The Daily Swarm

Sure, millions of Americans have lost their jobs, homes, savings, and more in this ailing economy, but what truly underscores the seriousness of the situation is the tragic plight of America’s hip-hop moguls. 50 Cent, a top selling hip-hop artist, realty TV star, and business man who’s lent his name to nything that moves (bottled water, body spray, condoms, etc) and who reportedly earned $150 million dollar last year is feeling the economic pain.

“Well yeah, I lost a couple million dollars already,” Fifty told the Canadian Press, “I sit with my investors and business managers and accountants looking at the numbers and I’m like, ‘Yo, the values of stocks in different areas that I invested in are decreasing!’ So I take the loss like everybody else.”

And what a loss it’s been for 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson). The 33-year old rap star has been unable to sell his Farmington, Connecticut mansion, complete with 40-person hot tub, 19 bedrooms and 37 bathroom and has been on the market for more than a year. Jackson nicknamed the property the “East Coast Playboy mansion,” but the fact that the estate once belonged to Mike Tyson has turned the prroperty into something of a cautionary tale rather than an hedonist’s retreat.

“I’m waking up in a room that was previously Mike Tyson’s bedroom, a fighter who earned over $500 million in his actual career,” Jackson said. “When I purchased his house from him he was in bankruptcy. If that’s not a strong enough reminder for you, I don’t know what’s going to remind you to be aware of where you are financially and make conscious decisions.”

Jackson says the economic downturn prompted him to delay the release of his new CD, “Before I Self Destruct,” from this month to 2009. “Pushing it back was to position myself a little better. I want to make sure (buyers) hear some things before I actually get my CD physically on sale,” he told the Canadian Press.

Complete interview here