50 cent in talks with Apple over low-cost computers
The hip-hop star who "put Lamborghini doors on that Es-co-lade" is now looking to Apple Computer for help in placing affordable computers in the hands of the less wealthy.
According to Forbes, rapper 50 Cent is currently in negotiations with Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs to produce a line of affordable home computers for inner-city residents.
"I'm creating a foundation that will be around for a long time, because fame can come and go or get lost in the lifestyle and the splurging," 50 Cent told the publication. "I never got into it for the music. I got into it for the business."
The negotiations between the rapper and Apple are for a "branding deal."
50 Cent ranks amongst the world's richest celebrities, raking in over $67 million in 2005 from record sales and branding deals that include a line of sneakers, a video game and his G-Unit clothing line.
"[Jobs] is setting a new standard in the music business," said 50's manager, Chris Lighty. "Let's just say we get each other."
50 Cent's untitled third album is due out by Christmas.
According to Forbes, rapper 50 Cent is currently in negotiations with Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs to produce a line of affordable home computers for inner-city residents.
"I'm creating a foundation that will be around for a long time, because fame can come and go or get lost in the lifestyle and the splurging," 50 Cent told the publication. "I never got into it for the music. I got into it for the business."
The negotiations between the rapper and Apple are for a "branding deal."
50 Cent ranks amongst the world's richest celebrities, raking in over $67 million in 2005 from record sales and branding deals that include a line of sneakers, a video game and his G-Unit clothing line.
"[Jobs] is setting a new standard in the music business," said 50's manager, Chris Lighty. "Let's just say we get each other."
50 Cent's untitled third album is due out by Christmas.
Comments
Originally posted by crees!
So Apple's low-budget computers will speak ebonics when you use VoiceOver? Wicked.
You ignorant ass! keep this racist shite off the boards.
Originally posted by deepthunder
You ignorant ass! keep this racist shite off the boards.
Go cry me a river.
Originally posted by crees!
Go cry me a river.
Excuse me? Want to try that again?
Originally posted by bryand
Wow, the comments on this story have degenerated to personal insults in record time. I went to look at the comments expecting some views on the philanthropy of 50 cents and the potential good will and marketing opportunities for Apple.
Personally, I think it's great what 50 Cent is doing.
So, rather than yelling "racist" like a knee-jerk idiot, think about it for a second. If you're too blinded to look at a moronic aspect of any given culture, that's a bad thing (in this case, the way rappers glorify a miserable way of life that they are glad to have escaped).
Seriously, this whole involvement of Fifty Cent makes me laugh. The fact that he's motivated entirely by the dollar doesn't bother me, but his continual insistence on milking a population that doesn't need to be milked any further is counter-productive to his alleged cause.
50 Cent told the publication. "I never got into it for the music. I got into it for the business."
I think it's a great idea if it were truly affordable, but I can't help but think this would benefit 50 cent and Apple more than inner-city kids. Anyway, it's called eMac and have I not heard several rumors about an intel revision in the works? If they branded it, I think they'd probably go with U2.
i think this is great. i recall apple was turned down when they offered os x for that 100-dollar computer project.
a flash-memory based laptop running os x would be sweet. small, light, running some inexpensive intel chip.
who knows what a computer like that would cost though.
I thought the ebonics line was funny. I also think it's fitting, given the ridiculous stature of pop music icons, rappers especially.
What does speaking ebonics have to do with 50 Cent offering affordable computers for inner city residents?
I can't see Apple branding a line of computers with 50 Cent, as tacky as that whole culture is.
As wealthy as he is he should cut a deal with Apple to purchase a batch of Macs at a reduced cost and give them to inner city community centers and schools.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Seriously, this whole involvement of Fifty Cent makes me laugh. The fact that he's motivated entirely by the dollar doesn't bother me...
Wouldn't he be motivated by the half dollar?
Originally posted by TenoBell
As wealthy as he is he should cut a deal with Apple to purchase a batch of Macs at a reduced cost and give them to inner city community centers and schools.
DING DING DING There's the key. No where does he say he wants to do this, I mean he surely cannot live off of $67 million a year I mean come on I can't even live that cheap
NO F*&!ING WAY this will happen.
But seriously, in all likelihood he's trying to do something good here, but at the same time pop culture says and does some really stupid shit these days.