KEY POINTS:
"If I can't do it, it can't be done," declared 50 Cent halfway through his Anzac Day concert at Vector Arena.
Bold words for a man who struggled to fill just half of the 12,000-seat arena, with curtains closing off the entire upper bowl. Perhaps no one told 'Fiddy' about the many sell out acts to grace Vector's stage before him?
The reduced crowd size was probably a blessing for security and police, who had their hands full controlling the gangster rapper's followers.
At least one paddy wagon load of fans never got to see their idol, arrested before opening act Phinesse took the stage.
But those that did make it inside were not disappointed.
Just minutes after the amateur Australian openers finished their set, 50 burst on stage with G-Unit rappers Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, spitting out a non-stop stream of hits from his past three albums - Get Rich or Die Trying, The Massacre and Curtis.
Opening with What Up Gangsta, 50 had the crowd standing to attention, pumping their arms to the bone-rattling bass, as the trio of rappers worked their way through a tight 45-minute set, including Ayo Technology, P.I.M.P and abridged versions of Candy Shop and Magic Stick.
As 50 farewelled the crowd with his trademark cheeky grin, there was no question the rapper would be back for an encore. After all, he had yet to play his biggest hit In Da Club.
After that, things became a little less predictable. According to 50, In Da Club was supposed to be the final song.
"Y'all making me feel so welcome, I want to stay," he announced to the screaming auditorium.
And stay he did, for another 45 minutes, performing old favourites like Wanksta and mocking both individuals and the audience at large.
After getting a cameraman to single out one particularly stoic spectator, 50 joked: "What's wrong? Something happen to your dog?"
Despite alleged pleas from the arena staff to wrap things up - they were going to fine him $50,000 for every hour he went over, 50 informed his audience - he continued regardless.
"F*** that," he declared to the baying crowd. "We'll just play this one for free."
Was it all an act? Probably. He might claim to walk the walk, but 50 specialises in talk.
And he knows exactly what his fans want to hear.
