In 2014, 50 Cent allowed fans to purchase his album Animal Ambition for a fraction of a bitcoin, then valued at $662/bitcoin. According to TMZ, the LP pulled in 700 bitcoin in sales, totaling more than $400,000.
The cryptocurrency reportedly sat in his account for years, while bitcoin’s value skyrocketed. Now, it is worth somewhere between $7 million and $8.5 million, according to the report.
During a Reddit Q&A around the album’s release, Fif explained his reasoning. “Technology is what’s changing the business gotta get with it,” he wrote at the time. “I take money no matter if its coins or dollars.”
Several other rappers have been promoting cryptocurrency, as well. Ghostface Killah reportedly launched his own cryptocurrency venture last year, while Nipsey Hussle owns a part of Follow Coin.
“The hip-hop culture shouldn’t be left out like we always are,” Nipsey recently told XXL of his involvement in cryptocurrency. “Our influence is leveraged, but we’re always left out until it’s too late. That’s why I thought it was important to be involved as an entrepreneur and to be vocal and bring it to the hip-hop consciousness, so that people who have resources and assets available can participate.”
Source: Rap-Up