CES 2012: 50 Cent Promotes SMS Audio Headphones (PHOTOS)

Las Vegas -- There were many hits at the first day of the 2012 International CES, but none might have matched the crowd and buzz for rapper 50 Cent at the SMS Audio booth.

50 Cent, known for hits like In da Club and How We Do, appeared at his company SMS Audio's booth on Tuesday to sign autographs for a throng of adoring fans. 50 Cent implored his fans to take pictures and share them on Twitter of the famous rapper signing autographs and greeting the people.

The famous rapper appeared for an hour -- arriving a cool 15 minutes fashionably late -- to sign autographs, take pictures, and engage in some small talk with a collection of media, exhibitors, electronics buyers, and the other miscellaneous folks at the 2012 CES.

As CEO of SMS Audio, 50 Cent has had an extremely hands-on role on the collection of headphones geared at a younger demographic. Instead of simply endorsing a headphone product like Dr. Dre does with Beats or Rohan Marley does with House of Marley, 50 Cent has major incentives to be closely involved with SMS Audio's decisions.

Jason Hardi, a product manager with SMS Audio, told the International Business Times that 50 Cent had a major say in developing the popular headphones.

He wanted to make them sharp but not too gaudy, Hardi told IBTimes. He was very interested in how the headphones look and how they perform.

50 Cent had hundreds of fans waiting in line for his autograph and that line figures to only increase as the week goes on. On Thursday 50 Cent will announce a new line with the Jersey Shore's Pauly D at CES.

The immediate response to the SMS Audio line has been extremely positive and we are excited to partner with DJ Pauly D to create a unique line of DJ Pauly D-branded headphones, 50 Cent said in a statement. Pauly D has a true passion for music and I know he'll put that same energy into helping us develop and promote a quality headphone line.