From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside, Queens

by 50 Cent, Kris Ex (Contributor)

Rapper 50 Cent has made it big in a very short space of time. Having been supported by Jam Master Jay, and produced by Dr Dre and Eminem, the rapper and poet has already experienced great success and critical acclaim for his anthemic single 'In Da Club' and bestselling debut album. While some rappers just talk the talk, though, 50 has walked the walk, and this brilliant insight into who he is and where he came from is a must for all fans. Growing up in Jamaica, Queens, he was born to a 15-year-old drug-dealing mother -- she was killed in mysterious circumstances -- and took over the family business at the age of twelve. Living hard, he has been stabbed, shot nine times (one bullet in his face) and has survived a number of assassination attempts. He is a survivor, a man from the streets who has made it big-time without forgetting his roots. This is the inside story of a rap icon.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Memoir, Autobiography, Hip Hop, True Crime

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2005

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe it. But it's unbelievable.
Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent's autobiography reads like a script from one of his Tv series or movies. His life story kept me intrigued and filled with the curiosity that prompts me to tune in religiously to his Power series. It feels unrealistic as if it is Hollywood generated. But you know, that somewhere in America, although this may not be a reality that you've ever known, it exists. And this guy is telling the truth.

We know 50 Cent. We know his music. We may even have heard a few things about his story. However, I believe no matter what you've heard there is never more truth than hearing it in the voice of a persons own narrative. If we listen to what they say and how they say it, if observant one can learn a lot about a person. Reading this book I learned a lot about Curtis Jackson his early life and his determination. This book in a sense let's you peel back the persona and see the young man with the rough childhood who always knew he wanted something better.

I won't ruin it for anyone by giving anything away but I will say it was an interesting book to read/listen to as an audiobook. It didn't lose my attention one bit.

It wasn't a literary masterpiece so I struggle with what rating to give this.

I guess I'll go with 4 because I was interested and entertained. It's written in a really down to earth easy way. It was a quick read/listen. I think maybe he could write some more books about his early life and neighborhood. I recommend this to all who are curious about 50. Because you will read this book and end up meeting Curtis.

[Pramod · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a autobiography.. he didn't revealed anything about him..

[Mia Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook was fire

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

This is like the movie (Get Rich or Die Tryin’) but better! The book follows 50 cent’s life as he transitioned from his younger days on the block to eventually coming up in the rap game. It is pretty much him sharing advice he’s received, giving his interpretation of it and recalling how he applied it to his hustle.

This memoir was written in 50’s own voice so it felt like I was just listening to my homie tell some wild stories lol. He was honest about mistakes he’s made in the past and didn’t shy away from reflecting on how he could’ve reacted differently in certain situations. Reading this made me understand a bit more why he is the way he is in the industry. I enjoyed how the book describes some events that took place in the movie in more detail but some of the background info he provided regarding the other people involved in those events kind of bored me, which is the only reason I didn’t give it 4 stars.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 2 out of 5]

"..I traveled the only way I traveled at the time: with a bullet proof vest....but I could live with that. Being dead, I couldn't live with."
I went into this book thinking Curtis Jackson was a pratt, and although the book was good I still think he's a pratt, but a pratt who worked hard to get what he wanted. The book reads more like a diary and each "entry" ends before anything really interesting happens, but worth a read none the less. What I learnt, never judge a rapper by their wrapper....2 1/5 🌟

[Gael Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Pieces to Weight by 50 cent was a good book from what I read. I like how it shows the development of his life and how the whole story goes unfolding. To begin, Curtis was a little kid spoiled by his mom and the money of her dirty job. Bad news broke down Curtis and made him start a new life. Curtis started to take the same steps as his mom. “It wasn't until I told my grandmother that I was selling drugs that she finally explained what happened to my mother.”(50 cent) I like that quote because it's showing that his grandmother doesn't want him to go through he same steps as his mother. “Tuesday and Thursday those were the days the cops were most likely to roll up hop out and lockdown on the strip if a hustler could outrun the cops he was lucky. If he couldn't well tell that to the judge buddy.” (Pg 34). I like how they know when the cops would most likely show up. That shows that they care about the “job” they are doing. On the other hand, people might think the book is bad because of the things going on, Like how Curtis got to thinking like his mom and started to sell drugs. How his mom was a bad influence towards Curtis. However, I personally thought the book is good and could be helpful to they way people think. Overall, I like the book. it was a good book and you get to see how people's life is unfolding and how people think that everyone's life is the same but it's not. I would recommend this book to other people. This book is for people that are into gangs, drugs, and real life stories.

[FAIZAN KHAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Stories Like 50s'.
All The Struggles And Roadblocks Life Throws At You, But You Don't Stop.
This Book Is The Perfect Inspiration To All The People Who Have Hit Rock Bottom.

Surviving The Ghetto Life, Where He Had Few Opportunities And Options...
Happened To Have Sold Cocaine Whole His Teenage, Being Shot 9 Bullets.
Turning All That Into A Successful Music And Business Career.

The Book Is Very Entertaining At The Same Time, Reads Like A Movie, And Felt Honest.
Not Only That But 50s Story Is About Discipline,
50 Have Managed To Stay Relevant All These Years By Constantly Hustling.

Fascinating Read!

[Kami Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was like, fuck; Sometimes the rap game does remind me of the crack game. _Curtis 50Cent Jackson

This was something I had picked up years ago. I was, like most people of the time, curious of the man shot 9 times, who lived. I really wanted to know what happened but from the source. This gave you as a reader the answer to that notorious question as well as a peek into the early life of actor, artist, entrepreneur, entertainer and rapper that is known to all as 50-cent.

I never realized how close in age he and I are. I always felt there was something unique about this man as he just didn't come across as 'thug" as his persona may have led. Turns out he was more gangsta than most rappers who project that lifestyle. 50 held back nothing in this short autobiography of sorts that led us through the streets of Queens NY to the early days of his career. This book leaves you looking ahead as it is clear this is a man that will stop at nothing but success. Even in failure he can find the silver lining of how that will lead to a success.
I may have assumed what the media was feeding me was the true 50, turns out that's just half the story. He is so layered and so much more refreshing than I could have imagined.
I listened to this on audio through my hoopla app using my local library while reading my physical copy. I would have given it 4 stars if it had been narrated by Jackson himself. Although J.D. Williams did a fantastic job!

[K2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about 50 that he has not said about himself🤷🏽‍♀️🤣

[Amar Pai]

I lost this book! Where did it go?

[Shakale Moore]

This book is about how he grew up as a little kid in the Southside Queens. He was talking about how he was blessed because his mother got killed. When he was a little kid. And he wanted nice things because he seen nice things he wanted. And his family couldn’t get for him because they grew all with 6 other kids in the house. So he couldn’t always get what he wanted when he wanted.


So as he was grown up he started selling drugs, but before he start selling he went to go buy a gun first. So when he start selling drugs he wouldn’t get robbed.So after he started making a little more money.he dicied to go to school one day. And as he was going to school he had brought the drugs with him and they searched his bag and he had drugs in there. So they locked him up and his grandparents came and got him.And he grandfather was yelling at home.


His grandfather went to 50 cents room one day in the basement to wish his clothes and he seen his gun.His grandfather started yelling “Why do you have a loaded gun and my house?’’And he grabbed his stuff and moved out to one of his friend house. So after that he saved up as much money as he had he even made some more money. And he got deal with the man that rent apartments for the low. So he was able to get some more money by throwing parties and selling drugs to people at the party. And a few days later he joyed the drug game with one of the big times drug dealers.


So after that he started making big drug sales. Then start getting a lot money to were he put his whole team on. And everybody he was hanging with was eating good. They was wearing all the biggest chains,watches, and driving and the high expensive cars. So then his rapping career started to take off. And he made close to a million hits on his Get Rich or Die Trying album and Cd. Everybody was calling and asking him to do a show at they clubs and parties. And then he got famous after that and really start living big.


Then one day he was back stage about to do a show and the dude that was the biggest drug dealer around came up to him and said do u want to know the truth about your mother.Then he said “I killed her” and then. 50 cent had beat him up in killed him. And went on stage to do his show.

[Bryce Maczko · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of this book is about a young teenager who lives in the ghedo. His mom is a drug dealer and he lives with his aunts and uncles that are drug addicts. The story moves really quickly and things start to get bad. It was interesting because I listen to 50 cents music and now i had a chance to find out what he was like when he was growing up and all the hardships he went through.

My favorite character was Curtis Jackson (50 cent) because he is the reason i read the book. As a kid he was a very courages boy and always wanted to "make it big" as in get rich. He knew his mom was a drug dealer and it interested him. Throughout the book 50 goes through many tough things but he never gives up, that is his quality that reminds me of him. When something bad happens i tend to just wipe it off my shoulder pretty quickly and move on.

The theme of this book is to never give up. The author shows this because his main line in the book is "get rich or die trying". 50 cent showed this because when he got shot, he didnt just give up, he started rapping again and became who he is today.

[Vanessa (Bookin.Good) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I don’t know if it was the story, the writing, or I just wasn’t drawn to it. In this memoir that chronicles 50 Cent’s climb and tumble in the drug game and burgeoning rap career, you get a lot of details about very gritty, often violent experiences. That’s not a surprise or the thing that makes me unenthusiastic about this read. The co-author is not strong and it impacted the story 50 wanted to tell. Or maybe 50 wanted it to sound exactly like he’d say it for authenticity but there is a difference of speaking vs. writing. Maybe the editor was too intimidated to do their job? I don’t know. It definitely could have been more. Skip the book, just watch Get Rich or Die Tryin’.

[Dima · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting book. It talks about 50 Cent's life as a kid and teenager. It was a very fast paced book with a lot of action and suspenseful events. Events like a police chase, shootings, and even death. It takes place in Queens New York for the most part.

The story revolves around 50 Cent but other charecters in the book are Red, Brian, Sincere, The Godfather, and Grits and Butter. They are all drug dealers that 50 cent hangs with in his life of drug dealing.

The theme of the story is adversity. 50 Cent has a lot of troubles and issues in his life but he kept going. He turned the adversity to rap lyrics which helped him get rich and succesful.

[Conwaym · Rating 5 out of 5]

I choice this book because I like biography books and it fun to learn where famous people came from. THe setting is in downtown in the geto. The main character is 50 cent and him growing up with his grandma. Because his mom die when 50 was young.There are a lot of probly he goes through. One of the main one is that he becomes a dealer at a really young age.Ever problem mostly gits resolved because he wants to live better and he has a son.I think it a really good book and if you like learn about where some famous people came from and what they had to go through. Then you should read the book.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its way better than the movie. With this book I learned that the streets does not give a shit about you. Now i know why he doesn't try to be friendly with people in the industry. Their his competition...so his mentality is like "fxxK you". You cant blame him for being that way. In this world you cant be too friendly.

[Jaevon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me i kind of like reading memoirs becuase sometimes without you even noticing it you can learn from it. to be honest i learned nothing from this memoir i just know that i will never never do any of these things he did in this book. there's a lot more than that. this book was nice though he had a rough life though and still made it.

[Jesse Inoma]

strictly gangster.Ggggggggg unit

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yes, I actually read this. The whole thing. Best part: when 50 explains how school was a waste of his time because he learned fractions measuring out drugs. awesome.

[Grady]

Both Sides of Life
Growing up in Hillcrest, a neighborhood in San Diego, I have seen both extremes of life. Everyday I see someone living a safe and prosperous life, but on the same block I see five people squeezing into a cardboard tent on the corner, doing and selling drugs just to get through life. The memoir, “From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens,” by 50 Cent and Kris Ex, delivers an unapologetic realistic story about what 50 did while growing up in Southside Queens. The memoir outlines the trials and tribulations 50 went through on a daily basis to stay alive. 50 cent is a controversial rapper from NY. 50 Cent has been nominated for fourteen Grammy’s, yet has only won one. Through rap 50 cent has become successful in other business opportunities. He bought a big stake in vitamin water at a young age, he has created multiple successful television shows, has written multiple books, created footwear, headphones, mattresses, and alcohol. I was drawn to this book because of my experiences in life. My brother didn’t always make the best decisions, and usually I was with him when bad things happened. I wanted to read this book to understand what people who go through this struggle in life make their decisions. While listening to the audiobook I kept on hearing one common theme throughout the book which was that 50 lived his life by the words “get rich or die trying,” which encompasses his thinking throughout the story.
What most stood out to me in 50 Cents memoir was the dialogue that brought so much emotion, and anaphora that kept pointing back to the theme of the book. Something that 50 cent always kept saying to himself to stay motivated was “get rich or die tryin.” This is heavy. It makes the reader understand how desperate 50 and everyone else living in the same situation that he is in was. It also points to the fact that money is all anyone cares about. 50 goes to any lengths good or bad to make sure he stays making money and stays alive. One time when 50 uses his inner dialogue to evoke emotion is when he thinks the himself “That's when I realized that as long as you don't broadcast your beefs, you can get away cold with murder.” Being a person that lives in a neighborhood where you very rarely hear gunshots this was very surprising. It made me stop the book and think about what he really just said. When most of the kids I know are worried about being called ugly or fat by someone they don’t know, 50 cent is worried about people not finding out if he shot someone or not. The reason this book is so good is because 50 is so truthful, in the introduction he says “I let you know that I survived nine bullets not to sell records, but because it's the truth.” When I heard 50 say this in the introduction to the book, it really set the tone for the book. It made me realize that nothing was going to go unsaid and that this book was going to be one hundred percent truthful. It also helps put the story in perspective for people that haven’t lived a life like 50. It truly shows them how dangerous his life was.
50 Cent’s memoir is a must read for any fan of 50 or rap. It is also a must read for anyone that grew up with the privilege of not having to sell drugs to survive. The story gives the reader a perspective on life using dialogue and descriptive language to help portray the deadly life of living in impoverished areas. To me they did everything right except not having 50 cent voicing it over. I would recommend this book to any fan of rap or anyone that is looking for a new perspective on life.

[Vinnesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"From Pieces to Weight" was my pick for the November category, "Home". I am from Jamaica, Queens, and 50 cent is from Southside Jamaica, so I thought it was a good fit. I was somewhat infatuated with him as a child. That may sound weird, but his music was (and still is) VERY catchy, and I liked his style. Let's be real, "In Da Club" will probably NEVER stop being played at parties and on radio stations.
Reading his story reminded me that 50 is an icon in his own right. He's known for being the guy who survived being shot nine times and coined the phrase "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." He inspired an entire generation of hip hoppers with the formation of G-Unit. I specifically recall being in school and hearing people shout "G-G-G-G-G-Unit!!!!" So many wanted to represent G-Unit, even though they had idea what it was.
The memoir is told in 50 Cent's unique voice. He doesn't use flowery language, he just recalls what folks have told him, his interpretation of it, and what he had to do to make it in the drug game and, eventually, the music industry. He didn't shy away from reflecting on the mistakes he made and the experiences that put him in a bad light. I gave it four stars though, because i noticed there were time skips that left out significant chunks of his life, particularly his early twenties. It is unclear whether he deliberately chose not to reflect on the events that defined this period, or if he left them out because it did not fit the titular theme, his transition from the crack game to the music business.
Overall, the memoir flowed well, making it an easy read. I appreciated his straight forward street wisdom. I learned a few hustling tips, namely marketing your product into the hands of as many people as possible. His journey reinforced for me that no one has a straight path to "success". Just when you think you don't have nothing going for you, a door will appear if your eyes are open to it.

[Matthias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected, but the quality is uneven. If broken into quarters, the second drags a bit while the third is great. The final chapters, which cover the rapid rise to global hip-hop success, are kind of disappointing as there is no deep dive on the music or a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. However, some scenes are so masterfully written they feel like something from a seasoned author like James Ellroy: the school's metal detector incident, his first time firing a gun as he left an apartment after visiting a girl, the motorcycle chase when police had him pegged as a murder suspect, the "shock" bootcamp, Terrance's progressive manipulation of Roots, the infamous nine-bullet shooting in the car and the long rehabilitation that followed.

[Matthew Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Not great, but definitely good. I actually read it years ago and remember liking it more on the first go round. It's a great story for sure but 50 Cent was 29 when he wrote it and I think that's about how old I was when I read it. Reading it now at 37 and after reading a lot of other celebrities memoirs, this one feels a little short and incomplete. As an example, "G-Unit" doesn't even appear in the book until the last maybe 50 pages and it consists of maybe 20 pages in total.

Hopefully somewhere down the line 50 will write another one or add to this one. It was good, but it could have been better. Overall, recommended to anyone a fan of his music.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently played Get Rich Or Die Trying the other day to celebrate its 20th anniversary (btw: Still holds up. Excellent debut), I decided to really dive in to 50 Cent’s story.

It was written in 2005, so it’s a tad outdated if you want the full story of his career (at least up to this point), but it still works well to get the evergreen story of his childhood and rise to fame in hip-hop. It’s a well told story, so definitely recommend it to anyone curious about his life.

[Yazan Weshah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An essential quick good read for all Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson fans. This is one of 50’s early attempts at writing. Therefore, his style here is not comparable to his more recent publications when it comes to quality, storytelling and flow. However, is is still enjoyable as 50 walks you through important chapters in his life before fortune and fame.

[Tim Schannauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed his life story but feel like he never really let us in he was just telling us what happened. Which probably was a good strategy for him to keep us at bay and to keep the 50 cent icon alive. Altogether a real quick read that I enjoyed. But definitely knew most of this from other readings, interviews, his movie and such.

[Jayce Conklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really good book that explains how 50 cent grew up in south side Jamaica queens. Shows how he was raised and the challenges he had over come to get to where he is today. 50 cent explains how to get what you want. Is very inspired by his words

[Atanas Hristov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Story

I really liked the story and even make me believe more in my self that success is achievable if you hustle hard enough. Never give up your dreams to anyone. Love you 50 .

[sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed reading this as i am also 29, the same age as 50 Cent when he wrote this. it is in addition to being honest with funny vignettes, an interesting record of the war on drugs programs such as Shock Therapy and After Shock.

[Dr Kem Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought what I heard about 50 cents was all rumor. We discover the entire story in this tel all memoir.