The rapper was famously shot nine times before he found fame, and was brought up by his grandmother after his mother was murdered when he was 12. His fraught relationship with his ex-girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins, with who he has 12-year-old son Marquise, has also hit headlines after she demanded millions from him following their split.

Although much is known about his private life, the rapper insists it`s no more interesting than what a lot of people go through. "Um... I don`t really have much of a personal life to offer," he said. "I`ve kept what little of my life that is personal to myself. I`m very private and it`s not a part of the show. I think some people really lose themselves to the entertainment business and they become consumed so much with entertaining people that they offer everything that they actually have, even down to inside their house, as far as reality television is concerned. But there`s got to be a place where you stop and you actually live away from it."

As well as a successful music career, 50 - real name Curtis Jackson - also has a clothes line, has acted and has written books. He insists music is his main love, explaining he still gets excited when he is due to perform.

"I don`t think I`ll retire," he told British newspaper The Independent. "I think you should look forward to me going behind the scenes more. I still have passion for music. And the music business itself has changed. If you can`t figure out how to develop the brand extension and opportunities that allow you to build up the marketing dollar, I don`t see how you can continue to be a superstar."
sections: Celebrities