  50 Cent (AP File) |
50 Cent has offered to mentor Joaquin Phoenix as the Oscar nominee tries to cut his teeth as a rapper.
Phoenix's bizarre attempt to forge a career in hip-hop has been largely derided - he was mocked after an odd performance at a Las Vegas nightclub earlier this year.
But 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, insists Phoenix has a chance at success - he just needs to draw on and write about his own life experiences.
The star tells BlackVoices.com, "He should write about the things that he has real interest in, the things he has been influenced by. Because, when an artist writes something that's totally away from their experience period, it can't be embraced. Like when you have a former correctional officer (Rick Ross) write from the biggest drug dealer in Miami's perspective, they don't get it.
"It's not necessary for you to be involved in criminal activity at any point in your life for you to be a part of hip-hop. You can come in and write from a totally positive perspective."
