Game and 50 Say Sorry
Wednesday, on the eighth anniversary of the death of hip-hop legend the Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent and the Game appeared together to put an end to their much-publicized dispute. The press conference, which took place at the Schomburg Center in Harlem, New York, was called to “put a stop to violence and negativity surrounding them and set an example for the hip-hop community.” Among those in attendance were Russell Simmons, Reverend Run of Run D.M.C. and Walter Turnbull, the founder of the Boys Choir of Harlem, as the formerly feuding rappers presented the choir a check for $253,000.
The feud became public on February 28th when 50 Cent accused the Game of being disloyal and ousted him from his G Unit crew during an on-air interview at New York radio station Hot 97. Afterwards, a Game associate was shot in the leg in front of the station.
50 Cent and the Game’s battle may be officially over, but the rappers hardly appear to be friends, as they managed to avoid eye contact for the entire five-minute joint appearance.
50 Cent was first to speak. “I’m here to show that people can rise above difficult circumstances,” he said, “for two most important groups: ourselves and our fans. This is an opportunity for people to see us make peace.” Calling attention to the Boys Choir, he added, “This is beneficial for more than the immediate people involved.”
The Game then came to the podium and echoed that sentiment. “We’re making a statement louder than the sound of two voices,” he announced. “Hip-hop is much bigger than us . . . I want to apologize on behalf of myself and 50 Cent to my fans, the record label and radio.”
The conference culminated with a flurry of press photographers as 50 Cent and the Game presented their joint gift, each holding his own copy of the check side by side for the cameras. One journalist demanded that the two shake hands for a more dramatic photo op. Without looking at each other, the rappers obliged.