London, UK – The atmosphere inside the O2 Arena on November 21, 2023, was electric, fueled by the raw energy of classic street hip-hop as rap mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson delivered his “The Final Lap Tour.” Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, the audience was already on fire for hits like “In da Club.” They were utterly stunned when the biggest surprise guest of the tour materialized on stage: Ed Sheeran.
The Monster in the Box: Ed Sheeran Joins 50 Cent for an Unbelievable Hip-Hop Duet
The dramatic reveal was orchestrated mid-set. A massive black box appeared on the center stage, bearing a playfully ominous message flashing across its sides: “THERE IS A MONSTER IN THIS BOX.” As the box lifted, the familiar, acoustic-pop strains of Sheeran’s global smash hit, “Shape of You,” began to play. The British “Prince of Pop” walked out to an explosion of screams from the bewildered audience. This unexpected duet, captured by countless fans, immediately became one of the most talked-about live music moments of the year.
The Unlikely Stage Partners
Ed Sheeran, known for his earnest singer-songwriter style, and 50 Cent, the undisputed master of hardcore East Coast rap, represented a pairing nobody expected to see on the same stage. Prior to his entrance, Sheeran even teased the absurdity of the moment on his Instagram Story, joking, “I’m going to walk on stage and go ‘who likes In Da Club, here’s Shape of You’.” The ensuing performance of “Shape of You” was a powerful fusion of their worlds. Sheeran simply handled the vocals, surprisingly unaccompanied by his signature guitar, while 50 Cent stood by, adding energetic ad-libs and hypeman flair, giving the pop track a distinct, hard-hitting rap sensibility. This unique rendition highlighted the artists’ mutual respect and their previous history.
Notable Events and Data
This collaboration was not the first time the two artists have worked together. They famously collaborated with another rap legend, Eminem, on the 2019 track “Remember the Name” from Sheeran’s album, No.6 Collaborations Project. The show was part of The Final Lap Tour, which itself was a monumental success, marking the milestone anniversary of 50 Cent’s debut, which sold over 30 million copies globally. The moment showcased a powerful cross-genre alliance, with 50 Cent later posting photos of them backstage and writing, “My man came through for me tonight, BOOM. LONDON went crazy! It don’t get bigger than this.” The surprise performance proved that music’s biggest stars are not afraid to transcend boundaries for an unbelievable, audience-igniting performance.
@anacarvalho69 50 Cent brings out Ed Sheeran in London 2023 #thelastlaptour2023 #50cent #edsheeran