In a stunning twist to one of hip-hop’s most enduring rivalries, Rick Ross has declared that his long-simmering beef with 50 Cent is officially buried. Speaking exclusively to Billboard in a wide-ranging interview, the Maybach Music Group boss revealed that the duo has reached a “mutual understanding,” emphasizing that in today’s cutthroat music landscape, collaboration and lucrative ventures trump petty drama every time. “We’ve both built empires from the ground up,” Ross said, his voice steady over the phone from his Atlanta studio. “It’s time to flip the script – turn that old energy into something that stacks paper for everybody.”

For fans who’ve followed this saga like a real-time soap opera, the announcement feels like the season finale no one saw coming. What began as a 2008 clash – sparked when 50 Cent warned a then-rising Ross to steer clear of his feud with Fat Joe – exploded into a decade-plus war of words, diss tracks, leaked tapes, and courtroom showdowns. Ross fired first with the scathing “Mafia Music” in 2009, jabbing at 50’s personal life and child support woes. 50 retaliated hard, dubbing him “Officer Ricky” for his past as a correctional officer and even releasing a controversial sex tape involving Ross’s child’s mother. The barbs flew relentlessly: 50 mocking Ross’s hospitalizations, Ross clowning 50’s record deals and family drama. By 2025, the feud had escalated again, with Ross recently offering to buy 50’s young son a puppy to “deal with the trauma” and threatening to snatch his masters, while 50 trolled Ross’s sexuality and business flops.

Legal salvos added fuel to the fire. In 2015, 50 sued Ross for $2 million over an unauthorized remix of “In Da Club,” but courts repeatedly sided with Ross, ruling 50’s publicity rights claim was preempted by copyright law. Tensions peaked at events like the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards, where entourages nearly came to blows, and simmered through social media skirmishes into this year – Ross shading 50’s Shreveport film studio as a “loan flop,” 50 hitting back at Ross’s Diddy ties.

Yet, amid the chaos, glimmers of detente have flickered. As far back as 2020, Ross vibed to 50’s verse on “Hate It or Love It” in a car clip, calling it “dope” and even challenging him to a Verzuz battle (which never materialized). In July 2024, Ross floated a truce: “If you wanna pitch me some film ideas, come talk business – we can leave the beef in the past.” Fast-forward to now, and Ross insists the olive branch is real. “Curtis and I talked it out off the record,” he told Billboard. “Realized we’re both moguls – he’s got G-Unit soaring high with that air service, I’m expanding Wingstop and MMG. Why waste time hating when we could co-produce a project? Imagine a joint track or a movie that bangs like Power meets BMF.”

Social media erupted with the news. X (formerly Twitter) lit up with memes of the two shaking hands atop a pile of cash, fans dubbing it “Beef to Billions.” One viral post quipped, “Ross and 50 ending the feud? Next up: Ja Rule and Irv Gotti on a yacht.” Skeptics, however, aren’t buying it wholesale – especially after Ross’s August 2025 IG roast of 50’s “horrendous” Interscope deal. “This better not be cap,” tweeted a top commenter. “They’ve gone too far for a fake truce.” Notably, 50 Cent has stayed mum so far, his X feed focused on promoting G-Unit Air’s latest routes amid ongoing U.S. travel woes – no shade, no shots, just silence that speaks volumes.

If genuine, this reconciliation could reshape hip-hop’s business playbook. Both artists have thrived post-beef: 50’s empire spans TV (Power universe), spirits (Sire), and now aviation, while Ross’s portfolio boasts sold-out car shows, a burgeoning film slate, and endless Wingstop spots. A collab? It could drop charts like a meteor – think luxury anthems blending 50’s gritty hustle with Ross’s opulent flex. “Drama sells records, but unity builds legacies,” Ross concluded. “We’re grown now. Let’s eat.”

As the industry watches – and waits for 50’s response – one thing’s clear: In 2025, hip-hop’s kings are proving that even the fiercest foes can crown themselves partners. Stay tuned; the sky’s the limit.

SOURCES:

Vice: “Rick Ross Continues Feud With 50 Cent, Mocking His ‘Horrendous’ Record Deal” (2025). https://www.vice.com/en/article/rick-ross-continues-feud-with-50-cent-mocking-his-horrendous-record-deal/
Boombuzz: “50 Cent Loses Legal Battle Against Rick Ross Over ‘In The Club’ Remix” (n.d.). https://www.boomplay.com/buzz/1337405
GRM Daily: “Has Rick Ross Finally Squashed His Beef With 50 Cent?” (2020). https://grmdaily.com/is-rick-ross-50-cent-beef-over/
Beats, Rhymes and Lists: “Rick Ross Calls Out 50 Cent in Ongoing Feud” (2025). https://beats-rhymes-lists.com/hip-hop-talk/rick-ross-calls-out-50-cent-in-ongoing-feud
Bleu Mag: “Diss Tracks, Sex Tapes and Millions Lost: The Timeline of Rick Ross and 50 Cent’s Beef” (2025). https://bleumag.com/music/rick-ross-50-cent-beef-timeline/
XXL Mag: “Rick Ross Offers Truce to 50 Cent If 50 Wants to Pitch Film Ideas to Him for Funding” (2024). https://www.xxlmag.com/rick-ross-truce-50-cent/
Beats, Rhymes and Lists: “Rick Ross and 50 Cent’s Heated Exchange Takes a New Turn” (2025). https://beats-rhymes-lists.com/hip-hop-talk/rick-ross-and-50-cents-heated-exchange-takes-a-new-turn
Beats, Rhymes and Lists: “Rick Ross and 50 Cent’s Fiery Feud Escalates” (2025). https://beats-rhymes-lists.com/hip-hop-talk/rick-ross-and-50-cents-fiery-feud-escalates
The IPKat: “Rick Ross wins legal beef with 50 Cent” (2020). https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2020/08/rick-ross-wins-legal-beef-with-50-cent.html
Billboard: “Rick Ross Shares Thoughts on 50 Cent in Rolling Stone Interview” (2016). https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rick-ross-50-cent-rolling-stone-6843030/
Rhyme Junkie: “50 Cent & Rick Ross: The never-ending beef saga” (2024). https://rhymejunkie.com/posts/why-50-cent-rick-ross-are-beefing-the-never-ending-beef-saga-01hwxvms6k4b
XXL Mag: “Rick Ross Offers Truce to 50 Cent If 50 Wants to Pitch Film Ideas to Him for Funding” (2024). https://www.xxlmag.com/rick-ross-truce-50-cent/
Billboard: “Rick Ross Responds to 50 Cent, Wants to Make His Own BMF Film” (2025). https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/rick-ross-50-cent-big-meech-bmf-1235896266/
Billboard: “Rick Ross Talks Verzuz Battle and Issues New Challenge to 50 Cent” (2020). https://www.billboard.com/video/rick-ross-talks-verzuz-battle-and-issues-new-challenge-to-50-cent-billboard/
Billboard: “Rick Ross Demands Terry Crews Step Up For the Black Community, Issues New Challenge to 50 Cent” (2020). https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rick-ross-video-interview-9430707/
Reddit r/hiphop101: “How did Rick Ross’ career survived that beef with 50 Cent?” (2024). https://www.reddit.com/r/hiphop101/comments/195r1xx/how_did_rick_ross_career_survived_that_beef_with/
Billboard: “50 Cent On Rick Ross’ Claims That He’s Irrelevant In Hip-Hop: See The Response” (2019). https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/50-cent-rick-ross-claims-irrelevant-hip-hop-8525714/
Vice: “Rick Ross Continues Feud With 50 Cent, Mocking His ‘Horrendous’ Record Deal” (2025). https://www.vice.com/en/article/rick-ross-continues-feud-with-50-cent-mocking-his-horrendous-record-deal/
Billboard: “Rick Ross Vs. 50 Cent: Behind The Beef” (2013). https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/rick-ross-vs-50-cent-behind-the-beef-268811/