Wikipedia

25 Cent

25 Cent, born Jose El Peninio (November 12th, 1983 - **), is a wealthy and well known rapper
who started his career from nothing but scraps and trying to
survive on the streets of Niños Héroes, Mexico. He started to embrace
and love music at the age of 7, where him and his friends
would do little concerts at the corners of every street. He made it
big in the music business in 2000, only 17. Today he resides in
Miami, Florida.

Contents
1. Early Life
- Childhood
- Teenage Years
2. Music Career
- Labels
- Concerts
3. Private Life
- Martial Status
4. Music
- Known Songs
- Discography
_ Future
5. References
6. External Links

Early Life

Childhood

Jose El Peninio was born in Mexico in 1983. His parents were
Juanita El Peninio and Jesus El Peninio. Jose was an only child.
On the night of January 2nd, 1990, Jose was walking back from
boxing class and saw a poster of master Mexican rapper, Alfonzo
Mondranzo, his role model. This is when he realized what he wanted to do for the rest
of his life. Every night, at home, he would right some lyrics on his wall
next to his bed and wouldn't go to sleep without memorizing them. At age
ten he came up with his full written song, with it's own beats created
by his best friend Alejandro Muchado, named Pepperito Muchacho (at the time they were rapping together). This song is now one of Jose El Peninio's famous hits.

Teenage Years

After his first song, 25 Cent caught the attention of many agents working
in the Mexican Music Department (MMD). He had the choice of choosing between
4 agents, but he immediately chose Alfonzo Mondranzo's former agent. Jose
El Peninio was pulled out of his family and brought over to the center of
Mexico for the starting of his career. Jose began recording his first few
songs that he created back at his home. It took him about 1 year to release
his first album, "The Awakening" ("El Despertar"). After this release, he was
known worldwide. His agent thought it was best for him to learn English
if Jose would ever move to the United States of America for his career.
At age 17 he moved to Florida, USA.

Music Career

Labels

Jose El Peninio has been known for the person who had the most labels in a 2 year period.
He has joined Def Jam Records, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and EMI. He also has
been known for the person who earned the most in one label. In Sony BMG, he earned
9.2 million dollars.

Concerts

25 Cent tours around the globe, bringing music into everyone. He has, so far, completed
6 tours. His first was when he moved into Florida. He toured the south of the United
States of America, playing in Texas, Arizona, and California. In Europe,
he went from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Croatia, Spain, Italy, and Germany. He won
a Guinness Record in Germany for most people attending a concert. There he received
almost 1 million people. Some people said that they were so far back in the stage they
couldn't even see the stage lights.

Personal Life

Martial Status

Jose El Peninio was married in 2003 to well known model Stephanie Dundee. As of today
they reside in many places around the world. They were seen together in Bern, Geneva,
The Bahamas, and some places in the Caribbean Islands. They together have 2 kids. One boy
and one girl. The boy is named Alejandro (age 2), named after Jose's old friend. And the girl
is named Maricruz (age 2.5).

Music

Known Songs

1. In Da School
2. M.E.X.I.C.A.N
3. 21 Burritos
4. Taco Bank
5. El Pueblo Shop
6. This is 25
7. Just Uno More Time
8. Ayo Tecnología

Discography (Most Known)

2000 - Get a Sombrero or Die Tryin'
2002 - Jose
2003 - I Swear I don't Lip Sync

Future

Jose El Peninio still works on music but is more focused on his wife and kids.
He plans to make a nursery when he retires. It will be called Kids Dreams as he told
E! on an interview. Also he will be featured in a couple of movies in late 2008 and late
2009. The titles have not yet been leaked except for one. In May 2009, he will be the
protagonist in a remake of Pepe Le Moko.

References

1. www.rappersrus.com/25cent
2. www.ghettotown.com
3. A Time in 25 Cent's Life, www.roadtomusic.com
4. www.sonybmg.com
5. www.usmusictours.com
6. www.emi.com
7. www.defjamrecords.com
8. www.umg.com

External Links

1. Official 25 Cent Website
2. 25 Cent Fan site
3. http://www.mexicorapping.com/

See Also

Rapper, Alfonzo Mondranzo