A thrilling urban fiction novel from hip-hop icon 50 Cent and bestselling author K’wan following young men navigating life in the projects and survival on the streets of Bedstuy, Brooklyn. Prince, Killa-E, Daddy-O, and Danny grew up together in the projects, moving crack and cocaine, and answering to Diego, the neighborhood drug lord. They were small-timers playing for low stakes—until Prince is introduced to a heroin connect. Overnight they go from soldiers to bosses, and their crew is held together by loyalty and love. But taking the reins of power comes at a high price. Now, with Diego at their back and a traitor in their midst, they find themselves between a kilo and a hard place, ready to spill blood to stay on top. K’wan is the #1 bestselling author of Welfare Wifeys, Section 8, Gutter, Still Hood, Hood Rat, Eve, Hoodlum, Street Dreams, Gangsta, Road Dawgz and now Animal. Animal was chosen as one of the five Best Books of 2012 and the starred pick of the month for October on Library Journal . K’wan has also been featured in Time, King, The New York Press , and on MTV and BET. K’wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel. 50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis Jackson) is a record-breaking rap recording artist, entrepreneur, music producer, and actor. His debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ , sold more than 12 million units worldwide, is certified eight times platinum, and was the basis for the semi-autobiographical film of the same title, in which he starred. He is the first artist to have four songs in the top ten of Billboard’s Hot 100 since the Beatles in 1964. He published his memoir, the New York Times bestseller From Pieces to Weight , which was hailed as “cool, hard, and vivid, a minor classic of gangster rap noir” ( The New York Times ). He is also the author of Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter . Under the G-Unit brand, his business empire includes a record label, apparel and footwear ventures, vitamin water, and more. He created the nonprofit organization The G-Unity Foundation, which aims to better the life of urban youth. Follow him on X and Instagram at @50Cent. Chapter 1 6 months earlier Come on Daddy-O, you know me." The young man reminded him, not believing that he'd been turned down. He could already feel the sweat trickling down his back and didn't know how much longer he could hold out. Daddy-O popped a handful of sunfl ower seeds in his mouth. He expertly extracted the seed using only his tongue and let the shells tumble around in his mouth until he could feel the salty bite. "My dude, why are you even talking to me about this; holla at my young boy," he nodded at Danny. "Daddy, you know how this little nigga is; he wouldn't let his mama go for a short, so you know I ain't getting a play." "Get yo money right and we won't have a problem," Danny told him, and went back to watching the block. "Listen," the young man turned back to Daddy-O. A thin film of sweat had begun to form on his nose. "All I got is ten dollars on me, but I need at least two to get me to the social security building in the morning. Do me this solid, and I swear I'll get you right when my check comes through." Daddy-O looked over at Danny, who was giving the kid the once-over. He was short and thin with braids that snaked down the back of his neck. Danny had one of those funny faces. It was kind of like he looked old, but young at the same time...if that makes sense. There was a time when Danny seemed like he had a bright future ahead of him. Though he wasn't the smartest of their little unit, he was a natural at sports. Danny played basketball for Cardinal Hayes High School and was one of the better players on the team. His jump shot needed a little fi netuning, but he had a mean handle. Danny was notorious for embarrassing his opponents with his wicked crossover. Sports was supposed to be Danny's ticket out, but as most naÏve young men did, he chose Hell over Heaven. For as talented as Danny was physically, he was borderline retarded mentally. Of course not in a literal sense, but his actions made him the most dimwitted of the crew. While his school chums were content to play the roll of gangstas and watch the game from afar, Danny had to be in the thick of it. It was his fascination with the game that caused him to drop out of school in his senior year to pursue his dreams of being a real nigga , or a real nigga's sidekick. Danny was a yes-man to the boss, and under the boss is where he would earn his stripes. He didn't really have the heart of a soldier, but he was connected to some stand- up dudes, which provided him with a veil of protection. The hood knew that if you fucked with Danny, you'd have to fuck with his team. "Give it to him, D," Daddy-O fi nally said. Danny looked like he wanted to say something, but a stern look from Daddy-O hushed him. Dipping his hand into the back of his pants, Danny fi shed around until he found what he was looking for. Grumb