Sunday, June 27, 2010

50 Cent returns to old Queens 'hood to promote exercise, healthy eating (news)


Rapper 50 Cent has a message for kids: Get off your butts.




The platinum-selling superstar hosted a day of games and healthy snacks at a Queens park Saturday to encourage kids from his old 'hood to put down the video games and get some exercise.

"I just want [kids] to be active, move around and be physical," the 34-year-old Queens native told the Daily News. "Don't sit in front of a computer all day."

The Grammy winner whose real name is Curtis Jackson took his message to heart by taking off in a golf cart around Baisley Pond Park in Jamaica with his pint-size fans in hot pursuit, struggling to catch a glimpse of the hip-hop superstar.

"It's exciting for me to be able to be back in the community in a different way - in a positive way," said the drug dealer-turned-father, who was riddled with nine bullets in a 2000 shooting.

"It means something to me to be a positive influence on the kids."

Forever Young Day was organized by the rap icon's nonprofit youth group, the G-Unity Foundation.

Fellow Queens rapper Lloyd Banks also made an appearance.

"Hopefully, this day can inspire kids to want to be something," said Banks, 28, whose given name is Christopher Lloyde.

"I couldn't honestly say where I would have been without music."

Kids participated in relay races, Double Dutch or took turns jumping in the blowup castle - which sported a giant image of the rapper.

Other fans cooled off with paper fans emblazoned with 50 Cent's mug before grabbing free turkey or veggie burgers or helpings of whole-wheat pasta salad.

Sean Chung, 14, of Jamaica, came in hopes of having the "In Da Club" singer sign his shoes - or his cell phone.

"He inspires me to do better in school and keep my head up," Chung said. "If he made it outta here, I can too."

source: Ny Daily News

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