50 Cent: The Ethical Question
Begun as a Public Dialogue presentation at the CBERN Launch, a Spring workshop is being planned to further investigate this case study. In addition, papers concerning this case will constitute a special publication of the Journal of Business Ethics.

Below is a collection of resources that will be included in this unique project that has included public dialogue, and will be used as a case study and tool for discussion and learning in Business Ethics.

The History:
Hip hop artist 50 Cent was on an international tour in December 2005, when his Toronto concert raised a storm of controversy.  There had already been 48 gun-related deaths in Toronto in 2005, and, with his controversial lyrics and image, a public debate occurred about whether or not 50 Cent, a convicted criminal, should be permitted to perform in Canada.    

While not the sum of his stage presence nor reflective of his total message, 50 Cent’s lyrics and public image incorporate themes of violence, street life, gangs and urban crime.  Like a number of other hip hop artists, 50 Cent is specifically branded to be controversial and makes regular references to his own life experiences.  If nothing else, this makes the lyrics authentic.  

Into this mix, a Toronto-based entertainment company, specializing in promoting concerts in this genre on a national scale, was recruited by 50 Cent’s international concert promoter to provide marketing and promotion for the Toronto Concert.  Because the tour was already in progress, it would go ahead whether or not the Toronto promoter became involved in the marketing.  Thus, for the company, the decision was not about whether or not the tour should happen, but whether or not they should be involved in the marketing and promotion of the Toronto show.  

Planning for the concert fueled a significant public debate. Should 50 Cent be allowed to perform in Toronto?  Should he be refused entry to Canada, given his criminal record and the nature of his music?  Would the concert encourage violent and misogynistic behaviour? Was there racial bias involved?  Should the company decline the invitation to do the marketing for the concert on ethical grounds?  What about freedom of speech?  Who has the right to censor whom and why?

Case presenter:
Neil Shankman, CEO of REMG EntertainmentCorp.

Panelists:
Gerard Nadaff, Plato scholar, York University
Pat Bradshaw, a feminist organization behaviour scholar, Schulich School of Business
Rinaldo Walcott whose research has focused on the hip hop phenomenon, OISE / University of Toronto
James Keast, the Editor of Exclaim!, Canada's leading magazine publication on contemporary popular music.