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50 Cent
Relates the life and accomplishments of the rap artist who rose from his difficult childhood and a life of crime in Queens to become a successful musician, actor, and businessman.
104 pages, Hardcover
First published December 14, 2007
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April 28, 2015While reading I’ve found a lot of conflicts in this section. the first problem is a combination of three problems. So, the first conflict is the fact that Curtis Jackson also known as 50 Cent grew up as a black, poor, and an orphan kid. The problem with that is because since he grew in a poor and dangerous neighborhood there is a bid risk for a small kid going out form school or another place he might not come back. There are drugs going back and forth with people. The second conflict is that Curtis was dealing with drugs at the age of twelve “he began dealing drugs on a street corner in his neighborhood when he was twelve years old and dropped out of school after the tenth to sell drugs full-time”(Uschan 11). It’s a problem because he shouldn’t be selling drugs at his age and he shouldn't have dropped out of school. Especially since he can actually go to school because people in his neighborhood would do anything to get the same kind of education.
The two themes were chosen are rich and danger. Rich is one of them because moving from poverty to being rich is a big step for some people especially Curtis. “By 2007, he had sold more than 20 million records to become the world’s richest and famous rapper”(Uschan 13). For a kid to be poor, black, and an orphan at the same time to being “the worlds richest and famous rapper” (Uschan 13) is a good thing. That was a huge step for Curtis. The second theme is danger, since he lived a whole life full of drugs. That is really tough for a teenage to live around drugs and not wanting to take some, since everywhere in his neighborhood there are drugs. The big problem is that twelve “he began dealing drugs on a street corner in his neighborhood when he was twelve years old and dropped out of school after the tenth to sell drugs full-time”(Uschan 11). It was dangerous of him to sell drugs at the age of twelve. He could of gotten arrested because of that. Those are the two themes of this section of reading.
There were a lot of conflicts through this section of reading and if there was a way that Curtis James Jackson III would go back and erase it, he would. Since, “Cutis missed the presents his mother used to give him, and in a few years he began selling crack cocaine and heroin to get cloths, athletic shoes, and other things he wanted” (Uschan 16). It doesn’t mean just because you miss your mother’s presents that you have to start selling drugs at the age of twelve to fell close to her or to buy yourself things. “It was easy for a young boy to get started in the drug trade because neighborhood dealers had known his mother.” (Uschan 16). Even though it was easy for him to stared selling drugs he shouldn’t have started in the first place. Epically since he could get into big trouble with his grandparents. He would also get arrested and at that age it’s not a good thing for that to happen to neither a teenager nor an adult.
The character Curtis James Jackson III was a pretty messed up kid. The readers may think that the he isn’t a good impression for kids. He might not be a good impression but he started to become a good person after a while of progress. He may be selling drugs but he did that only because he felt that it was the only way he would interact with his mother. He may be too young to sell drugs or crazy enough to drop out of school in the tenth grade but he later on developed and became a much better person. He became the person that we know as 50 Cent. He is the kind of person that would take risks to be able to sell drugs, but he did it anyways. He later on tried to get back on his feet. An example is: “Jackson, who had dropped out of high school after the 10th grade, used the class time at the facility to get his General Equivalency Degree. But the program failed to convince Jackson that his criminal way of life was wrong. When he released, Jackson returned home and once again began selling drugs.”(Uschan 23). “He could endure the 5 A.M. wake-up call and the marching and other physical activities involved in the program.”(Uschan 22). It shows that he is a really tough guy and can get used to things easily. “Incidents like this and his recurring brushes with the law began to make Jackson realize that dealing drugs, while profitable, was a risky way to make a living. He knew that almost everyone involved in the drug trade wound up either dead or in prison”(Uschan 23-24).
The two themes that are chosen for this review are karma and violence. The theme karma because he has been selling drugs since the age of twelve. Even though he has been arrested too many times he still wanted to sell drugs part it. As a result he had to got to a program that “was like a military boot camp, but Jackson was strong and in good shape. He could endure the 5 A.M. wake-up call and the marching and other physical activities involved in the program.”(Uschan 22). Violence is a second theme because Cutis knows that that violence is never the answer and he new exactly when to use it. ”Violence had always been a part of the drug world---- Jackson’s own mother’s murder was proof of that. But after he returned from boot camp, the violence in the local drug scene seemed to have escalated.”(Uschan 23). He was once attacked when he “came home to his grandmother’s house, he was attacked in an attempted robbery. Just as Jackson got to the front door, his attackers short at him from the cargo van parked in the street. He escaped by jumping off the porch and running to the backyard, where he had a gun stashed.”(Uschan 23).
The two plots that were chosen are Brooklyn, New York and July 19. The first plot is chosen is Brooklyn, New York because, for a while he “had to live with other juveniles in a dormitory-style apartment building in Brooklyn, New York. The program was an alternative to going to a juvenile institution or prison for young drug offenders.”(Uschan 21). July 19 is another plot because it was when the police came and started searching his grandmother’s house and Curtis still lived there. When the police came and started searching the grandparents house they “seized heroin, crack cocaine, a starter gun and $695 in cash.”(Uschan 22). He was lucky and unlucky. He was unlucky because he “faced a possible sentence of three to nine years in prison”(Uschan 22) that is not luck at all. They then “the court offered him the option of serving a six-month sentence in the ‘Shock Incarceration Program’ instead of going to prison” (Uschan 22).
The two conflicts are the fact that people would want to kill 50 Cent because he was a drug dealer and the fact that Tupac Shakur was murdered. The fact that Tupac Shakur was murdered was a big problem. He has been a great inspiration to many people epically young kids going through tough times. “Tupac Shakur made gangster rap popular when he was alive and he continued to influence young rappers after he was murdered.”(Uschan 36). The other problem is the fact that a person wanted the death of 50 Cent. People are crazy, trying to a young person for no reason what so ever is very crazy. The readers might think it’s because of the fact that he didn’t seal them good drugs or stuff to do with drugs. Epically when you shot that person nine times. That exactly what 50 Cent thinks that Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff did.
I would highly recommend this book to middle school students especially 6th graders because it doesn’t have a complicated vocab and it has a simple structure that would fit all of those students. I would also recommend this book to people that are interested in this great musician who had a dark past .
The two themes were chosen are rich and danger. Rich is one of them because moving from poverty to being rich is a big step for some people especially Curtis. “By 2007, he had sold more than 20 million records to become the world’s richest and famous rapper”(Uschan 13). For a kid to be poor, black, and an orphan at the same time to being “the worlds richest and famous rapper” (Uschan 13) is a good thing. That was a huge step for Curtis. The second theme is danger, since he lived a whole life full of drugs. That is really tough for a teenage to live around drugs and not wanting to take some, since everywhere in his neighborhood there are drugs. The big problem is that twelve “he began dealing drugs on a street corner in his neighborhood when he was twelve years old and dropped out of school after the tenth to sell drugs full-time”(Uschan 11). It was dangerous of him to sell drugs at the age of twelve. He could of gotten arrested because of that. Those are the two themes of this section of reading.
There were a lot of conflicts through this section of reading and if there was a way that Curtis James Jackson III would go back and erase it, he would. Since, “Cutis missed the presents his mother used to give him, and in a few years he began selling crack cocaine and heroin to get cloths, athletic shoes, and other things he wanted” (Uschan 16). It doesn’t mean just because you miss your mother’s presents that you have to start selling drugs at the age of twelve to fell close to her or to buy yourself things. “It was easy for a young boy to get started in the drug trade because neighborhood dealers had known his mother.” (Uschan 16). Even though it was easy for him to stared selling drugs he shouldn’t have started in the first place. Epically since he could get into big trouble with his grandparents. He would also get arrested and at that age it’s not a good thing for that to happen to neither a teenager nor an adult.
The character Curtis James Jackson III was a pretty messed up kid. The readers may think that the he isn’t a good impression for kids. He might not be a good impression but he started to become a good person after a while of progress. He may be selling drugs but he did that only because he felt that it was the only way he would interact with his mother. He may be too young to sell drugs or crazy enough to drop out of school in the tenth grade but he later on developed and became a much better person. He became the person that we know as 50 Cent. He is the kind of person that would take risks to be able to sell drugs, but he did it anyways. He later on tried to get back on his feet. An example is: “Jackson, who had dropped out of high school after the 10th grade, used the class time at the facility to get his General Equivalency Degree. But the program failed to convince Jackson that his criminal way of life was wrong. When he released, Jackson returned home and once again began selling drugs.”(Uschan 23). “He could endure the 5 A.M. wake-up call and the marching and other physical activities involved in the program.”(Uschan 22). It shows that he is a really tough guy and can get used to things easily. “Incidents like this and his recurring brushes with the law began to make Jackson realize that dealing drugs, while profitable, was a risky way to make a living. He knew that almost everyone involved in the drug trade wound up either dead or in prison”(Uschan 23-24).
The two themes that are chosen for this review are karma and violence. The theme karma because he has been selling drugs since the age of twelve. Even though he has been arrested too many times he still wanted to sell drugs part it. As a result he had to got to a program that “was like a military boot camp, but Jackson was strong and in good shape. He could endure the 5 A.M. wake-up call and the marching and other physical activities involved in the program.”(Uschan 22). Violence is a second theme because Cutis knows that that violence is never the answer and he new exactly when to use it. ”Violence had always been a part of the drug world---- Jackson’s own mother’s murder was proof of that. But after he returned from boot camp, the violence in the local drug scene seemed to have escalated.”(Uschan 23). He was once attacked when he “came home to his grandmother’s house, he was attacked in an attempted robbery. Just as Jackson got to the front door, his attackers short at him from the cargo van parked in the street. He escaped by jumping off the porch and running to the backyard, where he had a gun stashed.”(Uschan 23).
The two plots that were chosen are Brooklyn, New York and July 19. The first plot is chosen is Brooklyn, New York because, for a while he “had to live with other juveniles in a dormitory-style apartment building in Brooklyn, New York. The program was an alternative to going to a juvenile institution or prison for young drug offenders.”(Uschan 21). July 19 is another plot because it was when the police came and started searching his grandmother’s house and Curtis still lived there. When the police came and started searching the grandparents house they “seized heroin, crack cocaine, a starter gun and $695 in cash.”(Uschan 22). He was lucky and unlucky. He was unlucky because he “faced a possible sentence of three to nine years in prison”(Uschan 22) that is not luck at all. They then “the court offered him the option of serving a six-month sentence in the ‘Shock Incarceration Program’ instead of going to prison” (Uschan 22).
The two conflicts are the fact that people would want to kill 50 Cent because he was a drug dealer and the fact that Tupac Shakur was murdered. The fact that Tupac Shakur was murdered was a big problem. He has been a great inspiration to many people epically young kids going through tough times. “Tupac Shakur made gangster rap popular when he was alive and he continued to influence young rappers after he was murdered.”(Uschan 36). The other problem is the fact that a person wanted the death of 50 Cent. People are crazy, trying to a young person for no reason what so ever is very crazy. The readers might think it’s because of the fact that he didn’t seal them good drugs or stuff to do with drugs. Epically when you shot that person nine times. That exactly what 50 Cent thinks that Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff did.
I would highly recommend this book to middle school students especially 6th graders because it doesn’t have a complicated vocab and it has a simple structure that would fit all of those students. I would also recommend this book to people that are interested in this great musician who had a dark past .
Read
November 6, 2016The biography "50 Cent" written by the author, Michael V. Uschan explains the famous rapper, 50 Cent's life and how he got to where he is today. Curtis James Jackson III, his birth name, born on July 6th, 1975 in New York. Raised in a black neighborhood in Queens by his drug-dealing mother. Sabrina Jackson, Jame's mother, was only fifteen when she gave birth to Curtis James Jackson III. When Jackson was twelve when his mother was assassinated in her apartment. James then moved in with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was hard on Curtis, not knowing his father and losing his mother at a young age. These events had led to him to the streets and drug dealing. On June 29th, 1994 James had been arrested for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer. After out of jail, Jackson decides to start a rapping career with a friend which had turned out well. Later on, he had decided to go solo, and a friend of his had introduced him to a producer. From then on he had a great career. As one can see, 50 Cent had a childhood similar to most 90's rappers.
The three questions which the reader would be able to answer after reading the biography: What do you like about this person? Explain. Tell why this person became famous. Name people who inspired this person. First, I find that it is great that 50 Cent can speak about anything that is on his mind in his music and he is not afraid to speak his mind which I find it significant being a great rapper. Second, Curtis James is famous because of his great music and rapping skills. Third, there were two people who had inspired 50 Cent to do what he does, The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac, both rapping legends in the rap industry. As one can see, it is simple to answer the questions after that the reader knows Jackson's life.
I would like to recommend this book to people ages 12 and up for many reasons. First, this biography could inspire young rappers for the future. Second, it could introduce people to rap and the meanings of the lyrics. Third, it could show that maybe starting by growing up in a bad neighborhood and not having enough money could change someday. Last, a reader can just learn about a new rapper, its life and how they got to where they are at this moment. My favourite part of this book was when the author indicated how Tupac and Biggie Smalls my favourite rappers had inspired 50 Cent to start rapping. Although my least favourite part was when James mother had passed away because I found it very depressing. As one can see, many people could benefit from reading this book.
The three questions which the reader would be able to answer after reading the biography: What do you like about this person? Explain. Tell why this person became famous. Name people who inspired this person. First, I find that it is great that 50 Cent can speak about anything that is on his mind in his music and he is not afraid to speak his mind which I find it significant being a great rapper. Second, Curtis James is famous because of his great music and rapping skills. Third, there were two people who had inspired 50 Cent to do what he does, The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac, both rapping legends in the rap industry. As one can see, it is simple to answer the questions after that the reader knows Jackson's life.
I would like to recommend this book to people ages 12 and up for many reasons. First, this biography could inspire young rappers for the future. Second, it could introduce people to rap and the meanings of the lyrics. Third, it could show that maybe starting by growing up in a bad neighborhood and not having enough money could change someday. Last, a reader can just learn about a new rapper, its life and how they got to where they are at this moment. My favourite part of this book was when the author indicated how Tupac and Biggie Smalls my favourite rappers had inspired 50 Cent to start rapping. Although my least favourite part was when James mother had passed away because I found it very depressing. As one can see, many people could benefit from reading this book.
Read
May 1, 2015“When you grow up without finances (money) it starts to feel like finances are the answer to all your problems”(Uschan17). Curtis Jackson, known as 5O cent was born in July 6th, 1975 in South Jamaica, a black neighborhood in Queens. Curtis’s mom Sabrina Jackson was 15 years old when Curtis was born. Sabrina was addicted to drugs and she soled drugs for living. When 50 cent grew up he was watching his mother selling drugs. Curtis followed his mother selling drugs and also started to sell drugs in the streets. Curtis became interested as being a movie star and a rapper. His first film is GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN; this film is about his own life. He also liked to rap he also recorded “Wanksta” a song that 50 cent had released on mix tapes for his other movie. He started to rap and rap tell where he is know.
50 Cent is a wonderful nonfiction book with a lot of photography’s and a good title. I think it’s a very good title because it doesn’t say his real name it says his rapper name. I also like the photography the G unit because in that picture it shows 50cent when he was young and his friends that rap. I know this book in nonfiction because 5O cent is a real person and he is still alive and he still makes other great movies and songs.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes rap and music. People would mostly learn about their favorite rapper. Another reason why I recommend this book because it tells you about his life, what did he accomplish in life and where he was born. This book is interesting because even though I know this rapper, I didn’t know what happened in his life and his family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes music and rapping.
50 Cent is a wonderful nonfiction book with a lot of photography’s and a good title. I think it’s a very good title because it doesn’t say his real name it says his rapper name. I also like the photography the G unit because in that picture it shows 50cent when he was young and his friends that rap. I know this book in nonfiction because 5O cent is a real person and he is still alive and he still makes other great movies and songs.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes rap and music. People would mostly learn about their favorite rapper. Another reason why I recommend this book because it tells you about his life, what did he accomplish in life and where he was born. This book is interesting because even though I know this rapper, I didn’t know what happened in his life and his family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes music and rapping.
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