Hip-Hop mogul 50 Cent couldn’t resist taking another shot at former EMPIRE actor Jussie Smollett with a Starz’s Power reference after the singer returned to the stage for the first time in eight years.
50 shared a viral video from Smollett’s performance at Harlem Pride on Instagram Sunday, using the moment to revive his long-running rivalry between Starz’s “Power” and Fox’s “Empire.”
“See 👀 I told you POWER was the shit, but No you want to watch Empire. Now look this is all your fault. LOL 😆,” 50 Cent wrote.
The jab referenced the years-long ratings battle between the hit dramas. While 50 Cent helped build “Power” into one of cable television’s biggest franchises, Smollett starred as Jamal Lyon on “Empire” alongside Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
Instead of commenting directly on Smollett’s emotional Harlem Pride performance, 50 Cent turned the clip into another opportunity to troll his former television rival. The rapper has repeatedly mocked “Empire” since both shows competed for viewers during the mid-2010s.
Hip-Hop Mogul 50 Cent Remembers Power v. EMPIRE Beef While Laughing At Jussie Smollett’s Harlem Pride Performance
Fans quickly piled into the comments.
“How Long Does It Take For @50cent To Forgive 😂😂😂😂😂 I’ll Wait,” wrote @carribeanfestivalke, suggesting the rapper still enjoys revisiting the old television feud.
Others targeted Smollett’s choreography.
“The dudes that jumped him are the backup dancers 👯 😂,” joked comedian Chingo Bling.
Instagram user @dhow4 compared the performance to “that video machine you get into at the carnival to make videos for 5 minutes,” while @diamondshinezbright added, “Chiiiiile this is a hot mess 🤣.”
Another commenter, @heyquels_, wrote, “I blame his siblings. Why are they allowing him to embarrass himself 🤔😆.”
Smollett’s Harlem Pride appearance marked his first live performance in eight years and drew enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Online, however, much of the attention shifted to 50 Cent’s latest roast.
Known for turning viral moments into punchlines, the Queens rapper once again used social media to revisit the “Power” versus “Empire” rivalry—proving that, years after both shows dominated television, he’s still ready to keep the feud alive with a single Instagram post.
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