50 Cent recently speculated on why he almost missed performing at the 2022 Super Bowl, and according to him, it’s all tied to JAY-Z’s behind-the-scenes maneuvers. During a conversation with Cam’ron, the rapper opened up about his theory that JAY-Z attempted to exclude him from the star-studded halftime show.
50 Cent surprised fans when he took the stage at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show alongside big names like Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg. It turns out, his presence wasn’t always guaranteed. According to 50, JAY-Z, who has been involved with halftime show arrangements since 2019, tried to keep him out.
During his chat with Cam’ron, 50 Cent explained that he thought the move was due to competitive vibes that extended beyond music. He shared about his flourishing liquor company, which has partnerships with major sports teams’ owners. “When you have everything, the ‘cool’ is the object,” 50 said, adding that these owners want to associate with him, opening up new opportunities.
As to why JAY-Z might have acted this way, 50 Cent speculated it wasn’t a personal threat. “Our culture’s competitive,” he explained, stating it didn’t make sense to block him from business opportunities. Furthermore, 50 suggested JAY-Z’s actions were unnecessary as they weren’t competing for any current chart positions, asking, “What are we competing for? What’s the goal?”
Interestingly, it was 50 Cent’s long-time friend, Eminem, who secured his spot at the Super Bowl. In a bold move, Eminem threatened to pull out of the halftime show if 50 Cent wasn’t included, ultimately forcing the organizers’ hand. “[Roc Nation] didn’t want me there,” 50 Cent revealed, crediting Eminem for ensuring his performance happened.
Reflecting on this, 50 Cent expressed his surprise at being included given the circumstances. “They couldn’t get Em to do it without me,” he recounted, acknowledging that he was never officially on the lineup but was vital to keeping Eminem on board.
50 Cent’s experience with the Super Bowl showcases a competitive world, even beyond music. Thanks to Eminem’s unwavering support, 50 got his moment on stage despite alleged backstage schemes. Perhaps this tale of alliances and rivalries adds another layer to the drama in the hip-hop scene.
