The “Power” series produced by 50 Cent has been on the air for nearly a decade and has become one of the most popular TV shows in the hip-hop industry. On Wednesday (March 13), Starz announced that the network is developing Origins , its fourth installment following Power Book II: Ghosts , Power Book III: Raising Kanan , and Power Book IV: Force Power derivative works. The next iteration will delve into the growth and backstories of characters Ghost and Tommy, who were originally played by actors Omari Hardwick and Joseph Sikora respectively.
The award-winning Starz series is not only beloved by fans who love rap music, but the rappers themselves love all versions of the show and have the lyrics to prove it. Eminem is an MC who expresses his love for the Power series in rhyming form. As 50 Cent’s closest hip-hop confidant, Slim appears on Conway The Machine’s 2019 song “Bang,” which includes a powerful verse that references Power universe protagonist Kanan Stark. “In the trailer park,” Eminem raps. “Tell her I’ll be like Kaynan Stark/Eat her ass like French fries.”
As for Nicki Minaj, she gave a shout-out to the show and its executive producer in 2018’s “Barbie Dreams” in true hip-hop fashion. During her rendition of The Notorious BIG’s “Just Playing (Dreams),” Nicki paid homage to her Queens-bred brother 50 Cent and his wildly successful TV production with her masterful double entendre, saying: “I try to do a Powerful moments/But all he wants to do is spend hours talking about power.”
Other rappers were also quick to compare their life in the fast lane to that of Power staples like Tommy, Ghost and Kanan, including Babyface Ray, Joyner Lucas and the late Young Dolph.
With Origins now in production and four other shows in the Power universe also receiving critical acclaim, XXL details some of the best Power-related bars in hip-hop. Check out the rappers’ love for Power below.
