50 Cent has a documented history with the Fox drama Empire. Things began with some tweets directed at Empire star Taraji P. Henson, and the two had a brief social media exchange as viewers compared Empire to 50’s Starz drama Power. With Power having wrapped up a third season and Empire in the midst of its third season as well, 50 doubled down on his criticism of the rival show.
“Empire just borrows marketing ideas from Power because they have the same target audience,” 50 said in a recent interview with Muscle & Fitness magazine. “I’ve said it over and over: I don’t have a problem with the cast, I think that they’re going to be great in some of my new projects.”
In addition to stating Empire has lost viewership in every episode, 50 added that he didn’t see Empire sustaining itself and advised those not in favor of his criticism to “check the ratings.” According to The Wrap, the Season 3 premiere of Empire saw a 39 percent ratings decline. The numbers were on par with Empire’s Season 2 finale, which drew a 4.0 rating or approximately 10.8 million total viewers.
“I’ll advise ‘cause I am proud of your accomplishments black man,” Henson replied in a September Instagram comment directed toward 50 Cent. "Maybe your karma is blocking your blessings."
Aside from Power and Empire, 50 Cent went on to discuss his movie career. The Queens native confirmed being in talks for a potential reboot of the 1987 action film Predator.
“I’ve met with the writer and director,” 50 confirmed. “[Shane Black’s] one of the guys who’s really sought after in Hollywood. But it’s a Hollywood thing—hurry up and wait.”
The full interview with 50 Cent appears in the Dec. 2016 print edition of Muscle & Fitness.
Related Stories
50 Cent Reponds to Cookie's Jab on Last Night's 'Empire' in Typical 50 Cent Fashion
50 Cent has already responded to the shot 'Empire' took at him last night.
Starz Shows More Love to 50 Cent, Wants to Make More Projects With Him
50 Cent just made his business relationship with Starz even more official.
50 Cent to Star in His Own Variety Series for A&E
"I grew up watching variety shows and am excited to put my own spin on the format," 50 Cent said.
