Why 50 Cent was nearly banned from entering Canada
Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ emcee 50 Cent has been a mainstay in hip-hop since the turn of the millennium and is still a force to be reckoned with. The lyricist has been involved in a number of controversies over the years and has become notorious for his feuds with other artists.
That said, from the moment he arrived on the scene, he had an abrasive edge. Whether it’s his violent lyrics or intimidating and slightly aggressive performances, he undoubtedly reflected the harsh environment in which he was raised.
During his teenage years, 50 Cent was in the streets. As such, before he began a music career, he was deep into the world of crime and, before he signed with Eminem, had already been shot nine times.
The ‘Candy Shop’ lyricist was shot by what he has previously described as a “low-level” drug dealer. Bullets entered his body via his hand, arm, hip, legs, chest, and face, resulting in a permanently, partially visible hole in his face. However, he put his experiences into his music and quickly became a star.
Although Fifty has become one of the most influential artists in the music business and a proven powerhouse concerning entrepreneurship and joint ventures, early in his career, the prospect of doing business with the ‘In Da Club’ rhymer was risky. As such, in 2005, he was almost banned from entering Canada.
Fifty Cent’s musical messaging was direct, harsh, and unapologetic, something his fans loved but his critics didn’t. In 2005, following the release of The Massacre, as 50 Cent began preparing for his Canadian tour, he faced some government opposition and suggestions that he may be banned from Canada due to the content of his music.
Following the tour’s announcement, a top Canadian official spoke out about Fifty’s numerous brushes with the law and insinuated it would be unwise for Canada to endorse or support the rapper. The Member of Parliament for Toronto, Dan McTeague, spoke out, declaring that the rapper should not be allowed to enter the country and even suggested that he should be banned entirely.
Expressing his concern about the tour, McTeague stated, “I don’t think people in Toronto or any urban centre need or want to hear Mr Jackson’s message right now.” He continued, “We need to do a better job at protecting Canadians from people whose message runs counter to all of our efforts of trying to curb gun violence.”
Despite all of McTeague’s objections and calls for 50 Cent to be barred from entering Canada, he was ultimately unsuccessful. In fact, he failed so miserably that Fufty was granted a temporary resident’s permit. Fifty toured Canada for years to come. However, he now spends more of his time on various film and television sets than performing.