50 Cent revisited a pivotal moment in his early career while sharing a resurfaced video clip on social media on January 14, 2026, that shed light on a decision he made before achieving mainstream success. The rapper, born Curtis Jackson, revealed that he turned down a $1.3 million record deal offer from Universal Music Group at a time when he and his crew were financially struggling, a decision he says was influenced by ongoing tensions with industry figures connected to the label.
In the video post, 50 Cent referenced comments from the late Irv Gotti, co-founder of Murder Inc., who admitted trying to block 50 Cent’s early opportunities with Universal amid a highly publicized feud. Despite the financial temptation, 50 Cent said he walked away from the Universal offer, stating, “I said no, y’all can keep that,” and used the moment to underline his loyalty to the people he eventually signed with instead.
Following his decision, 50 Cent encountered Eminem, who introduced him to Dr. Dre. That meeting led to a landmark joint deal with Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment under Interscope, where he released his breakthrough album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in 2003. In his social post, 50 Cent humorously amplified his loyalty to Eminem, saying that his trust in Slim Shady was enduring, even jokingly suggesting he would defend Eminem in absurd hypothetical situations.
The pair’s professional relationship has endured for over two decades, with Eminem playing a significant role in launching 50 Cent’s rap career and both artists collaborating on several tracks over the years. In later interviews, 50 Cent has spoken about the importance of that early support and credited Eminem with believing in his talent when other major industry players hesitated.
