Why 50 Cent Is Being Criticized Following Music Executive Irv Gotti's Death

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Jane LaCroix is a Newsweek writer based in Miami, FL. Her focus is reporting on U.S. celebrity news and viral trends. She has in depth knowledge of celebrity and internet culture and has covered entertainment news extensively. Jane joined Newsweek in 2024 from Ranker and had previously worked at People and HollywoodLife. She is a graduate of Fitcburg State University in Fitchburg, MA. You can get in touch with Jane by emailing j.lacroix@newsweek.com. Languages: English.

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50 Cent is facing backlash after he made a controversial joke about music executive Irv Gotti's death.

When the news of the Murder Inc. co-founder's passing broke on Wednesday, February 5, 50 Cent, known for his long-standing feud with Gotti, shared a post on Instagram that many deemed inappropriate.

"I'm smoking on dat Gotti pack, nah God bless him 🕊️LOL," 50, whose real name is Curtis Jackson III, captioned a photo of himself smoking hookah next to a faux tombstone. In the second slide, he included a picture of Gotti, whose real name was Irving Lorenzo Jr.

The rapper's post was met with immediate criticism, with many fans expressing their displeasure in the comments.

"There is a special place in hell for you!! The fact that you came so close to facing death yourself & you still have this mind set is beyond me!" said one, while another commented, "You gots to be extremely hurt, to be this tacky and cold, must be miserable."

Despite the backlash, there were supporters who defended 50 Cent, pointing out the decades-long animosity between him and Gotti.

"They tried blackballing & unaliving Fif so I'm not even mad," one user commented. Another user added, "If 50 had died when he was shot 9 times, IRV would have celebrated his death in the same way."

A third added, "I respect 50 cuz he been the same ever since day 1 never changes or switched up. That's shows real character 💯🫡."

The feud between 50 and Gotti dates back to the late '90s when tensions escalated after an alleged robbery involving Ja Rule, one of Gotti's biggest artists, and 50 Cent's associates. That led to multiple diss tracks and violent confrontations. The feud continued until 50 Cent was shot nine times in May 2000, allegedly as part of a plot connected to Gotti and his associates, however neither Gotti nor his associate were ever formally charged.