Two of 50 Cent’s high-profile romances—and his complex relationship with one of his kids—have frequently made headlines, but it’s his recent vow of celibacy that’s turning heads. Here’s a closer look at the ups and downs of the rapper’s relationships and his current stance on staying celibate.
Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, has had a history of rocky relationships, including one with an actress. However, some of his romantic involvements—and his strained relationship with his son—have dominated headlines for less-than-favorable reasons.
50 Cent’s complicated romantic history extends back to the ’90s when he dated Shaniqua Tompkins. The pair welcomed their son, Marquise Jackson, in 1996. However, their relationship soured, leading to a prolonged custody battle.
50 Cent and Marquis Jackson pose backstage at the Child Magazine Fall 2006 fashion show on February 6, 2006, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
It wasn’t until October 2008 that the pair finally reached a formal custody agreement. The custody battle between 50 Cent and Shaniqua may have ended in 2008, but their public disputes continued.
50 Cent and Marquis Jackson arrive backstage at the Child Magazine Fall fashion show on February 9, 2007, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Years later in 2018, reports revealed that Shaniqua was teaming up with Nas’s ex-girlfriend, Carmen Bryan, to create a reality show. Carmen described the project, stating, “It will be filmed in New York and Los Angeles… It’s a show based on urban women in business empowering one another.”
In response, 50 Cent criticized the idea in a since-deleted Instagram post, claiming, “I own your life rights reality TV is a no go.”
In response, Shaniqua dismissed his claims, saying, “He doesn’t have the power that he claims he has. He’s just mad because I don’t want to be with him, and he knows that I’m the only one that was there from the beginning that can expose who he really is. He’s scared, he’s frightened.”
She also mentioned having a book deal with him but clarified that there was no agreement preventing her from joining a reality show. “He can’t stop me from doing anything. That’s a lie, that’s a bold-faced lie,” said Shaniqua.
At the time, Shaniqua announced she was looking for legal assistance to combat what she described as 50 Cent’s “defamation” against her. She expressed frustration, highlighting how disappointing it is for someone she shares a child with to focus so much energy on damaging her character.
She firmly added that she wouldn’t be intimidated. Notably, her conflict with 50 Cent wasn’t the only source of tension in the rapper’s life.
His strained relationship with his son, Marquise, also drew attention. In October 2022, the now 28-year-old took to Instagram, stating, “Since y’all think $6,700 is sooo much money someone tell my pops I will pay him $6,700 for just 24hr of his time so we can do everything I ever wanted to do with him as a kid.”
The post featured him posing beside the word “Entitled” spelled out in cash, referencing his father’s 2015 “Broke” post. Marquise expressed frustration over the $6,700 monthly child support his father provided, calling it insufficient for living comfortably in New York City.
In an interview with rapper Choke No Joke, he emphasized that the sum wasn’t enough, stating, “$81K is not a substantial amount of money. You can’t just live anywhere.”
Marquise also expressed his resentment over not being able to contact 50 Cent directly and his desire to resolve their issues as adults. He emphasized it wasn’t about money or attention.
Meanwhile, in 2020, his famous father reflected on their strained relationship, saying, “I didn’t think that success would cost me my first-born, but it’s the situation it is.”
Aside from his problematic relationship with his eldest child, 50 Cent experienced another tumultuous romance in the past. He previously dated movie actress Daphne Joy, with whom he shares a son, Sire Jackson, born in 2012.
Daphne Joy and Sire Jackson at the Isabella Couture runway show on March 10, 2015, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
In March 2024, Daphne accused 50 Cent of sexual and physical assault. She alleged, “Let’s put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping me and physically abusing me,” adding that he had “broken our hearts for the last and final time.”
50 Cent has publicly denied these accusations. The allegations emerged after he sought sole custody of their son, Sire, citing claims from a lawsuit involving Daphne and Sean Combs, where she was accused of being a sex worker—a claim she denied.
In response, 50 Cent’s representative stated that the TV producer’s actions were to protect his son amid these serious allegations.
Moreover, in the past, 50 Cent faced domestic violence charges in 2013 related to an incident where he allegedly kicked Daphne and damaged her property during an argument. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor vandalism, agreeing to three years of probation and 30 days of community service as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
Despite challenges with his ex, 50 Cent shares a strong bond with the former couple’s his younger son, Sire. On Father’s Day 2019, he posted a photo cuddling with his child, calling him his “buddy,” and later that year, he fulfilled Sire’s Christmas wish by shutting down a Toys ‘R’ Us store for a private shopping spree.
50 Cent and Sire Jackson arrive for the premiere of “Den Of Thieves” on January 17, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
In January 2023, the father and son duo attended the “BMF” Season 2 premiere together, wearing matching suits and showing their close connection.
50 Cent and Sire Jackson attend the red carpet premiere of Starz “BMF” Season 2 on January 5, 2023, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
In addition to his bond with Sire, 50 Cent has also been romantically linked to Jamira Haines, better known as Cuban Link. The couple made their first public appearance together at the “Power” Season 6 premiere in New York City in August 2019.
50 Cent and Jamira Haines attend the New York premiere of “For Life,” 2020 | Source: Getty Images
The businessman praised Jamira, a law student at the time, in a 2020 interview, saying she was “cool” and had her “own ideas and her own direction.” In addition to singing her praises, 50 Cent also shared that he and the former model worked on strengthening their relationship through a unique method.
50 Cent and Jamira Haines attend the ceremony honoring Curtis “50 Cent” with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 30, 2020, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The two adopted collage-making as a tool for better communication. “For 30 days, I [told her], ‘Send me a picture of something you want. ‘Then after the 30 days, I did the same,” he explained. At the end of the process, they combined the two vision boards and discussed the things that didn’t align.
50 Cent and Jamira Haines attend a basketball game on March 15, 2023, in Houston, Texas. | Source: Getty Images
This exercise sparked conversations they might not have had otherwise and made it easier for them to express themselves early in their relationship. Moreover, the couple’s dynamic included playful moments, as demonstrated in a where they showcased their humor.
Jamira, who owns the fitness brand Cuban Fit, joked about a man complimenting her looks in a 2023 TikTok video. In response, 50 Cent teased his partner, who celebrates her Cuban roots online, saying, she should get pregnant.
Fast forward to 2024, when asked about his relationship status in an interview on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” 50 Cent described himself as “free.” When questioned about ever being married, he responded, “I’m safe. I’m not a happy hostage. I’ve made some mistakes, just not that one.”
The TV host, Stephen, later brought up the subject of the New York native being celibate and asked whether he really is. In response, the Grammy Award winner confirmed that he is practicing celibacy, a point he reiterated in a social media post, noting that he has been good to himself.
50 Cent’s personal life has been marked by both challenges and growth, from navigating strained relationships to embracing new beginnings. As he focuses on celibacy and self-improvement, his journey shows the difficulties of balancing fame, family, and love.
