Edited by Tosha Y. Thomas

50 Cent is back with a new project, curtis in stores September 4, 2007. The multi-faceted entertainer, entrepreneur and even philanthropist will have his first major performance in support of curtis June 26th on the BET Awards. curtis was suppose to be released on June 26th, the same day as the BET Awards, but with the album near completion and unable to make the original June date, a simultaneous worldwide release necessitated a push until September. "I'm an international artist. My fans worldwide deserve to receive my album at the same time as my fans here in the US.  Taking that into consideration moving the album to September was a necessary course of action," states 50 Cent. 

For the first time ever, BET will let the fans decide which song 50 Cent will perform on the show. Fans are urged to text BANK to 23898 to vote for "Straight to the Bank" or text PARK to 23898 to vote for "Amusement Park". Fans can tune into the show to see the winning performance by 50 Cent.

On curtis, his third major label album, rapper 50 Cent gives no quarter. As hard and brutally honest, yet musical and entertaining, as his first two albums—each of them #1 Pop, #1 R&B/Hip-hop and at least seven times platinum—50 Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) tells it like it is on curtis and makes the resulting controversy pay as he heads "Straight to the Bank," the title of the album's first street track.

curtis (Shady/Aftermath/Interscope) features guest appearances by Eminem, Akon, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, and Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls.

curtis continues 50 Cent's phenomenal rise from the mean streets. His official debut album, 2003's Get Rich Or Die Tryin', sold 872,000 units in the first four days of its release, making it the fastest-selling debut disc in the SoundScan era (since 1991). The album was the biggest seller of 2003 and is currently ten times platinum worldwide. Later that year, The New Breed, a DVD with a bonus CD including new songs, charted #2 Pop and #1 R&B/Hip-Hop. His second album, 2005's The Massacre, was the second biggest-selling album of the year and is now seven times platinum worldwide.

Since he first dropped his bombs on the music world, 50 has earned 11 Grammy nominations, from Best New Artist to Best Rap Album for each of his first two efforts. Attesting to his worldwide popularity, Get Rich Or Die Tryin' hit #2 in the U.K. and #1 in Australia while The Massacre went #1 in both those countries, #2 in Sweden, and is the biggest-selling rap album in India, where it has been certified double platinum, selling more than 2,000,000 copies.

Back in the U.S., 50 has scored three singles claiming the #1 spot across the charts—R&B/Hip-hop, Rap, and Pop: "In Da Club," "Candy Shop" and "21 Questions" (featuring Nate Dogg). Three more went Top 3 across the board: "P.I.M.P.," "Just A Lil Bit" and "Disco Inferno." Yet another four were Rap Top 10s: "Wanksta," "Outta Control (Remix)," "Window Shopper" and "Best Friend." Four of the above have been certified digital gold: "In Da Club," "Candy Shop," "P.I.M.P." and "Disco Inferno." From music to movies, videogames to books, a clothing line to footwear, 50 has taken street culture by storm. But as curtis proves, and as he says in "Straight to the Bank," 50 Cent wants even more and will give you more.

Controversy is nothing new to 50 Cent. At the recent BET Awards press conference 50 Cent was asked to comment on the uproar surrounding hip hop, its lyrics and its impact on society and this is what he had to say.

50 Cent on the attack on hip hop:
"I think for a moment that a lot of people forgot that our country's at war. And they'll point to usage of content and music like hip hop and say the problem maybe it influences violence on some level and not point to actual films that are released that have the similar content, images and sounds that are definitely more impressionable than just sound. I personally believe on every level that it's easier to attack an individual than it is to go after a corporation. So, you know, they point at specific hip hop artist to go after opposed to going after Paramount or Columbia Pictures. It's a tougher fight. So, I just look at in every situation as there's going to some new obstacles that form in front of you. You know, like growing up without finances. I felt like finances would be the answer to all my problems, and now I realize that there will always be something new.

50 Cent on politics:
I'm sure you are familiar with Randall Tobias, Deputy Secretary of State, resigning based on him using maybe what we call a dating service. Maybe he's hanging out with the hos that we mentioned in the music. If that doesn't make you aware of a situation that exists, I don't know what will. I mean, sure the music is a mirror and hip hop's a reflection of an environment that we grew up. It's the harsh realities that end up in the music. If I asked you to paint a picture of the American flag and not use the color red, you're going to have a difficult time.

50 Cent on censorship:
It is difficult for you to find a hip hop album that has had any success that hasn't had content on some level that was a little racy.

50 Cent on Master P not using profane language:
"Well, Master P. doesn't sell CDs anymore. You can tell him I said it. Your tape is rolling right? curtis, September, 4, 2007."