50 Cent photographed in 2017

Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

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50 Cent Shows His 'Power': More Starz TV Shows Coming

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Rapper-turned-actor takes to social to announce "unbelievable" new TV deal
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Sep 6, 2017 - 4:31 pm

Tick, tick, boom, he still get money.

On the heels of his successful Starz crime drama, "Power," 50 Cent has announced that he has inked a new deal with the network to reup "Power" and create three additional TV shows.

It's an interesting turn of events for Fiddy, who just days ago voiced his frustration with the network due to what he felt was a mistreatment of "Power," the popular hit show that he stars in and produces. But apparently, all it took was a phone call with the Starz President Chris Albrecht to iron everything out.

"I just got off with Chris Albrecht, head of STARZ," read the rapper's Instagram post on Sept. 5. "New Deal More POWER coming your way, next season there will be less of a Wait. Thanks for supporting me."

50 Cent followed up with another IG post, revealing the tentative names of his forthcoming new shows. "LOL yo this s*** is unbelievable, I have 3 new shows coming on STARZ. BMF, Tomorrow Today, and I GOT AWAY."

Similar to his widely publicized feud with Kanye West 10 years ago, which surfaced just after 50 Cent's financial windfall following the sale of Vitamin Water to Coca-Cola, it looks like this particular beef is ending on a good financial note. And it must be big money because Fiddy parlayed his minority stake in the aforementioned Vitamin Water into a cool $100 million.

"I can't believe how much money they just gave me," wrote 50 Cent. "That s*** just f***ed with my nerves my hand is shaking."

50 Cent did not reveal when production will start on his new Starz shows, "BMF," "Tomorrow Today" and "I Got Away." However, the second season of "Power" is scheduled for 2018. In the meantime, the rapper will host a late night variety show, "50 Central," starting Sept. 28.

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Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Kendrick Lamar Goes All In For Acting Debut In "Power"

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Playing a lovable but dangerous neighborhood character on the hit cable series, Lamar reveals a new side to show the world
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 30, 2018 - 4:06 pm

As a regular viewer of "Power" on Starz, Kendrick Lamar admired his friend 50 Cent's show for remaining unexpected season after season. On July 29, making his acting debut as homeless drug abuser Laces, the only Pulitzer-prize winning rapper was the one who brought unexpected freshness to the show.

In the episode, Lamar, almost unrecognizable in his role as Laces, distracts another character so hitman Kanan, played by 50 Cent, can shoot him. Laces helps himself to the victim's wallet and shoes and is stoked about it. It's certainly not the vision of Lamar we're used to.

"It's a total transformation," said executive producer of "Power" Courtney Kemp. "It is not a version of Kendrick Lamar that you've ever seen before."

In the interview with Kemp above, Lamar spoke of his preparation for the role and his satisfaction at playing someone he could relate to from real-life experiences growing up in Compton, Calif. Lamar's acting appearance shows that he is not only a master of musical and verbal expression, but shows promise of adding "triple threat" to his esteemed resume. After all, "discipline," the rapper shared, is his favorite word.

No word yet whether Laces will be back on screen. His millions of admirers hope the hard-working artist continues to create more unexpected experiences.

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Yungblud performs on "MTV Unplugged At Home"

Yungblud performs on "MTV Unplugged At Home"

Screenshot: MTV/YouTube

 
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'MTV Unplugged At Home' Announces Virtual Lineup: FINNEAS, Monsta X, Alessia Cara, Wyclef Jean, Yungblud And More

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The quarantine-friendly version of MTV's celebrated "MTV Unplugged" series will feature stripped-down and acoustic performances from artists directly from their homes
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Apr 3, 2020 - 3:36 pm

Today (April 3), MTV announced its initial artist lineup for its newly debuted, quarantine-friendly version of its celebrated "MTV Unplugged" series: "MTV Unplugged At Home." The series will feature at-home performances from GRAMMY winners FINNEAS, Alessia Cara, Shaggy and Melissa Etheridge, as well as Monsta X, CNCO, Jewel and Bazzi. They join previously announced artists Wyclef Jean, Yungblud, himself a digital concert rock star, and JoJo. Additional artists will be announced at a later date.

Much like its namesake, "MTV Unplugged At Home" will feature stripped-down and acoustic performances from quarantined artists directly from their homes. The series will be streamed regularly across MTV's YouTube, Instagram and Twitter channels.

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"Reimagining the beloved music series as a multi-platform digital experience, the new mini-concert series will feature stripped-down, acoustic sets from artists performing their greatest hits, enabling music enthusiasts to find comfort in their new realities alongside fellow fans," a statement regarding the show said, according to Rolling Stone. "In addition to the roster of global artists, MTV's international channels will feature performances by local acts in their respective countries around the world."

"MTV Unplugged At Home" coincides with MTV's #AloneTogether global social media campaign, which aims to educate young fans and followers about social distancing in an attempt to control and reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since early March, the global music industry has been grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a worldwide shutdown of the festival and concert business. Major festivals and events to have canceled or postponed their 2020 installments include Governors Ball, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Coachella and Stagecoach, Ultra Music Festival, SXSW, Lollapalooza Argentina and many more around the world.

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Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards

Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards

Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images

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Rihanna, Beyoncé, Lizzo, Lil Nas X And More Win Big At The 2020 NAACP Image Awards

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Other winners included Bruno Mars, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Kirk Franklin and more
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Feb 23, 2020 - 12:04 pm

Rihanna, Beyoncé, Lizzo and Lil Nas X were among the top music winners at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards, which took place last night (Feb. 22) at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Southern California.

This year's key honors, the President's Award, which recognizes special achievements and distinguished public service, went to nine-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna for her achievements as a public servant and her work as an activist and philanthropist, which include the Clara Lionel Foundation, a nonprofit organization she founded in 2012 that "supports and funds groundbreaking education and emergency response programs around the world." 

In an impassioned speech she delivered while accepting the award, Rihanna spoke about the importance of solidarity when tackling global issues and actions. 

"If there’s anything that I’ve learned, it’s that we can only fix this world together," she said. "We can’t do it divided. I can not emphasize that enough. We can’t let the de-sensitivity seep in."

“How many of us in this room have colleagues and partners and friends from other races, sexes, religions? Show of hands," she continued. "Well then, they want to break bread with you, right? They like you? Well then, this is their problem, too. So when we’re marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown Jrs. and the Atatiana Jeffersons of the world, tell your friends to pull up.”

Rihanna now joins previous artists like Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter and Lauryn Hill who have received the President's Award. 

Following a big night at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards last month, where she won three golden gramophones, Lizzo took home two major awards at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards last night, including Entertainer Of The Year and Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album for "Juice." 

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Beyoncé, a 24-time GRAMMY champion, also took home multiple awards yesterday. Her 2019 concert film and documentary, Homecoming, won for Outstanding Variety Show, while the accompanying album, Homecoming: The Live Album, won for Outstanding Album. She also won for Outstanding Female Artist, among other awards. 

Elsewhere, Lil Nas X won for Outstanding New Artist, while Bruno Mars won for Outstanding Male Artist. Other winners included Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Kirk Franklin, Jazzmeia Horn and more. 

Presented by the civil rights organization NAACP, the annual NAACP Image Awards, which hosted its 51st installment this year, "celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors," according to the event's website.

To view clips and a full winners list from the 2020 NAACP Image Awards, visit the event's official website. 

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LL Cool J

LL Cool J

Photo: Rick Maiman/Getty Images

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Classic Hip-Hop Album Covers To Get Marvel Comics Makeover

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Universal Music Group's Urban Legends is partnering with Marvel Comics to bring fans vinyl covers inspired by some of their favorite superheroes in limited series
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Oct 23, 2018 - 5:23 pm

Some of Universal Music Group's most legendary hip-hop albums will get a Marvel makeover, in a partnership between Universal Music's Urban Legends and Marvel Comics that will be released on Dec. 7.  

The special edition covers will be featured on select classic hip-hop albums' reissues with collectible options including a double color vinyl collector's variant cover that replaces the original with Marvel cover art, a statement said. The first three albums to get the Marvel touch will be 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Trying, LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out and GZA's Liquid Swords. Iron Man will appear behind a cracked glass on 50 Cent's album, the Punisher will mimic LLCool J's stance on his cover and Iron Man fighting Maestro will appear on GZA's album.

Another collectible option will be a Deluxe Variant Cover Collector's Edition that "will sport the featured album itself housed in a gatefold LP with the variant cover printed directly on the front." The collector's edition will also include double color vinyl and a copy of the limited edition comic book that corresponds with the artwork. Each collector's editions will be limited to 3,000 copies.

The album-inspired images first appeared as comic book variants for several of Marvel's top comic titles in 2015. Now with a partnership with Urban Legends, Universal Music Group's cross-platform initiative created to curate and celebrate their urban music catalog, the images will appear in albums for super-fans to enjoy.

All three rappers currently featured are GRAMMY nominees and two, 50 Cent and LL Cool J are GRAMMY winners. 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Trying was nominated at the 46th GRAMMY Awards for Best Rap Album. LL Cool J's title track "Mama Said Knock You Out" won Best Rap Solo Performance at the 34th GRAMMY Awards.

The albums are now available for pre-order here.

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