Although in no rush to become a billionaire, 50 Cent is following Tyler Perry’s blueprint.
Both entrepreneurs have their own studios, which house their current and future projects and create jobs that benefit the surrounding communities and beyond.
As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Perry, a self-made billionaire, relied on his earnings to fund a 330-acre studio in Atlanta, GA, which opened its doors in 2008.
“That’s why ‘Sistas,’ ‘The Oval,’ ‘Ruthless,’ and ‘Zatima’ — soon to come — All these shows on BET are doing so well, because I had us,” Perry said during Invest Fest 2023. “So, I haven’t been in a position where I’ve had to use private equity or money like that.”
Today, Tyler Perry Studios grants him greater creative freedoms through its built-in features that include 12 sound stages — available to rent — and various staged sets such as baseball fields, a chapel, a bank, a county jail, a coffee shop, an oval office, and a theatre, among others, per its company website. Forbes mentioned this was used to give him an upper hand in a deal with ViacomCBS that allowed him to pocket $150 million annually for content creation and secure an equity stake in BET+.
Perry is also under a four-year deal with Amazon to write, produce, and direct new films, with the most recent release being “Divorce in the Black.” He landed a multi-year, first-look television deal with Netflix in February 2024 as well.
What’s more, Perry maintains “100% of the content he’s created,” which encompasses 1,200 television episodes, 24 stage plays, and 22 movies, Cosmopolitan mentioned. In 2023, Tyler Perry Studios’ valuation reached $280 million, per Forbes.
Beyond the numbers, the studio is also pioneering the next generation of filmmakers through its TPS Dreamers six-week, paid internship program. Experts in production, information technology, art and graphic design, and post-production will guide students.
Inspiring 50 Cent
Perry’s blueprint has been an inspiration to rapper 50 Cent, who is the co-creator and executive producer of the STARZ TV series “Power,” which inspired several spin-offs, including “Power Book II: Ghost,” “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” and “Power Book IV: Force,” as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
Now, 50 Cent is taking greater control through the launch of G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, LA, Blavity mentioned. It will be the second-largest Black-owned studio, behind Tyler Perry Studios, once completed, US Weekly noted.
“From the gritty narratives of the streets to the compelling stories that define our era, G-Unit has always been more than just entertainment; it’s a platform for voices that need to be heard, stories that need to be told,” 50 Cent told Billboard. “Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation.”
Potential Collaboration
Speaking on 50 Cent’s accomplishments, Perry told TMZ, “I’m so proud of that man. He’s amazing, and he’s blowing it up out of the water. I’m super, super proud of him.”
Perry even showcased interest in collaboration down the line, adding, “If he wants to. I love that dude.”
50 Cent learned some tips and tricks during a June 2024 visit to Tyler Perry Studios.
“I’m leaving no room for error. Tyler showed me some sh-t today that inspired me,” he wrote on Instagram.
The week before, 50 Cent also revealed that there was no competitive spirit between him and Perry and double-downed on how the billionaire has been an asset.
“I’m doing great, but you’re getting it f–ked up if you think me and Tyler will be at odds at any point. He’s helping me, already going out of his way to aid my progress. So in the nicest way. Cut the sh-t,” 50 Cent commented on Instagram.
50 Cent Is In No Rush To Become A Billionaire
While Perry’s blueprint appears to be helpful for the rapper, there is one trait Perry has that 50 Cent reveals he is not concerned about — he’s a billionaire.
“I’m not sure I’m in a hurry to reach that because I’ve reached a point where I don’t have anything that I want that I don’t have. So, I don’t know what the rush is to get to that point,” 50 Cent told Us Weekly. “Look, I bought every car that I wanted two or three times, bought them, and put them back. The newer versions came, put it back… and that’s just the success from ’03.”
He later added, “Financially, when you get to that point, you got to figure out how to put it back. You got to figure out what are you doing as a philanthropist. This is when you start building legacy. You start doing things that are a little more sophisticated because people remember people who helped.”
