The passing of Irv Gotti, the co-founder of Murder Inc. and a pivotal figure in shaping early 2000s hip-hop, has been met with grief and reflection from much of the music industry. However, 50 Cent, never one to let a rivalry rest, took to Instagram in his usual trolling fashion to fire one last shot at his longtime adversary. Posting an image of himself exhaling smoke beside a tombstone marked “RIP,” 50 Cent captioned the post: “I’m smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him 🕊️LOL.” Accompanying the image was a second photo of Gotti smiling, making it abundantly clear that the post was anything but a tribute.
For those who have followed hip-hop beefs over the years, this move shouldn’t be surprising. The animosity between 50 Cent and Irv Gotti is one of the most infamous feuds in rap history, stemming from Gotti’s unwavering loyalty to Ja Rule. What started as street-level altercations in the late ‘90s exploded into an all-out war, with diss records, physical confrontations, and even alleged industry sabotage. While many of their contemporaries have since buried old hatchets, 50 Cent has always been one to double down, refusing to let past conflicts fade away.
That being said, there’s an unspoken rule in hip-hop: when someone dies, the beef dies with them. Many fans and fellow artists have called out 50 Cent for his lack of respect, arguing that regardless of their history, celebrating someone’s death—or making a joke out of it—is distasteful. Social media has been split, with some applauding 50 for staying true to his brand of unapologetic pettiness, while others feel his actions are unnecessary and even cruel. Some have pointed out that hip-hop has evolved past the level of toxicity that defined the early 2000s, and moves like this only serve to hold the culture back.
At the heart of the backlash is the legacy of Irv Gotti himself. Despite his highly publicized battles with 50, Gotti was a key figure in some of hip-hop’s most defining moments. His work with Ja Rule, Ashanti, and DMX helped shape an entire era of music, creating anthems that remain timeless. His contributions to the culture can’t be erased, nor should they be overshadowed by decades-old drama. The reality is that while 50 Cent’s trolling will get clicks and engagement, Irv Gotti’s impact on music will outlast any Instagram post.
As the industry continues to process Gotti’s passing, this moment raises larger questions about maturity, respect, and whether rap’s older generation should move beyond petty conflicts. While competition and rivalries have always been part of hip-hop’s DNA, there comes a time when the bigger move is simply letting go. Whether 50 Cent realizes that or not, the culture is watching.
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