Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson may be forever best known as a chart-topping hip-hop artist with over 30 million albums sold worldwide.
But if nothing else, he has certainly diversified his credits yet again with the breakout success of the Starz original series “Power,” for which he executive produces.
“I think people came to see 50 Cent’s creation and I think they stayed to watch the show,” Joseph Sikora, who plays Tommy Egan, told The Knockturnal.
Sikora’s co-star, Naturi Naughton, thinks the rapper’s vision for the series is an imperative part of its success.
“Just from the musical background: our show is in New York, our show is an urban, cool, hip drama. We have music as a part of the undertone,” Naughton, who depicts Ghost’s wife Tasha in the drama, added. “So I think it’s important having someone like 50 guide the train.”
The Queens-born emcee and businessman’s musical background can be seen and heard in everything from the opening credits to the casting. Rotimi Akinosho plays Dre on the show; in real-life he’s signed to G-Unit Records.
“First and foremost, we’re friends,” he responded when asked about the dynamic between he and 50 Cent. “So having that relationship makes everything else easier.
“(50 Cent) knows how to communicate well; he’s been doing it for so long. So I’m able to pick his brain here, pick his brain on this. But the consistent thing about him is literally just hard work. And he gives me a lot of freedom, both on set and in the studio so it’s awesome.”
While Rotimi enjoys his creative freedom, his free time may be a bit harder to come by. The artist is currently promoting his new single with 50 and T.I., “Nobody” and was cast in a new Bruce Willis movie that is filming in Ohio. Of course, he might have to keep the later part of this year free too; season five of “Power” is expected to begin filming before the end of 2017.
Power Season 4 premiered on Sunday, June 25,
