50 Cent Honors His Late Mom Sabrina Jackson—And the Regret That Still Haunts Him

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has built a career as one of hip-hop’s most formidable figures—a Grammy-winning artist, actor, producer, and entrepreneur whose rise from South Jamaica, Queens, to global superstardom is the stuff of legend. Yet, behind his relentless ambition and ironclad persona lies the enduring influence of one woman: his late mother, Sabrina Jackson.

Sabrina’s life was cut tragically short when 50 Cent was just eight years old, but her strength, sacrifice, and authenticity remain the foundation of his story. While he has openly reflected on the pain of losing her—and the regret of never being able to fully tell her how much she meant to him—her legacy continues to shape his music, his drive, and his identity.

A Childhood Marked by Resilience

Born in Queens, Sabrina became a mother at just 15, raising Curtis on her own in a neighborhood defined by hardship. Fiercely independent, she refused to rely on welfare and instead turned to drug dealing to provide for her son—a dangerous but pragmatic choice that reflected her determination to give him a better life.

“She was tough,” 50 Cent has said, describing her as both “aggressive” and unyielding. Those qualities, far from hardening her, revealed a woman who would stop at nothing to protect her child. Her entrepreneurial mindset, even in perilous circumstances, set the example of survival and ambition that her son would later channel into music and business.

Lessons of Strength—and Tenderness

Sabrina’s toughness was matched by a unique balance of discipline and nurturing love. In one memory recounted by 50 Cent, after he was roughed up by neighborhood kids, she filled a sock with toys and sent him back outside to stand his ground—a moment he later recreated in Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

It was her way of teaching him resilience: “There’s no such thing as a fair fight,” she told him. But beyond these lessons in toughness, 50 Cent recalls her as “everything” to him—a protector, a guide, and a source of comfort. This duality of firmness and tenderness shaped his understanding of strength not just as defiance, but also as love.

Living Authentically in a Harsh World

Sabrina’s courage extended beyond motherhood to her personal identity. She lived openly as a lesbian in an era and environment that made such authenticity difficult, if not dangerous. For 50 Cent, this was a revelation he pieced together from family conversations and his own observations.

Her openness in the face of societal prejudice left an indelible mark, inspiring him to incorporate her story into Raising Kanan. By weaving her truth into the narrative, he honored not only her life but her bravery in refusing to hide who she was. That legacy of authenticity is reflected in his own career, marked by a refusal to conform to expectations or be silenced.

A Tragic Loss That Still Hurts

Sabrina’s death at just 23 remains one of the defining tragedies of 50 Cent’s life. Believed to have been the victim of foul play—reportedly drugged and left to die in a fire—her passing left young Curtis adrift.

“After that, every time something went wrong, I’d think, ‘If my mother was here, it wouldn’t be like that,’” he has reflected. The sentiment reveals not only his grief but also his enduring belief in her as a stabilizing force.

Though he has never fully detailed what he wished he had told her, his words suggest a longing to express gratitude—for her sacrifices, her strength, and her love. That unspoken regret lingers, but it also fuels the legacy he continues to build in her honor.

A Legacy of Strength and Sacrifice

Sabrina Jackson’s life was short, but her influence was profound. Her resilience in the face of adversity, her ability to balance toughness with love, and her courage to live authentically shaped the man her son became.

For 50 Cent, every accolade, every business venture, every lyric that echoes with defiance and ambition is, in some way, a tribute to the mother who taught him survival. His regret for not being able to say more before her death is a universal reminder: express gratitude to loved ones while you can.

In honoring Sabrina Jackson, 50 Cent reminds us that behind every legend is often an unsung hero whose story deserves to be told.

Do you want me to frame this piece more as a portrait of Sabrina Jackson’s life and legacy, or as an intimate reflection of 50 Cent’s grief and regret?