The 50th Law

Lore & Background

The 50th Law grew out of the friendship and mutual admiration between 50 Cent and Robert Greene. Greene's book The 48 Laws of Power, a staple in the hip hop world, came to 50 Cent's attention, and he asked his manager to arrange a meeting. Greene was surprised by 50 Cent's persona and impressed by his 'Zen-like calmness' and eye for strategy. The two began working on a book project combining their worlds. According to Greene, 50 Cent embodies characteristics Machiavelli noticed in strong leaders; according to 50 Cent, Greene's books describe laws and strategies used by hustlers on the street, even if they might not know the 'technical terms' for what they were doing.

Reader's Guide

Each of the 10 chapters in The 50th Law explains a factor of fearlessness, beginning with how 50 Cent learned this Fearless Philosophy in Southside Queens. The book illustrates its laws by supplementing anecdotes from 50 Cent's life with historical examples from figures including Malcolm X, Miles Davis, Sun Tzu, François de La Rochefoucauld, Machiavelli, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Thucydides, Dostoyevsky, Charlie Parker, and the Baron de Montesquieu. The book debuted at #5 on The New York Times Bestseller list and was a USA Today bestseller. The New York Post called it 'a modern day Art of War,' The Guardian referred to it as 'a manual on power similar to the works of Machiavelli and Sun Tzu,' and Library Journal noted it is written for 'anyone interested in how to succeed in business and the game of life.' The book was also mentioned in numerous outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, and Business Insider, and was published as a 60-page comic book.

Did You Know?

• The 50th Law is a New York Times bestselling book on strategy and fearlessness.
• The book grew out of the friendship between rapper 50 Cent and author Robert Greene.
• The New York Post called The 50th Law 'a modern day Art of War.'
• The 50th Law was also published as a 60-page comic book.