Over the years, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has become as famous for his music as he is for his notorious feuds. Whether it’s over industry politics, personal slights, or social media pettiness, 50 Cent has never been one to shy away from a fight. From his early days in the game to his reign as a hip-hop mogul, his numerous beefs with fellow rappers have become the stuff of legend. Here’s a look at some of the most famous rappers 50 Cent has beefed with over the years.
1. Ja Rule
Perhaps 50 Cent’s longest and most infamous feud is with Ja Rule. The two began feuding in the late 1990s when Ja Rule claimed that 50 Cent disrespected him during a video shoot. The beef escalated over the years, leading to numerous diss tracks from both sides. 50 Cent’s “Wanksta” and “Back Down” were direct shots at Ja Rule, and in return, Ja Rule fired back with tracks like “Loose Change.” The feud turned physical at times, with both rappers claiming they were jumped by the other’s entourage. Even decades later, the two continue to exchange jabs on social media.
2. The Game
In the early 2000s, 50 Cent signed The Game to his G-Unit label, but their relationship quickly soured. The Game’s refusal to side with 50 Cent in some of his other feuds (notably with Ja Rule and Fat Joe) caused a rift between the two. 50 Cent eventually kicked The Game out of G-Unit, which led to a public and very bitter dispute. Diss tracks like 50 Cent’s “300 Bars” and The Game’s “300 Bars and Runnin’” showcased the depth of their animosity. While they have reconciled briefly at times, their relationship remains rocky.
3. Rick Ross
The feud between 50 Cent and Rick Ross began in 2009 after Rick Ross accused 50 of looking at him the wrong way at an awards show. What started as a seemingly minor incident quickly blew up, with 50 Cent mocking Ross for his previous career as a corrections officer, calling him “Officer Ricky.” 50 Cent escalated the beef by releasing several diss tracks and comedic videos aimed at Ross and his crew. While Ross responded with his own music, the beef remains unresolved to this day, although it has cooled off over the years.
4. Fat Joe
Fat Joe became a target of 50 Cent’s wrath due to his affiliation with Ja Rule and Murder Inc. During the height of the 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule beef, Fat Joe was caught in the crossfire. 50 Cent went after Fat Joe on his track “Piggy Bank,” where he dissed multiple rappers. Fat Joe responded with his own disses and publicly voiced his disdain for 50 Cent. The feud remained tense for several years, but the two eventually squashed their beef in 2012 at the BET Hip-Hop Awards during a tribute to Chris Lighty.
5. Cam’ron
50 Cent’s feud with Dipset leader Cam’ron started during a live radio interview in 2007. The two rappers got into an argument about their respective labels, with Cam’ron mocking 50 Cent’s business acumen. 50 fired back with a diss track called “Funeral Music,” and Cam’ron responded with “Curtis,” mocking 50’s real name. The beef didn’t reach the same intensity as some of 50’s other feuds but was notable for the back-and-forth diss tracks and insults.
6. Young Buck
Although they were once close allies as part of G-Unit, 50 Cent and Young Buck’s relationship soured after Young Buck expressed frustration with 50 Cent’s leadership. The beef went public when 50 Cent leaked a phone conversation between the two, where Young Buck was heard crying and apologizing. The move embarrassed Young Buck, and the two exchanged barbs in interviews and on social media. While 50 Cent eventually allowed Buck to return to G-Unit, their relationship has remained tense.
7. French Montana
In 2012, 50 Cent and French Montana clashed after French criticized 50’s career and album sales in an interview. 50 didn’t take kindly to the comments and fired back on social media. The feud was mostly verbal, with both rappers throwing shade at each other in interviews and online. While the beef was short-lived compared to others, it highlighted 50 Cent’s willingness to go after anyone he felt disrespected by.
8. Nas
50 Cent and Nas were once friends and collaborators, but their relationship deteriorated in the early 2000s. The root of the tension came after 50 Cent felt Nas had betrayed him by aligning with Ja Rule, one of 50’s biggest enemies. While their feud didn’t lead to as many public disses as others, 50 Cent and Nas were known to take subtle shots at each other in interviews and songs over the years. However, the two have since reconciled.
9. Diddy
50 Cent and Diddy’s beef has simmered over the years, with 50 Cent often mocking Diddy’s business ventures and personality. In particular, 50 has accused Diddy of profiting off the deaths of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. Although Diddy has mostly refrained from responding to 50’s jabs, the two have had a tense relationship, with 50 often using social media to poke fun at Diddy’s Ciroc vodka brand and other endeavors.
10. Jay-Z
While 50 Cent and Jay-Z have never had a full-blown feud, there has been tension between the two over the years. 50 Cent has been critical of Jay-Z in interviews, often questioning his influence and relevance in the rap game. In one interview, 50 Cent even said that Jay-Z’s music didn’t impact the streets the way his did. Jay-Z, for the most part, has kept his responses subtle, choosing to avoid getting into a public war with 50 Cent.
Conclusion
50 Cent’s career is marked by his confrontational approach and his willingness to go after anyone who crosses him. His numerous feuds have not only shaped his public persona but also added to his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most combative and unapologetic figures. While some of his beefs have been resolved, others continue to linger, showcasing that in the world of hip-hop, 50 Cent will always stand his ground.
