Rapper and producer 50 Cent has publicly responded to critics questioning his involvement in a new Netflix documentary series about Sean 'Diddy' Combs, given the pair's infamous and long-running personal feud.
A Documentary Born from Controversy
The four-part series, titled 'Sean Combs: The Reckoning', is directed by Alexandria Stapleton and will be released on Netflix on Tuesday. It promises to reveal the 'real Sean Combs', who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for prostitution-related charges. The documentary arrives months after Combs was convicted in July for flying companions and sex workers across the country for drug-fuelled encounters.
During an interview on ABC's Good Morning America with Robin Roberts on Monday, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was challenged on whether his motivation stemmed from personal 'disdain' rather than a genuine platform for alleged victims. Jackson reframed their two-decade conflict, stating, 'What they consider pre-existing beef — for 20 years — is me being uncomfortable with him suggesting that he takes me shopping. I looked at it like it was a tester... It’s not personal.'
Inside 'The Reckoning'
Director Alexandria Stapleton emphasised that the project aims for balance, not just salacious details. 'I think it’s important to also let people know, this show isn’t completely the perspective of people who didn’t like Sean,' Stapleton said. 'The real goal was to storytell, and not everyone needed to have an allegation to be a part of this project.'
A significant feature of the series will be the first-ever interviews with two jurors from Combs's trial, who will discuss how they reached their mixed verdict. Combs managed to avoid more severe sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have resulted in a life sentence.
The Roots of a Rap Rivalry
The bitter feud between Jackson and Combs is one of the music industry's most enduring, dating back to 2001. While they collaborated occasionally early in their careers, the relationship deteriorated over disputes concerning artist contracts and competing vodka brands. Throughout Combs's trial, Jackson was a vocal critic on social media, mocking the shocking revelations. Following the conviction, he even wrote to the sentencing judge urging him to 'consider the safety of the general public' before 'unleashing' Combs.
'Sean Combs: The Reckoning' premieres globally on Netflix on Tuesday, promising an in-depth look at the fallen mogul's life, legal battles, and complex legacy.
