The Bitter Feud Between Irv Gotti and 50 Cent: A Saga Fueled by Beef, Health Struggles, and Hip-Hop History
- Master Lee
- Feb 8
- 3 min read
The Origins: How It All Began:

The rivalry between Irv Gotti, the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records, and 50 Cent, the G-Unit mogul, is one of hip-hop’s most enduring and explosive conflicts. Their feud traces back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when both were ascending in the rap game.
1. The Ja Rule Robbery Incident

In 1999, a member of 50 Cent’s G-Unit crew allegedly robbed Ja Rule, Murder Inc.’s flagship artist, in Queens, New York. This sparked a war of words and diss tracks, with Ja Rule and Irv Gotti painting 50 Cent as a "snitch" .
2. The Shooting of 50 Cent
The feud turned deadly in May 2000 when 50 Cent was shot nine times outside his grandmother’s home. While no one was charged, 50 Cent blamed Irv Gotti’s ties to Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, a Queens drug lord referenced in 50’s controversial track “Ghetto Qu’ran” .
3. Diss Tracks and Public Insults

50 Cent’s 2002 hit “Wanksta” became an anthem mocking Ja Rule and Murder Inc., with lines like “Damn homie, in high school you was the man, homie—what the fuck happened to you?”—a lyric later repurposed to taunt Irv Gotti himself .
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Irv Gotti’s Health Struggles: Diabetes and Stroke
While the feud simmered for decades, Irv Gotti’s health battles added a new layer to the drama.
Diabetes Diagnosis and Complications
Gotti has openly discussed his lifelong struggle with diabetes, admitting on the Drink Champs podcast in 2023 that he neglected insulin and dietary changes, leading to severe physical deterioration .
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50 Cent’s Relentless Trolling:
50 Cent’s social media savagery has kept the feud alive, even as Gotti faced life-threatening health issues.
1. Mocking the Cane Photo (2024)
When Wack 100 shared the cane photo, 50 Cent reposted it with a “Wanksta”-inspired caption: “I want Irv to get well so he can have to watch my next wave”—a nod to his continued dominance in entertainment .
2. Exploiting Legal and Personal Drama

50 Cent also mocked Gotti over a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him in 2024, joking about legal fees “breaking his ass half” . He even trolled Gotti when Ashanti (a former Murder Inc. artist) announced her pregnancy with Nelly, implying jealousy .
3. Fan Reactions: Divided Opinions
While some fans criticized 50 Cent’s insensitivity (“*Be careful who you laugh at*” ), others defended his actions as payback for decades of animosity .
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Why the Feud Persists:
1. Legacy of Murder Inc. vs. G-Unit
The rivalry symbolizes the clash between two iconic rap eras: Murder Inc.’s early-2000s R&B-tinged hits vs. G-Unit’s gritty street anthems.
2. Unresolved Trauma
50 Cent’s near-fatal shooting and Gotti’s alleged ties to McGriff left deep wounds. For 50, the feud is personal—a fight for survival and supremacy.
3. The Role of Social Media
50 Cent weaponizes platforms like Instagram to control narratives, ensuring the feud stays relevant. His trolling blends dark humor with self-promotion, keeping audiences engaged .
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Conclusion: A Beef Beyond the Music
The Irv Gotti vs. 50 Cent saga transcends hip-hop. It’s a story of ego, survival, and the high cost of fame. While Gotti battles diabetes and legal woes, 50 Cent continues to thrive, using their history as fuel for his empire. As one fan noted, “Beef wit 50 is like a successful marriage… til death do us part” . In a genre built on rivalry, this feud remains a masterclass in pettiness—and a reminder that in hip-hop, the past is never truly buried.
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For further details, refer to sources: [AllHipHop](https://allhiphop.com), [HipHopDX](https://hiphopdx.com), [TMZ](https://tmz.com), and [The Blast](https://theblast.com).
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