Omari Hardwick star of 50 Cent’s new “Power”

His Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album catapulted rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson to worldwide fame. Now that same mantra oozes itself into the storyline of Power, a new crime drama executive produced by Jackson that teeters between the glamorous New York City club scene and a brutal underground drug ring. Power airs on Starz beginning Saturday, June 7 at 9pm ET/PT.

Omari Hardwick stars in Power on Starz Jackson, however, is not the star of this series, as his onscreen time is limited to cameo appearances. At the forefront is the striking Omari Hardwick, who you may recall from past cable dramas like the Dylan McDermott-helmed Dark Blue or as Sack in TNT’s Saved.

In Power, Omari Hardwick shines as successful businessman James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a chiseled-chested, tattooed baddie who’s risen from his youthful inner-city drug dealings to owning New York’s hottest new nightclub. He’s got a beautiful wife (Naturi Naughton), three adoring children and the finest penthouse and wardrobe a man could want. His nightclub, however, is a front for his far more lucrative business, a drug network he built and runs with his childhood buddy Tommy (Joseph Sikora). Despite his best intentions to break free from the criminal life, it’s the people he loves the most who seem to be keeping him from going clean. Complicating matters is a chance run-in with his former flame Angela Valdes (Lela Loren), who has her own agenda.

The eight-episode series created by Emmy-nominated writer Courtney Kemp Agboh (The Good Wife) starts glitzy but gets dark fast and is at its best when Ghost is dealing with the criminal underworld. Viewers will empathize with Ghost for wanting a future free of crime but being pressured by the people he loves most to stay in it. Complex supporting characters, including 50 Cent in a smaller role, could also give the series some surprising twists in later episodes.

Power airs on Starz Saturdays at 9pm ET/PT.