50 Cent will be in Austin next week to remind fans that, once upon a time, he was still making music, even amazing music.
The rapper-turned-movie exec will be performing his 2003, 8x platinum Interscope debut “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” in its entirety for the Shady 2.0 SXSW Showcase, courtesy of Eminem’s Shady Records. Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse — who were the two big new signings to the label last January — are also confirmed to help headline the March 16 (Friday) show at the Austin Music Hall.
Big K.R.I.T., Schoolboy Q, Action Bronson, Don Trip, STS and The Foodchain are also on the bill.
The performance of “Get Rich or Die Trying” boggles the mind in a few ways. First, 50 Cent has been edging away from music altogether in recent years, in lieu of launching Cheetah Vision, his film production company and acting in almost a dozen films in the last three years. He continues to support other ventures like G-Unit clothing and releasing a memoir.
Part of the delay on releasing something new has to do with disputes with Interscope, which 50 has publicly admitted to. The differences may be creative: he has threatened a dance-inspired album, which never came to pass, instead of a straight-forward “Get Rich”-inspired rap album, which will be his fifth and first since 2009’s “Before I Self Destruct.”
So this showcase may signal that Interscope/Shady and 50 Cent have made nice and are ready to proceed with re-building the brand of 50 Cent As Rapper. “Discovered” by Eminem at the turn of the century, Marshal Mathers may even be present to help prop up on songs like appropriately titled “Patiently Waiting.” Now if Dr. Dre could get his cards stacked right…
It could be a larger indication of big movements from Shady Records on the whole. The signing of Hip-Hop’s New Class member Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse (one half of which is Royce da 5’9″, who spent last year recording and touring with Eminem as Bad Meets Evil) in 2011 was the first indicator, but with Em in working order, back from tour, producing and championing newer, younger acts, we could see more and more powerhouse signings, perhaps of talent showing up in Austin.
This show will surely be one of the most sought-after, well-attended spots at the festival this year; the potential for stage-crashers and collaborations is optimal. Will you be there?