50 Cent Plays Surprise Set at Pop-Up Shop in New York

While many of the above were presumably backstage, “Love Island” stars Olivia Walker, Kaylor Martin and Kendall Washington worked the audience, posing for selfies and watching 50 Cent’s performance from the floor (although considering Washington’s towering height, some may have wished he’d watched from the side). All took in the store’s elaborate design, which was outfitted floor-to-ceiling with the brand’s vivid cherry-red colors, logos and messaging, in a way that was visually loud but also tastefully executed. The crowd picked up loads of free swag while sipping on complimentary drinks.

While brief, 50’s tight 30-minute set found him reeling off around 20 of his biggest hits, including the on-message “Candy Shop” and “Window Shopper,” along with “P.I.M.P.,” “21 Questions,” “Many Men,” “AYO Technology” and closing out, of course, with “In da Club.” The young crowd surprisingly sang along with many songs that were older or nearly older than they are, although a fair number were wordlessly waving and woo-ing for their phones and friends.

The set ended promptly at 9:30 but the DJ fired up the turntables again and the crowd rocked into the night.