Update: This article has been updated on October 20, 2024.
50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, has captivated audiences around the globe with his revolutionary rap music and larger-than-life persona. Despite his success, which includes millions of album sales and billions of streams, 50 Cent's values remain rooted in hard work. He has often expressed the importance of earning one's way to the top, regardless of background or connections—an attitude he also expects from his children. However, this expectation has contributed to a strained relationship with his eldest son, Marquise Jackson.
A Son's Missed Opportunity: Refusing a Million-Dollar Business Venture
According to a recent TikTok video, 50 Cent allegedly opened up about his disappointment over the deteriorating relationship with his 27-year-old son, Marquise. According to the rapper, the tension stems from Marquise's entitlement towards his father's wealth. Despite allegedly receiving over $10,000 per month in child support from his father, Marquise still sought financial support, which deeply troubled 50 Cent. "He thinks being 50 Cent's son means he doesn't have to work," the rapper stated.
The rift deepened when Marquise reportedly turned down an opportunity that could have earned him a substantial income. 50 Cent offered to help him set up a business to generate up to $1 million monthly, but Marquise declined. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, 50 Cent lamented that his success in the entertainment industry was partly responsible for the strain in their relationship. He explained that he could not reconcile with the idea of his son believing that his father's wealth was his own.
Public Drama and Disappointment: A Family Feud Unfolds
The relationship between 50 Cent and Marquise has been fraught with public confrontations and social media drama. According to People, the relationship began to sour in Marquise's teenage years. In a 2008 interview, 50 Cent said, "My relationship with my son is changing because he and his mum aren't friends anymore," explaining that legal complications made it increasingly difficult for him to maintain a close bond. Their estrangement hit a new low in 2018 when 50 Cent made a controversial comment on an Instagram photo of Marquise alongside the son of 50 Cent's long-time rival, Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff. 50 Cent wrote, "If both these little n------ got hit by a bus, I wouldn't have a bad day." The comment sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the rapper's harsh words.
Despite the friction, Marquise has publicly expressed his disappointment over how their relationship unfolded. Speaking to Rap-Up in 2017, Marquise said, "I started feeling differently about him because growing up, my dad was my superhero. He's on television, he does this, he does that. But then, as I got older, you start realising things or seeing certain patterns, and it takes a toll on your relationship with people." He also lamented their lack of communication, saying, "I can't tell you our last conversation or the last time we even had a dialogue."
Marquise's Offer: Paying for Time with His Father
In October 2022, Marquise made headlines again when he offered to pay 50 Cent $6,700 for 24 hours of his time. According to People, the offer was posted on Instagram, referencing the $6,700 monthly child support that 50 Cent had been providing. Marquise wrote, "Since y'all think $6,700 is so much money, someone tells my pops I will pay him $6,700 for just 24 hours of his time so we can do everything I ever wanted to do with him as a kid."
The gesture was seen as a desperate attempt to reconnect with his father, but 50 Cent responded during an appearance on The Breakfast Club, expressing scepticism about Marquise's true intentions. "If you've mailed someone a million dollars and they have zero respect for you, how much do you think you gotta give them before they have a little bit?" he questioned. The rapper said he did not believe their relationship could be salvaged, adding, "I don't think the relationship works."
Lessons in Wealth: Teaching Children the Value of Hard Work
50 Cent's situation with Marquise is not unique among wealthy celebrities. Many high-profile figures have faced similar challenges when raising children in an environment of abundance. Celebrities like Gordon Ramsay and Shaquille O'Neal have implemented strict rules to teach their children the value of hard work. Ramsay, for example, does not allow his children to fly first class, explaining that they haven't yet earned the privilege. Similarly, O'Neal expects his six children to present viable business plans if they want financial support, emphasising that he will not give them money simply because they are his children.
This approach to parenting echoes the sentiments of billionaire Warren Buffett, who has publicly stated that his fortune will not be passed directly to his children. Instead, he has mandated that they donate the bulk of his wealth to charities of their choice, instilling the importance of giving back and working for their success.
Trust Funds and the Long-Term Approach to Inheritance
In contrast to simply handing over wealth, many affluent individuals, including celebrities like Elton John and business moguls like Daymond John, have opted to set up trust funds for their children. These trust funds ensure that the money is distributed according to specific guidelines, often tied to significant life events such as college, marriage, or starting a business. This strategy aims to prevent beneficiaries from squandering their inheritance while teaching them the importance of responsibly managing wealth.
Setting up irrevocable trust funds is a common method for controlling the distribution of assets and shielding them from legal claims. However, as Daymond John noted, "What happens is the first generation makes it, the second enjoys it, and the third destroys it." By using trust funds, wealthy individuals can better ensure that their hard-earned fortunes will be preserved and used wisely by future generations.
