*50 Cent’s 48,000-square-foot Farmington, Connecticut mansion was the spot for a massive pool party intended to celebrate two different occasions: the rapper’s birthday on July 6 and the launch of his new book, “From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside, Queens.”

      “I wanted to do something for the people, you know. I wanted to throw a party, party,” 50 Cent told AllHipHop.com of the affair, which included as invited guests members of G-Unit, Mobb Deep, M.O.P., boxing champion Winky Wright, actress Nia Long, Lil’ Jon and Lil’ Scrappy, among others.

      “I didn’t get a chance to throw like a real party for my birthday. Yeah, my birthday was July 6 so I had different really close people and my staff, my company [at that party],” he told the web site. “I bought this [mansion] so I have everything put together, so I can entertain like 1,200 people.”

       The bash was captured by BET cameras for an upcoming special. Fifty’s book, co-written by journalist Kris Ex, was given out to a number of guests at the event, which wound down as the sun was setting.