In a recent revelation, Rick Ross has shed light on a long-standing controversy surrounding fellow rapper 50 Cent, uncovering secrets that have fueled their infamous rivalry. The feud, which ignited over a decade ago, has seen 50 Cent leveraging Ross’s past as a correctional officer to undermine his credibility in the hip-hop community.
The animosity between the two began at the 2008 BET Awards, where a seemingly innocuous glance from 50 Cent sparked a bitter rivalry. Ross later claimed that he disliked 50’s demeanor that night, while 50 suggested he didn’t even recall Ross being present. What started as a petty misunderstanding escalated into one of hip-hop’s most notorious beefs, characterized by 50 Cent’s relentless trolling and career sabotage tactics.
Rick Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, found himself under scrutiny after a 2006 article revealed his previous career as a correctional officer, undermining his carefully crafted persona as a drug kingpin. The fallout from the article was catastrophic, especially as it contradicted the image of street credibility he had built through his music. Initially, Ross denied the allegations, suggesting hackers manipulated images of him, but the truth proved unavoidable.
50 Cent, a master of public relations and trolling, seized on this revelation, dubbing Ross “Officer Ricky” and creating an animated series that mocked his rival mercilessly. The nickname stuck, overshadowing Ross’s music career and affecting his public perception. Despite the exposure, Ross managed to remain relevant in the industry, continuing to produce hit records and collaborate with prominent artists.
However, the admission of his past as a correctional officer in 2014 marked a turning point for Ross. On his album “Mastermind,” he finally addressed the controversy, acknowledging his previous role and attempting to spin it as part of a larger narrative. While he maintained a loyal fan base and continued to release music, the stigma lingered, and his career trajectory shifted. Following the album, Ross struggled to achieve the same commercial success he once enjoyed, never again reaching number one on the Billboard charts.
Interestingly, the feud did not come without its repercussions for 50 Cent. In 2015, a lawsuit stemming from his involvement with one of Ross’s baby mamas, Lastonia Leviston, resulted in a $5 million judgment against him, leading to financial hardships and bankruptcy. Despite these setbacks, 50 continued to leverage his rivalry with Ross to his advantage, often taking jabs at him in interviews and social media posts.
As the rivalry cooled over the years, it was reignited recently over connections to Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF). 50 Cent, the executive producer of the BMF series on Starz, expressed outrage when Ross was spotted with Big Meech, suggesting betrayal. This prompted 50 to post a rat emoji on Instagram, implying disloyalty, which Ross swiftly countered by mocking 50’s series as low-budget.
The long-standing animosity between Ross and 50 Cent serves as a cautionary tale within the hip-hop industry. The revelations about Ross’s past have left an indelible mark on his career, a reminder of how personal history can be weaponized in the public eye. Despite his successes, the “Officer Ricky” saga remains a significant part of Ross’s legacy, illustrating the complexities of fame, rivalry, and redemption in the rap world. As both artists continue to navigate their careers, it is clear their feud is far from over, with each new development only adding fuel to the fire.