“How 50 Cent and Power Changed My Life” — Rotimi’s Journey from $2,000 to Stardom
Before fame, red carpets, and hit records, Rotimi’s life looked drastically different. Long before he became a household name on the hit TV series Power, he was a struggling artist with only $2,000 to his name. In his own words, 50 Cent didn’t just cast him in a role—he transformed his life.
Rotimi recalled hitting rock bottom before receiving a life-altering call from his agent. “There’s this show called Power, and they want you to fly out to L.A. tomorrow,” his agent said. But Rotimi didn’t even have the money to make the trip. Despite the financial strain, he scraped together what little he had and flew to Los Angeles with nothing but hope and determination in his pocket.
Upon landing, he found a cheap, roach-infested motel. It was all he could afford. “I went up to the guy and said, ‘Yo bro, I’m a struggling artist. I can’t afford $60 a night,’” he recalled. The motel owner, a kind Indian man named Bob, agreed to cut the price in half. “He said I could pay $30 and even invited me to eat breakfast with his kids in the morning if I was hungry.” That simple act of kindness stuck with Rotimi.
Soon after, Rotimi got the callback he was hoping for—the Power team wanted him to come in. “It was me, Lakeith Stanfield, and a few others,” he said. That moment marked the beginning of everything changing. He landed the role of Dre, and just like that, he was finally on his way.
The first paycheck wasn’t just a milestone—it was a moment of full-circle gratitude. With his very first check, Rotimi returned to that same motel and handed Bob $10,000 as a thank you. “He didn’t have to help me,” Rotimi said. “But he did. And that changed my life.”
Rotimi’s story is a powerful reminder that no one makes it alone. Sometimes, it’s the kindness of strangers and one opportunity from someone who believes in you—like 50 Cent—that can change everything.
