LOWER MANHATTAN — More than 200 people flocked to J&R Thursday afternoon to catch a glimpse of superstar rapper 50 Cent — but some of those who were most excited to meet him didn't even know he was going to be there.
Heidi Pugni, 47, of Brooklyn, was browsing through the CDs section searching for the soundtrack to "Twilight: Breaking Dawn" when she saw the crowd gathered around the hip-hop star, whose real name is Curtis Jackson.
"Oh my god, he's even hotter in person," Pugni said, her mouth dropping open.
"I came here to do some Christmas shopping, and it's like: Merry Christmas!"
Fiddy, who wore a Yankees cap and diamond-encrusted rings, was promoting his line of high-end SMS Audio headphones: the $399 wireless "SYNC by 50" and the $299 "STREET by 50."
The headphones aren't just a commercial venture — for every pair he sells, the rapper is working with the nonprofit Feeding America to provide meals for 250 people.
Khye Bowie, 21, of Midtown, said he didn't think twice about picking up the $399 SYNC by 50 headphones.
"It's definitely worth the price," Bowie said. "They're louder and clearer than the [Beats by] Dr. Dre ones. He definitely stepped it up."
When Bowie got to the front of the line, he told 50 Cent how inspired he was by the Queens-born rapper's life story.
"It's amazing, man," Bowie said afterward. "He's a true genius to come out of the projects and be a millionaire."
The rap mega-star shook hands and signed autographs for more than an hour in J&R's sprawling music shop on Park Row. He smiled at each fan and accepted the demo CDs they thrust into his hands.
Lisa Ellis, 44, of Edison, N.J. gave him a blue J&R bag and said, "Merry Christmas!"
The rapper thanked her but didn't immediately open the gift. If he had, he would have found a just-purchased $12 hot-and-cold mug.
"He's a busy man on the run, doing a lot of good for a lot of people," Ellis explained afterward.
"I just wanted to show my appreciation."
James Asencio, 24, waited in line for two hours for the chance to shake 50 Cent's hand.
"He was cool," Asencio said as he walked out. "I'm a fan. I'm from Queens, too."
