How 50 Cent and T.I.’s Feud Went Nuclear in Just 1 Week
The longstanding tension between two of hip‑hop’s most influential veterans has reached a boiling point in early 2026. Atlanta’s T.I. publicly called out 50 Cent for backing out of a potential Verzuz battle, a livestream format where artists showcase their hit catalogs. And the situation quickly spiraled into a full‑blown feud that has played out across social platforms and in music. After 50 Cent responded to T.I.’s challenge with dismissive trolling and personal jabs, T.I. took the confrontation into the studio. The online battle has since become deeply personal. Here’s what to know.
T.I. accused 50 Cent of ‘ducking’ a ‘Verzuz’ rap battle in early February 2026
T.I., real name Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr., and 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson III, are officially making headlines for their rap beef in 2026. According to Men’s Journal, T.I. extended an invitation to 50 Cent to join him in an episode of Verzuz. The web series features rappers going head-to-head with their greatest hits. Unfortunately for T.I., 50 Cent declined. T.I. claimed that 50 Cent previously agreed to the Verzuz battle.
“He don’t want no smoke, though,” T.I. responded online after the rejection. “I called my man out, he don’t want no smoke. He ducking smoke.”
50 Cent didn’t appreciate the call-out. “I know Atlanta pick and choose who they support, but yall gotta do better. LOL. Keep my name out ya mouth,” 50 Cent responded via Instagram.
The tension increased with 50 Cent calling T.I. “king rat” in Instagram comments.
“You playing on MY NAME when only one of us a rat in real life … you know I got your paperwork right?” T.I. responded online to the comment, according to Complex. “And my transcript is available online. Your excuses is useless. Get yo ho a** in the box or STFU and live in fear. You soft son. You’ve lost my respect.”
T.I. dropped the diss track ‘War’ in response on Feb. 22, 2026
In the midst of their highly publicized 2026 feud, T.I. released a diss track titled “War,” according to Complex. Dropped on Feb. 22 as tensions boiled over after 50 Cent trolled him on social media, the song serves as both a warning and a lyrical challenge. T.I. rapped lines like, “the bear hibernating, don’t poke him / when you see the giant sleeping, shouldn’t have woke him,” and staked his claim to dominance while taunting his rival’s toughness.
In another lyric, T.I. calls himself “the strongest for the longest.” “Top three in my city, you know I’m in that / And I ain’t number three, what you gettin’ at?”
The track doesn’t mention 50 Cent by name. However, it was widely interpreted as a direct shot in response to a controversial Instagram post in which 50 Cent shared an unflattering photo of T.I.’s wife, Tameka “Tiny” Harris.
T.I.’s son, King Harris, got involved
In the midst of the ongoing feud, the dispute took a notably personal turn when T.I.’s son, King Harris, entered the public exchange. The escalation came after 50 Cent shared an unflattering photo of King’s mother, Tameka “Tiny” Harris. King fired back with an Instagram video and posts defending his mother. In several clips and stories, he urged 50 Cent to “leave my mama out of it,” and in one post even referenced 50 Cent’s late mother, Sabrina Jackson, including images of her gravesite as a taunt.
In an additional post, King wrote that 50 “got shot nine times and did nothing,” according to Hot 97. And he cited several other big names who’ve clashed with 50 Cent in another post.
“The list of people he’s disrespected over the years is endless,” King continued. “He came into the game creating unnecessary controversy. And damn near 30 years later, he’s still the same attention w****.”
T.I. released another diss track titled ‘The Right One’ on Feb. 23
T.I. took the feud into the recording studio with a second diss track titled “The Right One,” released on Feb. 23 as a follow‑up to “War,” according to Complex. The song finds the Atlanta veteran doubling down on his criticism of 50 Cent’s response to their Verzuz battle dispute. Over a hard‑hitting beat, T.I. aims at perceived weaknesses in 50 Cent’s legacy. He mocks his persona and career choices with lines accusing him of ducking confrontation and questioning his toughness.
T.I. has a new album titled Kill the King coming in 2026. It’s unclear if either of his diss tracks will make it to the album.
50 Cent has yet to release a diss track of his own
Despite T.I. releasing two diss tracks aimed at him, 50 Cent has not responded with his own music as of late February 2026. Instead, he’s kept his responses largely on social media with trolling and dismissive posts. After T.I. first reignited the feud by calling him out over a Verzuz battle, 50 Cent fired back on Instagram with jokes and memes rather than engaging lyrically. Even amid the release of both diss tracks, he hasn’t issued a song response. Instead, he’s opting to continue trolling online with laughing emojis and memes, suggesting he’s unfazed and perhaps uninterested in meeting T.I. on the mic.
