'The 50th Law': 50 Cent's New Biz Book Mixes Hustle And History

50 Cent knows business. He started life as a poor kid from Queens, and is now one of the richest men in hip hop with a media empire spanning CDs, video games, clothing -- and now books. In his new book, 'The 50th Law,' 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) shares that seed trait within his personality that led to his expansive life of material wealth, tremendous cultural capital and creative freedom. By reading 'The 50th Law,' 50 and his co-author Robert Greene seek to transform anyone who is willing into a "a master player at power[.]"

'The 50th Law' distills 50 Cent's accumulated business wisdom, and mixes it with great ideas concerning power from sages throughout the ages. Co-author Robert Greene, who also wrote the best-seller 'The 48 Laws of Power,' worked with Mr. Jackson on 'The 50th Law' to take the study of life's power games to another level. This new book incorporates the struggles of life on urban streets as a fresh source of intellectual stimulation to inspire personal triumph.

In the opening pages of 'The 50th Law' Greene explains this seemingly strange synergy of hip-hop and history:

"What struck me most was that we had a remarkably similar way of looking at the world, one that transcended the great differences in our backgrounds. For instance, in discussing the power games he was experiencing at that time in the music business, we both looked past people's benign explanations for their behavior and tried to figure out what they were really up to. He developed this way of thinking on the dangerous streets of Southside Queens where it was a necessary life skill; I came to it by reading a lot of history and observing the crafty maneuvers of various people in Hollywood, where I worked for many years. The perspective, however, is the same."

It is the hope of 50 Cent and Greene that 'The 50th Law' will help readers learn how to use power positively in their own lives to create a life without limits or fear. These life lessons are critical at a time in history in which both real and irrational fears seem to be tearing individuals and nations apart. From the fear of joblessness, to a fear of terrorist threats, to a fear of 'Obamacare,' there is a growing sense of powerlessness that we as a collective need to fight if our social problems are to be solved.

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50's Law

NEW YORK - JUNE 23: *** EXCLUSIVE ACCESS *** Rapper "50 Cent", aka Curtis Jackson and author Robert Green, author of "The 50th Law" attend the debut of the new "Power By 50 Cent" fragrance at Avenue on June 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Robert Green;50 Cent;Curtis Jackson

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50 Cent: New Book

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NEW YORK - JUNE 23: *** EXCLUSIVE ACCESS *** Author Robert Green, author of "The 50th Law" attends the debut of the new "Power By 50 Cent" fragrance at Avenue on June 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Robert Green

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Perhaps 'The 50th Law' can inspire people to empower themselves to live life to the full, despite our era's many adversities.

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