50 Cent has no hesitation about Jussie Smollett returning to the stage years after being accused of a hate crime hoax.
On Sunday, the 50-year-old rapper, who has been locked in a bitter TV rivalry with Smollett for years, took to social media to poke fun at Smollett’s performance.
In an Instagram post, the executive producer of the “Power” series, which Smollett mocked in 2019 by calling himself the “gay Tupac,” shared a video of the “Empire” star performing at Harlem Pride’s “17 Shades of Pride” celebration last weekend.
“I said ‘POWER’ was an s, but no, I want to watch ‘Empire.'” Now, this is all your fault. Lol,” he wrote alongside a video of Smollett’s performance.
Although “Power” and “Empire” premiered around the same time and both featured wealthy black families in New York, the two series were very different. However, 50 Cent frequently provoked fan conflict on social media by trolling Empire and claiming that Power was a better show. During the Smollett controversy in 2019, he leaned into the confrontation even further, using the moment to take repeated jabs at both the actor and “Empire.”
While some openly criticized Smollett’s song and his “sad” comeback attempt over the weekend, others were quick to defend him, including “Queer Eye’s” Karamo Brown.
“I was at this PRIDE event and Jussie killed it. Fuck you for using one clip from an entire 30-minute show to try to bring someone down!” Brown commented on 50 posts.
“People make mistakes, but life doesn’t have to end! Let him do his job,” one user wrote to X.
“He looks healthy, like he’s been working out and keeping his skin in shape,” another added. “I pray that he also found the spiritual and emotional healing he needed over the past few years. Cheers to better days!”
Others were less well received.
“I’m glad he’s not hurt anymore, but he’s coming out here and hurting our ears,” one user wrote to X.
“Have we forgiven him yet?” another wrote.
One user added: “He thought everything would be resolved at this moment. No.”
“Given the complexity of his own personal life, Mr. Smollett may be better off addressing issues closer to home than publicly criticizing Jussie,” a representative for Mr. Smollett said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Smollett initially reported to Chicago police in January 2019 that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men wearing ski masks. He was convicted of staging a hate crime in 2021, but the conviction was overturned in November 2024.
After reaching a settlement with the city of Chicago in 2025, Smollett agreed to make a $50,000 charitable contribution to have the lawsuit against him dismissed.
In a lengthy statement to Fox News Digital at the time, Smollett said: “More than six years ago, after I was reported to have been jumped, Chicago authorities tried to convince the public that I had intentionally assaulted myself. This false story left a permanent stain on my character. They wanted my money and wanted me to confess to something I didn’t do.”
“It should be clear today. … They received neither. The decision to settle the civil lawsuit was not the most difficult. After repeatedly refusing to pay the city, I was given the opportunity to make a charitable contribution in exchange for the dismissal of the lawsuit.”
In April 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Smollett to recover police costs investigating the alleged attack. The actor told Fox News Digital that he still has a place in his heart for the city, “no matter what happens there politically.”
“So giving to benefit Chicago communities that are often neglected by those in power is something I will always support,” he said. “I donated $50,000 to Building Brighter Futures (BBF) Center for the Arts, a local nonprofit that does great work fostering self-expression, creativity, and artistic exploration in Chicago’s youth. This organization was my choice, and I feel reassured by this experience that there will be at least one recipient.”
Smollett said that although the criminal charges were overturned and the civil suit dismissed, “I know this does not change anyone’s mind about me or the attacks I experienced. However, despite the great expense and effort that went into punishing me, I am innocent in both the eyes of God and our nation’s criminal justice system.”
“I will continue to create my art, passionately fight for the causes I care about, and defend my integrity and my family’s name with truth,” he concluded.
Smollett’s return to the stage comes during New York City’s busy Pride weekend, with thousands of people attending the New York City Pride Parade, including New York City Council candidate Brad Lander.
Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz, Tracy Wright and Emily Trainham contributed to this post.
