50 Cent’s ’40 Day’ Canceled

“40 Day,” also known as “Family Day,” was sponsored by the New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit founded by Bette Midler and 50 Cent’s G-Unity Foundation charity, which works with low-income communities.

The event was named after the South Jamaica Houses development called the “40 projects,” which are adjacent to PS 40 school in Queens. “40 Day” was set to feature a big picnic style party with music and food, according to MTV.com.

50 Cent’s representative released the following statement to MTV News:

“The G-Unity Foundation and New York Restoration Project are deeply saddened and disappointed to learn that the permit for our upcoming Family Day event was not granted by the City. As a result, Family Day — scheduled for August 30th — has been postponed until further notice.”

Fiddy said the postponement was “a loss” but that he wasn’t upset with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“People will point to Bloomberg and immediately think that I would be upset with Mayor Bloomberg or the governor, and both of them wanted me to have the actual event,” 50 told MTV News.

“They told me not to promote the event, and then it got national coverage. Then the fear factor comes in,” 50 said. “Can you control 100,000 people being in your neighborhood? ‘Cause you might not be sure of a turnout at an actual venue, but in the neighborhood, everyone is gonna show up.

“He’s gonna look at the police commissioner and ask, ‘Is this gonna be a safe situation?’ And if they tell him no, then it’s not gonna happen.”

Fiddy said he was upset with the Post for reporting on the private negotiations between city officials regarding safety.

The Post quoted a source saying, “Someone’s gonna try to make a name for themselves. They’re gonna take a shot at [50 Cent], and they’re either gonna hit him or they’re gonna miss him and hit some poor, innocent kid or grandmother.”

The paper reported that the surprise concert was “expected to draw about 10,000 people” and that a law-enforcement source warned that, “We can’t control the area.”

The rapper told MTV that he didn’t think the “40 Day” event would be rescheduled because the celebration was now so public.

Although the “40 Day” picnic didn’t go down on Sunday, 50 Cent still gave back to the community by bussing in a number of families from Queens to Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson, N.J.

After a day of fun on the roller coasters, the crowd was treated to a G-Unit performance.

The rapper, along with Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks, performed favorite G-Unit tunes such as “Poor Lil Rich” and “Straight Outta Southside.”

“This show isn’t my regular show,” 50 told the crowd, according to MTV. “I’m doing something different tonight. I’m doing music that this crowd can relate to.”

Click here and here for the MTV.com articles.

Click here for the New York Post article.