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They're not afraid to mix with tattooed, pretty boys for attention or reputation. They don't believe the consequences of underage drinking, careless spending and serial dating because their idol is rewarded for it. With each controversy, Hilton either received little punishment or heavy payment for her actions. In her world, crime paid and paid very well.

Curtis Jackson emerged from the drug havens of Jamaica Queens (N.Y.). From the age of 12, violence introduced itself to him. A drug dealer suffocated his mother. Being an orphan, he used the streets to earn his money. By high school, he owned a Mercedes Benz and made hundreds of thousands of dollars. He dropped out because, why read a book? An "A" in English won't pay for an Alpine stereo. From that point, his street name became "50" or "50 Cent".

Now 50 was no dummy. He made alliances due to his penchant to rake in wealth. But, his talent attracted deadly enemies. One of those enemies, a Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff, allegedly put a contract on his life. Police knew McGriff as the ruthless head of New York's "Supreme Team" drug gang. The cartel murdered dozens of drug dealers, rivals and innocent civilians. They ruled their territory with brutality. A hit man demonstrated that to 50.

In 1999, 50 suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Nine bullets pierced him. Nine bullets almost killed him. He recovered. A year later, his would-be killer discovered he wasn't bulletproof. He also lacked the "nine lives" 50 had.

But, this ghetto tragedy created this future mogul's legacy. In 2000, he turned to rap music. He used his illegal monies and pressed out unlicensed, "mixtapes". These mixtapes found their way to bootleggers' hands. Bootleggers pressed, and then distributed them from $5 to $10 a pop. Rappers are dependent on their mixtape sells. Before making it big, they have to make their profit independently. Underground mixtapes provided rappers with an immediate, fan base. He emerged as hip-hop music's "mixtape king". In 2002, he met with Marshall "Eneminem" Mathers. Eneminem started his label, Shady Records. He signed 50 right away. Six years later, both rap artists planned to retire by age 30.

Like Hilton, 50 has A-list celebrities in his presence. He purchased boxer, Mike Tyson's mansion. He used the paparazzi as his personal, cash register. With any big event, he has an entourage of rappers, celebrities and bodyguards with him. He used the "John Dillinger Method" to fame. America has a love affair with vicious, but charismatic gangsters.

In 2008, personal, net worth of both stars exceeded $5 billion. Hilton, Inc. has numerous properties and business worldwide. 50 has his G-Unit record company, a popular line of G-Unit clothing (including shoes, hats and other accessories), Reebok shoes and apparel and a hefty sponsorship from Vitamin Water.

Credit 50% of their wealth to the stalkerazzi inflation.

Sources:

MTV: My New BFF (2008) Paris Hilton's search for a new, best friend

MTV: The Making of Get Rich or Die Trying: Autobiography of 50 Cent (2006)

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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