50 Cent's Mother Sabrina Jackson Died When He Was 8 Years Old Facts about Her

Publish date: 2024-05-20

Rapper 50 Cent's mother, Sabrina Jackson, was an influential figure who shaped his life in adverse and favorable ways. Despite her tumultuous history, he has held her in high regard throughout his career.

Sabrina Jackson was the woman that her son, Curtis James Jackson III, famously known as the rapper 50 Cent, deeply admired and loved yet also held a notable level of fear for.

Throughout 50 Cent's early years of upbringing, Sabrina Jackson, a single mother, appeared to embody the concept of tough love as a central theme for her unique motherhood.

50 Cent at the premiere of Crackle's "The Oath" on March 7, 2018, in Culver City, California. | Source: Getty Images

50 Cent's Mother Was Involved in Illicit Street Activities

Before attaining fame, rapper 50 Cent was a gritty, fearless kid from the streets, but what might come as a surprise is that he had one person he was afraid of — his late mother, Sabrina Jackson. He admitted that he felt greater fear toward his mom than those who dared to challenge him.

While he often got into trouble when young, 50 Cent said he "could not escape" from her stern discipline. 50 Cent's mother, a bisexual woman, gave birth to her son at 15. As the rapper recalled, she was a strong-willed mother, as she was involved in street-level dealings and tended to spoil her son with jewelry.

50 Cent at STARZ "Power" Season 4 L.A. Screening And Party on June 23, 2017, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

According to 50 Cent, Sabrina had close companions who possessed lavish items like Cadillacs and valuable jewelry, which often represented financial freedom for him. Despite experiencing a challenging upbringing, Sabrina meant everything to 50 Cent. He recognized her resilience as she skillfully navigated life as a single mother. He said:

"She was my mom and my dad and she was tough so I didn't know when it was OK to be emotional and when it wasn't... She would look at me on the floor [when he was upset] and say, 'Get up — what you over there crying for acting like a little girl [for].'"

50 Cent at the premiere of STX Films' "Den of Thieves" on January 17, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Recalling his childhood, the rapper said that Sabrina would borrow prison-yard tricks to help him defend himself during his school day, such as putting toys in socks as a makeshift weapon.

The unique strategy has been unforgettable for the renowned artist, as he even applied his mom's similar sock technique when he played the character Kanan in the TV show "Power Book III: Raising Kanan."

50 Cent performs live during Rolling Loud music festival at Citi Field on October 13, 2019, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Sabrina Passed Away When 50 Cent Was Only a Child

In 2021, Page Six reported that 50 Cent's mother died in a fire when the rapper was just eight years old. However, according to a 2005 report from The Guardian, she was murdered. The rapper's grandparents were the ones who came to his school to share the heartbreaking news.

It wasn't until he reached his teenage years that he learned about the tragic details surrounding his mother's death. He eventually moved to his grandparents' home after his mom died. Sabrina's untimely death profoundly impacted 50 Cent, leading him to blame her absence for any misfortunes in his life.

He often thought that things would be better if she were still alive. Reflecting on his loss, 50 Cent remarked that his mother's death marked the departure of all that was once good.

50 Cent said he became a man with "the least amount of fear in the room."

50 Cent at Univision Studios to promote the film "Den of Thieves" on January 11, 2018, in Miami, Florida. | Source: Getty Images

Despite losing his beloved mother, 50 Cent found a maternal figure — his late grandmother. His grandmother, a fan of renowned host Oprah Winfrey, showered him with affection and nurture, treating him as if he were her own son.

Unfortunately, 50 Cent's beloved grandma lost her battle with cancer after displaying immense courage. He lovingly conveyed that his grandmother held the deepest place in his heart and was the love of his life.

50 Cent at the world premiere of "Nobody's Fool" on October 28, 2018, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

50 Cent Regards His Mother as 'Influential'

For 50 Cent, he said that his late mom was the "most influential person" in his life. His close relationship with his mom granted him invaluable lessons in practical business acumen and adept negotiation skills.

At 12 years old, the rapper started hustling on the streets, and by his late teens, he owned two luxury cars, a firearm, and a small group. Despite a tough life, 50 Cent gained valuable skills through challenging experiences.

He recounted living in his grandparents' house, explaining that nine family members relied on his grandfather's income to make ends meet. He noted that, with bills to pay, there was little left over for personal expenses.

50 Cent at a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 30, 2020, in California. | Source: Getty Images

Sharing his outlook on business and his past encounters — including surviving being shot nine times — 50 Cent said he became a man with "the least amount of fear in the room." He believed these experiences had toughened him, allowing him to approach business discussions with greater courage.

In addition to becoming proficient in business, 50 Cent also learned from his mother the importance of treating everyone justly. He recalled, "My mom always taught me, 'You treat the janitor and the senator the same.'"

The rapper is among today's numerous celebrities who weathered a heart-wrenching childhood before finding their path to success. Noteworthy figures with a similar upbringing include rapper Jay-Z, pop star Christina Aguilera, and entertainment mogul Tyler Perry.

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