Recommended to me by A.J.
I can pretty much summed up the book in a such a way where you do not have to trouble yourself with reading it.
50 Cent’s Bio as provided by 50th Law
His mom died at age 23 when he was a baby. Raised by his grandparents. He sold crack. Signed with Columbia. Right before the release of his first album, he was shot 9 times and was dropped from record label. He went back to the streets as drug bagger and hustled again. Sold his music himself. Discovered by Eminem. Learned the ropes of the business from inside record label and then broke free, creating his own label. When he wasn’t charming his way around the business world, he was intimidating his way around.
If you didn’t get this short outline of his life the first time 50th Law mentioned it, you’ll sure to piece it together the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th time the book walks you through it.
Also mentioned obnoxiously over and over and over again is that his name used to be Curtis but is now 50 Cent. You can really turn a reading of this book into a collegiate drinking game. Every time Greene informs you that Curtis is now named 50 Cent, take a shot!
The Little bit of Good
In a nutshell, this book suggests being fearless in all business encounters and in pursuing your dreams.
It encourages acceptance of your mortality, being proactive, and has inspirational historical anecdotes and quotations sprinkled through the book.
The Bad
As mentioned, very repetitious. The writing level felt very underdeveloped. Laced in the random inspirational quotes by influential figures is also quotations from 50 Cent. His “gems” stood out like poop on a windshield in comparison to the Nietzsche quotes and the Dostoevsky quotes.
The Ugly
The short of his advice when watered down can be considered good advice: Use fear as a motivating force; Accept mortality which will then allow you to move more fluidly towards your dreams. However, when fleshed out using 50 cent’s own life, it’s not exactly kosher. The book celebrates his aggressive and sometimes violent means to his ends. He hired thugs to mug people. He stole. He calculated and planned a studio tantrum and upheaval to raise publicity after one of his songs got leaked. He targeted and bullied Ja Rule to destroy Ja Rule’s credibility. I’m not yet jaded enough to believe this is the only way you can be successful in business. Moreover, I’m not yet jaded enough to celebrate these methods. Shame.
I don’t recomend this book but if you do decide to give it a chance anyway, please consider using the following link.
P.S. I still like his music. :)