50 Cent recently revealed the dramatic behind-the-scenes story of his surprise appearance at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show, suggesting that his involvement was not initially planned. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, disclosed that entertainment company Roc Nation was initially hesitant about including him in the high-profile performance.
“They wanted to leave me out of it. They didn’t want me there,” 50 Cent claimed, reflecting on how his presence almost didn’t make it to the show. He explained that it was only due to the insistence of fellow rapper Eminem that he was added to the lineup. “Eminem wouldn’t do it without me,” 50 Cent said. “That’s how I ended up on the show because he was not coming if I didn’t do it.”
The rapper’s revelation underscores the influence Eminem had over the performance lineup. According to 50 Cent, Roc Nation’s reluctance to include him almost led to Eminem pulling out of the halftime show. “When that happens, you go, ‘Damn, so you just lost Eminem because you didn’t bring 50? Damn. All right. Bring 50 then,’” he added. Despite the tension, it was Eminem’s commitment that secured 50 Cent’s place in the star-studded event.
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At the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, fans were astonished when 50 Cent made a dramatic entrance, performing his hit “In Da Club” while hanging upside-down, reminiscent of his iconic 2003 music video. The halftime show, which also featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar, was produced by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Despite their long-standing feud, 50 Cent downplayed any animosity with Jay-Z, though he mentioned in previous years that Jay-Z’s team “still harbor some energy towards me.”
The 2022 Super Bowl halftime show followed Roc Nation’s 2019 partnership with the NFL, a collaboration that had been criticized due to the league’s handling of Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racial injustice. Kaepernick, who had famously kneeled during the national anthem in 2016, had faced significant backlash and settled a legal case against the NFL in 2017.
During the show, Eminem also made headlines by taking a knee, echoing Kaepernick’s protest. Eminem, who had signed 50 Cent to his record label in the early 2000s, praised his friend’s performance. “50 is like a brother to me,” Eminem stated. “50 has proven again and again that there’s really nothing he can’t do, and nobody gets in the way of him getting it done.”
This behind-the-scenes insight into the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show highlights the intricate dynamics and personal relationships that influence such high-profile events.
