Half a dollar

Music is a mirror, and hip-hop is a reflection of the environment that we grew up in. It's the harsh realities that end up in the music. If I ask you to paint a picture of the American flag and not use the color red, you're gonna have a difficult time. To capture what we try to capture in the art form, I'm sure some conservative Americans can't [identify] with it because of their lifestyle and the way they've actually been brought up, and they haven't been exposed to those realities."-50 Cent

He made a great point. Hate him or love him, he's defending Hip Hop more effectively than Cam'ron did on 60 Minutes.

Some say that the 'realities' he portrays in his lyrics are not really 'reality' or in other words, he doesn't live what he rhymes about. Well then again...is Eminem really mercilessly killing people? Will Bow Wow really shoot me if beef pops off in the club?

Are the following rappers really drug dealers?
Jay-z
Juelz Santana
Young Jeezy
Cam'ron
etc.

Entertainment. I'm not saying that every rapper is a liar but most rappers have been known for embellishing a little for entertainment purposes.

I understand the man has made some questionable decisions in the past by dissing Ja-Rule by stating that he writes women songs and yet he has come out with 'women songs' himself. But his hook game is top notch and is a businessman extraordinaire. I guess what I'm trying to say is...I fucks with fiddy. Don't like it, too bad.