YG 'Toot It and Boot It' The Remix Video Shoot With Snoop Dogg And 50 Cent

Directed by Alex Nazari.
All of which were shot in L.A. (Thursday, November 18th) a day after Dr. Dre's video shoot for 'Kush' also shot in L.A.

Photo links:
PR Photos

Sha Money XL iStandard Interview At Webster Hall NYC

The Sha Money XL interview took place Tuesday, June 1 in the Balcony Lounge at Webster Hall. Sha discussing his start interning at Def Jam in '96, working with 50 to becoming Island/Def Jam's VP of A&R.

50 Cent San Francisco Concert Review

As reported by Carla Selvin / SF Weekly

50 Cent
@The Warfield
June 3, 2010

Better than: Any sideshow in the Bay Area

Hanging behind the stage at 50 Cent's show last night at the Warfield was a monstrous self-portrait of 50 emerging from a cityscape, with lava pouring out of his mouth and eyes. This apocalyptic stage setup mirrored the testosterone-fueled music that 50 Cent is all about.

But before the scrim was raised, a silhouette of the 34-year-old holding a laser-pointing gun stood center stage for a while, which caused the audience to fall to pieces, screaming.

The hot-rod rapper finally appeared last night in excellent form, smiling from ear to ear. "I have one question for you," 50 asked the exuberant audience: "Where the ladies at?"

50 ran through his massive list of hits slowly over the course of the evening, saving favorites such as "Candy Shop" and "Magic Stick" until the bitter end. This left the audience in screaming shambles.

At one point, the hulking rapper flashed a knowing grin. "I know you all love 50," he said, "but I know you all love 40!" All of a sudden, the Bay Area's own E-40 stepped onstage and busted out a version of "Tell Me When To Go" that probably would've made Mac Dre turn over in his grave. The audience sang along and couldn't have been more enthusiastic.

Later on in his set, 50 showed off another special guest. Too Short sprung out from the curtains and gave a whirlwind performance of his hit "Blow the Whistle" that sent everyone for a loop. Then the Oakland rapper disappeared almost as suddenly as he arrived.

50 Cent changed outfits a handful of times during his set, and each time he came out wearing something new he threw at least one article of clothing into the crowd. In turn, women in the audience started throwing lingerie and brassieres onstage, which 50 put in the back pocket of his jeans.

The shared respect and love between 50 cent and the audience was astounding. To a lot of fans, 50 Cent is a godlike figure, having overcome a rough adolescence on the streets of Queens to become a multimillionaire and celebrity. Some kids in front even brought copies of 50's new self-help book The 50th Law, hoping they could score his signature.

The good vibes in the Warfield last night were infectious, with star-struck fans singing along to every word coming out of the rapper's mouth. But it was clear to everyone who was having the most fun -- 50 himself.

Photo links:
Getty Images
Film Magic

50 Cent The Invitation Tour dates:

6/6 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms
6/7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater
6/10 – Kansas City, KS @ Midland Theatre
6/11 – Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park
6/12 – Houston, TX @ Arena Theater
6/15 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
6/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
6/18 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
6/22 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom
6/23 – Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theater
6/24 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
6/25 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues

Sha Money XL Bringing One Stop Shop Producers Conference To NY & More Revealed In Interview

via PMP Worldwide

PMP: How does it feel being back in the Def Jam building as an executive?

Sha Money: It feels reel good and it's a blessing. I'm ready to put that work in; I'm not caught up in the hype.

PMP: What are some of the immediate differences between your current exec position at Def Jam and when you were over at G-Unit?

Sha Money: Def Jam has a huge team of professionals compared to G-Unit which had about 3 or 4 executives. At Def Jam you have over 30 professionals who know what they're doing so I've got an amazing team behind me. I have a music mentor in L.A. Reid who is a real music dude not just an executive only.

PMP: Coming from the background of being a producer do you look at yourself in the same light?

Sha Money: Absolutely, I'm a music person and I tell people I'll handle all the politics that have to be done before the music but my music speaks for itself and it always will.

PMP: What specific artist projects are your priorities?

Sha Money: My priority is Juelz Santana. Right now it feels like his album will probably drop 4th quarter definitely this year. We're getting started right now and he got some amazing music. Were really just getting to the nuggets right now so its too early to build on the specifics but trust I'm putting my 100% all into it no doubt.

PMP: Do you feel any pressure as far as expectations in a time when Hip Hop artists are not selling as many album units compared to the heydays of G-Unit?

Sha Money: Nah I don't feel any pressure and if there was any pressure then I like it because I'm good at handling urgency and importance. L.A. Reid told me to get results and that's what I do, you have to remember I work with one of the toughest dudes in the business (50 Cent) so pressure is nothing.

PMP: Do you feel A&R executives need to do a better job at utilizing the Internet when it comes to discovering talent and/or finding quality music from producers and writers?

Sha Money: You definitely have to be active when it comes to working with digital technology. With the PMP for example I've been in the back office, listening to tracks and learning how ya'll guys whole model is setup which is real dope and efficient so I'm all about being on the cutting edge as far as the Internet is concerned.

PMP: What is the current status of the annual One Stop Producer Conference?

Sha Money: It's still going down but I put it on hold because of this new transition. I figured I'll have more power behind me so I'm going to have more people participating for the next one. I don't have an exact date locked in but it's going to be in the Fall and I'm bringing it to New York this year.

PMP: Was the change of venue location due to the recent political atmosphere out in Arizona?

Sha Money: Yea well we held the conference 3 times out there and it felt good and now its time take it to new cities and help new producers out. New York is live and they're ready for it. In Arizona and the rest of the West Coast they needed it so I did everything West Coast and now its time to come back East and New York is the best place to start it at.

PMP: Def Jam as a label brand was once synonymous with authentic street hip hop, do you feel your part of a revival by being offered your new position?

Sha Money: Absolutely and L.A. Reid recognized that in me and he wants the streets happy that's why I'm here. I represent for New York and all the great street music from around the world and it's our job to bring that rush.

PMP: What's your personal feeling about the current hip hop sound that's in the market now?

Sha Money: I think it scattered right now because there's not enough official releases so everything is spread out too wide and it makes it hard to get a grip on exactly what's going on. My intention starting out at Def Jam is to have multiple releases coming out each quarter instead of all these little bricks going on right now. Hi-Tek and Kwali just dropped their new project earlier this week on Tuesday so we need more Hip Hop releases overall in the business.

PMP: In regards to the New York market many accuse the DJ's of not supporting the local acts. Do you feel this is a fair assessment?

Sha Money: I think the DJ's need to be more than just DJ's and help pave the way they want the music to flow but at the same time I also believe the artists in New York need to step their game up. There are a few dudes out there that are really bringing it but just not enough.

PMP: Is some of the problem due to a lack of artistic development in the A&R sector of the business?

Sha Money: A lot of A&R's are not on their jobs and I can you tell that for a definite fact. Its not going down under my watch, I'm here to push the music as far as I can take it while I have this opportunity

PMP: From the Russell Simmons to 50 Cents and now yourself what is it about the Borough of Queens that produce so many successful entrepreneurs in the music business?

Sha Money: It's the water man! There are a lot of successful people that have come out of Queens from the artist level, executive level and DJ level as well like DJ Clue, Envy and Whoo Kid. Run DMC was the first Hip Hop group to take it to a platinum level so it's gotta be something in the water.

PMP: For the producers on the PMP, both established and new what advice would you give them?

Sha Money: Make sure you shop your music to a lot of people that got good ears. Make sure your shit is really hot and not be caught up in just glorifying yourself. Take the time to study the game and become a real student of the game; don't just jump into the business not knowing the history behind it or what's currently happening. Once you become a great student then you can graduate and become the teacher

PMP: In your opinion how should a producer be compensated for providing original production for songs that are released on Mixtapes/online promotional?

Sha Money: I think the producer should get his credit up because if he's not known he should use that as an avenue to say 'this is what I've done'. Nowadays you have Mixtape records that get heavy play and are as respected as the songs coming off of retail albums so use it as a reason to get your name out there. The artist will love it and in exchange ask for your name to be credited on the insert 'produced by...'you need that for your own personal branding.

For example there is a producer by the name of Nascent, he did a lot of mixtape work for 50 Cent and then he finally got his shot on 50's last album and that was due to the work he was putting out there and getting a buzz around his name. It's like 'ok you did that, shit was hot let me hear some more' so it's all about allowing people to identify with what your work is.

PMP: Are you still producing and will it be a conflict of interest to submit your music to projects your responsible for at Def Jam?

Sha Money: Nah I'm getting music from everybody, I'm too busy on the executive side to be in a good creative space so I'm focused on helping make Def Jam the #1 label as far as market share and selling a whole bunch of records this year and for years to come. I'm good at making music but I'm great at creating and building brands and making stars so I'm going to concentrate on what I'm great at right now.

PMP: Are you still working with G-Unit?

Sha Money: Yea that's my family, I still work with them in the studio and when its time to get it in. I speak to 50 at least once a week and the same with Yayo and Banks, those are my brothers.

PMP: The Lloyd Banks record 'Beamer, Benz or Bently' was released independently is currently enjoying 'major-like' success. With Hip Hop is there really much of a difference between the majors and their indy counterparts?

Sha Money: It's the same game because now there's only a thin line between being on a major and being independent. You got companies like E1 that are kicking more ass than some of the majors so it's really no difference, its all about when the money stops. The majors have more money than the independent labels but that's about it.

PMP: So if the Lloyd Banks project was on Def Jam once it started making real noise that's when the extra $1 million can kick in and people like yourself can take it to another level correct?

Sha Money: Exactly

With Sha Money XL Now At Def Jam Will 50 Cent And G-Unit Head Over?

via MTV

Queens is in the building — again. Sha Money XL has signed on to become the senior VP of A&R at Def Jam Records. The label has had such a rich history of Queens-bred fellas in the boardroom, from its founder Russell Simmons to Irv Gotti to one of Sha's mentors, the late Jam Master Jay. XL is excited to plant his flag in the cherished hip-hop recording house.

"I've been floating around this industry since I've just been executive-producing 50 [Cent]'s albums," XL explained Thursday at the MTV offices. "Freelancing, doing my own thing. I've been able to meet with L.A. Reid. We've been having some great conversations. Finally, the call came. It felt so good. Def Jam is such a strong company and strong roster. The staff is amazing. I felt it instantly. I knew that this is something I can do with my New York vision and New York swag and bring that for all the guys that's based out here. And the things that was needed to excite the industry as well, internally and externally. I connect with everybody by all levels."

Sha said that after being with the G-Unit for so many years, there is no such thing as pressure to him anymore.

"I work good under pressure," he said. "Working with 50, I know what needs to get done. I don't feel pressure. I do the things that need to be done. As long as artists listen and we really become businessmen in this business, as we say we are, I think we should all prosper. I'm looking to make the company more money and take it to the top, the highest level."

So with 50 Cent a free agent, free to bring himself and his label — which includes Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo — anywhere he pleases, will Sha try to secure a spot for his longtime friends at Def Jam?

"I spoke to Fif, to [his manager Chris] Lighty. I would love to see that there," Sha admitted. "Banks has an amazing record right now, independently. If things work out, then yeah, I would love to see that happen."

If the Unit came to Def Jam, things would get interesting, to say the least. Shyne, Rick Ross, Nas and DJ Khaled, people who Fif and the Unit have had problems with through the years, are all on the roster.

"I'm a businessman," Sha Money said when asked how he would feel having the Unit in the same building with some of their adversaries. "The beef stuff, I'm over. We at a certain point in life where we don't even need that. We eat that. So I will let them speak for their own, but honestly, I would like to see a company continue to grow. And I think G-Unit is in a position — coming from an independent space — that can continue to do their thing. I would like to provide an opportunity for them to continue to grow."

While the Unit deal is just in the talking stages now, Sha says his top priority is making sure Juelz Santana gets his LP out. XL already has his sights set on DJ Toomp to get in the lab with Juelz.

50 Cent Live In Moscow, Russia

50 Cent on the 'Before I Self Destruct' tour at the Olympic Arena in Moscow, Russia Monday, April 5.

Photo links:
Rex Features
WENN Photo

50 Cent's DJ WHOO Kid in Moscow photo shoot link:
Flickr

50 Cent ‘Before I Self Destruct’ 2010 Tour date:

April 06 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar

(video courtesy of kiliminarii & Ptizmaster)

Lloyd Banks - 'Big Bully' (video directed by 50 Cent)

While Lloyd Banks and 50 Cent were in the UK on the 'Before I Self Destruct' Tour, 50 had an opportunity to use his newly purchased Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR camera (as seen here) & personally shoot Lloyd's new music video 'Big Bully.'

Lloyd Banks new album Hunger For More 2 will be arriving this Summer.

50 Cent Dublin, Ireland Concert Review, Earns Undisclosed Amount At After Show Party

As reported by John Meagher / Irish Independent

50 Cent at the 02 Arena in Dublin, Ireland Sunday, March 21.

His songs may glorify violence and his heavily tattooed physique would put the fear into any sensible being, but 50 Cent can be incredibly charming.

On two separate occasions the New York rapper, actor and business tycoon invites on stage young boys he picks out of the audience. His sweet discussions with them and his encouragement of their hip-hop moves would win top marks from any parental guide.

And throughout the show, Fiddy -- or Curtis Jackson, as he's known to his mother -- beams beatifically, displaying a set of perfect American teeth. For someone who has been shot nine times, he looks in remarkably fine health.

There is no doubting his charisma, or his ability to rap, yet the 50 Cent live experience leaves much to be desired.

His band favour a brute force approach, shunning the more nuanced, rich sound of his records while regular G Unit cohorts Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks tend to be more miss than hit, particularly in the 'intervals' when they have to carry the show while the main man is backstage changing into yet another T-shirt.

The pair are especially lame when leading the crowd into a polemic of sorts, 'Smoke Weed'. But they don't literally smoke the drug -- as they did in a recent Amsterdam gig.

Much of the show is spent regurgitating material on Fiddy's most recent and weakest album, 'Before I Self Destruct', and it's hardly surprising that the crowd engage most when he dusts off his biggest hits.

'In Da Club', in particular, has The O2 rocking, but such songs don't come frequently enough in a set that's well over two hours long.

Concert photo links:
Getty Images
Rex Features
Wire Image
WENN Photo

As reported by Shane Hickey / Irish Independent

You don't have to try too hard to get rich in this town.

Multimillionaire rapper 50 Cent landed an extra pay cheque when he arrived at a Dublin nightclub at the weekend, even though he spent a large part of his time there recording material with his new high-spec camera.

Sipping cranberry juice and leaving the more hardcore partying to his 20-strong entourage, the American musician glad-handed and posed with the punters in the Wright Venue in Swords on Sunday night, during his official after-show party.

Even though he landed an undisclosed sum for turning up following his show in the O2, he failed to take to the microphone or even the decks during his two-and-a-half hours in the club.

Instead he left it to his DJ, Wu Kid (DJ Whoo Kid) , and members of the G-Unit backing band to entertain the 1,000 people who paid €15 each for entry on the special night. A spokesman for the Wright Venue said they had been asked to host the official after-show party but declined to say how much the rapper was paid.

The star arrived at the northside venue just before 11pm in a convoy of six blacked-out people-carriers and was quick to mix with the crowds inside, posing with Irish rugby international Cian Healy, among others.

"We were expecting him to go to the VIP area and stay there for the evening but he did a whole tour of the club," the spokesman said.

After party photo link:
WENN Photo

more fan shot footage below.







(video footage courtesy of Magichi17 & mahonyp1)

50 Cent At Wembley Arena London, UK Concert Review

As reported by Lisa Verrico / Times London

The blocks of empty seats at the back of the arena were a sign. So, too, the number of parents who had come with their young kids — little boys in backwards baseball caps can be cute, but not cool. Throw in that teenagers were vastly outnumbered by women in their thirties who shrieked at every glimpse of 50 Cent’s enviably toned torso, and it was clear that gangsta rap can no longer call itself hip.

Of course, record sales have reflected the genre’s decline for a few years. Just half a decade ago 50 Cent was hip hop’s best-selling star, thanks as much to a bad-boy image plundered from his past as expletive-strewn songs that lacked the finesse of his mentor Eminem. Today, 50 — or Fiddy, or Curtis James Jackson III — still makes millions, but from flogging branded products (his most lucrative line is a vitamin drink) rather than selling songs.

Still, he seemed delighted to be back on stage, supposedly to promote the current album Before I Self-Destruct, really to big up his brand. A giant backdrop of the album’s cover art showing half of his handsome face burning from the inside couldn’t have been more at odds with the mile-wide smile he sported all evening or the sweetness with which he thanked the crowd for coming.

Musically the gig was hit-and-miss, though for factors other than the songs. The sound, particularly at the start, was woeful — the bass was barely audible, the beats so distorted that they could have been coming from a passing car with its windows up. Too often 50 Cent’s own, surprisingly seductive, R&B-tinged vocals were entirely drowned out by two below-par backing rappers from his G-Unit squad. That he had brought along a four-piece band as well as a DJ was admirable, though he made sparse use of them. All the show’s finest moments featured the band, notably when they were let loose on melodic, mid-tempo tracks such as P.I.M.P. and Do You Think About Me.

The performance was predictable and at times enchanting. Predictable because at least of half of it comprised 50 Cent waving both arms up and down as though leading an aerobics class for the elderly; enchanting because, for all his ludicrous posturing, 50 Cent has charisma in spades. He stripped off more often than the Pussycat Dolls, changing outfits every few songs just so that he could throw more clothes into the crowd — one leather jacket lasted less than 30 seconds on his back before being flung into the arms of a fan.

Yet around every corner was another cheesy cliché. After an energetic medley of Magic (Stick), Candy Shop and Beamer, Benz or Bentley that had the crowd screaming his name, 50 Cent dedicated the classic 21 Questions to “my lay-deez” by holding his mike at his crotch and stroking it. Oh dear.

more fan shot footage below.



(video courtesy of Kingexpression & xfran23)

Related:
50 Cent Wembley Arena London, UK Concert (with video & photo links)

50 Cent Wembley Arena London, UK Concert

At last night's (Saturday, March 20) 50 Cent 'Before I Self Destruct' date at Wembley Arena London England, UK.

Photos:
Getty Images
Rex Features

50 Cent ‘Before I Self Destruct’ 2010 Tour dates:

March 21 – Dublin, Ireland – O2 Dublin
March 22 – Belfast, UK – Odyssey Arena
March 25 – Manchester, UK – Men Arena
March 27 – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
March 29 – Sicily, Italy – Palatapparello
March 31 – Skopje, Macedonia – Boris Trajkovski Arena
April 01 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade Arena
April 03 – St Petersburg, Russia – New Arena
April 05 – Moscow, Russia – Olimpiski
April 06 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar

(video courtesy of 2124bennyb1)

50 Cent In Birmingham England First Stop On Before I Self Destruct UK Tour

Last night's (Friday, March 19) show at the LG Arena NEC in Birmingham, England UK.

Photos:
Getty Images
Wire Image

(video courtesy of wordontheroad tv & whatdiduxpect)

50 Cent ‘Before I Self Destruct’ 2010 Tour dates:

March 20 – London, UK – Wembley Arena
March 21 – Dublin, Ireland – O2 Dublin
March 22 – Belfast, UK – Odyssey Arena
March 25 – Manchester, UK – Men Arena
March 27 – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
March 29 – Sicily, Italy – Palatapparello
March 31 – Skopje, Macedonia – Boris Trajkovski Arena
April 01 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade Arena
April 03 – St Petersburg, Russia – New Arena
April 05 – Moscow, Russia – Olimpiski
April 06 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar

50 Cent Concert In Oslo, Norway

50 Cent and G-Unit performing the hits at Sentrum Scene In Oslo, Norway on Friday, March 12.

Photos:
Film Magic
Getty Images
730 - Norway

(video courtesy of Lisealba)

50 Cent ‘Before I Self Destruct’ 2010 Tour dates:

March 13 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Brondby Hallen
March 14 – Hamburg, Germany – The Docks
March 15 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Ahoy Hall
March 17 – Cairo, Egypt – Cairo Exhibition Fair Ground
March 19 – Birmingham, UK – NEC
March 20 – London, UK – Wembley Arena
March 21 – Dublin, Ireland – O2 Dublin
March 22 – Belfast, UK – Odyssey Arena
March 25 – Manchester, UK – Men Arena
March 27 – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
March 29 – Sicily, Italy – Palatapparello
March 31 – Skopje, Macedonia – Boris Trajkovski Arena
April 01 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade Arena
April 03 – St Petersburg, Russia – New Arena
April 05 – Moscow, Russia – Olimpiski
April 06 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar

50 Cent Live Over Europe In Paris, France & Berlin, Germany

50 Cent fan shot footage at Le Zenith de Paris Thursday, February 25:


Photos from the Paris concert at Le Zenith de Paris & After Party at the VIP Room Thursday, February 25:
Getty Images - Show
Getty Images - After Party
Wire Image - Show
Wire Image - After Party
Rex Features - Show
Rex Features - After Party

50 Cent fan shot footage at Berlin's Columbiahalle Tuesday, February 23:








Photos from the Berlin concert at Columbiahalle Tuesday, February 23:
Getty Images - Show

50 Cent ‘Before I Self Destruct’ European Tour dates:

February 26, 2010 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
February 27, 2010 – Essen, Germany – Grunganhalle
February 28, 2010 – Zurich, Switzerland – Hallenstadion
March 02, 2010 – Kosice, Slovakia – Steel Arena
March 03, 2010 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Tivoli Hall
March 04, 2010 – Frankfurt, Germany – Hugenottenhalle
March 05, 2010 – Prague, Czech Republic – Tesla Arena
March 08, 2010 – Helsinki, Finland – Old Ice Hall
March 11, 2010 – Bergen, Norway – Aulean
March 12, 2010 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
March 13, 2010 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Brondby Hallen
March 14, 2010 – Hamburg, Germany – The Docks
March 15, 2010 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Ahoy Hall
March 17, 2010 – Cairo, Egypt – Cairo Exhibition Fair Ground
March 19, 2010 – Birmingham, UK – NEC
March 20, 2010 – London, UK – Wembley Arena
March 21, 2010 – Dublin, Ireland – O2 Dublin
March 22, 2010 – Belfast, UK – Odyssey Arena
March 25, 2010 – Manchester, UK – Men Arena
March 27, 2010 – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Canary Islands – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
March 29, 2010 – Sicily, Italy – Palatapparello
March 31, 2010 – Skopje, Macedonia – Boris Trajkovski Arena
April 01, 2010 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade Arena
April 03, 2010 – St Petersburg, Russia – New Arena
April 05, 2010 – Moscow, Russia – Olimpiski
April 06, 2010 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar

(video courtesy of clautschi81, striker1bbb & ludodu91600)

50 Cent: More New Year's Eve Video Coverage In Las Vegas, NV

Related:
50 Cent New Year's Eve At PURE Nightclub Las Vegas On The Red Carpet

50 Cent New Year's Eve At PURE Nightclub Las Vegas On The Red Carpet

via Las Vegas Weekly

As the last hour of 2009 ticked by on screens around the five-year-old club, a steady stream of guests and VIPs poured into the venue. Dressed in a sleek black ensemble of shine and lace topped with a structured blazer and shoulder pads, 24-year-old songstress Ciara stalked the red carpet outside Pure with a crew of female friends waiting to accompany her inside.

"I never really go out that often," said the singer who is reportedly dating 50 Cent, "so I'm just excited to go out and have a good time and enjoy myself."

If she hasn't been devoting much time to partying, maybe it's because Ciara simply hasn't had the time. In 2009, the multi-platinum selling artist behind tracks "Like a Boy" and "1,2 Step" released her third album, Fantasy Ride, toured with Jay-Z and made commercial appearances. Ciara seems to have had a better 2009 than most. She summed up her year as "pretty eventful, pretty fun, pretty prosperous, pretty great." Sounds pretty rare, too.

50 Cent also seemed to have missed out on some quality time in Las Vegas clubs. The rapper was last in town in April when he spent time in the Palms recording studio with Dr. Dre and Eminem for his Curtis album. "We got the chance to go to the movies a couple of times, but we didn't go out and party," 50 Cent explained.

Consider New Year's Eve making up for lost time, then.

50 started his performance on the Pure roof deck, welcoming 2010 with his suggestively titled song "Have a Baby By Me, Baby, Be a Millionaire." About half an hour past midnight, the concert continued in the club's main room.

"2010! We gonna ring it in right," the rapper called from the stage, now out of the black brocade jacket he sported for his walk down the red carpet and wearing a white jacket and his standard issue Yankees hat.

Standing next to boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr, who obligingly held up a stack of cash, 50 launched into the first song of his roughly 45-minute set, "I Got Money." The pair played off each other throughout 50's 13-song tour through his hits with so much chemistry, Mayweather might consider joining the music man on his next tour. When 50 called out "I get money!", Mayweather held up his own pile of bills, fanning them out for all to see. It was like a beautiful interpretive dance, with Benjamins.

"In Da Club," "Candy Shop," "Magic Stick," "Hate It Or Love It," "P-I-M-P" and "If I Can't" — the set list read like a track list for his greatest hits project. Surrounded by bodyguards — getting shot nine times would make anyone paranoid — 50 Cent plowed through his four-album catalog, and all the while a dapper Mayweather danced alongside, flipping off the crowd and even making it rain what looked like $100s for a moment above the packed club.

After performing for nearly an hour, 50 Cent closed out his set in an auditory hail of gunfire with the sound of shots echoing out of the speakers, as if to remind the crowd of the street legitimacy behind the now wealthy musician.

"Party time," 50 said before the spotlight suddenly cut out and he disappeared into the crowd encircled by burly men in black. Who doesn't love a dramatic exit?

Cali Christmas 2009 Concert Widget w/Interviews & Performances

Related:
50 Cent & Chamillionaire @ Cali Christmas: More Video Footage Posted Online

Cali Christmas w/50 Cent, Chamillionaire, T-Pain And More Concert Recap

50 Cent:'The 50th Law' Book Collaborator & Author Robert Greene Interview w/CBS

Watch CBS News Videos Online

via CBS News

Learn more about Robert Greene & 'The 50th Law':
Power Seduction and War

To order a copy:
Amazon - The 50th Law by 50 Cent and Robert Greene

Cali Christmas w/50 Cent, Chamillionaire, T-Pain And More Concert Recap

As reported by August Brown at the Los Angeles Times

Everyone at Cali Christmas (Power 106), from the once world-crushing rapper 50 Cent on down to the welcome young crooner Jeremih, had a streak of self-deprecation to their acts.

Maybe it came from the humbling fact that their genres, which once prided themselves on distinctions between being gangsta and being a gentleman, are now indistinguishable -- and nobody can sound too thuggish over today's dominant Euro-trance beats and thin sales figures. Still, the shift humanized the boys' boasts regarding their earning and bedroom prowess in convincing ways.

Brooklyn rapper Fabolous has long operated at the fringes of pop while maintaining credibility as a dense, lyrical MC. His most recent album, "Loso's Way," sported the unfortunate Carrie Bradshaw-worthy shopping anthem "Throw It in the Bag." But during his set Wednesday, he made some welcome detours through his earlier, much flintier material.

From an opposite vantage point, T-Pain's lush robot quaver has become maybe the defining sound of pop radio in the latter years of this decade. His secret is that he's actually a fantastic singer and arranger; every single comes stacked with inventive harmonies and a playful way with melody. He's a much smarter songwriter than titles like "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)" might lead one to believe, but he also refuses to take himself seriously.



50 Cent has had a tougher time of that in recent months. After Kanye West skunked him on the 2007 sales charts, 50 has struggled mightily to return to his "Get Rich or Die Trying"-era dominance. But one forgets that the 50 Cent who wrote "How to Rob" -- an older track that remains his most exciting song -- was a sneering underdog, not the guy who celebrates an actual "Curtis Jackson Day" in his über-rich enclave of Bridgeport, Conn.

50 does better when people don't see him coming. New singles like "Psycho" have a touch of his old menace; at Cali Christmas, he hit the high points of his conflicted new album "Before I Self Destruct," like the glitched-up ragtime-piano burner "So Disrespectful."

More fan shot footage below.





Read the full review here:
L.A. Times - Live: Power 106 Cali Christmas at Gibson Amphitheatre

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(video footage courtesy of gtony87)

Musician Chin Injeti Gets Big Name Production Credits w/DJ Khalil

via Vancouver's Straight.com

Local producer Chin Injeti and his L.A.–based partner, DJ Khalil, were responsible for some of the sounds on Til the Casket Drops by Clipse. In fact, the duo produced the first single from the new record, “Kinda Like a Big Deal”—which also features Kanye West. The team also scored a production credit for “Could’ve Been You” on 50 Cent’s Before I Self Destruct.

“It’s been an exciting year,” Injeti told the Straight, fresh from a trip to L.A. to put the finishing touches on his and Khalil’s album as the New Royales. “Khalil is signed to Aftermath Entertainment, so he’s quite an up-and-comer, and whenever we do something, it gets played. We’re synonymous with a certain sound.”

50 Cent On X Factor TV Show Italy

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