The Power series and ensuing television universe has been running since 2014, with four total series, each airing on the Starz Network. The shows each center on a different group of characters or elements of the criminal underworld, with a great deal of crossover between themes and lead actors from the other outings. Of course, several peaks and valleys within the four programs offer a wide array of quality content for viewers to binge through at their leisure.
The original Power concluded its illustrious 6-year run in 2020, while Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force are all still airing new episodes. While each series has its own world of intense thrills, rich characters, and compelling writing, some outings within the Power universe are better than others. Here’s a brief overview and ranking of each series from worst to best.
4. Power Book II: Ghost
The second series in the Power universe centers on the son of James “Ghost” St. Patrick, Tariq. Following up on Ghost’s exploits throughout the original show, Tariq begins to deal drugs on the streets of New York and finds himself in conflict with rival cartels and the woes of street life. Book II does an excellent job of carrying the torch from the original Power. However, the absence of Omari Hardwick looms over the entire production, making the program feel as though it’s missing something. While the show does a great job of expanding the world of Power, and showing additional sides of the underground world of crime, other entries into the universe have done an overall better job carving out their own lane.
3. Power Book III: Raising Kanan
Power Book III: Raising Kanan takes the fast-paced criminal underworld of New York and transports viewers back to the 1990s. The series centers on 50 Cent’s character, Kanan Stark, as a young man portrayed by Mekai Curtis. Though 50 Cent’s performance only lasted for the original Power series, the rap icon turned business mogul has continued to helm each of the Power shows as an executive producer.
The third book in the franchise offers a sympathetic coming-of-age story about one of the most beloved characters in the franchise, making Book III: Raising Kanan a fan favorite for many viewers. Of course, the show is plagued with a few slow episodes and a lot of filler plotlines, making it a great series to binge-watch but less enjoyable on a week-to-week basis. Like Book II and Book IV, Raising Kanan is still currently airing new episodes, with a fourth season slated to arrive later this year.
2. Power Book IV: Force
Power Book IV: Force is the fourth and most recent series in the growing Power television Universe. Unlike the previous three installments, Book IV takes a look at the criminal structure from the perspective of law enforcement. The show centers on Joseph Sikora’s Tommy Egan, who attempts to flee from his problems back in New York and head for Los Angeles. However, fate had other plans for the troubled NYPD detective as he becomes stuck in Chicago, navigating the minutiae of a criminal underworld in a completely different social landscape.
The show offers a deeper look into one of the key characters from the original Power series. It provides a refreshing change of pace both thematically and in terms of the show’s setting, proving that the Power franchise truly has the potential to cover a whole world of intersectionality. While many fans have come to revere Book IV: Forceeven more than several of the previous shows, nothing can top the original Power, which launched the entire franchise as we know it.
1. Power
Though a full decade has passed since its premiere, the original Power series remains unmatched. Something about the raw, explosive energy provided by the show has remained unforgettable for new and returning fans. At the same time, the thrilling conclusion serves to provide viewers with a sense of narrative closure. Perhaps other series within the franchise will garner the same favorable reception as Power once they conclude, although none of them have followed the same perfectly plotted three-act structure.
The show has won a myriad of awards for its illustrious run, including half a dozen NAACP Image Awards, though it joins prestige dramas like Better Call Saul and The Wire for having never won an Emmy. When new fans leap into the Power franchise, they can’t help but awe at the series that started it all.
Ty Dolla Sign has had a prominent rap career, but he also is jumping into the television world again. Fans of STARZ’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan series might be surprised when he pops up on their screens during episode nine, which airs today, February 2.
Here’s what to know about Ty Dolla Sign’s appearance in the Power franchise.
Who Does Ty Dolla Sign Play In ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan?’
During the recent “Home To Roost” episode of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Ty Dolla Sign appeared as the character Clarence “Krystal Light” TK. He helps Ronnie (Grantham Coleman) as his “most trusted soldier” who is “always ready for a gunfight,” according to Complex.
In a clip that was exclusively shared with the publication earlier this week, Clarence watches Ronnie and Gabriel Ayala (Joseph Melendez) get into a fight, which was sparked by the death of the latter character’s cousin, Juliana Ayala (Rosal Colon).
Before appearing on Raising Kanan, Ty Dolla Sign played himself on Insecure, according to his IMDb — so hopefully he gets to do more acting work on the series.
Ty Dolla Sign is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
At the end of episode five, Unique is killed, and so Badass will also be leaving the show. In an interview with People Magazine, the rapper and actor discussed how he felt about the choice.
When asked whether he was shocked while reading the script, Badass responded, “Absolutely. I was devastated. But all good things come to an end, and I feel like this character has helped me spread my wings in the TV and film industry. I mean, it’s very unfortunate. I hate to be leaving the Kanan family.”
He also apparently tried calling the showrunner, Sascha Penn, to possibly change the death of his character. As the rest of the cast knew it was his final moment on the show, Badass expressed how some of the fans might be feeling after watching it.
“I think a lot of people are going to be a little let down,” he added. “It’s like, ‘What the f*ck? He’s dead?’ It is not even the end of the season! It’s the f*cking middle of the season!”
Raising Kanan is still set to finish the season by airing every Friday on Starz.
STARZ has officially announced the commencement of production for the fourth season of its prestigious family crime drama, Power Book III: Raising Kanan. This exciting news comes ahead of the highly anticipated Season Three premiere on Dec. 1. The production for the new season is scheduled to kick off this week in New York.
“We’re thrilled to continue Kanan Stark’s story, and for fans to see how the events of his formative adolescent years continue to mold him into the cold-hearted villain they were first introduced to in ‘Power.’ We are quite sure that after viewers see the battle lines being drawn between Raq and Kanan on this epic upcoming third season that they will demand more,” said Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming for STARZ.
Season Three, set in the early 1990s, unveils the origin story of the beloved character, “Kanan Stark,” delving into his entry into the criminal world under the ruthless guidance of his mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas. The series stars MeKai Curtis as “Kanan,” Tony® Award winner Patina Miller as “Raq,” and Omar Epps as “Detective Malcolm Howard,” among other talented cast members.
Sascha Penn, the showrunner, will return for Season Four, maintaining the narrative momentum of this gripping addition to the Power Universe. Executive producers include Courtney A. Kemp, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Mark Canton, Chris Selak, and Kevin Fox. Lionsgate Television produces the series for STARZ.
50 Cent’s hit show, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, has just released its highly anticipated trailer for the upcoming third season. Following the journey of “Kanan Stark,” played by MeKai Curtis, as he rises through the ranks in the New York drug game, the trailer hints at a season filled with intense family drama, unexpected […]
50 Cent released the first trailer for Power Book III: Raising Kanan‘s third season on his Instagram, to the delight of fans. “So [shocked face emoji] I have the best tour and the best shows? How ya feel about it [Shrug emoji],” Fif captioned the post.
The trailer gives a nice little taste of what’s coming for the characters as they continue trying to conquer the Big Apple. Raquel’s desire to leave the game is stymied by a new and uneasy alliance with the old guard of New York’s mob scene. Meanwhile, still beefing with Raquel, Kanan seemingly strikes out on his own to make a name for himself. However, that appears to put in squarely in the crosshairs of both Raquel and the newly-freed Unique. “They won’t all be able to complete this intensely personal quest, but for those who do, the destination may reveal the most terrifying secret of all. There is no right and wrong or good and evil. There are no absolutes. In the end, there’s just you,” read STARZ’s synopsis for the season.
However, a new season of Power isn’t the only thing Fif has got going on at the moment. Earlier this week, Fif announced a new partnership for his Sire Spirits brand – the New Orleans Saints. “New Orleans has a special place in my heart. It’s a city that exudes creativity and soul, and it’s an honor to partner with an organization like the New Orleans Saints that embodies those same values. Together, we aim to create unforgettable moments and experiences for the city and its fans,” the rapper said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Saints were just as excited to bring Fif on board. “We are truly excited to partner with Sire Spirits. This collaboration represents a perfect blend of the energy and enthusiasm both the New Orleans Saints and Sire Spirits bring to the table. We believe this partnership will further enhance the game-day experience for our fans both inside and outside of the Caesars Superdome,” said Matt Webb, the team’s Vice President of Corporate Partnerships.
STARZ has unveiled the official trailer, character art, and key art for the upcoming third season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan. This much-anticipated season is set to return on December 1, continuing the origin story of the beloved character Kanan Stark, originally portrayed by 50 Cent in the flagship series.
The trailer shows the Thomas family in turmoil after a coordinated mob attack on Raquel, Marvin, and Lou-Lou. Raquel is looking to make a fresh start, but Kanan remains skeptical, unable to trust her proclamation of leaving the criminal life behind. The season is poised to dive into themes of truth, betrayal, and family ties.
The trailer also teases the return of Italian mob boss Stefano, portrayed by Tony Danza, and introduces new adversaries “Snaps” and “Pop,” played by Wendell Pierce and Erika Woods.
In season three, Kanan, played by MeKai Curtis, grapples with questions of morality, identity, and the gray areas between right and wrong. The entire Thomas family is embroiled in an existential crisis that challenges their very sense of self.
The series features an ensemble cast, including Patina Miller, Omar Epps, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Hailey Kilgore, Joey Bada$$, and others. Season three of Power Book III: Raising Kanan promises to deliver more gripping drama and character development.
Sascha Penn serves as showrunner and executive producer for the season. The Power Universe franchise is executive produced by Courtney A. Kemp, 50 Cent, Mark Canton, and others. Lionsgate Television produces the series for STARZ.
New episodes of Power Book III: Raising Kanan will be available weekly on Fridays at midnight ET on the STARZ app, STARZ streaming, and on-demand platforms, with linear broadcasts on STARZ at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.
STARZ has officially unveiled the eagerly awaited premiere date for the third season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Fans can mark their calendars for Dec. 1, when the series returns with all-new episodes. As the excitement builds, STARZ has treated viewers to a sneak peek with a collection of first-look photos from the upcoming season.
Viewers can anticipate a weekly dose of drama as new episodes of Raising Kanan will be released every Friday at midnight ET/PT on the STARZ app, various STARZ streaming platforms, and on-demand services. International audiences in the U.K. and Ireland can catch the show on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform. Linear viewers in the U.S. and Canada can catch the season premiere at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on STARZ. Get ready for another captivating chapter in the Power universe as Raising Kanan returns with its compelling storytelling and engaging characters.
The season’s synopsis reads:
With emotions high and the stakes even higher, we return to Southside Jamaica, Queens right where we left the Thomas family at the end of season two, with the family in turmoil and reeling from the Mob’s coordinated attack on Raquel, Marvin and Lou-Lou. The photos include a first look at new cast members Wendell Pierce and Erika Woods as “Snaps” and “Pop” Henry, as well as Grantham Coleman as “Ronnie,” whose casting was announced earlier this year. The new images also include Tony Danza reprising his role of Italian mobster Stefano Marchetti, and of course, returning series regulars including the formidable Patina Miller as “Raquel Thomas” and MeKai Curtis in the titular role of “Kanan Stark.”
Over the last two seasons of “Raising Kanan,” Kanan Stark has slowly learned the truth about not only his mother, but also himself. It has been a tortuous journey for him and everyone around him. With each new revelation, Kanan has been forced to confront his family’s seemingly never-ending web of secrets and lies. He has spent much of this time in a state of denial, but now, Kanan’s blinders are finally off, and he doesn’t like what he sees. In season three, Kanan finds himself grappling with the very notions of right and wrong. Good and evil. Fidelity and disloyalty. And he’s not alone. Every member of the Thomas family must confront an existential crisis that challenges their very identity. Whether it’s Marvin, who’s still trying to redeem himself, or Raq, who’s finally coming clean, or Lou, who’s wrestling with his own evil, or Jukebox, who’s simply trying to break free from her family’s pathology, they are all attempting to redefine and reinvent themselves. They won’t all be able to complete this intensely personal quest, but for those who do, the destination may reveal the most terrifying secret of all. There is no right and wrong or good and evil. There are no absolutes. In the end, there’s just you.
For better or for worse, 50 Cent has always been a captivating entertainer and that’s emphasized on both ends. The Jamaica, Queens rapper was catapulted and then some into the masses with his undeniable classic debut album Get Rich Or Die Trying. The album presented 50 Cent as an indestructible and impenetrable figure like no other. These qualities helped make 50 Cent the monumental figure that we now know him as.
Nowadays, 50 Cent’s name is attached to his Power Universe, a crime drama television world that he co-created with showrunner Courtney Kemp with the launch of Power in 2014. That series concluded after six seasons in 2020, but that wasn’t the end of the Power experience. What started next was three spin-offs: Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force. The universe dove into alternate narratives in the past, future, and a whole different world from the original Power series. It ensured that the Power legacy would last longer than most TV series do nowadays (minus The Walking Dead, which also has a plethora of spin-offs).
So how did 50 Cent go from hip-hop superstar with an undeniable classic album to a television mogul with a TV series beloved by his community?
It all starts heading into the 2010s, the decade that 50 Cent’s music stardom didn’t translate to the dominant commercial performances that we’d seen with his first three albums: Get Rich Or Die Trying, The Massacre, and Curtis. Before I Self Destruct was released at the end of 2009 and debuted at No. 5 on the album charts with first-week sales of 160,000 copies. While that number can get you a No. 1 album in 2023, that was not the case in 2009. What came next was 50 Cent’s slow exit from being a musician-first entertainer. Another album was delivered in 2014 with Animal Ambition after his release from Interscope Records. His long-delayed Street King Immortal album, which was announced in 2011, is now a “maybe one day” release, much like Dr. Dre’s Detox.
While 50 Cent’s music career was in a bit of a slump, his business ventures flourished. Various investments and partnerships brought the rapper massive success thanks to steps in the publishing, beverage, video game, and apparel industries. In 2010, months after releasing Before I Self Destruct, 50 Cent revived his G-Unit Films company that he originally launched in 2003 and renamed it G-Unit Films and Television. 50 Cent delivered several projects through G-Unit Films and Television within the first few years after the revamp, including Power. In a 2020 interview with The Washington Post, Kemp described the series as a “mixture of a detective story, cops and robbers, and it’s a soap also, it’s a love triangle drama, it’s a family drama.”
Initially, it wasn’t easy to find a home for Power. 50 Cent and Kemp shopped the series to a few platforms but failed to find one that would buy into the story until they came across STARZ and former CEO Chris Albrecht and former head of programming Carmi Zlotnik. “I remember being captivated by the ideas that they were talking about,” Zlotnik said. “I thought the combination of the vision that they had for a show would make something I had never seen before.”
Power delivered drama that left its viewers at the edge of their seats. Cliffhanger after cliffhanger enthralled fans with what could happen after each episode and season between main characters James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora), and others, regardless of how delusional the events in the series were. The growth was apparent too. Power season one finale reeled in 1.08 million U.S. viewers, season two’s finale had 1.54 million U.S. viewers, and season three and four’s finales had 2.01 U.S. million and 2 million U.S. viewers, respectively. Power was popular all over the world by the end of season four. According to Variety, with an average of 9.3 million multiplatform viewers per episode that season and an average of 7.3 million over the life of the series at the conclusion of season four, the success of Power was enough to earn 50 Cent a new four-year deal with STARZ reportedly worth up to $150 million.
By the time that deal was done, 50 Cent had another TV series in development: BMF. The now-released Demetrious Flenory Jr. and Da’Vinchi-led show recounts the rise and eventual fall of the Black Mafia Family drug organization that rose to prominence in the 1980s in Detroit. BMF currently stands as a cousin of sorts to the Power Universe.
Consistency is a key ingredient in the recipe to success for any artist in any field and 50 Cent was well aware of that. His run of consistent hits, catchy hooks, and exciting verses has turned into a run of his television shows that lasts for nearly an entire calendar year. To get a better picture of how continuous and frequent this cinematic universe runs, let’s take a look at the 2021-2022 “season.” Raising Kanan season one ran from July 18 – September 26, BMF arrived for season one from September 26 – November 21, Ghost season two aired from November 21 – February 6, 2022, and lastly Force concluded the run with its inaugural season that started on February 6 – April 17. After a break for the summer, Raising Kanan returned for season two on August 14, kicking off a new round for the run of shows. Through this, 50 Cent’s animal ambition seamlessly made its way from headphones and speakers to small screens all over the world.
Its ability to satisfy every fan of the original Power series is another reason that the Power Universe is successful. For those who desired a continuation of the story, there’s Ghost. If a new focus on fan-favorite Tommy Egan was sought, Force provided that. Wanted to see how the Power world was created? Look no further than Raising Kanan. Furthermore, 50 Cent’s cinematic world provided an aesthetic and focus to satisfy many tastes whether it be ‘80s hip-hop culture (Raising Kanan and BMF), present-day urban luxury (Ghost), a world controlled by the mafia (Force). Lastly, hip-hop culture remained present in all of the aforementioned series as names in or connected to it made appearances in all the shows. They include 50 Cent himself, Mary. J Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Jeremih, Redman, Jalen Rose, Method Man, LeToya Luckett, Omar Epps, Snoop Dogg, Serayah, Mo’Nique, Eminem, Yung Miami, and others. The culture that 50 Cent first rose to prominence in remained important to him even when he switched lanes and he made sure to include the names from today and yesterday to, once again, capture as many of its elements as possible.
In a world where television series don’t have the lifespans that they used to, 50 Cent and his team of crime drama producers and writers realized that aiming for lateral dominance with multiple options as opposed to longevity with just one would be more impactful for their universe. Add in consistency and attention to detail and audience, and you have the foundational pieces to build an empire that is the Power Universe. Nearly a decade in, 50 Cent wears the TV mogul hat proudly thanks to the success and growth of his cinematic universe.
50 Cent’s transition from rap superstar to a very successful executive producer of some of today’s most popular television shows is one that’s unmatched by many. His venture into the film industry began back in 2003 when he launched the film company G-Unit Films. In 2008, he launched Cheetah Vision which produces low-budget action thrillers for film markets across the world. G-Unit Films folded momentarily, but in 2010, 50 Cent revived it G-Unit Films and Television Inc. Under it, 50 Cent has teamed with STARZ and other TV companies to release great television shows that have grown to be favorites in households all over America.
Since the 2010 re-launch of G-Unit Films and Television Inc., keeping up with the various shows that 50 Cent has produced can be quite a task, especially if you’re new to it all. The following list will include all the shows that he’s executive produced starting with his trademark series Power, which as many of us now know, has expanded into its own universe. There are also other shows on this list that didn’t have the long life that Power did, and we’ll give some insights into some future releases that 50 Cent & Co. have on the way. This list will also be updated as new information comes out. So without further ado, here is what has existed, currently does, or will exist in 50 Cent’s cinematic universe.
Dream School
SundanceTV
Year: 2013 — 2014 Starring: 50 Cent, Genre: Reality TV Rating: TV-14 Runtime: 2 seasons, 10 episodes Created By: Jamie Oliver
The first TV show that 50 Cent helped to produce under the G-Unit Films and Television Inc. umbrella was a remake of the 2011 British documentary. 50 Cent watched chef Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Dream School, a seven-part series that took a group of struggling teenagers into his “dream school” where lessons would be taught by celebrities that were specialists in certain subjects. 50 Cent saw this documentary and knew he wanted to help bring the American version of the series to life, and that he did. “It’s an opportunity to utilize your celebrity and influence in a positive way,” he said in a 2013 interview with The Grio. “Jamie Oliver’s people reached out to me, and the show was previously a success. I knew it would be a success here also. “ Dream School launched in 2013 and went on to have two seasons and a total of ten episodes that featured civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, rapper Chuck D, rapper, producer, and DJ Swizz Beatz, chef David Cheng, astronaut Mae Jemison, and more as celebrity teachers.
Year: 2014 — 2020 Starring: Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Curtis Jackson, Michael Rainey Jr., Shane Johnson, Jerry Ferrara, Larenz Tate, Rotimi Akinosho, Gianni Paolo Genre: Crime, Drama Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 6 seasons, 73 episodes Created By: Courtney A. Kemp
Power is a crime drama television series that 50 Cent created and produced with Courtney A. Kemp. The show launched its first season in the summer of 2014 and went on to have six successful seasons before coming to an end in the winter of 2020. Power followed the story of James St. Patrick, played by Omari Hardwick, who was a smart and quick-on-his-feet drug dealer who went by the street name “Ghost.” The series follows his desire to exit the drug game and maintain and law-abiding life as a businessman who is the owner of a nightclub, Truth. Throughout the show’s six seasons, we watch St. Patrick’s attempts to balance his street life and business life with the hope of exiting out of the former. However, the pressures of street and business enemies, a crumbling marriage, grief, and more make that exit harder than expected. In the end, it leads to a tragic conclusion that sparks the beginning of three spin-offs of the original Power series.
50 Central was launched in the fall of 2017 on BET. It was a sketch comedy series hosted and presented by 50 Cent that went on to have just one season and 12 total episodes. 50 Central was a sketch comedy series that featured a cast of up-and-coming comedians at the time. Over the show’s 12 episodes, J.B. Smoove, Michael Blackson, Tiffany Haddiish, Alonzo B. Slater, Vivica Fox, and more appeared.
Year: 2017 — 2019 Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Katrina Law, Cory Hardict, J.J. Soria, Arien Escarpenta, Sean Bean, and Christina Millian Genre: Crime, Drama Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 2 seasons, 18 episodes Created By: Joe Haplin
In the spring of 2017, Crackle announced that The Oath had been green-lighted for production on an inaugural season that would consist of 10 episodes. The show was created and written by Joe Haplin who also served as the series’ showrunner alongside 50 Cent who would executive produce the series. As explained in an official synopsis, The Oath explores “a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join.” It’s a crime drama series that’s on-brand to most shows that 50 Cent has helped produce under G-Unit Films and Television Inc.
Year: 2020 — 2021 Starring: Nicholas Pinnock, Indira Varma, Joy Bryant, Mary Stuart Masterson, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Tyla Harris, Brandon J. Dirden Genre: Drama Rating: TV-14 Runtime: 2 seasons, 23 episodes Created By: Hank Steinberg
For Life is probably one of the more underrated entries in 50 Cent’s cinematic universe. Released in 2020, the ABC drama series went on for two seasons and 23 episodes with Hank Steinberg as the creator. For Life was inspired by the true story of Isaac Wright Jr. who was wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Wright Jr. is portrayed by Nicholas Pinnock who plays a man named Aaron Wallace. Just like Wright Jr., Wallace became an attorney during his time in prison and helped to overturn the wrongful convictions of several inmates before doing the same for himself. After his release from prison, Wallace would continue to help inmates have their convictions overturned. “I look at producing like finding the most significant stories, and then you come to a point where the facts are better than fiction,” 50 Cent said in a 2020 interview with Billboard. “For this, it wasn’t just the saying ‘one in a million.’ He really is just the only one.”
Year: 2020 — Starring: Michael Rainey Jr., Gianni Paolo, Shane Johnson, Lovell Adams-Gray, Woody McClain, Method Man, Mary J. Blige, Berto Colo, Alix Lapri, Larenz Tate Genre: Drama, Crime Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 3 seasons, 30 episodes (8 yet-to-be-released) Created By: Courtney A. Kemp
After the original Power series concluded in 2020, 50 Cent, the Power team, and STARZ announced four spin-offs of the original series. While one of them was eventually canceled, the remaining three have successfully continued the Power story and universe. Power Book II: Ghost was the first spin-off released and this series is based on the life of James “Ghost” St. Patrick’s son, Tariq, and the events that followed after the death of Ghost (sorry for the spoiler). In Power Book II: Ghost, Tariq is trying to navigate his new life as a college student while also trying to create a new legacy for himself and grow up to be much different than his father. Unfortunately, pressures to support his family in unimaginable ways result in Tariq being more similar to his father than he would’ve liked. Nonetheless, he tells himself that his decisions and actions are done to bring him one step closer to a life out of the streets.
Year: 2021 — Starring: Mekai Curtis, Patina Miller, Omar Epps, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Joey Bada$$, Hailey Kilgore, Toby Sandeman, Antonio Ortiz Genre: Drama, Crime Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 2 seasons, 20 episodes Created By:Sascha Penn
Power Book III: Raising Kanan is the second spin-off in the Power series. Unlike the other two, this one goes back in time to tell the story of Kanan, the mentor-turned-rival of James “Ghost” St. Patrick. Kanan introduced Ghost into the drug game, but as it was revealed in the original Power series, Ghost’s relationship with Kanan soured when he and his wife Tasha set him up to be put in prison on a ten-year sentence. Power Book III: Raising Kanan hasn’t re-enacted the first interaction between Ghost and Kanan, but in the series’ first two seasons, we see how Kanan (played by Mekai Curtis) was introduced into the drug game. We see that Kanan’s experience in the streets is rooted in a family organization that was in place before him, as we see in Power Book II: Ghost. Though Power Book III: Raising Kanan has been billed as a fictional story, 50 Cent has said that he drew on his childhood experiences in Queens to shape some of the show’s stories.
Year: 2021 — Starring: Demetrius Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi, Michole Briana White, Russell Hornsby, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Myles Truitt, La La Anthony Genre: Drama, Crime Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 2 seasons, 18 episodes Created By: Randy Huggins
Though BMF is not a part of the Power Universe, it does make use of the same qualities that make a 50 Cent-produced crime drama so enjoyable. The show is loosely based on the Black Mafia Family, the Detroit drug organization that was founded in 1985 and grew to be a nationally successful empire by the 2000s. Founded and led by Demetrius “Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, BMF was a well-oiled drug empire that had hubs in Atlanta and Los Angeles before they were taken down in 2005 with the Flenory brothers’ arrest. Demetrius “Meech” Flenory Jr. plays his father while Da’Vinchi takes on the role of Southwest T. In addition to showing the brothers’ start in the drug game, BMF also shows how values like family, loyalty, and played into the BMF’s rise and how other factors came in to foreshadow their eventual fall.
Year: 2022 — Starring: Joseph Sikora, Isaac Keys, Lili Simmons, Shane Harper, Kris D. Lofton, Anthony Flemming, Lucien Cambric, Tommy Flanagan Genre: Drama, Crime Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 1 season, 10 episodes Created By: Robert Munic
Power Book IV: Force is the most recently released spin-off of the original Power. This series is focused on the life of Tommy Egan (played by Joseph Sikora) after the death of James “Ghost” St. Patrick. Egan originally planned to drive from New York to California to start his new life, but a stop in Chicago brought him new opportunities and new information about his past. In the show’s inaugural season, Egan discovers the truth about his family, meets family members he was unaware of, finds love, and gets his hands dirty in the city’s drug game while ruffling some feathers. Everything about Tommy Egan in Power Book IV: Force is on-par with the quick-tempered individual we were introduced to and got to know in Power. Only this time, Tommy is in charge of everything which leads to both good and bad results.
Year: 2022 — Starring: Van Lanthan Jr. Genre: Documentary Rating: TV-MA Runtime: 1 season, 11 episodes Created By: 50 Cent & Mona Scott-Young
Last fall, 50 Cent teamed up with Van Lathan for a new series that was tied to his musical roots, in an unfortunate way. Hip-Hop Homicides debuted in November 2022 as an unscripted weTV series that looked into the unsolved murders of hip-hop rappers from recent history. In the season’s first 8 episodes, the deaths of Pop Smoke, Chinx, XXXTentacion, King Von, and more were all examined with commentary from Lathan and others that aims to uncover how these murders occurred and hopefully provide new details that could solve their cases. The series’ first season concluded at the beginning of 2023, and while there’s no word yet on a second season, the hope is that the show returns to accurately cover more of the recent deaths that occurred in hip-hop.
For the early parts of 2023, 50 Cent teased a project that many believed was tied to the next release in the GTA series. He later revealed that the project was actually a new series called Vice City, which is also the rumored location of the next GTA installment. Vice City will be released through Paramount+ and be executive produced by Darnell Metayer (Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts) and Josh Peters (Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts) with Chad Stahelski (John Wick franchise) serving as executive producer/director. According to Deadline, Vice City “follows three friends, and former soldiers, who return to their home city of Miami in the mid-80s after being dishonorably discharged from the military for their involvement in the Iran Contra scandal.” The article adds, “Disgraced, displaced, and forgotten by the country they served and with no good job prospects, the three friends partner with a mysterious Colombian immigrant, uniting their financial needs and criminal ambitions to form a heist crew.”
FOX Deal
In February 2023, 50 Cent signed a non-exclusive, broadcast direct deal with FOX. With the deal, 50 Cent and G-Unit Films and Television Inc. will develop both live-action and animated scripted series for the network. The deal is non-exclusive which allows him to produce other shows wherever he wants, like the aforementioned Vice City series. FOX will own any series greenlit through this deal and its in-house Fox Entertainment Studios will produce the releases alongside G-Unit Films and Television Inc.
“I am excited to formalize a partnership with Michael Thorn and Fox that will allow G-Unit Film & Television to focus on putting multiple series on Fox, a perfect broadcast destination for G-Unit Film & Television content while our premium, streaming, scripted, and non-scripted slates continue to grow in all directions,” 50 Cent said about the new deal.
This list will be updated with news about 50 Cent’s current and future productions.
