His first musical mentor, Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay, was killed by gunmen in October 2002.

The rapper escaped death when he was shot nine times in 2000, and has said there are still people who want him dead. He added that he took up the 'family business' of drug dealing aged 12. The rapper rose up from the streets and said his mother was a crack dealer and was killed when he was eight. When it was released, it sold 872,000 copies in its first week and 822,000 the following week, making it one of the most successful rap albums in history. His album was certified four-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, meaning it has sold four million copies. The 26-year-old rapper, from Queens, New York, rose to stardom after being discovered by Eminem.īut he has been criticised for lyrics about drugs and gun violence, and his background selling crack cocaine and involvement in gang feuds. More than four million copies of Get Rich or Die Tryin have been sold in the US since its release two months ago. 50 Cent survived being shot nine times in 2000Ĭontroversial rapper 50 Cent has cemented his status as music's hottest property after his album was confirmed as the United States' biggest-selling CD of the year so far.

Get rich or die tryin album gross