The origins of the beef between Lil Wayne and 50 Cent trace back to 2007, when Lil Wayne was gaining massive popularity within the rap industry. Many rappers began to feature him on their singles and remixes, signaling his rising prominence. During an interview in the same year, 50 Cent was asked about Wayne’s increasing demand, which led to a significant turning point. While 50 praised Wayne, he also called him out in a condescending manner, implying that Lil Wayne was “cheap” for accepting too many collaborations.
This comment could have ended the brewing tension, but it became the spark that ignited one of the most notable rap feuds of the late 2000s. Despite the initial jab, Lil Wayne remained silent, possibly following the advice of fellow rapper Pimp C, who suggested ignoring the beef to avoid giving it more attention. However, 50 Cent wasn’t done, and in his song “Part-Time Lover,” he escalated the situation, taking direct shots at both Lil Wayne and his mentor, Birdman, mocking them for their close relationship.
In “Part-Time Lover,” 50 Cent openly ridiculed Wayne and Birdman, suggesting their dynamic was questionable and casting aspersions on their personal relationship. This marked the second time 50 Cent took aim at Wayne. However, Lil Wayne once again chose not to engage in the feud directly, continuing to follow Pimp C’s advice of avoiding unnecessary drama.
The tension between the two intensified when Lil Wayne was named MTV’s “Hottest MC in the Game” in 2007. This title didn’t sit well with 50 Cent, who questioned Wayne’s success during a press interview. When a reporter couldn’t name a single from Lil Wayne’s recent album, 50 took it as proof that Wayne’s fame was exaggerated. Despite the escalating criticism, Lil Wayne responded with grace, complimenting 50 Cent instead of retaliating. He expressed admiration for 50’s success, referring to him as a “trillionaire” and declaring his intent to reach similar heights.
Later that year, Lil Wayne took another shot at 50 Cent on the song “Let’s Talk Money,” a collaboration with Pimp C and T-Pain. Though Pimp C had initially advised Wayne to stay out of the beef, he allowed the diss track to proceed, further entrenching Wayne’s stance against 50 Cent.
In early 2009, 50 Cent responded with two diss tracks aimed at Lil Wayne, escalating the conflict further. He criticized Wayne’s lyrical content and took jabs at his persona, trying to undermine Wayne’s credibility. Despite the increasing hostility, Wayne refrained from escalating the situation too much, even when asked about it in interviews. For Wayne, it seemed the beef was not worth continuing at the expense of his career.
However, 50 Cent wasn’t done. He took a more subtle approach in his next attack. In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, 50 pretended to be working on a rock album, mocking Lil Wayne’s upcoming “Rebirth,” an album that blended rock and rap. This was another low-key jab, showing that 50 wasn’t ready to let the beef fade away quietly.
At the height of the feud, another rap giant, Eminem, was drawn into the mix. Lil Wayne expressed his desire to collaborate with Eminem, but when no response came, Wayne suggested in an interview that perhaps Eminem was “scared” to be on a track with him. This statement, while not directly tied to the beef with 50 Cent, added another layer of tension, as both 50 and Eminem were close collaborators. Eventually, Lil Wayne and Eminem would go on to work together on the song “No Love” in 2010, but the interaction further fueled the drama surrounding Wayne’s ongoing beef with 50.
By 2010, the beef had simmered down, with both rappers focusing on their careers. However, in a final act of pettiness, 50 Cent took one more shot at Wayne in his song “Love, Hate, Love,” criticizing Wayne’s appearance and lifestyle. This diss failed to reignite the feud, as Wayne seemed uninterested in continuing the back-and-forth. The two rappers were even spotted at the same events in the following years, suggesting that the tension between them had finally cooled.
In 2012, 50 Cent expressed concern for Wayne after he suffered a seizure, signaling a more amicable phase in their relationship. Despite occasional public disagreements and minor incidents, such as Wayne walking out of a 50 Cent concert in 2023, the feud appears to have largely subsided. Most fans of both rappers now hope that the two icons can coexist peacefully, leaving their rivalry behind.
The beef between Lil Wayne and 50 Cent was a slow-burning conflict that stretched over several years, marked by pettiness, playful jabs, and occasional moments of respect. While it never reached the violent extremes of other rap feuds, it remains one of the most entertaining and drawn-out conflicts in hip-hop history. The two rappers, both successful in their own right, have since moved past their differences, focusing on their legacies rather than rekindling old grudges.
