50 Cent Speaks on His Bond With Eminem: Inside Hip-Hop’s Strongest Brotherhood

In an industry often defined by rivalries, egos, and public feuds, 50 Cent and Eminem have built something far rarer — a brotherhood rooted in loyalty, respect, and mutual admiration.

More than two decades after their first collaboration, 50 Cent is reflecting on his long-standing friendship with Eminem, calling it “a true partnership built on trust — not competition.”

“Throughout our careers, there was never competition, envy, or anything like it,” 50 Cent said in a recent interview. “We both understood that fame, money, and music had room for two greats — and that’s why we always supported each other instead of competing.”

The Beginning of a Legendary Partnership

Their story began in the early 2000s, at a time when the New York rap scene was brimming with ambition but also plagued by politics. A young Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, then an unsigned rapper from Queens, had already gained notoriety for his gritty street tapes — most notably How to Rob. But after being shot nine times in 2000, his career seemed uncertain.

Enter Marshall “Eminem” Mathers, already a superstar and hip-hop’s most polarizing figure after the global success of The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP. When Eminem heard 50 Cent’s mixtape Guess Who’s Back?, he was immediately impressed.

“The first time I heard 50,” Eminem once said, “I knew he was something special. He had the hunger, the energy — he was fearless.”

Eminem brought 50’s music to Dr. Dre, who agreed. The result was a three-way partnership that changed rap forever: Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and G-Unit Records joined forces to launch 50 Cent’s debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003).

That album, fueled by hits like In da Club and 21 Questions, sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and turned 50 Cent into an international superstar almost overnight.

A Bond Beyond Business

What made the relationship between 50 and Eminem unique wasn’t just business success — it was genuine loyalty. Through countless industry changes, scandals, and label shakeups, their friendship remained solid.

While many rapper partnerships have crumbled under ego and money, 50 and Em maintained mutual respect and brotherhood.

“I respect him a lot,” 50 said. “He gave me my shot when nobody else would. He believed in me — and I’ve never forgotten that.”

Eminem has echoed the sentiment many times, calling 50 “one of the realest dudes I’ve ever met.” In a 2020 Music Choice interview, Em said, “When I signed 50, I didn’t just sign an artist — I signed a friend. He’s family.”

Their friendship extends beyond the studio. Both have defended each other publicly over the years — from industry controversies to online criticism. When Eminem faced backlash for his lyrical content, 50 was one of the few high-profile artists to publicly back him. Similarly, Eminem has stood up for 50 during industry feuds and even cameoed in his Get Rich or Die Tryin’ biopic in 2005.

Decades of Collaboration and Mutual Support

Over the years, the duo has collaborated on multiple iconic tracks, including Patiently Waiting, Don’t Push Me, and Crack a Bottle. Each time they reunite, fans are reminded of their unmatched chemistry — a mix of aggression, intelligence, and emotional authenticity.

Even when their careers diverged — with 50 focusing on television ventures like Power and BMF, and Eminem returning to solo dominance with albums like Revival and Music to Be Murdered By — the bond never weakened.

50 often credits Eminem for inspiring his evolution beyond music. “He taught me that the brand could be bigger than the bars,” 50 once told Billboard. “He made me think like a businessman without losing who I was as an artist.”

Eminem, in turn, has frequently praised 50’s hustle and business acumen, calling him “one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”

The Meaning of Real Brotherhood in Hip-Hop

In a culture where public beefs often make more headlines than friendships, the 50 Cent–Eminem connection stands out. It’s a relationship built not on contracts, but on gratitude and genuine respect — two artists who never needed to outshine each other to stay great.

“People think hip-hop has to be competitive,” 50 said. “But it doesn’t. Me and Em proved that. Real legends don’t compete — they lift each other up.”

Their bond has become a blueprint for artists navigating fame in an age of social media and short-lived alliances. It shows that longevity in hip-hop doesn’t come from dominance — it comes from loyalty.

A Brotherhood That Still Inspires

As of 2025, 50 Cent continues expanding his empire in film, TV, and entrepreneurship, while Eminem remains one of the most respected and lyrically gifted rappers alive. Yet no matter how far their individual paths have taken them, their friendship remains a central part of both their stories.

It’s not just about music anymore — it’s about legacy, integrity, and gratitude.

“He’s my brother,” 50 said, smiling. “We’ve been through everything — success, struggle, criticism, love. But through it all, we never switched up.”

In a business where alliances shift overnight, their brotherhood has lasted for over two decades.

And in the words of one fan on X:

“In a world full of fake friendships, 50 and Eminem are proof that real ones still exist.”