As Houston continues to accept the native of Queens, New York, as one of its own, 50 Cent has been awarded his own day and the city’s key.
At the city’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner gave the renowned awards to the head of G-Unit (November 24).
“This is somebody who is a philanthropist, rapper, artist, business person – you name it,” Mayor Turner said during the ceremony. “He used to live in another city up north but found his way down south.” “This is one person who is now a Houstonian. I want to thank him.”
“He didn’t just come here to live; he has been helping out on so many causes in this city – especially in our high schools, turning our high school students into entrepreneurs with his G-Unity program. This city has been elevated because of his presence, and so today we have the honor of saying to him, “He’s our 2022 Grand Marshal.”
Mayor Turner joked after giving 50 Cent the key to the city, drawing laughter from the rapper, “Anywhere you go, 550 buildings, use the key, and the door will swing wide open.”
On behalf of the Houston City Council, 50 Cent also received a proclamation designating November 24 as Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson Day in the city. His “successful career” and “countless humanitarian efforts” are mentioned in the proclamation along with other accomplishments.
A 50 Cent wearing a Houston, Texas, cap with excitement also spoke briefly on the mic.
“Thank you, Mayor Turner. I just want to say it’s an honor to be here today. “I’m really excited about being in Houston,” he began. “Since I made my way out here, Houstonians have embraced me with open arms, and it just feels like a great place for me to expand G-Unity as a foundation.”
He added: “I think the legacy [is] always people who help people, so it’s exciting for me to make it to the next stage.” Thank you.”
Ever since moving to Houston in early 2021, 50 Cent has left his stamp on the city. The rapper established the G-Unity Business Lab through his G-Unity Foundation, an “educational intervention program” with the purpose of fostering the entrepreneurial abilities of high school pupils in the Houston Independent School District.
Jackson has made a name for himself in the city’s sports and entertainment areas as well. The Houston Rockets, Astros, and Texans have partnered with his Sire Spirits brand, and in August last year, he served as the emcee of the first Houston Tycoon comedy and music festival.
50 and the Rockets collaborated earlier this week to distribute 1,000 free turkeys to nearby families in time for Thanksgiving.
