HE'S a former gun-toting crack dealer who named himself after a New York robber, but these days the biggest battle that American rapper 50 Cent gets involved in is the fight to climb the charts.

The 32-year-old singer, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, plays the BIC tomorrow night.

The relatively genteel south coast of England is light years from where he grew up on the mean streets of Queens in New York City, born to a 15-year-old single mother who was murdered when he was just eight years old.

Discovered by Eminem and helped by Dr Dre, 50 Cent rose to fame following the success of his albums Get Rich Or Die Tryin' and The Massacre. He is now one of the biggest selling rap artists in the world.

But it nearly never happened. His life-changing bid to turn his back on the violent world of crime almost ended in tragedy when in 2000 he was shot nine times.

Miraculously, his injuries, although extensive, were not life-threatening. Five months later he had fully recovered, telling friends that having taken nine bullets and stayed alive he figured he must have a purpose in life.

Support act at the BIC is fellow New Yorker Fabolous who will be laying down club bangers like Young'n (Holla Back), Trade It All and Breathe!.

After the concert, Bournemouth's Klute Lounge will be hosting a celebration for 50 Cent and his G-Unit crew.

The venue has been named official venue for the G-Unit after-show party and will be open from 10pm. G-Unit will be arriving from 11.30pm onwards.

The bash will be hosted by 50 Cent's executive DJ, DJ Whoo Kid, and members of G-Unit.