In 2007, the music industry was throwing everything at the wall, autotune, glitter, and whatever T-Pain was drinking. Britney Spears shaved her head, Soulja Boy taught the planet to crank it, and Amy Winehouse said “no, no, no” to rehab and still got airplay on every station. Rihanna found her umbrella, and Timbaland was producing beats like he was getting paid by the second. It was peak chaos, and to heighten this well-manicured mess marched two very confident men.

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and 50 Cent had the ultimate 2007 battle that people talk about even today. 

In 2007, 50 Cent and Ye faced off in what became one of hip hop’s most publicized rivalries. 50 Cent, known for his aggressive, street-rooted sound, dropped 'Curtis', while Ye countered with 'Graduation', a polished, genre-bending album full of synths and soul. 50 Cent claimed he would retire from solo rap if Ye outsold him. The industry buzzed as this was no casual release week; it was marketed as hip hop’s decisive fork in the road.

Even amidst the hubbub, both artists did not fail in embracing the spectacle. They posed together on Rolling Stone, squared off at the MTV Video Music Awards, and did press rounds that felt more like election tours. And when the results were out, it was loud and clear who won. 'Graduation' sold about 957,000 copies in its first week, easily outpacing 'Curtis' at 691,000. 50 Cent did not retire, but the damage, or evolution, was done. Ye’s win marked a shift from gangsta dominance to introspection, art-school flair, and global-scale ambition.

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Over eighteen years have passed, yet fans continue to question whether any tension still simmers beneath the surface.

In recent months, Ye has made several public statements praising 50 Cent, expressing admiration for his artistry and influence. Ye has even stated he wishes they were friends, calling 50 Cent one of his favorite people in the music industry. His remarks have been unusually sentimental, with Ye emphasizing mutual respect despite their past rivalry. Fans have speculated whether this signals a reconciliation, or simply another reflective moment from the often unpredictable Ye.

50 Cent, however, has taken a noticeably cooler stance. While he acknowledged Ye’s praise, he also voiced discomfort with Ye’s recent behavior, particularly in the public eye. On social media, 50 Cent has not hesitated to poke fun at Ye’s controversies, at one point referring to Bianca Censori as Ye’s “dirty litty wife.” His tone has remained characteristically sarcastic, suggesting that while the rivalry may be over, the trolling is far from finished.

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Whose side were you on back in 2007- Ye or 50 Cent? Let us know in the comments down below!