50 Cent is revisiting a memorable moment from the early 2000s when his rising profile reportedly created tension with Jay-Z during a Reebok commercial shoot.

The rapper recently recalled the 2003 production, when he and Jay-Z were among the hip-hop stars featured in Reebok’s campaign. According to 50 Cent, the situation became uncomfortable after he decided to wear his own G-Unit sneakers during the shoot rather than the Reebok footwear he was expected to promote.

50 Cent said Jay-Z was upset by the move, particularly because Jay-Z was closely associated with Reebok at the time. The incident has now resurfaced as 50 Cent looks back on his relationship with the rap veteran and the competitive atmosphere surrounding hip-hop and major brand partnerships during that period.

The story dates to a period when both artists were major forces in rap. Jay-Z was already an established superstar, while 50 Cent was emerging rapidly following the release of his 2003 debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The album produced major singles including “In Da Club,” “21 Questions” and “P.I.M.P.” and established 50 Cent as one of the defining new stars of the era.

The two rappers had also developed a competitive history. Jay-Z had previously acknowledged 50 Cent’s growing influence, with producer Young Guru recalling that Jay-Z warned people around him that 50 Cent was coming before “In Da Club” became a major hit.

More than two decades after the commercial shoot, 50 Cent said the episode remains relevant to him because of what happened afterward. He claimed that Jay-Z still owes him a favor stemming from the incident, turning the old disagreement into another chapter in their long-running history.

50 Cent and Jay-Z have continued to cross paths over the years, with 50 Cent frequently commenting on Jay-Z’s career, music and business moves. Their relationship has included competitive exchanges as well as periods of mutual recognition, reflecting their respective positions in hip-hop since the early 2000s.

The latest recollection brings the 2003 Reebok campaign back into focus while highlighting how closely the careers and business worlds of the two rappers were connected during one of hip-hop’s most commercially significant periods.