What Is The 50th Law?

I walked into Sirius XM headquarters feeling a strange mixture of pride and humility. I had been around celebrities so often that their presence no longer affected me. I had mentioned to Storm earlier, “You know, the only person I’d ever ask for a picture with is 50 Cent.” We shared a knowing laugh, acknowledging the fact that the novelty of star power had worn off for both of us. Making our way up the escalator, we anticipated another routine day at Shade 45. Another day, another celebrity guest. The Shade 45 studio was still under renovation, so Coach PR and DJ Caesar would be waiting for us inside a different studio space, surrounded by glass windows. As we entered, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being lost in the entertainment industry, unsure of where I fit in this whirlwind of talent and fame. As if on cue, the room collectively stared in one direction. I followed their gaze and my heart skipped a beat – it was none other than 50 Cent himself, walking by the glass-encased studio. He had history with both Coach PR and Storm, and I watched in awe as they made eye contact and acknowledged each other through the window. Time seemed to slow down as our recording session wrapped up, and we all made our way toward the lobby. There, we encountered 50 Cent once again, this time surrounded by a throng of eager fans and peers, posing for pictures. As I heard him say “enough photos,” I felt a sudden surge of determination. I jumped up, and using my relationship with Storm as leverage, approached 50. “Storm’s gonna take the photo, come on 50.” I urged. He looked me in the face and hesitated for a moment before grabbing my hand and glancing in Storm’s direction. As the photo was taken, 50 leaned in and whispered, “Oh, you’re with Storm? Don’t you know he keeps all the money?” He laughed and walked away, leaving me standing there with a fading smile. The weight of his words settled on me like a dark cloud, and I began to question the reality of the industry I was immersing myself in. Was it all just a game of appearances, with everyone looking out for their own interests? Did I have what it took to navigate these murky waters and still maintain my integrity? As I walked away from that encounter, the process of paying my dues had suddenly felt like a curse. I thought back to Robert Greene, and what he said live on the air with Bud and Roach. The 50th law is fearlessness, and 50 Cent embodied this superpower. As the moment became a memory, and I returned to the streets of Brooklyn, I look for the nearest bar and use alcohol to ease my anxiety.