From Pieces to Weight

Book excerpt: 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.