Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Power and Power Book III: Raising Kanan.
The wild scenarios and interesting characters that populate the world of Starz’s Power have led many to believe the show is based on specific true events and real people — chiefly star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. While 50 Cent has made it a point to make the characters and storylines as accurate as possible, embellishments are made for dramatic effect. Nevertheless, Power and its subsequent shows have enjoyed success from audiences as it is seen as a welcomed and surprisingly fresh take on the tropes and conventions intrinsic to the crime drama genre.
While the Power universe has introduced viewers to different characters and tied up various loose ends, Kanan Stark (50 Cent) in particular has experienced a lot of screen time and character growth across the franchise. The embodiment of the streets, Kanan became one of the most likable characters in Power and this was largely due to his ruthless attitude and game-of-chess-like strategizing throughout the series. However, the producers’ decision to spend so much time on the character led many to believe that he was either a real person or based on one.
Power Is Not Based On A True Story, But It Is Inspired By 50 Cent’s Pre-Fame Life
While there isn’t a specific storyline or character that is based on an actual event or person, Power Book III: Raising Kanan‘s New York setting and focus on the titular character’s harsh upbringing in a drug-riddled environment is loosely inspired by 50 Cent’s experiences growing up. The key difference between the two is that Kanan committed to the facade of a lavish lifestyle courtesy of dealing drugs and ultimately ended up dying tragically, whereas 50 Cent had a wakeup call in the form of a near-fatal shooting incident and went on to earn his success legitimately.
While speaking with MTV in 2015, 50 Cent revealed, “There’s personal things for me in the series that make me a little more attached to the project [while] watching it.” Even though there are shows like Power Book III: Raising Kanan, it sets itself apart by having someone once associated with the lifestyle depicted intimately working on the project. Even though Kanan isn’t a real person, the philosophies and methodology of people like him are.
Why So Many People Think Power Is Based On A True Story
Many people think Power is based on a true story because the subjects covered across all four shows are portrayed realistically for the most part. Also, 50 Cent’s involvement makes it easy to assume the show is based on his well-documented past dealing drugs in Jamaica, Queens. While Power isn’t about 50 Cent, series creator Courtney A. Kemp revealed that the character of Ghost was based partially on the rapper, but also on that of her own father.
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Kemp explained, “The character of Ghost really become a composite of my father and 50, with the universal question of the series being, ‘Does my past dictate my future?’” These real-life sources of inspiration not only made for a compelling protagonist, but they also contributed to the beloved characters feeling like real people, thus being responsible for people thinking Power is completely based on a true story. Although Power Book III: Raising Kanan is still throwing curveballs at audiences, the twists and turns are also keeping viewers engaged with the franchise’s characters and world-building.
