50 Cent. Money, Power & Respect.
It’s the key to life / Money power respect / That you need in life / Money power respect / You’ll be eatin’ right / Money power respect / You can sleep at night / You’ll see the light
I remember when Lil’ Kim buzzed these words on the Lox’s Money, Power & Respect song. I kept debating in my mind if she was on point or if she had it backwards. It never settled with me as fact. Anyway, today I saw a clip of 50 Cent on CNBC’s Power Lunch promoting his new book, The 50th Law (released 9/8/09 and co-authored with Robert Green of 48 Laws of Power fame). When it was over, my first thought was Lil’ Kim’s hook. Read more to see the video.
The Power Lunch team do a great job of asking 50 direct questions. 50 does a great job of answering them - with the poise and clarity any business (wo)man would admire. In eight jammed-packed minutes of business talk, 50 discusses the changes in the music industry and what labels and artists must do to survive, some not-so-great real estate advice, why he collaborated with Robert Green and the biggest deal of his life.
I like 50. I’ve always liked 50. Oddly enough, I didn’t like his first album. I know, I’m weird like that (see my post about Jay-Z) but back then I wasn’t totally convinced that I liked him as an emcee. Today, he’s still not one of my favorites, but he is one of my inspirations. I was an athlete in high school and much of my training was built on leadership, drive and perseverance. It’s no wonder what I respect about Curtis Jackson.
So yeah, I rock with 50. He bodied the game. He understands and translates business easily. He has earned respect as a businessman and I consider him a role model.
It is a new day and our leaders look like nothing we’ve ever seen. They sit among us, dress and even talk like us. There is success and positivity out there, we just need to see more images of them.