Ja Rule wants to go “nuclear” on 50 Cent for Irv Gotti death remarks [VIDEO]

Ja Rule Wanted to Go Nuclear After 50 Cent’s Irv Gotti Comments

In a heartfelt and raw interview on The Breakfast Club, rapper Ja Rule broke his silence on the tragic passing of Irv Gotti and the emotional fallout that followed. While he reflected on Irv’s lasting legacy and the brotherhood they shared, Ja also revealed that he was infuriated by 50 Cent’s disrespectful remarks following Gotti’s death. Ja confessed that he wanted to “go nuclear” on 50 Cent for mocking Irv’s passing on social media, reigniting one of hip-hop’s most notorious and long-running feuds.

Gotti, the co-founder of Murder Inc. Records and a central figure in shaping early 2000s hip-hop and R&B, died in February 2025 after suffering a stroke. As fans and artists poured out tributes for the legendary producer, 50 Cent took to social media with sarcasm and jabs. For Ja Rule, this wasn’t just an internet beef—it was a deep personal loss tainted by longtime animosity. Although he initially chose silence, he now says the pain and anger were overwhelming.

Irv Gotti: The Architect Behind a Generation

Professionally known as Irv Gotti or DJ Irv, Irving Lorenzo was more than just a record producer—he was a visionary. Rising from New York’s underground hip-hop scene, Gotti worked his way up as a DJ before landing positions as an A&R scout for TVT Records in 1995 and eventually at Def Jam Recordings. In 1999, he launched Murder Inc. with his brother Chris, signing Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Lloyd—each of whom would go on to top the Billboard charts under his guidance.

Gotti helped discover and shape the careers of titans like DMX, Jay-Z, and Ja Rule. His production credits span multiple genres and artists, from Jennifer Lopez’s chart-topping remixes to hits like Fat Joe’s “What’s Luv” and Eve’s “Gangsta Lovin’.” With 28 Billboard Hot 100 hits under his belt—four of which reached No. 1—Gotti cemented his place in music history. He received multiple BMI Awards and Grammy nominations, and was praised by outlets like Rolling Stone and The New York Times as one of the key architects of the R&B/hip-hop fusion era.

Beyond music, Gotti was also a media innovator. He created and produced the BET series Tales and had a successful run with the VH1 reality show Gotti’s Way. At the time of his death, he had several television and film projects in development, having recently sold his master recordings in a multimillion-dollar deal.

The Ja Rule and 50 Cent Feud: Decades of Tension

Though Gotti’s passing sparked the latest round of drama, the feud between Ja Rule and 50 Cent is nearly as old as their careers. The tension allegedly began in 1999, stemming from an incident involving a robbery and jealousy over neighborhood loyalty. Ja claimed the rivalry ignited during a music video shoot in Queens, while 50 alleged it had to do with Ja’s association with Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff.

Their beef exploded in the early 2000s, culminating in diss tracks, physical altercations, and radio show rants. Murder Inc. artists like Cadillac Tah and Black Child took shots at 50, with Black Child even stabbing 50 in a recording studio confrontation. 50 Cent responded with scathing diss tracks like “Hail Mary” (with Eminem and Busta Rhymes) and “Piggy Bank.”

As the feud raged, it pulled in Eminem, Dr. Dre, DMX, Obie Trice, D12, and Busta Rhymes. Ultimately, turning it into a full-blown label war. Ja Rule released the infamous Blood in My Eye in 2003, an album filled with direct attacks on his rivals. Despite calls for peace from figures like Minister Louis Farrakhan, hostilities lingered well into the 2010s.

The Rise, Fall, and Reinvention of Ja Rule

Born Jeffrey Atkins, Ja Rule found massive success blending gangsta rap with pop and R&B. After signing to Gotti’s Murder Inc., he released his debut Venni Vetti Vecci in 1999, featuring the hit “Holla Holla.” But it was his second and third albums—Rule 3:36 (2000) and Pain Is Love (2001)—that catapulted him to superstardom. Both went triple platinum and delivered multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits like “Always on Time” and “Livin’ It Up.”

His duets with Ashanti and Jennifer Lopez defined an era. “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” and “Ain’t It Funny (Murder Remix)” both topped the charts. While “Mesmerize” and “Put It on Me” became cultural staples. Ja was Grammy-nominated, MTV-celebrated, and a fixture on BET’s 106 & Park.

Yet, the combination of his beef with 50 Cent and a federal investigation into Murder Inc.’s alleged ties to drug lord Kenneth McGriff slowed his momentum. Despite being acquitted, the damage was done. Ja Rule’s fifth album Blood in My Eye was more a diss record than a mainstream project. With his sixth album R.U.L.E. receiving a Gold certification. Despite this achievement, it failed to reignite his earlier dominance.

Outside of music, Ja Rule shinned on the screen in several films. These include The Fast and the Furious, Half Past Dead, The Cookout, and Assault on Precinct 13. He also co-founded the infamous Fyre Festival with Billy McFarland in 2016. However, he was later cleared of legal wrongdoing. That festival turned out to be a complete scam. With Ja Rule owing millions in a now settled lawsuit. In recent years, he’s launched business ventures like Rose Vine Cellars and the Amber & Opal whiskey brand.

Honoring Gotti and Confronting Grief

For Ja Rule, Irv Gotti wasn’t just a business partner—he was a brother. Their careers were inextricably linked, and their legacy as hitmakers shaped the sound of an entire generation. The disrespect Ja felt from 50 Cent following Gotti’s death struck a deep nerve. One deeper than any lyric or diss track ever could. In his interview, Ja revealed how much restraint it took not to retaliate.

This moment marks both a period of mourning and reflection for Ja Rule. He acknowledged his past with 50 but emphasized that while they’re no longer actively feuding, they are far from friends. His recent interview suggests a man attempting to move with grace while holding onto a lifetime of memories—and wounds.

The loss of Irv Gotti closes a monumental chapter in hip-hop history. But through music, business, and storytelling, Ja Rule continues to write his next one. And as for the feud with 50 Cent? It may never fully be buried—but Ja is choosing, for now, not to dig it up.