of Cognac—Phantom; Royal; VSOP, Grande Champagne and XO, Grande Champagne labels. They deliver a floral aroma with tobacco, vanilla and sweet spice notes. “Our Cognac and Champagne are suitable for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.”
Sire Spirits offers champagnes and cognacs of exquisite quality made with grapes from some of the finest vineyards in France.
They always say, ‘You’ve accomplished a lot. What do you want to do?’ And I say, ‘More! More of what I’m doing. More of what I’m already doing.”
CAREER
HIGHLIGHTS CONT.
HIGHLIGHTS
CAREER
HIGHLIGHTS CONT.
CAREER
50
Jackson is also a New York Times multiple best-selling author. His recent book, Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter, is a top-rated book that has just been released by Harper Collins in paperback version.
Skip the club and enjoy one of
these popular drinks at home.
comes with its own set of unexpected obstacles. Days before his first single was to be released by Columbia Records, he was shot nine times and lived to tell about it. He knew then that he had a greater purpose in life.
Previously, at age 21, he’d hit the jackpot when his musical talents led to a random introduction to Jam Master Jay (the late Jason Mizell of popular hip-hop group Run-DMC). “He was one of my biggest inspirations,” he says, crediting Mizell for the career boost. “Early on, he helped me with my writing habits. His influence propelled me to the next level. I learned from him.”
Jackson’s star had been on the rise—until he got shot. It was an
unexpected knockdown that became the catalyst for his first big success. During his recovery, Jackson created and released five albums’ worth of material in just a few months. His fame was growing and soon he became an instant millionaire after penning a joint label deal with Eminem and Dr. Dre. When his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, was released and it sold more than 2.1 million copies in its first three weeks alone, Jackson knew he had arrived.
Fans responded to his personal music, rooted in a difficult, but not unfamiliar, struggle to those living in inner cities. “Your personal life experience is the unique part of you.
Jackson first appeared in 2005’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, a biopic loosely based on his life story. Since then he has been credited with roles and appearances in more than 30 television projects and more than 20 motion pictures, some with Hollywood royalty like Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gerard Butler, Jake Gyllenhaal, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone and Melissa McCarthy. In addition, Jackson has forged a path as a film and television executive producer, with hit shows like Power, which led to multiple spin-off prequels including Raising Kanan, based on the younger life of Jackson’s character. Jackson has also had multi-season scripted and unscripted projects on ABC (For Life), Starz (Black Mafia Family), BET (50 Central), SundanceTV (Dream School)
and MTV (50 Cent: The Money and The Power).
Melissa McCarthy. In addition, Jackson has forged a path as a film and television executive producer, with hit shows like Power, which led to multiple spin-off prequels including Raising Kanan, based on the younger life of Jackson’s character. Jackson has also had multi-season scripted and unscripted projects on ABC (For Life), Starz (Black Mafia Family), BET (50 Central), SundanceTV (Dream School) and MTV (50 Cent: The Money and The Power).
“I am proud to have developed quality Cognac blends that are resonating with both established Cognac connoisseurs and new drinkers alike. As an aspirational lifestyle brand, it was important for me to deliver Cognac that can be enjoyed in nightlife, at restaurants, but even more importantly, at home with close friends and family. Right now, the completion of an at-home bar requires having one or more of our Cognacs present, and that means we did it right,” he says.
bottles. It was my vision to put the king chess piece on the front of the Champagne bottle.”
The struggles of Jackson’s youth all factor into his drive to keep moving, learning and pivoting to the next project. Whatever the reason, he has his eye on the final outcome: his legacy. “People who help people have the strongest legacies,” he says. “Who I assisted, who I helped along their unique path to success will be my legacy.”
champagnes
COGNACS
HIGHLIGHTS
CAREER
CHAMPAGNES
In 2018, Sire Spirits launched a line of wines called Le Chemin du Roi Champagne (“The King’s Path”), which includes a Brut, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Each delicate wine is made from hand-selected grapes from the Champagne region of France. The Brut has brioche, apple and tarragon notes. The Blanc de Blancs has flavors of toasted caramel and orange peel with a balancing acidity. And the Rosé has ripe black cherry fruit with lightly toasted almonds and a crisp finish.
In 2018, Sire Spirits launched a line of wines called Le Chemin du Roi Champagne (“The King’s Path”), which includes a Brut, Rosé and Blanc de Blancs. Each delicate wine is made from hand-selected grapes from the Champagne region of France. The Brut has brioche, apple and tarragon notes. The Blanc de Blancs has flavors of toasted caramel and orange peel with a balancing acidity. And the Rosé has ripe black cherry fruit with lightly toasted almonds and a crisp finish.
CHAMPAGNES
Branson
Cognac
Sidecar
View Recipe
THE BIG
SCREEN
THE
They always say, ‘You’ve accomplished a lot. What do you want to do?’ And I say, ‘More! More of what I’m doing. More of what I’m already doing.”
Are you a fan of iconic rapper and Grammy Award winner 50 Cent? Then you're going to want to check out this behind-the-scenes look at his Hy-Vee Seasons photo shoot! Pick up your copy of the November edition for an exclusive look at Sire Spirits, his champagne and cognac brand.
Hy-Vee Seasons:
the Scenes with 50 Cent
Behind
