Credit: Alamy

There is a good case to be made that 50 Cent is one of the toughest men in the hip-hop world. Not only is his sizeable figure an image ingrained on to the millions of people who saw his ‘In Da Club’ video and witnessed Fifty complete sit-ups while hanging upside down, but he has also managed to face nine gunshots and lived to tell the tale.

When you add that physical prowess to the performer’s unwavering dedication to music, business and, of course, the trolling of a variety of celebrities, the case seems rock solid that 50 Cent is as tough as the metal used to create the two quarters that make up his name. However, it would appear, that even he has a soft spot.

Having found fame as one of the toughest rappers on the scene, Fifty showed himself to be a far cannier operator than his thug image suggested. It would eventually arise that Fif was a shrewd businessman. A case in point came when he was asked to endorse a new brand on the drinks market, Vitamin Water. When the deal popped up, the offer was for the rapper to be paid upfront for his endorsement. However, he wanted something different and asked for equity in the company. In doing so, when Coca-Cola bought the company three years later, he made $100m from the sale.

This unique business sense would see 50 Cent soon move into production and start creating his own TV series, including the hit show Power and his upcoming tell-all Diddy documentary. Ever since the release of the former, Fifty has become a big name in the TV industry, which means he has some sway. He used that clout to good effect when he shut down the TLC show Starter Wives.

The show was to feature ex-girlfriends of Floyd Mayweather, DMX and, of course, 50 Cent. But, after only a few episodes, the New Yorker had the show pulled from the air, the scenes that included his ex removed from the show entirely and the series was relegated to the network’s website. It would appear that the tough man of rap was equally tough in his litigious behaviour.

“If you want to watch the remainder of episodes of Starter Wives Confidential, you will have to go online to TLC.com,” Monica Joseph Taylor, the wife of Funkmaster Flex, who also starred in the show, said. “Ask me why? Is it ratings? Is it a change in network direction…or all the outside drama?! It’s no secret Starter Wives Confidential was plagued by legal inquiries and possible lawsuits from the beginning. Starting with Shaniqua Tompkins being missing from all the episodes, her ex, 50 Cent, allegedly had an agreement or contract with her of some sort that either prevented or made it difficult for her to partake in the show.”

It wouldn’t take long before 50 Cent admitted to being behind the show’s cancellation: “I want to apologize to cast of Starter Wives for having the show pulled off the network. I sincerely hope you find work. It had to go. The show was trash, angry ex girls that have a sense of entitlement that can’t be met. Come on, I didn’t like it so it’s off,” he said.

It wouldn’t be the end of the situation, though. As Thompson attempted to take part in a new series featuring Carmen Bryan, the ex-girlfriend of Nas, 50 Cent once again shut down any chances of a show, this time with a little more venom: “Get a f***ing job,” 50 Cent wrote. “I own your life rights reality TV is a no go. l don’t know what to tell you, oh go shake your new fake a** over at club Angels.”

Whether Thompson had left such an indelible mark on Fifty that he refuses to let her open up on TV or he simply demands control over his exes is unclear. But, one thing is for sure, if 50 Cent wants to shut something down on TV, he looks like he might just have the power to do it.