50 Cent opens up about Diddy, Trump and his fallout with ‘Power’ creator Courtney Kemp

50 Cent is reflecting on some of the most controversial relationships and defining moments of his career, discussing his long-running feud with Sean “Diddy” Combs, his falling-out with Power creator Courtney Kemp and the discovery that his late mother was gay.

In a new interview with Variety, the rapper and television producer, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, also discussed his expanding entertainment empire and his role as Balrog in the upcoming Street Fighter film. Now 51, Jackson has moved beyond his music career to become a major television producer, with projects spanning scripted dramas, documentaries and several networks.

The interview comes as Jackson continues to draw attention for Sean Combs: The Reckoning, the Netflix documentary series he executive produced about Combs. Jackson said he was not surprised by the impact of the project and credited showrunner Alex Stapleton with shaping the documentary into a compelling account of the allegations and perspectives surrounding the former music mogul.

Jackson also discussed his strained relationship with Combs, claiming the music mogul had attempted to damage his reputation behind the scenes. He alleged that Combs sought to find people who would make what he described as “frivolous accusations” against him, suggesting the efforts were intended to undermine his credibility as scrutiny of Combs intensified.

Jackson has been a vocal critic of Combs for years, and their feud gained renewed attention following the release of Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Jackson said the documentary could have become overly aggressive but credited Stapleton with allowing people to share their own perspectives. Combs has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied in various legal proceedings. Jackson’s claims about an alleged smear campaign remain his account of events.

The rapper was equally candid about his falling-out with Courtney Kemp, who created Power and worked with Jackson as an executive producer. He credited himself with helping secure the series’ success through his music, promotional efforts and business decisions, arguing that their partnership became increasingly difficult after the show became a hit.

Jackson said he felt Kemp had begun to minimise his contributions to the series, despite his involvement in pitching the project and developing its musical identity. He also discussed disagreements over the direction of the wider Power franchise, including the decision to expand the original series into multiple spin-offs.

Kemp disputed Jackson’s recollection in a statement to Variety, saying he was rarely involved in budget meetings and describing his account of production requirements as uninformed. She acknowledged his importance to the show’s beginnings but stressed that he did not write or create Power. Kemp added that she had moved on professionally and questioned why Jackson continued bringing her up in interviews.

The interview also touched on Jackson’s childhood and the loss of his mother, who died when he was eight. He described the experience as one of the most painful periods of his life, explaining that he struggled to understand that she would not return.

Jackson additionally reflected on learning from his grandmother that his mother was a lesbian. He said that, as a child, he had simply viewed the women around his mother as friends before later understanding their relationship.

“I’m not ashamed of that in any way,” Jackson said, adding that growing up around those relationships had shaped his perspective. He also discussed expressing that experience through his music, including the lyrics of “Hate It or Love It”, which touch on the confusion he experienced as a child.l

On politics, Jackson discussed his approach to navigating relationships with both sides of the political divide. Asked about Donald Trump reportedly offering him millions of dollars to attend or perform at rallies, Jackson said he tries to remain politically independent and does not necessarily understand every position taken by either party. He explained that his perspective on politics is also influenced by the realities of running businesses and creating jobs.

Alongside these personal revelations, Jackson discussed his expanding slate of television and film projects. He is preparing a Hulu docuseries about his own life and continues to develop projects connected to the Power franchise, while also working on Fightland, his British boxing drama.

His latest film role is Balrog in the upcoming live-action adaptation of Street Fighter. Jackson revealed that he trained for three hours a day over nine weeks to prepare for the part, dropping from 238 pounds to 200 pounds. He also discussed the character’s distinctive hairstyle and the physical demands of filming the fight sequences.

The interview offers a glimpse into how Jackson has built a business empire while remaining an outspoken figure in entertainment. From his disputes with fellow industry figures to his reflections on family and identity, the rapper continues to draw on his personal experiences as he expands his work across music, television and film.