The public dispute between rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani has escalated, with Jackson posting a grim, AI-generated image to social media following the politician's recent primary victory. The post signals a deepening of their disagreement over New York City's economic and public safety policies.
Key Takeaways
- 50 Cent posted an AI-generated image of a tombstone, suggesting New York is "over" due to Zohran Mamdani's political influence.
- The conflict centers on Mamdani's proposal to increase taxes by 2% on individuals earning more than $1 million annually.
- Mamdani has publicly responded to the criticism, both on television and by using music from 50 Cent's rival, Ja Rule, at his victory celebration.
- 50 Cent argues the tax plan will drive wealthy residents out of the city and has expressed concerns over potential police defunding.
A Stark Warning on Social Media
In his most recent public statement on the matter, 50 Cent took to Instagram to voice his displeasure with Mamdani's political success. He shared an AI-generated image depicting a tombstone, accompanied by a stark caption.
“New York is over pack it up, let’s go!" the rapper wrote. He followed this with a sarcastic prediction: "THE MAN’S First job is Mayor MAMDANI run New York.” This post directly follows Mamdani's win and his subsequent public appearances discussing their differing views.
The Policy at the Heart of the Dispute
The core of the disagreement lies in Zohran Mamdani's proposed economic agenda for New York City. The assemblyman advocates for a tax increase targeted at the city's highest earners.
Mamdani's Tax Proposal
The plan involves implementing a 2% tax increase specifically for New York City residents with an annual income exceeding one million dollars. The stated goal is to generate revenue for underfunded public services.
Mamdani defended his position during a recent interview on MSNBC's "The Beat" with Ari Melber. He argued that the additional funds would improve life for all New Yorkers, including the wealthy.
“I continue to think that having the top one percent on New York City who are making more than one million dollars a year, having them pay two percent more for an economic agenda that would transform every New Yorkers’ life, including their own, is something that is worth while,” Mamdani stated.
He elaborated on the city-wide impact of budget shortfalls. “When you see a city like ours that is underfunding its city agencies, that is pulling back on the most basic things like library services and trash cans, everybody feels the effects of that,” he explained.
A Televised Response and a Musical Jab
During his television appearance, Mamdani acknowledged 50 Cent's role as a vocal critic, even admitting with a touch of humor that he still listens to the rapper's iconic track "Many Men" despite their political opposition.
He also recalled how he first learned the specifics of his own potential salary through one of the rapper's social media posts. “He’s a critic! I didn’t even know what my salary would be until I opened up Instagram and saw this thing that was like, ’50 Cent offers Mamdani x-amount of money,’” he remembered. “I was like, ‘That’s a very specific amount of money. Oh my god!’”
Following his primary victory, Mamdani made a pointed musical choice. He walked out for his victory speech in Brooklyn to the song "New York" by Ja Rule, a rapper famously known for his long-standing and bitter rivalry with 50 Cent. The move was widely interpreted as a direct and deliberate troll aimed at his famous critic.
50 Cent Doubles Down on Economic Concerns
In response to Mamdani's defense of his policies, 50 Cent reiterated his concerns, suggesting the politician's plan, while well-intentioned, would have severe negative consequences for the city.
50 Cent's Prediction: The rapper fears that Mamdani's tax plan and perceived stance on policing will lead to a mass exodus of wealthy residents and a decline in public safety.
“I think his intentions are good," 50 Cent wrote in a follow-up post. "But his Tax plan is gonna run the big money out of the city and if he defunds the police they are gonna purge.”
The rapper also used the opportunity to promote another city, adding, "All Roads lead to SHREVEPORT!" This suggests he believes talent and capital should look for more favorable environments outside of New York.
This ongoing feud highlights a larger, passionate debate about wealth, taxation, and the future of America's largest city, now playing out on a highly public stage between a successful entertainer and an influential local politician.