The longstanding rivalry between 50 Cent and Ja Rule has flared up once again, with both artists trading barbs on social media. The feud, which began in 1999 and has spanned over two decades, shows no signs of cooling down as the two artists continue to clash over past grievances.
The latest chapter in this saga unfolded after Ja Rule appeared on The Breakfast Club to promote his rye whiskey company, Amber & Opal. During the interview, he reflected on the passing of his longtime friend and Murder Inc. co-founder, Irv Gotti, who died in February at the age of 54 following a series of health struggles, including strokes and diabetes. Ja Rule admitted that he was deeply upset by 50 Cent’s social media post mocking Gotti’s death, where 50 Cent wrote, “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack,” alongside a photo of himself next to a fake tombstone, adding, “Nah God bless him 🕊️LOL.”
“Nobody likes goofy sh—t,” Ja Rule said on The Breakfast Club, addressing 50 Cent’s taunt. “But it’s goofy sh—t.” He revealed that the post had pushed him to the brink of retaliation, sharing that he sought advice from Supreme McGriff to manage his anger. “I spoke to ‘Preme the other day and he always has the right words — because I was hot, I was ready to go nuclear,” Ja Rule recounted. “He said, ‘Rule, here’s what you got to understand who we are and what we are. We are masters of self-defense.’ And I said, ‘I love that.’ I don’t wanna start trouble, make trouble with people. But if we gotta get into it, I’ll f—king end it.”
Ja Rule says he was "ready to go nuclear" over 50 Cent's comments about Irv Gotti's death. pic.twitter.com/twDwNIpXNm
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) April 11, 2025
50 Cent, never one to shy away from a fight, responded to the interview on Instagram, mocking Ja Rule’s claim of being “ready to go nuclear” for 22 years. “The breakfast club should be ashamed of them selves asking questions that perpetuates violence,” 50 Cent wrote. “This fool has been getting ready to go what he calls nuclear for 22 years. 😆LOL ya man in my Runtz right now!”
Ja Rule fired back on X with a series of scathing posts, accusing 50 Cent of being a “rat” who informed authorities about Murder Inc., leading to a federal indictment in 2003. “@50cent SUCK MY D*CK you btch a** n*gga I already ate your lunch shut up!!!” Ja Rule tweeted on. He went on to criticize 50 Cent’s business ventures, calling his music, TV shows, and liquor “trash.” “N*gga you’re a used car salesman everything you do is trash music 1 good album after that trash liquor trash TV shows yeah I said it TRASH,” he added, even taking a jab at 50 Cent’s parenting and character, labeling him “the garbage man.”
50 Cent reacts to Ja Rule's The Breakfast Club interview and Ja claps back. pic.twitter.com/yVMSfqglSc
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) April 14, 2025
Order of protection is very REAL… them boys RATS… 🤣 pic.twitter.com/f42Z03h92i
— Ja Rule (@jarule) April 14, 2025
50 Cent Vs Ja Rule Beef Explained
The feud’s origins trace back to 1999 when Ja Rule was allegedly robbed of his chain by one of 50 Cent’s affiliates during a music video shoot, an incident that sparked a rivalry that would include diss tracks, physical altercations, and legal battles. In 2000, 50 Cent was stabbed by Murder Inc. rapper Black Child at The Hit Factory in New York, an event Black Child later claimed was in self-defense. That same year, 50 Cent survived being shot nine times in Queens, an attack some have linked to Murder Inc. and drug lord Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, though Ja Rule has consistently denied any involvement.
The rivalry took a legal turn in 2003 when the FBI raided Murder Inc. offices, investigating money laundering ties to McGriff. Federal prosecutors later alleged that McGriff funneled drug money into Murder Inc. projects, including the 2002 film Crime Partners, which featured Ja Rule. Ja Rule has long claimed that 50 Cent tipped off authorities, a charge 50 Cent denies.
Fans and observers have taken to X to weigh in on the renewed conflict, with some noting 50 Cent’s dominance in the feud. “50 has shitted on everything ja has done .. let that man reach 😂😂😂,” wrote user @handz2k. Others found humor in Ja Rule’s timing, with @mmaTR1LL commenting, “Ja Rule waiting 20 years to finally talk shit is some of the funniest shit ever lol.”
The feud has also reignited discussions about Ja Rule’s past controversies, including his role in the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival, which left attendees stranded in dire conditions and resulted in millions in losses. During a 2019 Breakfast Club interview, Ja Rule expressed a desire to create another festival, insisting he was also “bamboozled” by the scam’s orchestrator, Billy McFarland.
Mind You, Ja is still going off on X.