50 Cent recently sat down with Dimitri Ehrlich of ‘Interview Magazine’. The G-Unit general gave some interesting insight into what it was like coming up hustling, why it doesn’t bother him to fly coach and a lot more. Check out the full interview below (hit the jump).

DIMITRI EHRLICH: I’m struck by how much your career has diversified beyond music during the past few years. You now have a record label, a book imprint, the 50 Cent video games, the G-Unit fashion label, the G-Unit sneakers, your own fragrance; you designed a car for Pontiac — it’s even been reported you made $100 million from your stake in Glacéau. And on top of all that, you got to act alongside Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino [in Jon Avnet’s 2008 film Righteous Kill]. I assume that now you’re probably earning more money as a business mogul than as a rapper. Is that a correct assessment?

50 CENT: Absolutely. I’ve already exceeded what I’ve earned from music with my other ventures. I always had what I thought were good ideas, but I didn’t have the finances to support them. The interest generated through the success of my music on a broad scale—like being able to sell 19 million copies of my first record [Get Rich or Die Tryin’, 2003] worldwide, and then following up with the 13 million that sold of The Massacre [2005] — has allowed that to happen. The last album, Curtis [2007], didn’t sell as many records as the other ones, but obviously the climate in the music business is changing. I mean, when Curtis came out, collectively me and Kanye were able to create the biggest-selling week for hip-hop music in that time frame. But all of these projects have created a new energy for me when I’m working, and
I taste it — I’m more feverish.

EHRLICH: Do you know what you’re worth today? I’ve read that it’s somewhere in the area of $400 million. Is that accurate?

50 CENT: [pauses] I’m not sure, but that sounds great.

EHRLICH: [laughs] When you have that much money that you’re set for life, how does it change your feeling about yourself? Or is it just never enough?

50 CENT: I don’t really think it’ll ever be enough. I used to equate success with my finances because I didn’t have anything, and when you don’t have any money, it seems money is the answer to all your problems. Then you get money, and you realize that you’ve got a whole new set of problems.

EHRLICH: Your first two albums sold 32 million copies combined, and then Curtis sold one million. Do you feel like with the new one, Before I Self Destruct, you still have a lot to prove?

50 CENT: What? One million records?

EHRLICH: Domestically — wasn’t that the total sales figure for Curtis?

50 CENT: It was more than a million records. I’ve never had an album that sold just a million records. I’d be devastated if I sold one million records.

EHRLICH: Okay, so how many copies did Curtis sell?

50 CENT: I don’t even know. Hold on. [asks someone off phone for sales figures]

EHRLICH: Anyway, we can look it up, but my point was not to belittle the album. No one is selling 20 million records anymore.

50 CENT: Yeah. And I understand that the music itself determines whether you’re generating interest, so whether you actually sold the copies or the kids are sitting in front of the computer and downloading the music that way, it still determines how relevant you are.

EHRLICH: You’ve had a lot of high-profile beefs in the past, but less so lately. Do you feel like you have too much at stake now, or are just you feeling less confrontational?

50 CENT: I mean, it just has to make sense to me. You know, like, when I’m getting into it with an artist who wants to be in the position I’m in. It’s just a fact — it’s based on him wanting to be in the position I’m in.

EHRLICH: Hip-hop is interesting to me because it doesn’t allow you to be very vulnerable. Do you feel like it limits the reality of you as a human being when you can’t express the full realm of your feelings sometimes?

50 CENT: Well, that’s when you can go off and be a part of those film projects and be vulnerable and everything else that you want to be as an artist. They’ll say you’re weak if you’re out crying on the stage while performing as a rapper, and they’ll say you’re amazing if you do it on cue in a movie scene. But you’re only human. You have emotions. It’s just that some of us know how to suppress them better.

EHRLICH: Do you get annoyed that people are afraid to say no to you?

50 CENT: Well, I have friends that treat me the same way they did before I was the boss. They don’t actually want anything from me.

EHRLICH: Like who? Who’s your best friend?

50 CENT: My best friend? Damn. Probably Eminem. We don’t get a chance to hang out much, but we use the telephone. When I was in Detroit, I stayed at his house. He provided an opportunity for me, for all of these things to happen.

EHRLICH: Do you still only communicate with your ex-wife, the mother of your son, via lawyers?

50 CENT: I don’t have any communications with her.

EHRLICH: Do you ever think, with all this wealth and success, there are some things money can’t buy, like a happy marriage?

50 CENT: Yeah, but then you have people who don’t have any wealth and find themselves in spaces where relationships don’t work. People are like plants: They grow; they change every day. When a person completely has nothing but negative interest in you and would like nothing more than to see you in the worst situation possible, then why would you consistently go toward that energy?

EHRLICH: I would assume that one of the most difficult things you’ve had to negotiate in life was the loss of your mother, who was murdered when you were eight years old.

50 CENT: Exactly.

EHRLICH: Do you remember that moment — getting the news? How has that loss continued to affect you to this day?

50 CENT: Well, I was a baby — I was eight when my mom passed. The reason my mom made the choice of going into the lifestyle she went into… I was the motivation for her going into that. She had me when she was 15, and teenage pregnancy wasn’t as common as it is now. And at that point, there’s no blue card. Your options were either to go on welfare or to go into the lifestyle that she went into, hustling to get what she could provide. So I remember my mom and associate her with everything good because every time she showed up, she had something for me. I never knew my father, so she was everything, you know? After I lost my mom, I can remember feeling like I wanted to go into a park but it was raining outside, and I felt like it was raining because my mom was dead. Literally, I used to feel like everything that was going wrong was going wrong because my mom wasn’t there. I remember when she passed and my grandparents told me that she was going away, that she was going to be in a better place — I didn’t understand that. Went to her funeral and everything and still didn’t understand what was going on. Just knew that everything that was good went away. And then all of the people that I ran into who appeared to have a nice lifestyle, the things that I wanted, like nice cars and nice jewelry — people who were well-kept and looked like they was living good — they were all from my mom’s life. They said, “Hey, what’s up, little Sabrina?” They used to call me my mother’s name because they knew me as Sabrina’s little boy. They’d look down and be like, “Why your shoes look like that?” And then they’d buy me shoes. And afterward, they’d take me aside and say, “Hey, if anyone bothers you, then you tell ’em you got those shoes from me.” And that’s giving you a license to actually sell the shit in the neighborhood. But even when I was selling, I had to do it between 3 P.M. and 6 P.M., when my grandmother thought I was in the after-school program.

EHRLICH: Did you ever sample the goods when you were dealing drugs?

50 CENT: Nah. As far as getting high was concerned, it was easy: Do I spend $10 on some weed and smoke it, or do I hold on to $10 that I need to live?

EHRLICH: What would you say is the art of a true hustler?

50 CENT: True hustlers are prepared to get hustled and know when to change positions and move to something different and aren’t afraid. Even the toughest guys are afraid to be anything outside of the toughest guys.

EHRLICH: Your charity, the G-Unity Foundation, gives grants to low-income kids to get through school, which makes perfect sense, but explain why when you opened the Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Community Garden [in Jamaica, Queens], you partnered with Bette Midler, whose core audience is, well, very different from yours.

50 CENT: Yeah, her core audience is different from mine, but we had the same intentions at that point: We were working together to do something positive for the youth in that area. Bette is probably one of the top 100 philanthropists in New York City, and to get with her and do something positive in my actual neighborhood made perfect sense. Following that, we’ve been a part of other projects together. I don’t actually promote what I do for charity — you shouldn’t even be doing it if you’re doing it to promote it. But what’s troubling is that I sometimes feel like I’m being held to standards that they don’t usually hold other people to. Like, we did this event called Family Day in Queens, and they made me have licensed vendors for food, but they didn’t give me the sound permit. And then Mayor Bloomberg and the governor — it’s on the Web now — they were talking about how they reached out to me and I told them that I wasn’t going to perform, that I was just going to attend it. But one of their stipulations was for me not to actually perform at the event. The New York Post wrote negative articles about it; they said I’m a “bullet magnet”! They printed a two-page story showing the distance from where I got shot to the location where I was trying to throw the event. I don’t think they realized that the event was for kids. You see what I’m saying?

EHRLICH: Right, you’re just trying to help kids, and they’re being insulting.

50 CENT: Right. So it’s interesting. I got my ass kicked for trying to do something cool, you know what I mean?

EHRLICH: I read that you don’t mind flying coach. Is that true? How do folks react when they find themselves sitting next to you in economy?

50 CENT: Well, I really don’t mind flying coach if I have to. If the front of the plane is sold out, I’ll sit in the back. Some people are like, “Oh, first class is sold out. I can’t go.” I guess they care about people seeing that they’re not sitting in first class. But I’m clear with my financial space—I don’t need to get any validation by someone else who sits next to me in first class. If you think a seat in first class makes you a star, then you’re not one.

Photo credit: Robbie Fimmano

Jay-Z recently sat down with ‘Interview magazine’ where he discussed everything including Eminem and his dark side of fame.

“I never even told him this, but I remember that Eminem came into the studio when we made ‘Moment of Clarity,’ which he produced, on The Black Album. So here’s Eminem. It’s 2003, I think The Eminem Show had come out, and he was like the biggest rapper in the world — he sold like 20 million records worldwide or some ridiculous number. But when he came to the studio, I remember I hugged him, and I could feel that he had on a bulletproof vest. I couldn’t imagine being that successful. I mean, he’s a guy who loves rap and wanted to be successful his whole career. Then he finally gets it, and there’s this dark cloud over him.”

On Relapse 2:

So the sequel won’t reflect your reaction to the first one and its reception?
Eminem: Well, when I finished Relapse, I had a whole album of material that didn’t make it that I wasn’t ready to throw away, so that was going to be Relapse 2. But then I got with Dre in Hawaii and started recording more, and now the new material has knocked out all the old songs. But yeah, the new material is definitely different. Making Relapse, I was still working the drugs out of my system, so there was a lot of…just jokey shit. It was a lot of punchline-y, funny, shock value—kind of going back to The Slim Shady LP. And that was cool, but I’ve kind of flipped the page. Now I’m going for songs instead of one-liners. I don’t want to make shit that you hear once and then the joke’s over; I want to make records that you could play a hundred times, a thousand times.

On “Forever“:

Speaking of being on your game, who had the second-best verse on “Forever”?
Eminem: Who had the second-best verse? [Laughs.] I don’t know, I like everybody’s verses—but I like Drake’s verse a lot. I wouldn’t say I had the best verse; everybody approached the beat different. Kanye was crazy, too, and Wayne. I just saw the beat differently than anybody else did; for some reason, I felt like the beat was a double-time beat, so I rapped faster.

On Sobriety:

So you’re stone-sober these days?
Eminem: Yeah, it’ll be 18 months on the 20th [of October]. I realized I can’t touch anything, and that’s why I’m clean right now and why I’m going to stay clean. My brain just doesn’t know when to shut off. When I do something I have to do it all the way—that goes for music, with a high-hat, a snare drum, a rhyme, everything. I have to push it to the extreme. That’s how I realized I have addictive behavior. Somebody told me this once, that the thing that makes me bad is the same thing that makes me good at other things.

On MTV’s Hottest MC’s List:

In case someone wants to put money on it. [Laughs.] Speaking of 50, he’s been venting about his placement on MTV’s “Hottest MCs” list. You were excluded.

Eminem: You know, when I heard that the other day, I didn’t really think too much of it. My only comment was, “That’s some peoples’ opinion.” It’s their opinion, and opinions can’t be wrong. As long as I’m comfortable with what I’m doing and I’m comfortable in my zone, then that’s that.

You can read the full interview here.

50 Cent pushes back BISD to early November

G-Unit head 50 Cent recently revealed that his highly anticipated album Before I Self Destruct has officially been pushed back again, this time until November. 50 Cent made the announcement during an interview backstage at the Coke Live Festival, in Cracow, Poland (August 22).

According to him, Before I Self Destruct will land in stores the first week of November, which would make the release date Tuesday, November 3.

The last confirmed release date for the album had been September 29 and prior to that, September 11.

“I was limited [with] time on my other projects, and this one, just because the system was in a state of confusion with things changing – the music business itself changed,” 50 Cent said. “And it was definitely a time where I felt like I was ready and it wasn’t a possibility for me to release the record at that point. And then the Eminem train came running down the track and I had to get out the way to let Eminem’s record [Relapse] go out. Because he had been off for two years, it made good sense for to let him go out first.”

Fifty is also working on a new untitled album that will be a radical departure from his previous releases.

“[I’m] working on a new project, is so far what they’ve heard from me in the past. It’s different things we are doing that they’ll be surprised to hear. What creatively, I came up with.”

50 Cent's "BISD" album is scheduled for a September 29th release

50 Cent will reportedly not go head-tohead against with Jay-Z with the release of his new Before I Self Destruct album. In a new interview with MTV, 50 explained what is causing the delay of his album. Although he says he is ready, there are still some tracks that need work. The highly appreciated record is set for a  September 29 release, the last Tuesday of that month. But as we’ve become accustomed to, Fif can drop an album anytime he wants.

“I don’t have the ability to do that,” Fif answered about why he put the tapes out at a fever pace. “You have to set up records now, position them at radio. I get frustrated with that sh–. Sometimes I just want people to hear what I just did. I be like, ‘This sh– is hot, I want it out now. So I’mma just start giving it away.’ “

But for Before I Self Destruct, you’ll have to make a purchase.

“My album — it’s perfect, I feel,” he described. “I’m ready. I’m ready to put this album out. I really don’t need adjustments. I need a few songs to be finished, mixed. Dre, he drags his feet. He’s slow, but it’s because he’s so creative. He’s gonna make sure it’s perfect. I’m never mad at it. I understand that process from him. But for me, I kinda go on my gut. Ain’t nobody pick 50 Cent records. ‘Wanksta’ went on its own. They caught up to my records. The only record they launched was ‘In da Club.’ When we was all on deck and they launched it. Even going back to the last record — ‘I Get Money’ was going at a great pace, then ‘Ayo Technology’ fell on top of it. I had all of the records that sold the Curtis record laying there the whole time. I was just like, ‘I can’t put this out until after I’ve done this.’ My core, if they can’t expect aggressive content or that content that feels like what’s going on for them at the moment from me, then who can they get it from?”

Cashis

RapBasement.com has teamed up with Cashis for an exclusive interview. The Shady Capo talks being dropped rumors, upcoming projects and more. Check it out below:

There are rumors going around that you had been dropped from Shady Records. You recently put out a statement saying that wasn’t true, do you know where these rumors came from?

Yeah,some lame-o’s! L7 squarez, who don’t exist to anyone of importance, no matter what…

It’s a small group of girlymen, that wanted my attention, and they jus put me bacc in the public eye, appreciate it bruh…  The rumor itself was, laughable at best. Considering, I’m the only 1 of us in the Cracc a bottle video, come on bro, King Mathers jus dropped the illest Lp in 4 years. It’s my time to fully surface in the mainstream market. There is no reason to go anywhere,ever. We all have to wait our turn for succession. And in the meantime, build up the buzz and awareness of the Shady Records camp, and each artist individually.  I feel that, with no question, I have done that, and that errbody knows where my loyalty is and how important that is 2 me.  Marshall,Dart, Paul, Tracy, and Marc found me, signed me, took me in, and gave me a Capo seat in this organization, and gave me hope for a future, I thought would’ve met demisal, by now, there is nowhere else 4 me 2 go, but the casket or urn next.   And even then, I’ll still b Shady…..

It seems now with the internet being what it is anyone can say anything and it spreads almost like fact. Do you think its a good or bad thing that things like this can get so much coverage?

I think it’s a great thing, because it sheds light on the artist, even when there is no new music 2 cover.  And nit also, shows the artist, that they are important, in the field they work in. Each lie can be debunked. Each truth can be uncovered. And at the end of the day, your name is at the top of the headlines, and you can drop a massive record that will actually be heard at that point.

We recently posted your new mixtape “The Leak vol 2. Get Ready,” [download here] can you tell us what you have planned next?

We just dropped What up, with Chamillionaire and Carlito Rossi, which is getten a great response. I have a mixtape,prelude 2 Euthanasia droppen Monday,a new record, produced by Komplex, called “bigga than me”. which is the buzz single from the euthanasia digital lp, droppen 2day. And a mixtape with the homebwoi DJ Woogie,titled bogish boy vol. 6 point starz and cocced hats, droppen on 7-4-09.  And most importantly, I’m goin bacc n the studio, with Em soon, to finish up The Art of Dyen… which drops after 50 drops, Before I Self Destruct, And I feel it will certify me, as the hip hop version of E.A. Poe…., along with re-releasing the limited edition Countyhound e.p, and the countyhound 2 e.p.  I’m off bail now, and I’m jus taken time to spend with my kids, and buy baby gear 4 my new lil boy Ramone #4,  who’s due anyday now.  Also I’m finishen up Usual Suspects, with my G ,Carlito Rossi, And Me and Young De, are bot, to do Homeland Security 2…And u know how we do with those projects.  Also, me and my homebwoi Freeway,are gunna do a whole original 12 song album, that will drop this year also.  I hope ya’ll ready, cuz I’m on a serious pace right now, I’ve improved,and so has the people around me, so the music overall is great, and I’m amped bot getten the music 2 the people…R.I.P. M.J., and props to Game and errbody that’s on the record 4 folks… I applaud that. R.I.P. also to 1 of the folks, Toons, we  miss u, bos love til the world blow, u took the 6 up to heaven 4 all of us……Ca$h

Eminem and Bruno at the MTV Movie Awards

Three days ago at the MTV Movie Awards, Sacha Baron Cohen caused a firestorm as “Bruno” when he landed ass first on Eminem. Many speculated for the days whether the stunt was staged or real, with everyone speaking except the man himself. Breaking his silence, Em spoke exclusively to Rap Radar about the entire “ordeal”.

RR: Can you clear up the Bruno stunt at the MTV Awards? Was it staged or planned?
Eminem: Sacha called me when we were in Europe and he had an idea to do something outrageous at the Movie Awards. I’m a big fan of his work so I agreed to get involved with the gag.

RR: If it wasn’t planned the way you agreed to, do you hold MTV or Sacha responsible and will you take any kind of action?
Eminem: I’m thrilled that we pulled this off better than we rehearsed it. It had so many people going “nuts” so to speak. Everyone was blowing me up about it.

RR: After you left the ceremony, where did you go?
Eminem: After the ceremony I went back to my hotel and laughed uncontrollably for about 3 hours. Especially after I saw it on air.

RR: There is a rumor that you hotel room was robbed and theives got 60K and your laptop while you were at ceremony. Is that true and if so what would someone find on your computer?
Eminem: The only thing was that I lost a Nike watch that we were looking for. The rest it is made-up like half the other stuff out there.

RR: How do you think the show with Jay went and how did it feel performing “Renegade” again?
Eminem: I love performing with Jay. Its the third time we’ve done the song together live and its always fun. It was an honor to share the stage with him again and to work with his band.

Download the interview