In the world of hip-hop, few rivalries have captured public attention quite like that of Rick Ross and 50 Cent. What began as a seemingly petty misunderstanding at the 2008 BET Awards has evolved into one of the genre’s most enduring and brutal feuds. The roots of their animosity can be traced back to that night when Ross claimed he disliked the way 50 Cent looked at him, while 50 later stated he didn’t even remember Ross being present. This initial brush-off ignited a fierce rivalry that would define both artists for years to come.
Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, built a brand around being a “boss” and a self-proclaimed drug kingpin. However, the revelation that he worked as a correctional officer prior to his rap career shattered this carefully constructed image. In 2006, an article titled “Screw Rick Ross” published by The Smoking Gun exposed Ross’s past, providing photographic evidence of his graduation from the police academy and detailing his tenure as a CO at a South Florida detention center. This bombshell proved damaging, especially considering the persona he had cultivated in his music.
50 Cent, known for his strategic trolling and penchant for psychological warfare, seized the opportunity to undermine Ross’s credibility. He coined the nickname “Officer Ricky,” relentlessly mocking Ross for his past. This satire escalated into a full-blown campaign that included diss tracks, animated shorts, and personal attacks. The most infamous moment came when 50 Cent released “Officer Ricky,” a track that highlighted Ross’s past while promoting the idea that he was living a lie.
Ross initially attempted damage control, denying the allegations and claiming that hackers had altered photographs to create a false narrative. However, the more he denied it, the deeper he found himself in a public relations nightmare. 50 Cent capitalized on this, not just by attacking Ross but by enlisting Ross’s baby mama, Tia Kemp, to air out his dirty laundry in a tell-all video, further complicating Ross’s attempts at redemption.
Despite the relentless barrage from 50 Cent, Rick Ross continued to release music and maintain a fan base. His early albums achieved platinum status, and many fans chose to overlook his past. However, after admitting in his 2014 track “Riches Gangster” that he had, in fact, been a correctional officer, Ross’s credibility took a significant hit. Although he remained active in the music scene, he struggled to regain the same level of success as before. His subsequent album, “Hood Billionaire,” marked the lowest first-week sales of his career, indicating the lasting impact of the feud.
In contrast, 50 Cent faced his own setbacks, notably the fallout from a lawsuit that forced him into bankruptcy after leaking an explicit video of another of Ross’s baby mamas. Despite this, he managed to maintain his reputation as a master troll, continuously reminding the public of Ross’s past while also facing criticism for his own legal troubles.
The rivalry took a new turn with the recent news surrounding Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF). After Big Meech’s release from prison, he was spotted with both Ross and 50 Cent, reigniting tensions between the two rappers. 50 Cent expressed his discontent on social media, posting a rat emoji alongside comments that hinted at betrayal. In response, Ross took shots at 50’s BMF television series, calling it a “lackluster small-budget series” and proposing to create his own film about the drug trafficking organization.
As the feud continues to simmer, it’s clear that the animosity between Rick Ross and 50 Cent is far from resolved. Despite the personal and professional blows each has dealt to the other, both artists have managed to sustain their careers, albeit with varying levels of success. The saga serves as a cautionary tale for those in the hip-hop industry: if you choose to engage in a feud with 50 Cent, ensure that your past is spotless, or be prepared for him to expose your secrets to the world.