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50 Cent reveals childhood nickname he almost used before becoming famous
14th August, 2026 10:24 AM
American rapper and actor 50 Cent has revealed that one of the biggest names in hip-hop could have sounded very different if he had decided to keep the nickname he was given as a child.
The award-winning rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, recently opened up about the stage name he almost used before becoming known worldwide as 50 Cent. Speaking during an appearance on The Tonight Show on August 11, the rapper shared that his first nickname was far from the tough image many fans associate with him today.
“My first nickname was Boo Boo,” Jackson said. He then laughed at the thought of using it throughout his music career, adding, “It wouldn’t work well,” Jackson joked.
The revelation quickly caught the attention of fans, with many amused by the idea that one of the most recognisable figures in rap nearly entered the industry with an entirely different identity.
Why the name 50 Cent became part of his identity
For years, fans have been curious about the story behind the rapper’s famous stage name. While appearing on an interview in 2014, Jackson explained that one of the questions he is asked most often is whether people should call him “Fifty” or “Fiddy”.
“The question I get asked the most is Fifty or Fiddy?” Jackson said.
He explained that both pronunciations are common, but he still had a playful way of responding to the debate. “If you say fifty, call me Fifty,” he said. Using an image of US currency to make his point, the rapper added, “If what you see is Benjamins, Fiddy is just fine,” Jackson joked.
The story behind the famous rap name
Although many people associate the name 50 Cent with money, the rapper has previously explained that there was a deeper meaning behind it. In a 2013 interview, Jackson revealed that he borrowed the name from a man who lived in the Fort Greene housing projects in Brooklyn, New York.
“There was actually a guy from the Fort Greene projects who called himself 50 Cent,” Jackson explained.
However, he said he was not trying to copy another person. Instead, he used the name as a symbol that reflected his own journey and approach to music. “I used it as a metaphor for change. Musically, I had my own way of doing things,” Jackson said.
A name that represented his life philosophy
Jackson later expanded on the meaning of the stage name during a 2005 interview. According to the rapper, the name represented independence and determination. “I took the name 50 Cent because it says everything I want it to say,” Jackson explained.
He added, “I’m the same kind of person 50 Cent was. I provide for myself by any means.”
More than two decades after releasing some of his biggest hits, Jackson continues to prove that a stage name can become much more than a label.
And while fans may find the idea of calling the rap icon “Boo Boo” amusing, it is difficult to imagine songs such as In Da Club or Candy Shop being released under any other name than 50 Cent.
