Despite not releasing a new album in over a decade, 50 Cent continues to prove his lasting impact on the music and entertainment industry. The rap icon was crowned the most-streamed New York rapper of 2024, amassing an incredible 1.89 billion streams on YouTube. This achievement places him ahead of some of New York’s biggest rap heavyweights, including JAY-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Cardi B.
The G-Unit mogul took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone, proudly sharing screenshots of his YouTube stats. “I told you I run New York in ’05, nothing has changed! LOL Don’t believe me, check the numbers,” he wrote, referencing his past claim to dominance in the city’s rap scene.
Nicki Minaj came in second with 1.43 billion streams during the same period (January 21, 2024, to January 21, 2025), followed by Cardi B with 921 million and JAY-Z with 721 million. Other notable New York rappers who earned impressive streaming numbers include the late Pop Smoke (715 million), A$AP Rocky (619 million), The Notorious B.I.G. (567 million), Busta Rhymes (412 million), Diddy (386 million), DMX (376 million), and Nas (313 million).
This achievement highlights 50 Cent’s enduring influence, even as he focuses more on his ventures outside music. From producing hit TV shows to making waves in the film industry, his entrepreneurial spirit remains unmatched.
In addition to his streaming success, 50 Cent recently celebrated the box office triumph of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which he produced. The film debuted at number one, earning an impressive $15 million during its opening weekend exceeding industry expectations.
Reacting to the film’s success, 50 posted on Instagram, “Check me out Den of Thieves 2 #1 in theaters. What a way to start 2025!” Unlike the original film, 50 does not appear in the sequel, but the star-studded cast includes O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube’s son) and Gerard Butler, who reprise their roles as a bank robber and police officer, respectively.
As his star continues to rise, there’s buzz around 50 Cent potentially hosting the 2025 Emmy Awards. Actor and comedian DeRay Davis recently suggested that the rapper would be an excellent choice to helm the prestigious event.
“This is gonna sound crazy—and I don’t know if he’d do it—but I think 50 Cent should host the Emmys. He’s funny … and deserving. Why not?”
50 quickly responded to the idea with enthusiasm. Sharing Davis’ comments on Instagram, he wrote, “@deraydavis this is so cool. You saying this made my day. 2025 is gonna be the year. Turn down for what!”
50 Cent’s continued dominance, both in music and entertainment, serves as a testament to his versatility and staying power. Whether breaking records on streaming platforms, producing box office hits, or entertaining the idea of hosting major award shows, 50 Cent remains at the top of his game.
