The legendary war between 50 Cent and the Murder Inc. empire (Ja Rule) defined 2000s Hip-Hop. However, in a recent interview, 50 Cent revealed a shocking detail about his beef with Fat Joe: the conflict didn’t entirely stem from the music, but rather from Joe’s “loyalty to a default” to his rival.

50 Cent, known for his sharp business and competitive mindset, began by explaining his philosophy: “If you don’t have competitors, create your competition. Pick somebody that’s good in the field that you’re in, who’s sharper, and watch that person and deliver.” According to him, having a focused rival is necessary for self-improvement.

Fat Joe: A Victim of Loyalty

 

When speaking about Fat Joe, 50 Cent candidly remarked: “I always said Joe’s loyal to a default… He was so loyal to them [Ja Rule/Murder Inc.] that he he had embraced their issues.”

According to 50 Cent, Joe was dragged into the media war after collaborating with Ja Rule. But the deeper root of that loyalty stemmed from the hit song “What’s Luv?” (featuring Ashanti, who was signed to Murder Inc.).

50 Cent explained that Joe had a close relationship with Ja Rule’s team (who helped Joe secure a massive hit), and therefore, Joe felt obligated to defend them, even if it meant confronting the emerging powerhouse that was 50 Cent.

 

The Surprising Irony

 

The most ironic detail in 50 Cent’s confession is that he actually liked Joe’s music.

“The problem was, I like the record. That record was fire. Super fire,” 50 Cent admitted when referencing one of the tracks Joe did with his rival’s camp.

However, for 50 Cent, this was a strategic move: “So when when they doing ‘I’m from New York and all that’ with Jada and them, I had to get them at that point because they were helping them [Murder Inc.].”

In other words, while 50 Cent appreciated Fat Joe’s talent and music, he couldn’t overlook the fact that Joe was providing active support and collaboration to his main rival. In 50 Cent’s “war,” there was no room for neutrality. Joe’s loyalty forced him to become an unavoidable target.

This insight reveals that rap beefs are not only about diss tracks but also about business strategy and loyalty among artists, sometimes forcing them to sacrifice personal relationships for a brand war.