Archives For 50 cent

VIDEO: Here’s How ‘The Sopranos’ Inspired 50 Cent’s Show ‘Power’

Ralphie Aversa  —  07/29/2018 — Leave a comment

With “Real Time” and “Last Week Tonight” on summer breaks, I have only one television obsession at the moment (not including my beloved Yankees of course): Starz’s hit drama “Power.” Ahead of season five, which is currently airing, I had a chance to cover the show’s junket for DISH Network’s DISH Studio. While interviewing the series creator Courtney A. Kemp along with her co-executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who also plays Kanan on the show, I asked how they describe “Power” now compared to how they described it before the first episode aired. Kemp simply tells friends that if they liked “The Sopranos,” they’ll like her show. Not only did 50 Cent concur, but he previewed the show’s fate and his thought process behind it.

“That’s where I got the number from,” he interjected. “When I said initially how many seasons we would go, I was going ‘seven,’ and I was using it because of the success of ‘The Sopranos.'”

With season six already green-lit, seemingly the only obstacle in the show’s way of going seven seasons is if demand is too high for an eighth.

New episodes of “Power” season five are available every Sunday at midnight on the Starz app.

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VIDEO: ‘Power’ Cast Talks 50 Cent, Charlie Murphy And Season 4

Ralphie Aversa  —  06/28/2017 — Leave a comment

Perhaps you’ve seen the ads, including the large one sprawled across Hotel Pennsylvania on 7th Avenue, but in case you haven’t: Starz’s hit drama “Power” is back. I recently screened the first four episodes of season four ahead of the show’s New York press junket. I have to admit, I was hooked from the jump. The storylines are compelling, the acting is fantastic and you can jump in at season four and feel caught up (although I plan to get back to those first three seasons at some point).

On assignment for my friend Shaina’s website The Knockturnal, I had a chance to chat with almost all of the main players in the production: Omari Hardwick (“Ghost”), Lela Loren (“Angela”), Joseph Sikora (“Tommy”), Naturi Naughton (“Tasha”), Rotimi Akinosho (“Dre”) and La La Anthony (“LaKeisha”). We sat down at Langham Place in Midtown East earlier this month, before last weekend’s season four premiere. The cast members talked about working with 50 Cent (he’s on the show and its executive producer), the season four and five renewal of the program and the growing conflict within the show’s various storylines.

I also asked Hardwick, who is the show’s main character, about promoting the new season following the death of Charlie Murphy. The Brooklyn-born comedian passed away in April after a bout with Leukemia; he was cast as a prison guard for the latest installment of the drama.

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The full interviews along with the features I wrote are below. New episodes of “Power” air Sundays at 12:01 am via the Starz app.


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VIDEO: Celebs And Athletes Talk MSG Renovations

Ralphie Aversa  —  10/31/2013 — Leave a comment

A slew of celebrities, athletes, and media members came to Madison Square Garden Thursday morning for the unveiling of the final phase in a three-part, $1 billion renovation of “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” With the venue’s reputation and location, many in attendance were already voicing positive reviews before stepping foot in to The Garden.

“I loved it 40 years ago, and I’m sure I’m going to love it now,” actor Chazz Palminteri told “The Ralphie Show” on the star-studded red carpet prior to the official press conference, which was hosted by MSG Network staple Al Trautwig and attended by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. “There’s new amenities but it’s New York. They always do it the right way.”

Perhaps the most talked about of the new features is the Chase Bridge – running parallel with the 31st and 33rd Street sides of the building. The two bridges are suspended 94 feet above the main floor, offering spectators a completely new perspective while also providing a number of dining options, including the MSG Signature Collection. The collection is available throughout the arena; a collaboration between The Garden and some of the area’s top chefs.

“I think so, yeah,” responded filmmaker Ed Burns when I asked if he could watch a game from the bridge. At the time, he had yet to take in the sight for himself. “I’d imagine it would be pretty cool to see it up there.”

Former Knicks forward Larry Johnson was a little less enthusiastic.

“I can’t because my eyes (are) bad,” LJ said. “But, they have a big screen right in front of you, so it’s awesome.”

It seemed for most of the bold-print names in attendance, few knew what to ultimately expect when they would be given a tour of the arena.

“Well, I got to look around and see exactly what they did to my house, because this is my house,” said rapper 50 Cent, before dropping the oh-so-famous line, “I run New York” and flashing a big smile. Now that the artist, born Curtis Jackson, is a boxing promoter as well, we might see a fight card of his before a live performance.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how they could spend $1 billion,” admitted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Julie Henderson, who also noted she usually prefers to sit so close that “the sweat comes on to you.”

But regardless of the new look, new seats, or even new store, perhaps it was Walt Frazier who best summed up what fans are looking forward to with the re-opening of the venue.

“Winning,” Clyde said. “Winning and grinning.”

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DAILY DOWNLOAD: 50 Cent f. Eminem, Adam Levine – ‘My Life’

Ralphie Aversa  —  11/27/2012 — Leave a comment

This is a single from 50 Cent’s forthcoming fifth studio album. It’s decent – Levine really makes this song in my opinion. You put that beat and hook with two other emcees and I think you might end up with a better track.

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DAILY DOWNLOAD: 50 Cent f. Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys – ‘New Day’

Ralphie Aversa  —  07/31/2012 — Leave a comment

Alicia Keys originally released this as a solo single, produced by her husband Swizz Beatz. Now, the producing credit has been moved to Dr. Dre, and it will be a single off 50 Cent’s forthcoming album, due out this fall. I like both versions; not sure how I feel about the Robert DeNiro clip from “A Bronx Tale” at the beginning though.

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AUDIO: Autism Advocate Lashes Out Against 50 Cent

Ralphie Aversa  —  07/04/2012
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The Autism community is angry with 50 Cent after the rapper made a number of disparaging comments towards a fan he thought “looked autistic.”

Attorney Brad Gerstman is proud of how far America has come in Autism awareness but feels that celebrities like 50 Cent hurt the cause he and others have fought so hard for. Gerstman served as the Long Island Advocacy Chair for Autism Speaks, one of the nation’s largest autism advocacy organizations.

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INTERVIEW: Jeremih Reveals That He Didn’t Know About 50 Cent/Keenan Cahill Skit Beforehand

Ralphie Aversa  —  12/22/2011 — Leave a comment

R&B singer Jeremih’s biggest song to date rose up the charts in part due to a viral video recorded by rapper 50 Cent and YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill. But the crooner revealed in an interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show” that he had no idea “Down on Me” would be used in a video that initially aired on E!’s “Chelsea Lately.”

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“I saw it when everybody else did,” the Chicago native said. “Whatever (50 Cent) does in his life, he has a strategy behind it… I never really know what he’s going to do, but I’m sure whatever it is, it’ll be very impactful.”

50’s move to lip-sync with Cahill on camera proved more than impactful: the video has over 42 million views, and the single has sold almost three million copies in the United States.

“I think (Cahill) was very instrumental to the success of ‘Down on Me’” admitted Jeremih. “I give credit to where it’s due.”

No word on if Cahill will team up with the singer and rapper again for “Girls Go Wild” – but the marketing guru that is 50 Cent already has a plan. The emcee is using the song in the campaign for his new line of headphones, SMS by 50.

“I didn’t even know they were available for purchase,” the singer said. “I saw Waka Flocka earlier at ‘106 & Park,’ and he had a pair, so now I know they’re available.”

Speaking of BET, Jeremih will end his 2011 on a strong note, with an appearance on the TV network’s New Year’s Eve special, which was taped in part last weekend.

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AUDIO: Hollyscoop.com’s Diana Madison on 50 Cent, KanYe West, Ricky Gervais

Ralphie Aversa  —  12/20/2011 — Leave a comment
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Hollyscoop.com’s Diana Madison broke an interesting story regarding comments 50 Cent made about Lindsay Lohan’s Playboy spread and her um… cooch.

Madison also spoke about recent comments made on stage by KanYe West and Ricky Gervais’ return to the Golden Globes next year.

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AUDIO: ‘Not The Black Eyed Peas’ (Remix of Jeremih f. 50 Cent – ‘Down On Me’)

Ralphie Aversa  —  06/15/2011 — Leave a comment
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Shout out to ADAM FROM KIDD KRADDICK IN THE MORNING for helping out on this… because every song IS NOT by The Black Eyed Peas… you’re welcome.

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EXCLUSIVE: The Cataracs’ Niles Hollowell-Dhar Dishes More Deets on 50 Cent Collab

Ralphie Aversa  —  04/20/2011 — Leave a comment

According to Niles “Cyrano” Hollowell-Dhar, one half of the production duo The Cataracts, the State of the Union for dance music is a positive address.

“You go back 10 years ago and Eminem said, ‘Nobody listens to techno,’” recalled Niles during a chat on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” “So yeah, it’s definitely a better day and age for dance music.”

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The Cataracs have certainly helped push the latest wave of the genre in to mainstream. The California-natives produced Far East Movement’s “Like a G6,” and have since gone on to work with the New Boyz, The Ready Set, and Dev – who was featured on the hook of FEM’s smash hit.

“When people put you in the studio, sometimes they want to hear ‘G6,’” admitted Hollowell-Dhar. “Really, when we made ‘G6,’ we were just sort of uninhibited and we were making whatever sounded good to us at the time.”

Clearly the thought process worked – because now in addition to the aforementioned artists, a one 50 Cent has tabbed the production team to create multiple tracks for his forthcoming album.

“All throughout my high school, that’s all we listened to was Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and even before that, like The Power of the Dollar. I was a 50 Cent fan for the longest time,” Niles revealed. “(The songs we did for him) sound great. It’s natural but it’s still sounds like some future, 2012… it’s just really crazy.”

The security that 50 Cent implements so that his tracks don’t leak sounds just as crazy.

“I had to take the vocals to work with them and (50 Cent’s people) had to put this effect, like everything was distorted, but I needed the stuff to work with so I could create the beat around it,” the producer said. “They put this really weird filter over (the vocals) so that I wouldn’t leak it.”

50’s people also didn’t tell The Cataracs when the songs would be officially released.

“They’re still taking submissions for the last two or three songs, and then I don’t know when singles are going to come out,” said Niles. “I would think you’d probably hear it over the next two months.”

Hollowell-Dhar explained that due to the rapper’s schedule, most of the work was done without him in-studio, but they all did work in person for the first time about five months ago.

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