50 Cent has revealed that he turned down a $3m offer to join Donald Trump at his controversial New York rally.
The rapper, who has previously shown admiration for the former president, spoke about the opportunity during an interview on The Breakfast Club. He confirmed that he “got a call” and had also been asked to perform his song Many Men (Wish Death) during this year’s Republican national convention for a similar sum.
“I didn’t even go far …” said the lyricist whose real name is Curtis Jackson. “I didn’t talk to them about that kinda stuff. I’m afraid about politics.”
He added: “It’s because when you do get involved in it, no matter how you feel, some one passionately disagrees with you.”
Many Men (Wish Death), a 2003 song accompanied by a video about the rapper’s 2000 shooting, became an anthem for Trump and his followers after the attempted assassination attempt in July. It entered the top 10 on iTunes and surged in popularity on other streaming platforms. 50 Cent also shared an edited version of the album cover with Trump’s face.
“He says ‘fight’,” 50 Cent said about Trump last month. “All right. And that’s exactly what I did after I got shot. I just went into fight mode. People identify with it that way.”
He also wrote on social media earlier this year: “I think Trump’s gonna be president again, but I’m not going to say that.”
The rapper is also preparing a Netflix docuseries on the many allegations of abuse aimed at Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to give a voice to the voiceless and to present authentic and nuanced perspectives,” he said in a statement with the director Alexandria Stapleton.
Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally featured celebrity support from Hulk Hogan and Dr Phil. The event led to a backlash after racist jokes from the comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. Hinchcliffe’s comments, referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage”, resulted in celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny sharing their support for Kamala Harris as she seeks to become the first woman elected US president.
