50 Cent: In a 'Tupac spiral'?

[V. Barbarino]

50 Cent: In a 'Tupac spiral'?

Observers worry about feuds; new album out Thursday

NEW YORK (AP) -- Another day, another feud for 50 Cent. This time, he's beefing with his own protege, the best-selling rapper The Game.

Actually, make that former protege.

In an interview on hip-hop radio station Hot 97 Monday night, 50 announced that he was kicking The Game out of his G-Unit clique because of disloyalty -- for refusing to take 50's side in his latest battles with high-profile rappers. Then a shooting occurred outside the radio station, wounding one man, police said.

At the time, 50 Cent was inside speaking on the radio -- the interview ended abruptly as security people escorted the rapper out the building, a spokesman for the radio station said.

"No one from Hot 97 witnessed this incident," said Alex Dudley, the Hot 97 (WQHT-FM in New York) spokesman.

Investigators, still trying to sort out the chaotic scene, suspected 50's comments were heard on the radio by associates of The Game, including the shooting victim. The associates allegedly went to the radio station, where they were met outside by members of 50 Cent's entourage and the violence erupted, police said.

It was unclear whether The Game was directly involved, police said.

No arrests have been made. An unidentified, 24-year-old Los Angeles man was in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the upper thigh.

Police also were investigating a report of a second shooting incident about two hours later outside a building where the company that manages 50 Cent -- named Violator -- has offices. Witnesses said two men fired eight shots through the building's front door, then fled. No one was injured.

Representatives for 50 had no comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

All this comes as 50 prepares to release the album "The Massacre" Thursday. It's the follow-up to 2003's "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," which not only made the bullet-scarred, brash rapper an international superstar, but also an empire.

The rapper's debut sold more than 8 million copies, and his G-Unit umbrella has launched the careers of three top-selling rappers -- The Game, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks. In addition, there's a G-Unit fashion line and other enterprises.

"The Massacre" was scheduled for release March 8 but was moved up to Thursday because it's so hotly anticipated. The first single from the album, "Candy Shop," is already No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Elliott Wilson, the editor in chief of the hip-hop magazine XXL, says the publicity will give a boost to what is already expected to be a blockbuster album.

"It helps him obviously in terms of exposure. You can't ask for better promotion. Now he's literally making history by beefing with his own artist," Wilson said. "This is more the boss of the clique dismissing his own artist."

50 Cent built much of his stature on feuds -- his battle with Ja Rule helped demolish Ja Rule's star power. As his new album approached, he's also picked feuds with Fat Joe, Nas and Jadakiss.

The Los Angeles-based rapper The Game seemed to be following in 50's footsteps. Like 50, he was a former drug dealer, had been shot several times and used rap as his way out of a life of crime. And like 50, who was introduced under the wings of Eminem, The Game rode 50's coattails into the rap world.

The Game's album "The Documentary" debuted at No. 1 when it was released in January and features 50 on several songs, including the album's hit "How We Do."

The Game apparently drew 50 Cent's ire after an interview appearance on Hot 97 Saturday night, in which he supported 50's enemies.

"I ain't gonna turn on my friends and Nas is one of my friends, and Jada's really a homie ... 50's beef is 50's beef and I really don't know where all this stems from."

On Monday's show, 50 said The Game was no longer part of G-Unit and claimed responsibility for his success.

"Every record he's selling is based on me being on his record with him," he said.

In the short-term, 50's presence on his album may end up hurting The Game, who brags about his affiliation with G-Unit in songs like "How We Do." But ultimately, Wilson said the feud may end up boosting his career by showing he's not a 50 puppet.

"I think that Game obviously feels like he's his own man already," said Wilson.

As for 50 Cent, Wilson said all the drama surrounding the star may turn into a negative. It has certainly caused some waves for both 50 and The Game's parent label, Interscope -- and for Eminem and Dr. Dre, who are both affiliated with The Game (Dr. Dre produced much of the album).

"I think he's making more and more enemies," Wilson said of 50. "You definitely feel like is he doing too much of a Tupac spiral, like me against the world. You bring more people wanting to see you fail."

[V. Barbarino]

March 3, 2005 -- Lil' Kim's friend testified yesterday that the racy rapper blatantly lied to a grand jury when she said that she didn't know him and that he wasn't with her when he opened fire outside a Manhattan radio station.

Suif "Gutta" Jackson, who identified himself on the stand as Lil' Kim's pal, admitted he sprayed machine-gun fire into a crowd that included rival rapper Capone in front of radio station Hot 97 on Hudson Street in the Village on Feb. 25, 2001.

"I was being fired on," Jackson said matter-of-factly during testimony in Lil' Kim's perjury trial, adding that she was there.

A prosecutor entered into evidence a photo of Jackson and Lil' Kim hanging out together.

During her grand-jury testimony about the shooting two years later, Kim said she did not know Jackson when shown a photo of him — even though they were so close that he filed a tax return from her address in Englewood, N.J., prosecutors said.

She answered "no" when asked if Jackson had ever been to her home. "I don't know his name," she told the grand jury.

But Jackson, 35, yesterday testified that he'd been "friends" with the Grammy-awarded winning "Queen Bee" for 10 years.

Kim also told the grand jury that she "didn't see" Damian "D-Roc" Butler at the radio station. But federal prosecutors showed jurors security videos that showed Lil' Kim standing just feet from Butler around the time of the shooting.

Jackson, who did security work for Kim, said he was with her during the visit to the radio station. Lil' Kim — whose real name is Kimberly Jones — appeared at Hot 97 as part of a special promotional event.

Jackson was also a business partner with Butler, who also pleaded guilty to firing shots outside the station.

And Jackson even admitted he transported the machine gun to the crime scene from Englewood, where Kim resides.

Lil' Kim is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of perjury, three counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice. She faces 30 years in prison.

Jackson testified after getting subpoenaed and being granted immunity.

Meanwhile, the manager for rival rappers Capone & Noreaga — a witness to the shooting — identified Butler as one of the shooters.

But James Cruz — who now manages rapper 50 Cent — said he has reason to be grateful to Butler. He said that while Butler was returning fire, he probably saved his life by pushing him out of harm's way as they ran into the station.

Cruz noted that Capone had already shown up for his scheduled appearance after Lil' Kim. He said he was calling Noreaga when all hell broke loose.

"I heard voices getting louder. I heard someone say, 'It could be on right now.' The next thing I know I heard shots," Cruz said.

He said he saw someone else fire a machine gun — who he thought was rapper "Banger" (Antoine Spain), a member of Kim's Junior M.A.F.I.A. band — but wasn't sure.

"I heard a rapid succession of shots. My first reaction was to get cover — to get into the building," he said. Cruz said he and Butler ran into the building entrance together as bullets flew overhead. Butler then spun him out of the way and "fired back" with a handgun

"I told Capone, 'Get out of here,' " he said.

After people fled the crime scene, Cruz said he escorted a man who'd been shot — Efrain Ocasio — into a cab and paid the driver to take him to St. Vincent's Hospital.

He then headed home.

"I put my head in my wife's lap and grabbed my daughter and spent the next 15 minutes crying," said Cruz.

Prosecutors said some 30 bullets were fired from six guns.

Kim lawyer Mel Sachs insisted the rapper is innocent.

Rapper Capone is expected to testify today — under subpoena.

"I ain't trying to send Shorty [Kim] to jail," Capone told The Post. "She ain't never done nothing bad to me."

"The FBI came to me like a bunch of wolves — like I did the crime," he said outside the courtroom

[BobbyTrendy]

i like 50cent.. i like his voice and his style..

his ass better not get shot. lol Enough with the feuds all ready :

[Guest slamminshaun]

You can take them out of the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out of them. I hope they all kill each other. I'm so sick of turning on the news and seeing these jerkoffs acting like they still live in Compton.

[Guest tres-b]

Hip Hop is well on the way to being rejected by mainstream music listeners and being relagated to a small niche market- angry black males(12-29).

I think most of America is tired of this childish behavior being marketed to children.

[BobbyTrendy]

Hip Hop is well on the way to being rejected by mainstream music listeners and being relagated to a small niche market- angry black males(12-29).

I think most of America is tired of this childish behavior being marketed to children.

yeah so watch the Paris Hilton / Nicole Ritchie show instead : lol Thats great for children to watch.. lol

[Guest pod]

Yeah, suburban America eats that shit up. ;D

[Guest LeVeL]

I love 50 Cent.......the man is gangsta...I so miss that in Hip Hop. The guy got shot 9 times...he doesn't give a fuck about bitches....he's a straight up PLAYA 8). He came from the streets, he was a hustler, he robbed people. And he lives life to the fullest.

I mean there is so much I have in common with this guy and for years there was no one in the rap game I can relate to in that level. There is a lot of guys in the game who say this and that and I dont really want to hear about how many inches you got in your tires and or what car your even driving.

THAT RICH BOY SHIT!! :-X :-X

The RAP GAME was STARTED because it was the VOICE of the STREETS not the fucking SUBURBS. :-X

I Love 50 and I love the feuds in HIP HOP. Its what MCing is all about.

Let the Game begin anf let the beef get started...it makes the music that much better and the following even sweeter.

[BobbyTrendy]

The thing I like about the feuds is it does spawn GREAT BEEF CD's.... I have like three of the beef cd's.. my fav is the em vs ja-rule.. shit is dope.. and i have the 50 vs shyne one too.. and i have another one, can't think of which one it is though..

;D

[Guest LeVeL]

The thing I like about the feuds is it does spawn GREAT BEEF CD's.... I have like three of the beef cd's.. my fav is the em vs ja-rule.. shit is dope.. and i have the 50 vs shyne one too.. and i have another one, can't think of which one it is though..

;D

Exactly...the beef CD's are the shit.

[V. Barbarino]

did biggie and tupac live life to the fullest???

i'd think not and 50 is going down the same path...

[ryan2772]

i saw the two of them on the jimmy kimmel show a couple of weeks ago. first they were interviewed by kimmel, "the game" was practically sucking 50 cent's dick, it was hilarious. he kept talking about how much 50 has done for him, and that he wouldn't be here without 50, blah blah blah. it went on for like 15 min, it got ridiculous. i'm glad he's changed his "perspective".

oh shit, now 50 cent's gonna come for me

[Guest web_norah]

Yeah, suburban America eats that shit up. ;D

trailer trash loves that shit too

[ Eminem, etc ]

[Guest LeVeL]

did biggie and tupac live life to the fullest???

I think your smart enough to know what I mean by living life to the fullest.

Both Big and Pac probably didn't live life to see 60 but they sure were having a blast during their time alive.

[BobbyTrendy]

Yeah, suburban America eats that shit up. ;D

trailer trash loves that shit too

[ Eminem, etc ]

I don't live in a trailer.. i own a condo.. but I love my Eminem... marshall mathers lp is a masterpiece IMO.... ;D

[Guest web_norah]

Eminem saved hip hop i got nothing but praise for his genius

his music on the other hand is NOT my cup of tea...like the rest of gangster rap

ps. i didnt direct the trailer trash thing towards anyone in here.

[Guest LeVeL]

ps. i didnt direct the trailer trash thing towards anyone in here.

Stop being a liar...you know you directed that Trailer Trash comment directly to Lola....dont back down now

[BobbyTrendy]

Eminem saved hip hop i got nothing but praise for his genius

his music on the other hand is NOT my cup of tea...like the rest of gangster rap

ps. i didnt direct the trailer trash thing towards anyone in here.

I was just bustin' ye chops girlie

I agree 100% that Em saved hip hop... brought it back.. it blew up.. but now it seems to be kind of dying.... R&B and Usher (music like that) seem to be the thing.. I'm sure rap will come back sooner or later...

Maybe when Sean Carter rips it nasty ;D

[Guest web_norah]

my money is on all the Lil Jons, Lil Kims of the world....

and the occasional Kaney West, Pharrell Williams.

the rest is all, sell one album, go platinum, become a millionaire and outta here. artistry sucks badly these days.

Bob Dylan said it all. there aint no real acts today. bunch of ***ies...lol

[Guest JMT]

you cant spell CRAP without RAP.

[Guest durrtylexx]

Dam shame, another reason why I stopped listening to Rap. I HATE thugged out crap rap. I don't like 50 cent, he's all about creating controversy. The Game has skills, but I can't put up with the BS. As far as Crunk southern rap, well thats just shit to me.

I miss hip-hop, thank God for acts like Talib, Kanye, Common and Mos Def. Those are the only guys that I'll support.

[Guest rollyp66]

Dam shame, another reason why I stopped listening to Rap. I HATE thugged out crap rap. I don't like 50 cent, he's all about creating controversy. The Game has skills, but I can't put up with the BS. As far as Crunk southern rap, well thats just shit to me.

I miss hip-hop, thank God for acts like Talib, Kanye, Common and Mos Def. Those are the only guys that I'll support.

You forget the Roots... watch out for E Sermon he is supposed to be returning to his roots

[Guest durrtylexx]

Dam shame, another reason why I stopped listening to Rap. I HATE thugged out crap rap. I don't like 50 cent, he's all about creating controversy. The Game has skills, but I can't put up with the BS. As far as Crunk southern rap, well thats just shit to me.

I miss hip-hop, thank God for acts like Talib, Kanye, Common and Mos Def. Those are the only guys that I'll support.

You forget the Roots... watch out for E Sermon he is supposed to be returning to his roots

no doubt ressssspect goes out to the Roots and the green eyed bandit.

[Guest LeVeL]

All those guys except the Roots are washed out and dont have anything else to Rap about.

They will eventually fall into the trend.

[Guest Davenavarro10]

I think the Roots are great, they are one of the few acts in Hip

Hop (like Outkast) that are in a class all their own. I do agree that a lot of rap nowadays is very violent & negative, but you guys have to remember that some of these rappers, that's all they know. Some of them (like 50) are from the street, and they've been around drugs and violence their entire lives. What I find kind of funny is how some of them keep rapping about some of the same things once they're out of the ghetto and become millionaires. At least they're being honest. do any of you guys remember Vanilla Ice and how he used to say that he was from the streets?