50 Cent Ends ‘Empire’ Beef, Gives Emmy Nominee Taraji P. Henson Props (Video)

“Black people really like the Cookie character,” hip-hop mogul tells TheWrap during new episode of “Drinking With the Stars”

It’s no secret Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has had issues with “Empire.”

But after months of slamming the hit Fox series in interviews and on social media, the rapper and executive producer of Starz drama “Power” has had a change of heart.

On Wednesday in a wide-ranging interview with TheWrap, just hours before the Emmy nominations were announced, Jackson dropped a bombshell — he’s ready to squash his beef with “Empire.”

In fact, as we sat inside The Bar at Culina in the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, the music mogul revealed he was rooting for the Fox show’s breakout star Taraji P. Henson to get a nod for her role as Cookie Lyon.

“I’d like to see Taraji recognized. Black people really like the Cookie character,” Jackson said during the taping of a new episode of “Drinking With the Stars.”

But somewhere in the compliment appeared to be another slight, as he opined that things move much too fast on “Empire,” compared to the slower pace of “Power,” on which he also co-stars.

“‘Empire’ was able to put my entire first season in their first episode. That show moves so fast that like, I didn’t show up until episode three and Cookie comes home after 17 years in episode one. So, it didn’t take time to develop the story,” he said.

In the past, Jackson has accused “Empire” of copying “Power’s” promotional campaign.

He wrote in a since-deleted December Instagram post:”POWER Season 2 is unbelievably good trust me. I have the best writers and show runner. I like Terrence Howard and Taraji Henson. I don’t like that they would copy the marketing.”

Henson immediately fired back at Jackson, writing on Twitter, “I pay attention to $’s NOT cents.”

The actress later tempered her tone while speaking to TheWrap, chalking Jackson’s comments up to his sense of humor.

“50 Cent is a comedian,” Henson said. “He loves to push buttons.”

But now it seems Jackson is ready to call a truce, explaining he’s got nothing but love for “Empire’s” cast and crew.

“Everybody that’s a part of the project, a lot of them are friends of mine, so I’d like to see it continue to be successful,” he said. “Terrence Howard was a part of my first film ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’.’  He co-starred with me, and then Taraji is cool.”

The rapper-turned-actor-turned-mogul, who filed for bankruptcy this week, also admitted that “Empire” has been a bonanza for actors of color.

“It’s creating confirmation that it’s time to allow people from different backgrounds to star in these actual projects and that they can continue to be successful.”

Stay tuned to TheWrap for more with 50 Cent.

Watch the interview above.


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