Overview
- Jussie Smollett made his first live singing appearance in eight years during Harlem Pride’s “17 Shades of Pride” on Saturday, June 27, performing tracks from his new album with dancers at West Harlem’s 12th Avenue waterfront.
- On Monday, June 29, 50 Cent posted Instagram footage of Smollett’s set with a taunting caption that praised Power over Empire and ended with “LOL,” reviving his longtime public feud with Smollett.
- Several outlets report that 50 Cent is slated to perform at a private, members-only MAGA club event hosted by Donald Trump Jr. for July 4, a claim described in coverage as reported and not fully corroborated.
- Those reports have prompted public criticism of 50 Cent’s planned appearance for a politically aligned audience, with commentary focused on the optics of the booking rather than new legal developments.
- The exchange replays a broader backstory: Smollett’s widely covered 2019 staged-attack case, a 2022 conviction later reversed in 2024 with fines and community service, and 50 Cent’s role as a Power producer that fuels the cultural rivalry.