The Ongoing Feud Between 50 Cent and Jay-Z: A Tale of Rap Rivalry and Unexpected Confrontations
In the interview, 50 Cent shared a vivid memory of being approached by Beyoncé in Las Vegas. According to him, Beyoncé jumped out onto a windowsill, ready to defend her husband, Jay-Z. This encounter occurred many years ago, but 50 Cent’s surprise and confusion about the situation were still evident as he recounted the story. He explained that Beyoncé must have thought he and Jay-Z were arguing, prompting her to intervene aggressively. “She jumped out and was like, ‘Wait, what is she doing?”” 50 Cent said, expressing his shock at the situation.
This incident is just one of many highlights in the tumultuous relationship between 50 Cent and Jay-Z. Their rivalry began in 1999 with the release of 50 Cent’s controversial track “How to Rob,” where he dissed several prominent rappers, including Jay-Z. This track was intended to garner attention for 50 Cent’s upcoming album “Power of the Dollar,” and it succeeded in putting him on the map. Jay-Z’s response came during the Summer Jam Festival, where he famously addressed 50 Cent with the line, “I’m about a dollar, who the f*** is 50 Cent?” This public acknowledgment helped to elevate 50 Cent’s profile significantly.
Despite the initial friction, the rivalry took various forms over the years. After being dropped by Columbia Records and surviving a near-fatal shooting, 50 Cent made a remarkable comeback with his compilation tape “Guess Who’s Back” in 2002, eventually signing with Eminem and Dr. Dre at Shady Records. Jay-Z, recognizing 50 Cent’s rising influence, reportedly instructed his artists to flood the market with new music to counter 50 Cent’s momentum.
The feud extended beyond music, influencing business decisions and public interactions. 50 Cent believed that his album duel with Kanye West was another manifestation of his competition with Jay-Z, as Kanye was signed to Jay-Z’s label, Def Jam. 50 Cent even mentioned in his 2020 book “Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter” that Jay-Z did everything possible to ensure Kanye’s victory in their sales battle.
In the complex world of hip-hop, where rivalries and alliances constantly shift, the ongoing feud between 50 Cent and Jay-Z remains a notable chapter. While they may never see eye to eye, their interactions have undeniably shaped their careers and left a lasting impression on the industry.