50 Cent might be considered a bully in some quarters. Throughout his career, the G-Unit chief has stirred up beefs with a number of fellow emcees, even throwing daggers at his own label, Interscope. But now it appears that 50 Cent wants to steer his young fans away from a life of bullying with a semi-autobiographical book, Playground, which details a teens path to bullying and the perils that follow.
According to MTV News, a statement from the book’s publisher reveals that the first-person novel, the follow-up to 2005’s From Pieces to Weight and 2008’s The 50th Law, will center on a 13-year-old schoolyard bully “who finds redemption as he faces what he’s done.”
50 Cent explained that he looked towards his own 13-year-old son, Marquise Jackson, for inspiration in writing the novel, saying he doesn’t want his son to repeat his own bullying past.
“I had a strong desire to write ‘Playground’ because I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully,” 50 said in a statement announcing the book. “I drew on events from my own childhood and adolescence, but was excited to see the story take on its own life. This book would have been very helpful for me growing up and now that I have a teenage son, it is my goal that this will have a positive influence on all teenagers.”
Although the book reflects 50 Cent’s own path to redemption, the volatile emcee has shown throughout the years that he still has trouble shedding his bully past.
Throughout his career, 50 Cent has battled with rival emcees Fat Joe, Shyne and Ja Rule (notably crippling the Murder Inc. rapper’s career in 2002), been embroiled in feuds with his former artists, Game and Young Buck, and even taken shots at his rumored ex-girlfriend, Ciara. Most recently, 50 took aim at his record label, Interscope, revealing that a disagreement with the label was holding up the release of his upcoming Black Magic album, before independently releasing the album’s first single, “Outlaw.”
50 Cent may not be the obvious choice when it comes to steering teens away from bullying, but, perhaps, his own experience and “wisdom earned” can translate into “wisdom learned” for teens. Playground is scheduled to be released in January 2012. –nicholas robinson
