Curtis Jackson, also known as 50 Cent, has officially opened his G-Unit Film & TV Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. At a ceremony that was attended by hundreds of Shreveport residents and supporters on Thursday, Mayor Tom Arceneaux awarded the entrepreneur a key to the city, further expanding his entertainment empire.
Additionally, April 18 was declared as 50 Cent Day in the city. Mayor Tom Arceneaux declared, “This is the first public presentation I’ve made of a key to the city in my administration,” according to KTBS3.
The Huntington and BTW high school marching bands performed during the ceremony, which took place on the steps of Government Plaza.
50 Cent expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “And I want to remind you that betting on me is not a gamble. It’s a sure thing because together we will make history.”
“It’s more than just a business decision. This is a commitment to fostering talent, to creating opportunities and to invest in the community itself, to build what I would need to be able to execute what I got going with G Unit Studios. It is going to create a lot of jobs,” he added.
As per the publication, he acquired ownership of the former Millennium Studios on January 1, after the city initially arranged with him to purchase it in November. According to the deal, G-Unit will lease the building for 30 years for $2,400 per year. He will also be in charge of building maintenance and has the option of extending his contract for an additional 15 years.
The hip-hop celeb now intends to refurbish it and produce several films there. He went on to say, “My aim is to embody the spirit of conscious capitalism, to focus on creating jobs, stimulating commerce, and contributing to economic growth for this vibrant community.”
The honoree told Billboard, “As someone who has always believed in the transformative power of music, film, and television, I’m beyond excited to introduce the expansion of my G-Unit Film & Television through the launch of G-Unit Studios right here in Shreveport.
“From the gritty narratives of the streets to the compelling stories that define our era, G-Unit has always been more than just entertainment; it’s a platform for voices that need to be heard, stories that need to be told. Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision; it’s a commitment to fostering talent, creating opportunities, and building a community that thrives through creativity and innovation. We see Shreveport as a beacon of inspiration and creativity.”
50 Cent’s 956,000-square-foot property is reportedly the second biggest Black-owned production studio in the world, behind Tyler Perry’s studio in Atlanta, which he launched in 2019.
