In a dazzling celebration of the 10th anniversary of Power, 50 Cent illuminated the Empire State Building while donning a striking red suit.
This year marks a decade since 50’s hit TV series Power first premiered, making a significant impact on television. To honor this milestone, as well as Black Music Month, the rapper headed to the iconic NYC skyscraper’s summit alongside actors Michael Rainey Jr. and Gianni Paolo. Photos shared on Instagram capture 50 Cent overlooking the city, flaunting his red suit and an award commemorating the event.
“Top of New York, 10 year anniversary of POWER,” he captioned his Instagram post. Additionally, a TikTok video uploaded by Paolo shows 50 Cent marveling at the magnificent view, exclaiming, “I ain’t even gonna hold you, this shit is crazy!”
The celebration didn’t stop there. The fourth and final season of Power Book II: Ghost kicked off at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan on Thursday, with its first episode airing on STARZ the following day.
Reflecting on the journey of Power, 50 Cent previously shared in a 2023 interview with Vulture how major networks like HBO, Showtime, Paramount, and Hulu passed on the show before STARZ picked it up. “We went to all these organizations in the early stages. They probably had something else they felt was similar, or it wasn’t what they was looking for. I’m sure now they wish they didn’t pass on it,” he explained.
He also touched on the challenges faced due to what he perceives as racial biases in the industry. “And then every two years, it felt like we was auditioning for a major carrier. It’s time to renegotiate, and it would be an issue. So for me at that point, really what it is, is racism. Because the project is a success, but the platforms are not necessarily acknowledging things that have diversity connected to them.”
Despite these hurdles, 50 Cent’s commitment to the project never wavered. He revealed that he even took a significant pay cut, earning only $17,000 per episode. “There’s no one that could come and tell me to take $17,000 to act and executive produce and make music,” he stated. “I gave them the theme song for ‘Power.’ I gave them the things that connected, hopefully, in a different way for it. You see what I’m saying? All those things for $17,000 per episode? I get paid more to go to the nightclub and wave.”
From illuminating one of New York’s most famous landmarks to navigating the complex landscape of television, 50 Cent’s journey with Power is a testament to perseverance and vision. As the Power universe continues to captivate audiences, its legacy is firmly cemented in TV history.
