50 Cent claims Roc Nation tried to keep him out of Super Bowl
One of the most memorable Super Bowl halftime shows in recent memory came in 2022 when an array of rap legends gathered together to support Dr Dre, but 50 Cent claims that he was almost denied the opportunity to take part.
The midpoint extravaganza of Super Bowl LVI saw Dr Dre take to the stage to barrel through a collection of his biggest and most popular hits, and in keeping with the tradition of the signature set piece in the most important American football game on the calendar, he didn’t come alone.
In addition to 50 Cent, some of Dr Dre’s other special guests included Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J Blige, and Kendrick Lamar, and it instantly became known as one of the greatest halftime shows in the history of the Super Bowl.
A protégé of both Dre and Eminem, 50 Cent was integral to the mini-concert, but he alleged that Jay-Z’s Roc Nation banner “wanted to leave me out of it,” which might have something to do with the ongoing bad blood between the two that largely stems from the allegations made against Diddy.
“They didn’t want me there,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Eminem wouldn’t do it without me. That’s how I ended up on the show, because he was not coming if I didn’t do it. When that happens, you go, ‘Damn, you just lost Eminem because you didn’t bring 50?’. Damn. All right. Bring 50 then.”
He then suggested that “if it was up to them, they would not have me there.” His entrance was a memorable one, but because “they couldn’t get Em to do it without me,” Roc Nation’s attempts to stymie his involvement ended up amounting to nothing.
Roc Nation figurehead has become a regular target of 50 Cent’s on social media, with the latter repeatedly criticising Jay-Z for his connections to Diddy in the midst of the multiple lawsuits being filed against him.
50 Cent has made a habit of suggesting on social media that Jay-Z knew about the incidents that have repeatedly placed Diddy in the legal crosshairs, so it’s not all that surprising that Roc Nation would try to halt his participation in the Super Bowl halftime show.
Fortunately for 50, Eminem carries a great deal more sway than most musicians in the industry, and he was allowed to serve as the surprise guest in the all-star Super Bowl showcase.