18 Surprising Facts About 50 Cent And Eminem’s Friendship Timeline

The rappers share an extraordinary bond and reportedly help each other during the most challenging and critical times.

Highlights

Eminem and 50 Cent share an unbreakable bond, helping and supporting each other in tough times.
Their friendship started when Eminem discovered 50 Cent’s talent and signed him under Dr. Dre’s label.
The duo continues to be involved in each other’s careers, with joint projects and public support through feuds and challenges.

Eminem and 50 Cent are one of the most iconic, dynamic duos of hip-hop. The pair share an extraordinary bond and reportedly help each other during the most challenging and critical times. Eminem was the one who discovered 50 Cent’s raw talent, just like what Dr. Dre did to Eminem. On the other hand, 50 always helps shield Eminem in every feud he gets caught in. With iconic songs like In Da Club and The Real Slim Shady, they were among the best-selling artists of the early 2000s.

Since then, their friendship bond remains tight, even after 50 Cent parted ways with Shady Records in 2014. He told Huffington Post, “It’s impossible to ruin the relationship Eminem and I have built up. There’s no way I would say or do anything that would disrespect what he’s done for me. I credit a huge portion of my success to Em because if it wasn’t for him being excited about the project, no one else would have rallied around it.”

This list might not be surprising to everyone, but let’s take a trip down memory lane and re-ignite one of the best friendships in hip-hop history: 50 Cent and Eminem.

Updated April 2024:Eminem and 50 Cent have remained close friends over the years. 50 Cent recently had Eminem join him in a surprise performance during The Final Lap Tour in September 2023. The two are even rumored to be working on a joint project together. While nothing has been confirmed, Eminem said he was in and would help 50 Cent in any way he needed.

18 Eminem Listened To 50 Cent’s Mixtape – And Gave Him His Shot

Year: 2002

Eminem and 50 Cent’s friendship started when Eminem, who was at the peak of his career prior to releasing Marshall Mathers LP, listened to 50 Cent’s Guess Who’s Back mixtape.

50 was at the lowest point of his life and career: got dropped from his label, and was shot nine times because he dropped the numbers of dealers from his hood on the song Gettho Qu’ran.

Eminem was impressed and signed 50 with 50/50 share with Dr. Dre’s label, Aftermath.

17 50 Cent Declared Eminem: His Favorite White Boy

Year: 2003

50 Cent released his studio album debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, under Shady/Aftermath’s flag in 2003. The album was a major commercial success with over ten million copies sold worldwide, and led 50 to become the hottest property of hip-hop.

The song Patiently Waiting from this album sees Eminem introducing 50 to the world, with 50 Cent complimenting Em for his status in hip-hop. 50 gives Eminem a shout-out, “Hey Em, you know you’re my favorite white boy, right? / I owe you for this one!”

16 50 Cent And Eminem Pulled Up To The VMAs Like True Homies

Year: 2003

For his success with his debut album, MTV crowned 50 as the Best Rap Video and the Best New Artist at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. Eminem also won an award for his single, Lose Yourself, as the Best Video for a Film.

This might sound braggadocious, but when you’re the hottest rapper in the industry who links up with the hottest protégé, it’s the best time to pull up to an award show like a boss.

15 Eminem And 50 Cent Enlisted Lloyd Banks For Don’t Push Me

Year: 2003

They’re done playing. Patiently Waiting is not the only song from Get Rich or Die Tryin’ that Eminem was featured.

Eminem & 50 enlisted G-Unit young gun and longtime friend Lloyd Banks for the song Don’t Push Me.

Eminem raps, “I bullied my way in this game, man, I’m done playing / Man, I’m done saying that I’m done playing.”

14 When Eminem And His Homeboys Helped 50 Destroy Ja Rule’s Career

Year: 2003

50 was at the height of his feud with fellow New York rapper, Ja Rule, when Eminem and Dr. Dre signed him to Shady/Aftermath.

Ja and Irv Gotti, his label manager, threatened Eminem to take action if he let 50 release any diss track against them. Ja started spraying insults, including against Eminem’s then-7-year-old daughter, Hailie. In response, Eminem, D12, and Obie Trice released the deprecatory track Hailie’s Revenge (Doe Rae Mi) featuring vocals from Hailie.

13 50 Cent And Eminem Rolled Like A Boss To The Shady National Convention

Year: 2004

Eminem, 50 Cent, and Dr. Dre arrived at the Shady National Convention, a TV stunt that kicked off Eminem’s satellite radio channel Shade 45, at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City in 2004. Interestingly, future US President Donald Trump was featured.

He said, “Slim Shady is a winner. He’s got brains. He’s got guts. And he’s got Donald Trump’s vote. Ladies and gentlemen, our great candidate, Slim Shady.”

12 50 And Eminem Played Their Version Of Batman And Robin

Year: 2005

Who says you can’t look gangsta while being a superhero comic book nerd at the same time? Eminem was featured on 50 Cent’s sophomore album, The Massacre.

50 and Eminem continue their feud with The Source exec Benzino and warns everyone to never mess with them on Gatman and Robbin. The song samples the theme song of the ’60s TV series about Batman and his sidekick, Robbin.

“You touch Shady / I’ll leave you dearly departed,” 50 Cent raps.

11 When Eminem And 50 Cent Strengthened Each Other’s Position On Hip Hop With You Don’t Know

Year: 2006

Eminem and 50 Cent united the Aftermath, Shady, and G-Unit crews to emphasize their influence in the rap game on 2006’s Shady Records’ single, You Don’t Know.

Eminem reminds everyone about his instant chemistry with Fif, and raps, “When me and Fif’ got together to do this music / The more we became enveloped / We just developed a fellowship through it.”

10 When 50 Cent And Eminem Rapped To 50’s Beatbox On Eminem Presents: The Re-Up Album

Year: 2006

On the very same album, Eminem raps to 50 Cent’s beatbox on the song The Re-Up.

Eminem raps, “Once again its the, illest and realest killas / The most villainous, Dre protege, Shady apprentice / Drop them zeros and get with these heroes,” while 50 doing what he’s best at: delivering hooks.

9 When 50 (With Dr. Dre) Put Eminem Back Into The Spotlight With An Award-Worthy Collaboration Song, Crack a Bottle

Year: 2009

Eminem went to rehab in 2007, was declared drug-free a year later, and released his first album as a sober man, Relapse, in 2009. Eminem linked up with 50 Cent and Dr. Dre on the album’s first single, Crack a Bottle.

The single sees Eminem return and was praised by critics as Billboard said, “His skills remain some of the best in hip-hop, and the accompanying contributions make the music that little bit more stronger.”

8 When 50 Cent And Eminem Pranked Lloyd Banks At The Backstage Of The Home & Home Tour

Year: 2010

Eminem and 50 pulled a prank on Lloyd Banks in 2010. Eminem claimed to have heard Lloyd doesn’t want him to be on his next project, H.F.M. 2. 50 added more fuel to the fire by questioning Lloyd’s loyalty, “Did you say something to somebody about you didn’t want him on the record?”

Lloyd, who was terrified and confused at the same time, finally found relief when Em & 50 told him it was a prank. They later handed him his gold plaque for his song, Beamer, Benz or Bentley.

7 When Eminem And 50 Cent Complimented Each Other On My Life

Year: 2012

50 Cent and Eminem linked up with Maroon V frontman Adam Levine for 50’s 2012 hit, My Life.

50 professes this song to be his ‘recovery’ – a nod to Eminem’s 2010 award-winning album Recovery – and his ‘comeback hit’.

Originally featured on Fif’s Street King Immortal album, this song was later removed from the project entirely.

6 When 50 Spoke Highly Of Eminem

Year: 2014

In 2014, 50 spoke very highly about his mentor, Eminem.

“Hip Hop is Black music, without question, and, unfortunately for some people, it’s tough to accept that you have a White artist that does it better than Black artists. It is what it is. You can get like whoever you think is the best Black artist and stand them face-to-face in a room with Em, and he will eat that [guy] alive,” he told Music Choice.

5 When Eminem And 50 Cent Crashed The Southpaw Movie Premiere

Year: 2015

50 was cast in 2015’s boxing movie, Southpaw, as Jordan Mains, the manager of boxer Hope. Eminem provided the original soundtrack.

During the movie premiere in New York, Em made a rare public appearance. While he was explaining how his music works throughout the film to Extra, 50 playfully crashed the interview.

‘Who’s this guy?” Eminem sarcastically said before handshaking and hugging 50. Talk about a long-lasting brotherhood!

4 When 50 Nearly Made Eminem ‘Quit’ Rapping

Year: 2017

In 2017, Eminem congratulated 50 on his 42nd birthday.

“Secondly, I want to remind you of a verse you did that made me want to quit rapping,” he said. Then, he spits G-Unit’s rap on Places To Go from the 8 Mile soundtrack that made him want to throw in the towel in 2002.

50 re-posted the video on his Instagram and captioned, “Thank you @eminem you know you’re still the best in the world to me man, I love you bro.”

3 When 50 Cent Hopped On Eminem’s Kamikaze Plane

Year: 2018

Eminem pulled a kamikaze when he released his tenth studio album, Kamikaze, in 2018. It was released as a response to critics, fans, and haters who downplayed his previous album, Revival. He aimed at many high-profile individuals, including hip-hop artists like MGK, Joe Budden, Lil Xan, and many others.

50 was hyped about the project, and posted a fake Nike promo of Em on his Instagram with a caption, “Believe in restoring the game. Even if it means destroying all the players.”

2 When 50 Supported Eminem On His Ongoing Feud With Rapper Machine Gun Kelly

Year: 2018

One of the people Eminem disses on Kamikaze is Machine Gun Kelly. The feud started way back in 2012 when 21-year-old MGK inappropriately praised 16-year-old Hailie Jade as ‘hot, with all respect cuz Em is king.’

The dispute has been going on and on since then, with MGK and Eminem both releasing diss tracks against each other: Rap Devil and Killshot.

50 later complimented Killshot, that was set for the biggest debut of a hip-hop song on YouTube, on his Instagram.

1 When 50 Took To Social Media To Defend Eminem From Nick Cannon

Year: 2019

Eminem added fuel to the fire between him and rapper/TV personality Nick ‘Wild n Out’ Cannon. Nick reignited the beef ten years later by consistently trashing Em on podcasts, and Eminem jabbed back on his feature with Fat Joe, Lord Above. Then, Nick released four diss tracks, but Em replied none of them.

It turned out, 50 advised Eminem not to go against him. He told The Wrap, “You can’t argue with a fool. When you understand that a person is not registering even when they’re losing, then the argument goes forever. So you should just stop.”