50 Cent is known as one of the Internet’s biggest jokers, the celebrity you can always rely on to troll others in the spotlight and one of the least serious figures on social media.
However, you can rest assured that one thing he is serious about is his business ventures – in particular, his growing TV empire.
The 44-year-old, real name Curtis Jackson, has just premiered his latest series BMF (Black Mafia Family), which follows the real life story of brothers Demetrius ‘Big Meech’ Flenory and Terry ‘Southwest T’ Flenory who grafted their way from poverty in southwest Detroit during the late 80s to become one of America’s most influential crime families.
The first episode opened to applause with People magazine hailing it as one of the top shows to watch this autumn, and viewers were equally impressed.
One simply branded it ‘really f*****g good’, while another stated: ‘BMF first episode understood the assignment,’ which, in the social media age, is as high a compliment you can get.
However, a member of the BMF creative team lamented the lack of reviews of the episode from mainstream media. It may be disappointing for those involved but it doesn’t surprise me one bit, as 50 Cent has fought to have his TV work legitimately recognised for years.
The jewel in his crown still remains his breakout series Power, an unprecedented hit for the Starz network, which has also taken BMF under its wing.
Power starred Omari Hardwick (James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick) and Naturi Naughton (Tasha St. Patrick), two actors who were already well known, while turning Joseph Sikora into a global star thanks to his brilliant performance as Tommy Egan.
The series told the story of Ghost, a New York nightclub boss and family man who moonlights as a ruthless drug dealer alongside his best friend Tommy.
When Power first hit screens in 2014, there were undoubtedly many who had preconceptions about 50 Cent, a former drug dealer, producing a series about drugs with a predominantly Black cast. It sure does sound stereotypical on paper and yes, we do need positive representations of Black people on TV, but with Power, 50 Cent found his lane and executed it perfectly.
Power not only boasted a talented cast, but the scriptwriting was second to none, particularly in the early seasons. At the time, it was pitted against Fox’s Empire, which also featured a mostly Black cast but the shows were completely different and, overall, Power proved to be a cut above the rest while making those who doubted 50 Cent take him seriously.
Over the years, the series has even drawn comparisons to The Wire, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time, and the debate still rages on today even though Power ended in 2020.
When his masterpiece failed to receive any nominations at the 2019 Emmys, 50 Cent finally called out the elephant in the room.
‘I like to say it’s racial,’ he said during a panel discussion at the Television Critics Association Press Tour. ‘That’s the easy way to get out of things. People who are running and connected to these ceremonies are not necessarily cool people.’
Power’s showrunner Courtney Kemp then quipped: ‘So now, we’ll never get one.’
She was right, it never did.
50 Cent took aim at the Emmys again this year after he failed to receive a nod again, and commented: ‘Listen the Emmy’s still has a separate bathroom for coloured folks. I’m gonna put The NAACP awards on the air at the same time and f**k up their numbers.
‘No they really should be afraid of me I’m different.’
There’s no denying the quality of Power and 50’s other shows but, let’s face it, they’re simply too Black for the wider audience. Issa Rae at least had a foot in the Emmys’ door with her critically acclaimed comedy series Insecure but, after five years, it still hasn’t won. This year, Michaela Coel won a writing award for her series I May Destroy You but missed out on the acting accolade.
In 2019, Pose star Billy Porter became the fifth Black actor to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – he was also the first openly gay Black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category and in 2021 Courtney B. Vance won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Lovecraft Country.
It would be interesting to see if Power and 50 Cent’s other drug series would be more widely acknowledged outside of Black audiences if they weren’t drugs, gang or crime related.
But admirably, 50 Cent hasn’t allowed the lack of award recognition to hinder his ambitions in expanding his TV portfolio.
Refusing to end the Power era with just one original series, he’s expanded the universe with the well-received Power Book II: Ghost, which debuted last year, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan, which is currently on screens. 50 Cent also starred in and helmed the prison drama series For Life, and there are at least three other Power spin-offs in the works.
From what he’s offered so far, the rapper-turned-mogul has cemented his place in the TV space as a promising producer.
One fan playfully noted on Twitter: ‘50 Cent really created a hood marvel universe,’ while another agreed: ‘They said 50 Cent creating a Marvel universe for drug dealers.’
Another said: ‘50 Cent went from a gangster to one of the most prominent TV producers in the world.’
Who needs Emmys when your portfolio speaks for itself?
50 Cent may not be creating blockbuster superheroes or period dramas but his drug related shows are clearly appealing to huge numbers. Whether it’s recognised by the mainstream or not, I have no qualms about 50’s ability to win.
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