In the world of hip-hop, where rivalries often dominate headlines, the friendship between Eminem and 50 Cent stands as a testament to loyalty, mutual respect, and shared resilience. On June 4, 2025, as Eminem, now 52, and 50 Cent, 49, continue to influence the music industry with their respective legacies, their bond remains as strong as ever—a relationship that began over two decades ago and has weathered personal struggles, professional challenges, and the ever-changing landscape of hip-hop. From their fateful first meeting in the early 2000s to their recent collaborative efforts, Eminem and 50 Cent’s journey is one of the most iconic partnerships in music history, a story of mentorship, brotherhood, and unwavering support.

The story of how Eminem and 50 Cent met is rooted in a moment of serendipity that would change both their lives forever. In 2002, Eminem—already a global superstar following the release of The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000, which sold 1.7 million copies in its first week—was at the peak of his career. At the time, he was working closely with Dr. Dre, the legendary producer who had discovered him in 1997 and helped launch his career with The Slim Shady LP in 1999. Eminem stumbled upon a mixtape titled Guess Who’s Back? by an up-and-coming rapper from Queens, New York, named Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent. The mixtape, raw and unfiltered, showcased 50 Cent’s gritty lyricism and undeniable charisma, capturing Eminem’s attention immediately.

50 Cent’s journey to that point had been anything but easy. Born on July 6, 1975, in South Jamaica, Queens, he had faced immense hardship from a young age, losing his mother at 8 and turning to the streets to survive. By the late 1990s, he was making waves in the underground rap scene, but his career took a devastating hit when he was shot nine times in 2000, an attack that left him with a shattered jaw and a near-fatal setback. Columbia Records, his label at the time, dropped him, and 50 Cent was blackballed by much of the industry, which had aligned with his rivals, including Ja Rule and Murder Inc. Determined to rebuild, he released Guess Who’s Back? in 2002, a mixtape that would become his lifeline—and the key to catching Eminem’s ear.

When Eminem heard the mixtape, he was so impressed that he flew 50 Cent to Los Angeles to meet him in person, an event 50 Cent later described as “wild” in a September 2024 interview with Million Dollaz Worth of Game. Still wary after his shooting, 50 Cent arrived wearing a bulletproof vest, half-expecting to be pranked, reminiscent of the MTV show Punk’d. But Eminem’s excitement was genuine. “He was so excited about me that I’m looking like, ‘Are you serious?’” 50 Cent recalled, noting that Eminem had just sold 1.7 million records in a week and yet was focused on championing a relatively unknown artist. That meeting marked the beginning of their friendship, with Eminem and Dr. Dre signing 50 Cent to a joint venture deal with Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment in June 2002.

The partnership bore fruit almost immediately. 50 Cent’s first single under the deal, “Wanksta,” featured on the 8 Mile soundtrack in November 2002, peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting the stage for his explosive debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, released in February 2003. The album, executive produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre, launched at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 872,000 units sold in its first week, featuring hits like “In Da Club,” which became a cultural phenomenon. Eminem appeared on the track “Patiently Waiting,” introducing 50 Cent to the world with a verse that solidified their partnership: “Hey Em, you know you’re my favorite white boy, right? I owe you for this one,” 50 Cent rapped, acknowledging the pivotal role Eminem played in his rise.

Their friendship quickly evolved beyond a professional relationship into a deep personal bond. In 2003, both artists dominated the MTV Video Music Awards, with 50 Cent winning Best Rap Video and Best New Artist for “In Da Club,” while Eminem took home Best Video for a Film for “Lose Yourself.” The duo’s onstage chemistry was undeniable, a reflection of their mutual respect. Eminem, who often shies away from the public eye, made a rare exception to support 50 Cent, while 50 Cent became a fierce defender of Eminem, standing by him during feuds with artists like Ja Rule and Benzino. Their collaborative tracks, like “Don’t Push Me” from Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and “Gatman and Robbin” from 50 Cent’s 2005 album The Massacre, showcased their synergy, blending Eminem’s lyrical precision with 50 Cent’s streetwise bravado.

Over the years, their friendship weathered significant challenges, including Eminem’s struggles with addiction in the mid-2000s. 50 Cent remained a steadfast supporter, even when Eminem was too high to complete an interview on BET, as noted in a 2023 Reddit thread on r/Eminem. “I had Em’s back when he was too high for an interview on BET,” 50 Cent reflected, highlighting his loyalty during Eminem’s darkest moments. Eminem, in turn, has been there for 50 Cent, notably refusing to perform at the FIFA World Cup without him and pushing for his inclusion in the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in 2022, where they performed alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar. Eminem even gave up a portion of his performance time to ensure 50 Cent could shine, a gesture 50 Cent later praised, saying, “Bro, when I do anything with Em, people just go crazy—they know he’s really my boy.”

Their bond has been marked by public displays of affection and support. In January 2020, Eminem inducted 50 Cent into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, calling him “one of the best friends I’ve ever known in the world.” 50 Cent reciprocated the sentiment, telling Music Choice in 2014, “I have so much value for him, not just in my career, but in my life. He’s a guy that’s one of my best friends because I can trust that he’s gonna be honest in his constructive criticism.” Even after 50 Cent parted ways with Shady Records in 2014 to go independent, their friendship remained unshakable. “It’s impossible to ruin the relationship Eminem and I have built up,” 50 Cent told The Huffington Post that year, a sentiment he echoed in 2022 on Instagram: “This friendship is never gonna change.”

Their friendship has also been a source of humor and camaraderie. In a 2023 interview with Thisis50, 50 Cent revealed that Eminem often sends him random, NSFW text messages that leave him in stitches, showcasing a playful side of their relationship. “To this day, you know what’s ill about Em? He hits me randomly,” 50 Cent said, laughing. “This guy, I’m always going to have love for him.” Their shared sense of humor was evident during a 2004 TV stunt for Eminem’s Shade 45 radio channel, where they arrived at the Shady National Convention with Dr. Dre—and a surprise endorsement from Donald Trump, who called Eminem “a winner.”

As of June 2025, Eminem and 50 Cent’s friendship continues to thrive. In September 2023, Eminem joined 50 Cent for a surprise performance at the Detroit stop of The Final Lap Tour, performing their hits “Patiently Waiting” and “Crack a Bottle.” Eminem told the crowd, “Detroit, make some noise for one of the best friends I’ve ever known—50 Cent,” a moment 50 Cent later shared on Instagram, writing, “I love him till death!” Rumors of a joint album have been circulating since 2024, with Eminem confirming his interest on Whoo’s House Podcast in December 2024, saying, “That would be great—we just got to stop bulls******* and do it.” 50 Cent responded on social media, hinting at a return to the studio after his Las Vegas residency: “Looks like I’ll be back in the booth after all!”

Their friendship has also extended into television, with 50 Cent revealing in January 2023 that they are developing a modern version of 8 Mile for the small screen, a project he described as “gonna be big.” Eminem made a cameo as White Boy Rick in 50 Cent’s Starz series BMF in 2021, a collaboration 50 Cent called “an honor.” As Eminem focuses on his family, including his new role as a grandfather to Elliot Marshall McClintock, born in March 2025, and 50 Cent expands his G-Unit Studios empire in Shreveport, Louisiana, their friendship remains a constant—a bond forged in the crucible of hip-hop, strengthened by loyalty, and celebrated by fans who see them as two legends who have always had each other’s backs.