What is the real name of rapper 50 Cent?

The real name of rapper 50 Cent is Curtis James Jackson III, commonly shortened in trivia to Curtis Jackson.

Born in Queens, New York, on July 6, 1975, Jackson began pursuing music professionally in the 1990s. He adopted the stage name 50 Cent, inspired by Kelvin Martin, a Brooklyn robber from the 1980s. Jackson has explained that the name represented his determination to provide for himself by any means.

His breakthrough came after Eminem and Dr. Dre signed him to Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records. His 2003 debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', made him one of the most commercially successful rappers of the early 2000s.

A common mix-up is confusing him with other major rappers' birth names: Andre Young is Dr. Dre, Marshall Mathers is Eminem, and Shawn Carter is Jay-Z. Jackson has also built careers as an actor, television producer, record executive, and businessman.