Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, has built his G-Unit Film & TV Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. On Thursday, Mayor Tom Arceneaux presented the entrepreneur with a key to the city during a ceremony attended by hundreds of Shreveport residents and supporters, expanding his entertainment empire.
Additionally, April 18 was designated as 50 Cent Day throughout the city. Mayor Tom Arceneaux stated, “This is the first public presentation I’ve made of a key to the city in my administration,” according to KTBS3.
The Huntington and BTW high school marching bands performed at the ceremony, held on Government Plaza’s stairs.
50 Cent highlighted his enthusiasm for the event, adding, “And I’d like to remind you that betting on me is not a gamble. It is certain that we shall make history together.”
“This is not just a business choice. This is a commitment to developing talent, generating opportunities, and investing in the community as a whole, in order to establish the foundation for what I’ve started with G Unit Studios. “It will create a lot of jobs,” he added.
According to the publication, he purchased the former Millennium Studios on January 1, after the city first agreed to sell it to him in November. According to the agreement, G-Unit will lease the building for 30 years for $2,400 each year. He will be in charge of building maintenance and can extend his contract for another 15 years.
The hip-hop star now plans to renovate it and make many films there. He went on to add, “My aim is to embody the spirit of conscious capitalism, to focus on creating jobs, stimulating commerce, and contributing to economic growth for this vibrant community.”
The honoree told Billboard, “As someone who has always believed in the transformative power of music, film, and television, I’m beyond excited to announce the expansion of my G-Unit Film & Television through the launch of G-Unit Studios right here in Shreveport.”
“From gritty street storylines to fascinating stories that characterize our time, G-Unit has always been more than simply entertainment; it’s a platform for voices who need to be heard and stories that need to be told. Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is more than a financial choice; it is a commitment to developing talent, generating opportunities, and creating a community that lives on creativity and innovation. We regard Shreveport as a source of inspiration and creativity.
50 Cent’s 956,000-square-foot building is the world’s second largest Black-owned production studio, trailing only Tyler Perry’s studio in Atlanta, which opened in 2019.