Money and the Power: 50 defines what it means to hustle

On November 4th , Barack Obama defied the odds and became the first African-American to win a Presidential Election. He showed a power and a determination that now leads others in a way to strive for their own personal gain. Rapper Curtis Jackson, who we all know as 50 Cent, has taken 14 individuals and is showing them all about defying the odds through money and power. “Get Rich or Die Tryin,'” comes to life on a whole different level.

MTV debuted “50 Cent: The Money and The Power” on November 6th. On the mean streets of New York, “The Big Boss” 50 Cent and his “Underboss” rapper Tony Yayo, introduced a group of people that 50 claimed “reminded him of himself just a few years ago waiting to get his big break.” 50 Cent is not playing with this gang, as he consistently emphasizes that he wants a “hustler with big money-making ideas.” This statement has to be the truth, as 50 is investing $100,000 of his own money to the winner, which is just a drop of water to 50, but drops lead to floods and money is always a serious issue.

This group that has been invited to try to earn this money is an interesting mix of people.  Out of the 14, the majority is either from California or Texas, then also Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York are represented. Ranging from ages 18 to 27, some people are interesting and just standout even from the initial episode. The one who calls himself “Cornbreadd” (that is with two d’s) is from Houston and a rapper in the making, which could prove to impress 50 Cent on his way to the top. Georgia-boy, Nathan, entered college at 15 and has a MBA, so you know that he has a brilliant mind which is something that you need in the streets. Then there is Precious, who is a “Poor man’s Lil’ Kim” according to 50, but her mouth and strength could prove to be a lethal combination.

From the start, two teams were formed, Team Power and Team Money. Team Money is lead by Joanne from Los Angeles who was picked by 50 Cent, and Team Power who is captained by Ryan from Pennsylvania, was picked by Tony Yayo. As captains, or “bosses” being the more appropriate term, the first of 50 Cent’s 16 lessons was presented: “Choose your crew wisely.” The bosses chose their team and had to lead their team, who was chained together, five miles to Camp Curtis, their home. This first task was quite a bit extreme compared to P. Diddy when he was making his bands. When Team Power won, Joanne was sent to elimination where she was told by 50, “I would never trust you with my money.  Get the (expletive) out of here.”  That’s what I call hateful!!

With 50 Cent as the host, you know the show will be intense and fierce. With it being aired on MTV, you know that drama will be at a high level. Not to mention that with $100,000 on the line, it is going to be a show that you just want to keep on watching.  Maybe you can learn something from Forbes Magazine’s richest rapper as well. It is all about money and power, so stay on top of the game.