50 Cent and Planet Hollywood Ink $100 Million Deal for Times Square Venue

Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson performs in front of a massive hundred-dollar bill stage graphic during his 2023 "The Final Lap Tour." Expanding his empire far beyond his South Jamaica, Queens, roots, the G-Unit mogul announced a $100 million partnership on Tuesday to launch PH Live, a next-generation entertainment venue set to take over Planet Hollywood's flagship location in Times Square. (Photo/Curtis Jackson via X)

If you had told the music industry in 1999 that the hungry kid from South Jamaica, Queens, who wrote "How to Rob" would eventually own a $100 million piece of Times Square real estate, they would have called you crazy. Yet, nearly three decades later, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has done exactly that.

On Tuesday, the G-Unit mogul and Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl announced a massive nine-figure partnership to launch PH Live, a next-generation entertainment venue set to take over the brand's flagship Times Square location.

When I get quiet I’m working, I’m working on it 😆💰PH live baby • https://t.co/WtNREs32V0 pic.twitter.com/ORWHnkjzkX

— 50cent (@50cent) March 23, 2026

The joint venture is a masterclass in modern mogul behavior, seamlessly merging Planet Hollywood's global hospitality infrastructure with Jackson's sprawling influence across music, premium television, and spirits. Pitched as an immersive, celebrity-driven hub, the revamped Times Square space is designed to host pop-up concerts, film premieres, live sporting event simulcasts, and exclusive album launch celebrations.

"Planet Hollywood has always been connected to pop culture, and PH Live takes that energy to the next level — a place where music, film, sports and nightlife collide," Jackson said in a statement released Tuesday.

To accommodate the rotating slate of high-profile events, the venue is being gutted and refitted with state-of-the-art LED technology and dynamic digital stage lighting capable of completely transforming the room's atmosphere. The move represents a strategic shift away from the tourist-heavy model Times Square is traditionally known for, aiming instead to establish an exclusive, high-stakes destination for artists, athletes, and entertainment insiders.

"Curtis has an incredible ability to bring culture, entertainment and audiences together," Earl stated. "With his global influence and creative vision, PH Live will usher Planet Hollywood into a new era of immersive entertainment."

The Times Square venue will be heavily infused with Jackson's personal branding, operating almost like a physical extension of his G-Unit Film & Television empire. The space will feature a curated display of memorabilia from his extensive on-screen career. Furthermore, the upscale dining menu will introduce a selection of his personal favorite dishes, including sweet chili shrimp, sliced steak paired with macaroni and cheese, and a signature burger topped with a closely guarded secret sauce.

This multi-million-dollar power play serves as a natural progression of Jackson's relationship with the Planet Hollywood brand, building off his successful "In Da Club" Las Vegas residency from earlier this year. Organizers have already indicated that the PH Live concept is expected to scale globally, with the next location earmarked for Shreveport, Louisiana — the exact city where Jackson is currently building his sprawling G-Unit Studios production hub.

Never one to miss a promotional opportunity, Jackson immediately took to social media following the announcement, telling his followers: "When I get quiet, I'm working, I'm working on it. PH live baby!"

Jury Sides With Afroman, Clearing Rapper in Defamation Lawsuit Over ‘Lemon Pound Cake’ Video

The jury has officially spoken, and the lemon pound cake is safe. On Wednesday afternoon, an Adams County, Ohio, jury delivered a monumental free speech victory for rapper Afroman, completely rejecting a multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit filed by the seven sheriff's deputies who raided his home in 2022.

The sweeping verdict concludes one of the most bizarre, viral and highly entertaining First Amendment trials in recent hip-hop history.

The deputies had sought a staggering $3.9 million in total damages. They claimed the 51-year-old artist — born Joseph Foreman — subjected them to intentional infliction of emotional distress, public ridicule and invasion of privacy after he utilized his home surveillance footage of their botched raid to create a series of mocking music videos, most notably the hit "Lemon Pound Cake."

@wcpo9news Afroman took the stand Tuesday, defending his videos and social media posts about the Adams County sheriff's deputies who accuse him of using their likeness without permission after they executed a search warrant at his home. #afroman #trial #cincinnati ♬ original sound - WCPO9News

After brief deliberations following Wednesday's closing arguments, the eight-person jury sided entirely with the rapper.

"In all circumstances, the jury finds in favor of the defendant. No plaintiff verdict prevailed," the judge stated while reading the decision, officially concluding the matter with defense verdicts across the board.

The trial itself produced a string of viral, internet-breaking moments. Foreman attended the proceedings dressed in a full red, white and blue American flag suit. Conversely, the plaintiffs' testimony routinely devolved into absurdity. On Monday, Deputy Lisa Phillips — who had sought $1.5 million individually — broke down in tears on the witness stand while watching the music video. During cross-examinations, defense attorneys grilled officers on the stand, forcing them to answer questions regarding whether they resembled the Hunchback of Notre Dame and addressing rumors from the rapper's lyrics about infidelity.

Foreman maintained throughout the trial that he only created the videos to recoup the costs of the property damage caused by the raid — which famously turned up zero evidence of criminal activity and resulted in no charges. He also pointed out that the deputies disconnected his security cameras during the search and claimed that roughly $400 in cash was missing when his seized property was returned.

The verdict serves as a massive validation for constitutional watchdogs. Both the ACLU and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) publicly supported Foreman, arguing that the deputies' lawsuit was a blatant attempt to stifle the protected free speech of a private citizen criticizing government officials.

Ultimately, the jury agreed: If law enforcement tears through a citizen's home and finds nothing, that citizen has every constitutional right to write a rap song about it.

Jay-Z and the Roots Will Share the Stage for the First Time in a Decade

Jay-Z and The Roots will headline the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia at the Belmont Plateau on May 30. The performance, confirmed Tuesday, marks the first time the Roc Nation founder and the legendary live band will share a stage in over a decade. The unique "JAŸ-Z" styling on the poster has sparked widespread speculation among fans regarding a potential dedicated 30th-anniversary celebration of his 1996 debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." (Photo/Courtesy of Live Nation Urban)

A bucket-list moment for hip-hop purists is officially happening this spring. On Tuesday, Live Nation Urban announced that Jay-Z will headline the 2026 Roots Picnic, sharing the stage with The Roots for the first time in over a decade.

The massive homecoming event will take place on May 30 at Philadelphia's Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park. The performance holds heavy historical significance, as it aligns with the upcoming 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s universally acclaimed 1996 debut album, "Reasonable Doubt."

​Backed by the legendary live instrumentation of The Roots — who are moving the festival to the Belmont Plateau after years at the Mann Music Center — the Roc Nation founder is expected to deliver a career-spanning set.

​"Moving the Roots Picnic to Belmont Plateau and bringing Jay-Z and The Roots together to perform are both bucket-list moments for us," Shawn Gee, president of Live Nation Urban and manager for The Roots, stated. General admission tickets officially went on sale Wednesday morning.