50 Cent came into the rap game taking on a slew of rappers in his 1999 song “How to Rob,” and he seemed to use the same approach when he began working in television.
Because in 2014, the G-Unit rapper ripped the show “Empire” and said the marketing was too similar to the marketing behind “Power,” which he starred in and executive produces.
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“‘Power’ season 2 is unbelievably good trust me,” wrote 50 back then. “I have the best writers and showrunner. I like Terrence Howard and Taraji Henson. I don’t like that they would copy the marketing.”
Then in a separate post, 50 uploaded photos of Howard, as well as Henson and wrote “Empire vs. Power ladies. What’s up you be the judge. LMAO.”
Taraji P. Henson later responded and wrote, “I pay attention to $’s NOT cents.”
Both shows are now in their sixth and final season, and Henson recently spoke about 50 coming at “Empire” back then. She did it during an interview on T.I.’s podcast “expediTIously,” published on Jan. 9, and took 50 to task for what he wrote.
“I didn’t like it, it was very uncomfortable,” said Henson about 50’s comments. “Our show has nothing to do with his show. We’re talking two different subject matters. I thought that did more damage than good … Why are we pitting two black shows against each other when it’s hard enough to get a black show on the air? That’s when I get pissed off, because that’s the crabs and the barrel f—— mentality.”
“Why you going to compete with the black show? There are a million other shows you can compete with,” she added. “Then again 50, do you know what the f–k I had to do to get here? Why tear down another black person? For competition?”
Henson then said that she has no ill will against 50, especially because his words didn’t hurt her or “Empire.” But she believes it was “sad” that everything played out in front of the public.
A lot of people weighed in on what Henson had to say, and there were many who agreed with her that 50 was wrong for coming at “Empire.” At the same time, others said the actress should have expected it.
“50 is a troll and has always been one,” someone wrote on Instagram. “He did it in the rap game, and now he’s doing it in the film industry. It’s just his nature…🤷🏿♂️.”
“Honestly. Empire started out with a similar background of power…. but tearing down one another is not the way,” wrote someone else.
“What was he suppose to do? Stop airing his show. I see your point clearly. But the social media already made the 2 shows into a competition…. From a business perspective, all he basically did was post it.”
“50 is wack af for that,” a fourth person stated.
