By Rose Miami 
HangupsMusic.com – The enduring and often acrimonious feud between hip-hop titans 50 Cent and Rick Ross has been reignited, with the G-Unit mogul publicly declaring an end to the Miami rapper’s career following underwhelming sales figures for Ross’s latest album, Set in Stone. The exchange, primarily playing out on social media, has once again captured the attention of hip-hop enthusiasts, highlighting the volatile nature of industry rivalries and the ever-present pressure of commercial success in the music business.
50 Cent, never one to shy away from public commentary, took to his social media platforms on Tuesday, August 4th, to address the reported sales of Set in Stone. The album, which had recently completed its second week on the charts, was said to have moved approximately 20,000 units, a figure that 50 Cent deemed insufficient for a rapper of Ross’s stature. "LOL 😭 I’M SORRY ITS OVER, CANT FAKE IT FOREVER!" the rapper posted, a clear jab at Ross’s longevity and perceived influence in the genre. This statement, delivered with characteristic bluntness, directly challenged the viability of Rick Ross’s ongoing musical endeavors.
Rick Ross, however, proved to be a formidable opponent in this digital arena, swiftly responding to 50 Cent’s pronouncements via his Instagram Story. Far from being deterred, Ross framed his album’s sales performance as a victory, emphasizing the organic nature of his reception. He directly contrasted his approach with what he alleged to be prevalent industry practices, stating, "Those drastic fall-offs that you see with a lot of those other artists is when the numbers are inflated. The bots. To me, the new flex is not bots." This defense implicitly questioned the authenticity of other artists’ chart successes and positioned his own sales as a testament to genuine fan engagement.
Ross continued to elaborate on his philosophy, advocating for a long-term strategy over short-term gains. "Do the long game, baby," he urged, suggesting a focus on sustained impact rather than fleeting chart dominance. "That’s how we hustling. That’s how we winning. We here 20 years later." His defiant stance underscored his belief in his enduring relevance, a sentiment he further solidified by referencing his business ventures, including his G-Unit sneakers, which he playfully suggested would eventually find their way to mass-market retailers like Costco.
The barb directed at 50 Cent’s business acumen was particularly pointed. "Those G-Unit sneakers gon’ be at Costcos, baby," Ross declared, before pivoting to a direct address to his rival: "Hey, 50. Give Lloyd Banks his own high-top sneaker. Since the Shreveport sh*t ain’t happening no more, you can focus on the sneakers." This comment alluded to a previous, less successful business venture associated with 50 Cent, demonstrating that Ross was not only aware of his opponent’s history but also adept at leveraging it for his own advantage in their ongoing dispute.
This latest exchange is not an isolated incident. 50 Cent had been actively trolling Rick Ross since shortly after the release of Set in Stone on July 17th. Initially, 50 Cent had inaccurately claimed that Ross had sold a mere 2,000 copies in his first week, a figure that was later corrected to approximately 19,000. Even in the face of this correction, 50 Cent continued his critical commentary, underscoring the ongoing nature of their animosity.
Rick Ross had previously responded to these initial claims with his own set of pointed questions, directly challenging 50 Cent’s financial dealings. "How’s it going in Shreveport?" Ross had inquired, referencing a past business entanglement. "You borrowed all them people money. Did you give the money back?…Give them people back they money, Curtis." This counter-attack not only deflected 50 Cent’s criticism but also introduced a new dimension to the public spat, drawing attention to 50 Cent’s past financial controversies.
Despite the scrutiny over his album’s initial sales, Rick Ross maintained a confident outlook, boldly proclaiming Set in Stone as the "album of the year." This declaration, made in the face of what 50 Cent perceived as definitive proof of career decline, showcased Ross’s unwavering self-belief and his commitment to his artistic output, regardless of external validation or market performance. The ongoing narrative between these two hip-hop heavyweights continues to be a compelling, albeit contentious, chapter in the genre’s history, reflecting the complex interplay of artistry, commerce, and personal rivalry that defines the landscape of modern music. The public’s anticipation remains high to see how this latest salvo in their long-standing feud will develop, with both artists demonstrating a clear willingness to engage in public discourse and defend their positions with considerable fervor.
