The professional relationship between 50 Cent and Jay-Z goes way back.
Both hailing from New York City, the rappers became superstars in the mid- to late-1990s, and their rivalry was intense from the start. Both 50 Cent and Jay-Z sniped at each other via their earliest lyrics. But in 2003, they shared the stage on the Roc the Mic tour, seemingly putting an end to any drama. (However, Jay-Z seemingly backed out of the concerts in August of that year.)
50 Cent (real name: Curtis Jackson) made it clear years later that, despite the professionalism between them, he and Jay-Z (real name: Shawn Carter) would never be friends.
“We don’t have those kinds of relationships,” he told MTV News in 2011. “These people are people I associate with. We are in the same business. We are not necessarily friends. We don’t call each other for no reason.”
50 Cent appeared to make his feelings on Jay-Z apparent in December 2024. Days after Jay-Z was accused alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old in 2000 (which both have since denied), the “Empire State of Mind” musician attended the Mufasa movie premiere alongside wife Beyoncé and daughter Blue Ivy Carter. 50 Cent was quick to react — especially because of his sordid history with both fellow rappers.
“Jay said they said I rapped [sic] a kid, everybody get dressed we going to see Mufasa LOL,” he captioned an Instagram post that was deleted shortly after.
Keep scrolling to look back at 50 Cent and Jay-Z’s history over the years:
1999
50 Cent released a song titled “How to Rob,” in which he called out some of his fellow rappers — including Jay-Z.
That same year, Jay-Z debuted the song “It’s Hot (Some Like It Hot),” in which he responded to 50 Cent’s prior diss. “I’m about a dollar / What the f—is 50 Cent?” the song’s lyrics read, in part.
2003
When reflecting on Jay-Z’s rap response, 50 Cent actually praised the musical moment.
“When he responded, I was complimented,” 50 Cent said in a Rolling Stone article at the time. “He wouldn’t say nothing back to somebody he didn’t think was hot. I never went to radio until after he said that about me. I don’t know if my career would be where it’s at if he didn’t respond.”
2004
The two musicians teamed up for a Reebok commercial.
2007
50 Cent collaborated with Jay-Z and Diddy on the “I Get Money” remix.
2008
During an interview at the time, 50 Cent reportedly said that “no one really knew” who Jay-Z was before the rapper married Beyoncé.
2011
50 Cent said during his interview with MTV News that he has a business relationship with Jay-Z.
“It’s not like we have something against each other to make us enemies,” he said. “Me and Jay will use each other. Repeatedly. For energy.”
2013
Jay-Z reflected on the beginning of 50 Cent’s career, revealing on “The Breakfast Club” that he told other musicians the “Candy Shop” rapper was “coming.”
“Four months later, ‘In Da Club’ hit and it was over,” Jay-Z continued. “It was like, OK, now everybody gotta sit on the sidelines and wait this tidal wave out.”
2017
Following the release of Jay-Z’s 4:44 album, 50 Cent called it “golf course music” in a since-deleted Instagram video.
“I listened to Jay sh–, that 4:44,” he said, “I thought the sh– was aight. I liked the sh–, but I’m gonna keep it 100: the sh– was too smart. I felt like I was supposed to be wearing glasses and tie a f—ing sweater around my waist. It was like Ivy League sh–.”
2022
50 Cent reposted a video of himself crashing Jay-Z’s performance with Kanye West and T.I. in 2007.
“This is why they say i only had one album,” he captioned the clip. “I made them so uncomfortable, I’m working on being a better person. LOL.”
2024
Following the Jay-Z rape accusation, 50 Cent made a joke about the Super Bowl halftime show (Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has played a key part in the halftime show since 2020).
“Ok I don’t know what’s going on, but are we gonna still have the Super Bowl. I’m just asking for a friend,” 50 Cent posted via X. He further clarified that he was “ just asking” for the sake of Kendrick Lamar who was set to perform.
Following the allegation against him, Jay-Z issued a denial to Us Weekly: “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.”
