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New Year’s Day Hip-Hop Drama: Papoose Calls Out 50 Cent for Dodging Fabolous Diss, Sparks AI Troll War

As the world welcomed 2026 with fireworks and resolutions, hip-hop kicked off the year with classic online beef—courtesy of Papoose and 50 Cent. On January 1, Brooklyn rapper Papoose inserted himself into 50 Cent’s simmering feud with the Let’s Rap About It podcast crew, accusing the G-Unit mogul of “deflecting” and avoiding a direct response to Fabolous and his co-hosts’ fiery Christmas diss track.

The exchange quickly escalated into a hilarious yet petty AI-generated video battle, highlighting how modern rap beefs have evolved from mixtape disses to deepfake memes. While no bars were officially dropped, the back-and-forth lit up social media, reviving old tensions and drawing reactions from fans confused about Papoose’s involvement.

The root of the drama traces back to late December 2025. 50 Cent, ever the provocateur, trolled the Let’s Rap About It podcast—hosted by Maino, Jim Jones, Dave East, and Fabolous—after they criticized his Netflix documentary on Sean “Diddy” Combs, Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Fif escalated by leaking alleged audio of their landlord complaining about unpaid rent, dubbing the crew “squatters” and jokingly threatening to buy their studio building.

In response, the podcast dropped a “Christmas Special” freestyle titled “Squatter’s Rights” on December 25, rapping over classic 50 Cent beats like “Back Down” and “I’ll Whip Ya Head Boy.” Fabolous delivered the sharpest shots, with lines like “You know I got ‘Power,’ your shorty got hot showered”—a dual reference to 50’s TV empire and allegations involving his ex, Daphne Joy, in Diddy’s legal troubles. The track was a direct challenge, proving the New York vets still had lyrical firepower.

50 Cent teased a comeback with cryptic posts, warning that those who “play” with him end up regretting it, but he held off on a full musical response as the year ended.

Enter Papoose on New Year’s Day. Unmentioned in the original beef, the “Alphabetical Slaughter” rapper posted an AI-generated video depicting 50 Cent twerking in hoop earrings, a bra, and tight shorts at a strip club. His caption read: “No NO No stop deflecting Curtis. The world is STILL waiting for ya response to Fab & them. You from Southside do something? Fight or flight? Holla if you need a ghostwriter champ… I mean chump 😂.”

Papoose’s move baffled many fans—why jump in unprovoked? Some speculated it tied to old grudges: 50 once flirted with Papoose’s estranged wife Remy Ma on social media years ago, sparking a brief 2018 Instagram war. Others pointed to indirect connections, like boxer Claressa Shields (Papoose’s current partner) having Rick Ross walk her out for a fight—Ross being another longtime 50 foe.

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50 Cent wasted no time clapping back. He shared his own AI video, superimposing Papoose and Claressa Shields’ faces onto a dramatic slapping scene from the 1970s blaxploitation film Emma Mae (aka Black Sister’s Revenge). The clip shows the female character confronting and slapping her uninterested partner—seemingly nodding to rumors of Papoose once fighting a comedian over a Shields joke.

Fif’s post reignited chatter about personal drama, with fans debating if it was a low blow involving Shields. Papoose fired off another response, but the exchange stayed in meme territory—no diss tracks emerged.

This AI troll-off underscores a shift in hip-hop conflicts. In 2026, beefs often play out via edited videos and captions rather than studio sessions. As one outlet noted, “Less diss tracks. More digital clowning.” Papoose’s entry confused observers since he wasn’t tagged in the initial freestyle, yet he amplified the pressure on 50 to address Fabolous directly.

50 has a history of calculated responses, often blending music with business moves or exposés. Fans are split: some want him to reunite G-Unit for a counterattack, while others see his silence on the freestyle as strategic—avoiding elevation of the podcast crew.

Meanwhile, Fabolous has stayed relatively quiet post-freestyle, posting cryptic messages like “I’m back on my BS,” fueling speculation of more heat. The Let’s Rap About It squad continues podding, turning the drama into content gold.

Old-school roots run deep here. Papoose and 50’s tension dates to the Remy Ma era, while 50’s podcast clashes echo his legendary 2000s beefs. Fabolous, known for punchline mastery, reminded everyone why he’s underrated in battles.

As of January 2, 2026, the beef simmers without escalation to music. 50 focuses on his empire—Sire Spirits, G-Unit Film & TV, and more—while Papoose promotes his ventures. But in hip-hop, peace is temporary. If 50 drops bars, expect the internet to erupt.

This New Year’s skirmish proves rap drama never sleeps. Whether it fizzles or flares up, it’s a reminder: in the social media age, even legends trade AI memes before mics.