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Rapper raises eyebrows with first movie I_ 50 Cent brings own drama to big screen by portraying drug-dealer lifestyle Rebecca Louie NEW YORK DAILY NEWS NEW YORK — Curtis Jackson has made millions out of being 50 Cent. In acquiring this fortune, he has survived his mother’s killing, his early life on the street and being shot nine times (in a murder attempt on May 24, 2000). The former crack dealer has built a hot rap career and spawned several product lines. This month, he diversifies his portfolio with a movie, a video game, a soundtrack CD, a new sneaker and wristwatches. Opening Wednesday, “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” a semi biographicai movie about a dealer-turned-emcee, has already drawn criticism from community groups in, Brooklyn and Los Angeles for its posters depicting guns and its brutal content. However, the film actually portrays Marcus, the character based on 50, as wary of violence and moved by love. The fdm’s portrayal of his early life in Queens is “75 percent true,” 50 said in a recent interview with the Daily News. But, he added, Marcus’ quest to learn his dad’s identity is not his own. ■ He was content to live with his single mother, a hardened drug dealer who was murdered when he was 8. He was subsequently raised by grandparents. "My mother would tell me that I was born through the Immaculate Conception, like Jesus, that I was special not having a father,” said 50, who is 29. “That made me understand I didn’t have to have one.” During the interview, 50 showed the softer side of his personality. He was charismatic, contemplative and funny. Even the bullet wound in his cheek vanished into creases when he smiled. Jim Sheridan, director of “Get Rich,” said that inverting 50’s stereotypical image in the movie was intentional. “At the end of the movie people will wonder: Is this the real 50 Cent? Has he changed? Is he acting a part? All three are true,” Sheridan said. If 50 Cent has mellowed,' it’s because of fatherhood. His son Marquise was born nine years ago. “My priorities changed,” 50 reflected. “I had to figure out how to get finances without being in the street. The toughest thing for me was not being shot. It was not knowing if I could write music for a living, for him.” In the movie, Marcus’ bond with the mother of his child (played by Joy Bryant) helps get the young thug back on his feet after he is gunned down. The rapper himself said he has never really been in love. “Early on in my relationship with my son’s mom maybe (I was),” he admitted. “I don’t have a hard time getting a woman, but I have trouble keeping them now. Once they’re around me long enough to envision themselves being around me permanently, the relationship goes places in their heads that they haven’t shared with me. “I’ve got to spend time being mends with someone first,” he added. “I have trust issues.” The rapper’s last high profile relationship was with actress Vivica Fox. Since their split two years ago, 50 has accused Fox of using his popularity to boost her career. She has dismissed their tryst as “ghetto love.” “I haven’t spoken to Vivica Fox in two years,” said 50, who called the union “nothing” on his CD “The Massacre,” which came out in March. “She is still talking (to people about me),” he continued. “She loves me. And unfortunately it’s not a situation where we’re going to 4 be around each other.” Fox isn’t the only unlikely star 50 has been feuding with lately. The actor Samuel L. Jackson (no relation) declined a part in “Get Rich” because he didn’t want to work with a rapper. “He didn’t mean that he didn’t want to work with a rapper,” 50 said. “He meant that he didn’t want to work under a rapper in his first fdm. Some people become so artistic they forget that they are in a business. And it makes better business sense to invest in 50 Cent than an unknown. I already generate interest worldwide.” As do the high-profile beefs that, some observers say, . i r i cn> _ He himself claims he doesn’t instigate these squabbles but merely responds to what he believes are acts of disloyalty or aggression. “It’s never me jumping on somebody for no reason,” said 50, who has rumbled with Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Nas, Jadakiss and others. “It just seems like I am the bully because I am in a better position than they » are. Even those closest to him risk alienation. In response to rumors that his frequent collaborator Dr. Dre might work with The Game, one of 50’s rivals, 50 said: “It would strain our relationship. ... (Dre) would be a different person in my eyes.” SOLUTION!!! I r-~-—i Beating Tigers, pint by pint in Blood Drive Annual competition challenges students to donate to charity, out-bleed opponents Tinsley Lynch FOR THE GAMECOCK The Carolina-Clemson football game is eight days away and with it comes that time of year when even the most subdued Carolina football fans get worked up at the sight of orange. However, there is another rivalry associated with the game — the annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive. “The Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive is a wonderful event on so many different i_i. >> ur_I_ n-rv-iO) jqiu i ivuuiwt ifiauiu) USC blood drive chairwoman and a second-year biology student. “It gives faculty, students and fans the opportunity to place an intense football rivalry in a positive outlet.” This year marks the 21st anniversary of the blood drive between the two schools. And while students might have noticed posters and t-shirts around campus, there are probably some things most do not know about the drive. The Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive is the largest blood drive in the Southeast. It is completely run and organized by students — with the help of Red Cross volunteers. Clemson won the competition for 11 years straight, but the past four years Carolina has remained the winner. The drive kicks off each year on the Monday before the football game, this year on Nov. 14. Each day the number of pints of blood donated at the two schools is totaled. At the end of the week the school with the most pints wins. Last year USC tallied almost 3,000 pints. The drive also features a raffle drawing with prizes from local vendors. There is a $300 gift certificate to Best Buy, a gift bag from Pout, gift certificates to Miyo’s and McAlisters, as well as other prizes. “We like to reward donors as much as we can,” Mathis said. “You get a free T-shirt, food and possibly a big prize just for one hour of your time, and we know that free stuff appea1 to college students.” Mathis also pointed out that while the blood drive is the largest in the Southeast, last year’s drive was only enough to supply South Carolina hospitals for 10 days. “It’s important for people to come out and donate for lots of different reasons,” said Racheal Renken, USC blood drive co chairwoman and a second-year French student. “Odds are everyone is going to need a blood transfusion at some point in their lifetime.” To provide enough blood for patients in South Carolina, 500 pints must be collected every single day. The blood donated from the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive supplies 54 hospitals throughout the state. Each pint of blood collected will save three peoples lives but millions of people need transfusions each day. “The need for blood donors is a problem that never goes away — the facts speak for “ themselves,” Mathis said. If the idea of actually giving blood is too much to handle, there are still other ways for students to get involved. Last year, more than 10 percent of USC students were involved in the blood drive. This year, the drive is partnering with Dance Marathon to help them raise money for the Children’s Hospital. Because of the many volunteer opportunities associated with the blood drive, there is a way for everyone to help, Mathis said. With more than 100 students working on five committees to organize the blood drive, everything from advertising to community involvement.’’There is a lot of hard work involved in structuring the drive and competition, and it’s something that college students do on their own — which is something really cool.” Renken said. This year’s kickoff will feature the band Kilcoy, inflatable jumping toys for students to play around with and free food a and drinks. Ben &C Jerry’s will also be on Greene Street offering a “Pint for a Pint.” The main donation center will be in the Russell House Ballroom, but mobiles stations will be around campus throughout the week and at Tiger Burn on Nov. 18, where the drive will conclude. A common complaint from students about previous blood drives is the long wait to donate and the lack of parking. The drive’s chairpersons are doing everything they can to help make these two frustrating ^ situations better this year, Mathis said. Parking Services is going to donate metered spaces along Greene Street, as well as spots in the pay lot of Bull Street Garage .As tor the wait time, Mathis said the Red Cross is doing its best to ensure enough nurses are in place to keep the lines moving. She also encourages students to visit one of the mobiles around campus, as the imes "’re usually very quick. Each successful donor will give a pint of blood, which the body can replace ir a matter of hour*- Donors must be 110 pounds, 17 years old ond not » have donated blood in i e past 56 days. “Giving blood is prob_b!y the easiest thing you can do to help save someone’s life. It is something that you can feel really good about,” Mathis said. So when you start seeing signs of orange on the horizon, remember that the football game on Saturday is not the only way to beat Clemson — and the opportunity to beat Clemson twice in one week does not come along often. - * Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm. sc. edu Where did the firstjJublic - library path ' |pen?