Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has built an empire on determination, talent, and fearlessness — from his breakout music career to his television ventures with Power and BMF. Yet in a rare moment of candor, the rapper-turned-producer revealed a deeply personal struggle: his estrangement from his eldest son, Marquise Jackson, which has lasted more than 16 years.
“I don’t talk to my son,” 50 said quietly. “And that’s something that’ll always hurt — no matter how much money, fame, or success you have. There are some things you can’t fix with a check.”
The Beginning of the Rift
The relationship between father and son began to fray in the mid-2000s, during the height of 50’s music career. He reflects that distance grew gradually.
“When you’re young and angry, you don’t see how your choices echo,” he explained. “Back then, I thought being a provider was enough. But my presence was what he really needed.”
Following 50’s split from Marquise’s mother, Shaniqua Tompkins, public arguments and social media exchanges amplified their private pain. By 2009, communication had stopped entirely. “It went from love to distance — then from distance to silence,” he said.
The Two Messages He Never Sent
In a recent interview, 50 revealed he still keeps two unsent messages on his phone: one from his son’s high school graduation, the other from Marquise’s 25th birthday.
“The first one said, ‘I’m proud of you,’” he admitted. “I typed it out, looked at it, and deleted it. I didn’t think he’d want to hear it from me.”
The second, written years later, read simply: “I miss you, son.” “It stayed in my drafts,” 50 said. “Maybe pride. Maybe fear. Or maybe I just didn’t want to reopen something I couldn’t finish.”
A Father’s Reflection
Despite his public persona, 50’s voice softened when he spoke of regret.
“When you lose family to pride, it’s worse than losing them to death,” he said. “Because they’re still out there — living, breathing — but you’re ghosts to each other.”
He credits therapy and time with shifting his perspective on fatherhood. “Back then, I was focused on survival. I came from nothing — all I knew was fight or hustle. But being a father isn’t about being tough. It’s about being available.”
Marquise’s Perspective
Marquise has previously shared feelings of abandonment, noting that fame created distance between them. In 2022, he offered to “sit down and talk” via Instagram — an olive branch that went unanswered. “I watched it,” 50 admitted. “But I didn’t believe it was real. I wanted it to come from his heart — not the internet.”
Healing Through Art
50 finds echoes of his own experiences in his work. His portrayal of Kanan Stark on Power, a father whose choices harm his son, resonated deeply. “When I filmed Kanan’s scenes with his son, I saw myself,” he said. “Art imitates life — and sometimes it hurts to see your mistakes played out on screen.”
A Father Still Hoping
Looking ahead, 50 Cent remains hopeful about reconciliation. “Always,” he said. “You never stop being a father. You just pray for another chance — one that doesn’t come too late.”
For now, those two unsent messages linger in his phone — a reminder of distance, regret, and enduring love.
“Maybe one day,” 50 said softly. “Maybe one day I’ll finally hit send.”
If you want, I can also create a shorter, feature-style version emphasizing the emotional depth of 50 Cent’s estrangement and hope for reconciliation.