Curtis Jackson, known as 50 Cent, has defended himself for publicly calling out Sean 'Diddy' Combs for years, especially in light of the recent arrest and subsequent charges against the disgraced star.
- October 21, 2024
AceShowbiz - 50 Cent opens up about his long-standing rivalry with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and why he has consistently called out the music mogul, especially in light of recent disturbing allegations.
In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, hip-hop star 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, defended his decision to publicly speak out about Diddy over the years. The "Candy Shop" rapper, aged 49, has had a long-standing rivalry with the 54-year-old music icon. This feud has surfaced in various forms over time, with 50 Cent often criticizing Diddy on social media and during concerts.
"Look, it seems like I'm doing some extremely outrageous things, but I haven't. It's really me just saying what I've been saying for 10 years," 50 Cent told PEOPLE. He added, "Now it's becoming more full-facing in the news with the Puffy stuff, but away from that, I'm like, 'Yo, it's just my perspective because I stayed away from that stuff the entire time, because this is not my style.' "
The rivalry was reignited after Diddy was arrested and charged with three serious counts: racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy has pleaded not guilty to these charges and remains in jail awaiting trial after being denied bail.
The arrest followed a wave of allegations, including a lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, who claimed she was raped and abused by Diddy throughout their 10-year relationship. The lawsuit was settled a day after it was filed.
New lawsuits have since emerged including one that accused Diddy of drugging and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl along with two other celebrities, a male and female, at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards afterparty.
The mounting legal troubles led 50 Cent to announce he is producing a Netflix documentary titled "Diddy Do It?" The documentary, as stated by Jackson, aims to provide a comprehensive narrative about the situation and to support survivors of sexual assault.
"This is a story with significant human impact. It is a complex narrative spanning decades, not just the headlines or clips seen so far," 50 Cent (for G-Unit Film & Television) and director Alexandria Stapleton (for House of Nonfiction) said in a statement to PEOPLE. They added, "We remain steadfast in our commitment to give a voice to the voiceless and to present authentic and nuanced perspectives."
50 Cent emphasized that while the allegations against Diddy are disturbing, they should not overshadow the broader contributions of hip-hop culture. He stressed the importance of looking beyond individual actions to appreciate the contributions of the community as a whole.
The feud between 50 Cent and Diddy, which initially began after the release of the 2006 diss track "The Bomb" where 50 Cent accused Diddy of being involved in the 1997 murder of Notorious B.I.G., has evolved over the years, often colliding with their respective brands and public personas. But as 50 Cent continues to speak out, it's clear his focus now extends beyond the personal grudge, aiming to bring light to deeper issues within the music industry and society.