It was an iconic moment to have rap GOATs Jay-Z, T.I., Diddy, Kanye West, and 50 Cent together on stage at the New York stop of 2007 Screamfest tour. The concert series was headlined by T.I. and Ciara, who allegedly was dating 50 at the time, according to MTV. 50 was not on the concert bill for their New York stop. But he surprisingly assisted Ciara with performing their single, “Can’t Leave Em Alone.” Lloyd Banks, Mobb Deep, and Tony Yayo joined 50 for a surprise G-Unit moment. But it’s what took place later that evening that has fans often revisiting the legendary hip-hop moment at Madison Square Garden.
On Thursday, Nov. 17, Fif shared a fan-made video on Instagram of the impromptu moment from 15 years ago. “When Jay-Z didn’t like 50 Cent running on stage during his performance,” was written at the top with a smiling face emoji.”
The entertainment mogul added his own caption, writing, “This is why they say I only had one album. I made them so uncomfortable, I’m working on being a better person. LOL #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi.”
50 was not scheduled to perform with Jay, T.I., Diddy, and West during the co-headliner Tip’s set but his presence was felt on stage. The “Power” co-creator can be seen running around onstage in the video while everyone backs up West rapping lyrics from his single, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”
The now-47-year-old was later seen walking around counting a wad of cash, dancing with others, and touching fans from the stage. At one point, he threw up the diamond hand symbol known as “throwing up the roc” in references to Jay-Z’s former label Roc-A-Fella Records, per MTV.
The short clip cuts to the Roc Nation founder telling 50, “You can get down, n—a, you can get down. It’s all good.” He playfully began pushing the “Get Money” rapper away from the front of the stage. T.I. chimed in, adding, “This a real special moment, ain’t it?”
Fans in the comments section of 50’s video came hard with jokes, touching on his unapologetic demeanor. Dozens began referring to fellow New Yorker Lil Mama, who crashed Jay’s performance in 2009. It was called nicknames like “Lil Mama 2.0 and “the original Lil Mama,” and more. Here’s what others had to say.
“But when lil mama did it ..nvm.”
“Only one missing is lil mama.”
“Lmaoo somebody always jumping on his stage set. 50 ran so Lil mama could walk.”
“So Lil mama follow behind u by jumping on stage ur career elevated and her ended everyone cant be u.”
“This moment was quickly forgotten when Lil Mama jumped on stage and Jay Z quickly blackballed her from everything.”
50 is one of many stage crashers Jay-Z has encountered. At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys‘ performance of “Empire State of Mind” was crashed by fellow rapper Lil Mama. The “Lipgloss” rapper was so moved by the New York anthem that she walked onstage. There’s video footage of Jay’s wife, Beyoncé, trying to stop the emcee from going onstage. But she failed and it created one of the most memorable times in pop culture and hip-hop.
Keys has repeatedly admitted she had no idea why Lil Mama hopped on the stage, as previously reported. After staying silent for 12 years, Jay spoke about the unexpected pop-up calling her “our sister” during a conversation on Twitter Spaces. He said he forgave her and advised others against jumping on other artist’s stages.
The billionaire said, “She’s a New Yorker. … She got excited. Things happen,” he explained. “Of course we love her. … Yes, she’s forgiven.
