Ever hear the story about the time I embarrassed myself in front of 50 Cent?

Probably not—because I don’t share it often. But here we are.

The first time we met, it was totally unexpected. He had just re-launched his headphone brand, SMS Audio. The first attempt years earlier had flopped. They were using early wireless tech that the market wasn’t ready for—Bluetooth hadn’t taken off yet, and consumers weren’t ready to shift away from wired headphones.

Fast forward, Bluetooth was everywhere, and SMS Audio decided to re-enter the game.

At the time, I was a buyer and merchant for InMotion Entertainment—an airport electronics retailer. I had influence over which products and brands we carried, and as long as my VP approved, I had the freedom to make big calls. So when the chance to work with 50 Cent’s team came up, I saw an opportunity.

I was also a regional rapper back then, and 50 was a dominant force in the industry. Naturally, I wanted to collaborate—preferably in music—but I was fine starting with headphones. The challenge? My VP, Brian Smith, was the same person who handled SMS’s failed first launch, and he understandably hadn’t forgotten that disappointment.

But credit to him—Brian's a smart and fair guy, and after some convincing, he gave me the go-ahead.

Next thing you know, we’re at CES in Las Vegas for a scheduled meeting with the SMS team to discuss a potential rollout.

To show how serious we were, I brought in the big guns—our company President. As we entered the SMS booth, I noticed a group of guys who looked out of place among the business-casual crowd. T-shirts, jeans, chains—not your typical CES attire—but they reminded me of people I grew up with. Familiar energy.

As I usually do, I greeted everyone warmly—offering handshakes and good energy. We were invited into a private tent for lunch, and that’s when I saw him: 50 Cent himself.

I kept it cool, but internally, I was definitely having a moment. I wanted to tell him he was one of my top 10 favorite artists—alongside Pac, Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, Biggie, DMX, and a few others. I knew every lyric to every album. But I stayed composed.

What surprised me was that he started pitching me on the headphones. He said something like, “You’ve got Beats by Dre—this is like the little brother. You’ve got the Bentley, and this is the Phantom.”

I cut in and said, “Fif, I got you. Think of us as an extension of G-Unit. We’re not making music—we’re moving headphones. That’s what we do, day in and day out. I’m the guy on the ground making sure the product moves.”

He smiled, patted my shoulder, and we sat down for lunch. I reconnected with Steve Jain and Justin from SMS and started putting the plan into motion.

But that was just the beginning. The moment I embarrassed myself came later.

I had always wanted to act, and 50 had recently launched Power, which was making waves. So I took my shot.

I said, “Hey Fifth—what advice would you give someone trying to break into acting? For example, if I wanted to audition for Empire next season, how would I go about that?”

He paused. Gave me a look. Then chuckled and said,
“Well… when the auditions happen, we might know about it. But you won’t. We’ll know. But you won’t.”

Then he gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder, stood up, and walked out.

It hit me like a truck: Did I really just ask 50 Cent if I could audition for Empire—the direct competitor to his show Power?

Unbelievable. That was the last time we spoke. Whether it was because of that or because he saw me earlier

speaking with Young Buck, I’ll never know. Soon after, SMS Audio shut down following a bankruptcy filing.

I’ve never really told this story publicly, but I reflect on it often.

The initial rollout was small and conservative. But after some success, we decided to go all in. We finalized a deal worth $500,000.

Big shoutout to Eden Goldberg—my partner in the trenches. A strategic genius when it comes to negotiations and marketing. We pulled it together, and now it was time to celebrate.

As part of our annual managers meeting, we invited the SMS team as a thank-you—and they surprised us by bringing out 50 Cent again.

We had a great time. Took photos, he autographed some headphones, and the atmosphere was relaxed and upbeat. Drinks were flowing—it was an open bar, after all—and we were in high spirits.

Then it happened. The room got quiet. Conversations tapered off. I looked around and realized—

it was just me… and 50 Cent, sitting at the same table.

Now, I’m not one to let an opportunity pass me by. I was feeling confident. Maybe too confident. I’d had a few drinks, just helped broker a half-million-dollar deal, and I was feeling bold.

There’s a quote I love:
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

That night, I wasn’t prepared.

If I’d had a press kit, a demo reel—something—maybe the conversation would’ve gone differently. Maybe the door would’ve opened.

But I don’t dwell on it. It wasn’t the first missed opportunity, and it likely won’t be the last. That’s part of the journey.

And believe it or not—that same week, I was in a meeting with the Beats by Dre team when Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine walked in. But I’ll save that story for another time.

More than anything, I consider myself an artist, and I aim to bring creativity into everything I do. That includes this website:
www.demarimarketplace.com

This isn’t just another online store. DeMari Marketplace is a blend of my passions—art, culture, music, and business—presented in a way that’s meant to inspire and engage.

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. As a thank-you, use promo code IGETMONEY for 50% off any audio headphones or speaker. Offer valid until 12/31/25. May the 4th be with you! 🎧 Limited-edition Star Wars headphones by SMS Audio & 50 Cent—where galactic style meets premium sound. Collect yours now! 🚀