Fiddy launches film production firm
Fiddy has launched his own film production company - though he says it won't distract him from his music
It seems rapper 50 Cent won't be spending much more time In Da Club.
Fiddy rocked up to the Sundance Film Festival, accompanied by his massive entourage, to announce he's setting up his own film production company.
At a specially arranged press conference in quiet Park City, Fiddy - whose real name is Curtis Jackson - explained how he was teaming up with film producer Randall Emmett and his manager Chris Lighty to work on the new project.
"I believe it eventually will be a movie studio but for now we can do business with really big movie studios, you know you gotta start somewhere," the star said.
As yet Fiddy's company doesn't have a name.
"We had ideas for the name for the actual company, but we haven't received the official OK, so we say we hate to be sued," Fiddy continued. "I like to make money, I don't like people to take money, I sit through depositions for no apparent reason - so we try to limit that."
The rapper was keen to stress it wasn't just a means of him securing more acting roles, saying: "I won't necessarily be in every film I'm producing if y'all confused."
But don't think this means 50 will be stepping away from the music scene.
The star said: "I still have a passion for music that I can't shake."
Fiddy also revealed he'd like to work with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Rapping up the wealth
P Diddy has lucrative holdings in restaurants, a record label, a film production company and two designer clothing labels
Rap music has come a long way from inner-city block parties and demo tapes.
These days, super-rich stars like 50 Cent are turning their diamond-encrusted hands to ever more diverse - and lucrative - projects, building business empires on the back of a brand.
As Fiddy announces his latest product launch - a film productiom company - we look at just some of the giants of the rap world who have used their name to sell almost anything - from fashion lines and designer fragrances to video games and condoms.
:: 50 Cent
Besides his award-winning music, the mega-star, real name Curtis James Jackson III, has said of himself, "I am a corporation" and now has business interests including a mobile phone ringtone company, a cinema production company, book publishing, a record label, bottled water and a five-year deal with Reebok to drive his G-Unit Clothing Company.
The G-Unit brand reportedly made £30 million in its first year alone.
:: P Diddy
An icon of rap wealth, P Diddy was barred from releasing music in the UK under the shortened name Diddy following a court battle with London DJ Richard Dearlove. Richard already went by the same stage name, and was ordered to pay Dearlove "significant" damages.
It can't have hurt the American's finances too much though, as P Diddy - born Sean John Combs - still makes regular waves with his lavish lifestyle and lucrative other holdings in restaurants, record label Bad Boy Records, a movie production company and designer clothing labels Sean John and Sean by Sean Combs.
He was estimated to be worth US $358 in 2007.
:: Jay-Z
Also known as Shawn Carter, Jay-Z is one of the most successful rappers in the world and the partner of Beyonce Knowles. His portfolio includes sports bar chain The 40-40 Club, ownership of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, record companies and clothing lines and is credited with a shift of hip-hop fashion from hooded sweaters to jeans and button-up shirts.
:: Snoop Dogg
The rapper from Long Beach, California, recently drew giggles when he reportedly said he plans to start designing slippers with David Beckham - but it would add to Snoop's already long list of business interests outside music.
One of the more notable stars to emerge as a protégé of legendary rapper-producer Dr Dre, Snoop - aka Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr - has been one of the most controversial figures in hip-hop, with a history of gang and drug related legal cases against his name.
But with a vast range of brand-related products and endorsements including fashion label Snoop Dogg Clothing, shoe brand Doggy Biscuitz, games and marijuana-flavoured sweets, the rapper seems to have swapped the mean streets for Wall Street.
Profile: 50 Cent
Fiddy's mother died when he was just eight
Real Name: Curtis James Jackson III
Birth Date: July 6, 1975
Image: Hardcore gangsta US rapper
Best Known For: His albums Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre.
Early Life: 50 Cent was born and grew up in the South Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens in New York.
He was raised by his mother Sabrina, who gave birth to him aged 15. She died when Fiddy was just eight. He moved into his grandparents' house where he lived with his eight aunts and uncles.
He originally wanted to be a boxer but eventually fell into rapping. In 1996, a friend introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC who was organising Jam Master Jay Records. The label produced his first album but it was never released.
In 1999, Trackmasters signed him to Columbia Records.
Career High: Since his debut album was released in 2003, 50 Cent has sold over 20 million records worldwide. He has also built a multi-platformed business which includes a record label and clothing and footwear lines.
Love Life: Fiddy has a nine-year-old son Marquise with former girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins.
He also dated actress Vivica A Fox in 2003.
Don't Mention: In 2000, 50 Cent was attacked by a gunman. He was shot nine times and spent 13 days in recovery.
Words Of Wisdom: "I don't get worked up or excited about situations I can't control because it's not in my power, so I might appear crazy to some people."
Rapper 50 Cent has teamed up with film producer Randall Emmett to work on his new project - a film production company
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