“He was not coming if I didn’t do it,” the “In da Club” rapper told ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ in a cover story interview

50 Cent and Eminem were a package deal at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In a cover story interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the “In da Club” rapper, 49, (whose real name is Curtis Jackson III) opened up about his relationship with Slim Shady and how Eminem wouldn’t do the performance without him.

“They didn’t want me there,” 50 Cent said of the 2022 event. “Eminem wouldn’t do it without me. That’s how I ended up on the show because he was not coming if I didn’t do it.”

He continued, “When that happens, you go, ‘Damn, so you just lost Eminem because you didn’t bring 50? Damn. All right. Bring 50 then.’ But if it was up to them, they would not have me there.”

“I’m the surprise. I’m not on the bill at all,” 50 Cent concluded. “But they couldn’t get Em to do it without me.”

50 Cent on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter. 

In the story, the “Stan” musician, 51, said that the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ actor “is like a brother to me.”

“50 has proven again and again that there’s really nothing he can’t do, and nobody gets in the way of him getting it done,” Eminem added.

In January 2023, 50 Cent announced in an appearance on the BigBoyTV YouTube channel that he was turning the 2002 film 8 Mile — a semi-autobiographical take on Eminem’s life — into a TV show, which his The Hollywood Reporter cover story confirmed was still in the works.

“I’m gonna bring his 8 Mile to television,” he revealed at the time, adding that the “Lose Yourself” artist was on board to help with the show’s production.

“It’s gonna be big. I’m working. I ain’t got no duds. I’m batting 100,” 50 Cent said after being asked about the series. “I think it should be there for his legacy because it’s important to me that they understand it.”

According to the Power star, the project will provide a “backstory” to the movie and show Eminem’s younger years and share Eminem’s story with a new audience.