By the age of 12, Curtis was a crack cocaine dealer and small-time crook. In the 10th standard, he was arrested for bringing narcotics and weapons to school, which prompted him to drop out and become a full-time criminal.

In 1994, at the age of 19, he was arrested for selling crack cocaine to an undercover police officer. A search of his home produced heroin, ten ounces of cocaine, marijuana and various weapons. He was sentenced to three-nine years in state penitentiary, but was released on parole after only six months.

The shooting

By 2000, 50 was something of a local celebrity in Southside Jamaica Queens. He was a well-known gangster, holding down territory and running a small narcotics cartel. He also enjoyed semi-notoriety as a hardcore rapper, though his amateur mixtapes and guest appearances garnered only underground recognition.

Then, just as he seemed poised to move towards a national audience, 50 was ambushed while entering a car outside his grandmother's home. A rival drug-dealer shot him nine times; one bullet entered his left cheek, damaged his jawbone, teeth and tongue, leaving him with a permanent slur. The alleged shooter was murdered three weeks later, though police were unable to pin the crime on Jackson.

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