No one can be petty quite like rapper, entrepreneur, and “Power” executive producer Curtis Jackson III, better known as 50 Cent.
In 2015, after “Power” was on the air for a year, “Empire” debuted on Fox and 50 Cent caused a social media debate between the two. Golden Globe Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson responded to the rapper a the time saying, “I pay attention to $’s NOT cents.”
And when she appeared on rapper T.I.’s podcast “Expeditiously” recently she doubled down on her comments.
“Our show has nothing to do with his show,” Henson said. “We’re talking two different subject matters. And then again 50, do you know what the f— I had to do to get here? Why tear down another black person? For competition? There are a million other shows you can compete with. To do that publicly? It’s embarrassing.”
Fifty got wind of Henson’s comments, and 50 being 50 responded in a lengthy post uploaded to his Instagram account.
“I saw @tarajiphenson on @troubleman31 podcast; this is my sincere apology I did not mean to hurt your feelings in anyway. I love your work and I think you are amazing,” 50 wrote.
“I’m sorry no one is watching your show anymore.😔 I realize I have to work on the fact that I have less empathy then others. I have met with the top executives at Fox and sold them (The Notorious Cop) it’s the show that is replacing yours😟 , but I really want to work with you,” he continued.
“I mean your awesome we would work well together😠, but if you don’t like the idea I understand. 😡if you don’t roll with me, your gonna get rolled the fuck over. #starzgettheapp #abcforlife Feb 11.”
(Photo: @50Cent Instagram)
Fans and fellow celeb Bow Wow found 50’s response to be hilarious.
“Bro You really have no chill 😂😂😂,” rapper Bow Wow wrote.”
“You tripping bro😂😂😂.”
“You are so crazy, but I love it.”
“This n– don’t have no feelings 😂.”
“Lol man, I just hope you keep winning because if you fall, they’ll come for your head over all the dust you’ve done kicked up.. #success #forever #dontgobroke.”
“Fifty’s the black Trump 😂.”
Where does all this drama stem from?
Fifty has been critical of the show, “Empire,” and in 2014, he claimed that the Fox show ripped off “Power.” He also accused “Empire” of copying the promotion of the Starz show in 2015.
“Their show is … the artwork was very similar; they used ‘Power’ in the tagline … they didn’t have to do that,” Jackson said during a “Power” panel at the Television Critics Association.
Fifty noted that he had met Henson, who plays Cookie Lyon on “Empire” a few times, but the two haven’t build any relationship.
On Twitter, a fan asked Henson in 2015 how she felt about 50’s criticism, and she wrote, “I pay attention to $’s NOT cents?”
While Henson hasn’t responded to 50’s lengthy Instagram post, the New York native continued to take jabs at Henson.
“The How to Rob” MC uploaded a photo of the book cover “Notorious C.O.P.: The Inside Story of the Tupac, Biggie, and Jam Master Jay Investigations from NYPD’s First ‘Hip-Hop Cop.’”
“This is the book we created the New Hit Tv show coming soon on FOX to replace Empire. 🤨 TIP Is already signed on, don’t f– play wit me I’m out here. #starzgettheapp #abcforlife Feb11,” 50 wrote for the caption.
(Photo: @50Cent Instagram)
He didn’t stop there. Fifty proceeded to post a photo of Henson with actor Jussie Smollett, who was accused of allegedly staging his homophobic and racist attack in Chicago in January 2019.
“@tarajiphenson I didn’t destroy your show it destroyed itself. I hope you accept my sincere apology, forever your fan and friend Fofty. ps, I’m looking forward to working with you or watching you watch me work. #starzgettheapp #abcforlife Feb11,” 50 wrote.
(Photo: @50Cent Instagram)
“Empire” is in its sixth and final season. Whether Henson chooses to work with 50 in the future is yet to be determined. That’s if she’ll ever speak to him following his antics.
