Recording artist and media mogul, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, has played a significant role in the Power Universe since the flagship show debuted in 2014. 50 Cent has been an executive producer and also portrayed one of the main characters, Kanan Stark. Airing on Starz, the Power saga continues with Power Book lll: Raising Kanan which travels back to 1991 to chronicle the early years of Kanan Stark in South Jamaica, Queens.
The Knockturnal spoke exclusively with 50 Cent to discuss the moral values he learned from his upbringing, the major role Power Universe plays in Television, and advice on being successful in life.
The “Get Rich or Die Tryin” artist has no shame speaking on his past. “I do attribute that to my ability to not crack while I’m under pressure,” were the words 50 Cent said when discussing the good and the bad life situations he experienced before the fame. 50 Cent learned from a young age that you reap the seeds you sow. It also turns out, Power Book lll: Raising Kanan first season theme is, “reaping and sowing.” As Some of the series is based on 50 Cent’s childhood, we get to see a teenage Kanan portrayed by Mekai Curtis, learn the unwritten rules of the streets with his family drug business in Queens.
The drama series’ impact on Starz has changed the game of Television. 50 Cents believes when viewers watch Power, they have similar topics on other shows like Snowfall and Empire. “After we hit the target audience of African Americans and Latinos [Latinx], [and then is Starz’s] leading show for it; those other networks are saying this is our ‘Power’.”
50 Cent also gives advice to people who find him inspiring. “There ain’t no excuses,” 50 Cent said when responding about how to be successful. The mogul believes the only thing that separates people from their goal is their passion and love for it.
Check out the full interview with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson above and you can watch Power Book lll: Raising Kanan on Starz every Sunday at 8 pm PT/11 pm ET.
EPISODE 106 – “LEVEL UP”
Airdate: August 29, 2021
Written by: Dylan C. Brown
Directed by: Kieron Hawkes
Logline: Lou’s new artist showcase becomes the nexus of the rivalry between Raq and Unique. At the same time, Kanan cooks up a drug-selling scheme with Marvin.
