Hip-hop moves fast. One day you're the "Rap God" shaking up the entire industry, and the next, you're looking at a sonogram and realizing you need to buy a crib.
That’s exactly where Marshall Mathers is right now. If you haven't seen the music video for "Temporary" yet, go watch it. It’s a tear-jerker. In the middle of all those old home movies of a young Hailie Jade, there’s a clip where she hands her dad a blue Detroit Lions jersey. The name on the back? Grandpa. The number? 1.
The look on Eminem's face—pure, unadulterated shock—went viral instantly. But while the internet was busy making memes, 50 Cent was doing what he does best: being the ultimate hype man for his mentor.
50 Cent says Eminem will be the coolest grandfather and honestly, he's probably right
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson didn't hold back when asked about the news. Speaking to People recently, he basically crowned Em before the baby even arrived.
"Oh man, he'll be the greatest grandfather," 50 said. He wasn't just being polite. He actually pointed out something most of us overlook. Most grandpas eventually lose their "edge." They stop keeping up with what's happening outside their porch. But according to 50, Eminem is the exception to the rule.
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"That grandkid is gonna say, 'My granddaddy is still cool. My granddad is cool,'" 50 joked. He’s got a point. Eminem is still pulling massive numbers and headlining festivals. He hasn't "aged out" of the culture. He is the culture.
The kid, who we now know is named Elliot Marshall McClintock, was born on March 14, 2025. Yeah, he’s already here. And yes, the middle name is a direct nod to his grandfather. 50 Cent was one of the first to jump on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) to celebrate, calling the news "the best WOW."
Why 50 Cent looks at Eminem like a grandparent anyway
This isn't just two rappers being nice for the cameras. Their bond is deep. Like, "I’ll skip a movie deal to help you" deep.
50 Cent has often said he puts Eminem in the same category as his own grandmother—the woman who raised him. It sounds like a weird comparison until you hear him explain it. To 50, a "grandparent" figure is someone who helps you when you literally cannot help yourself.
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Back in 2002, nobody wanted to touch 50 Cent. He was "blackballed" after the Shooting. Eminem didn't care about the industry politics. He heard the Guess Who's Back? mixtape and decided 50 was the future.
The "Gruncle" Energy
Since Hailie Jade’s wedding in May 2024—which 50 attended, looking surprisingly emotional—fans have started calling him "Gruncle Fifty." It’s a mix of Great Uncle and Grandpa.
It fits.
During the wedding, 50 admitted he told Em, "You said it was okay to cry, because I’m crying." Seeing the "little girl" from all those early 2000s tracks grow up and start a family hit both of them hard. It’s a reminder that the G-Unit/Shady era isn't just a chapter in a history book; these are real people who grew up together.
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What Grandpa Shady looks like in 2026
So, what does Eminem being a grandfather actually mean for his music? If you listen to The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), you can hear the shift. He’s still got the technical chops, but the focus is different. "Temporary" wasn't just a song; it was a message for Hailie to listen to after he’s gone.
Adding a grandchild into the mix only deepens that legacy.
50 Cent thinks this won't slow Em down at all. In fact, he’s been pushing for a joint album. "We just gotta stop bullshitting and just do it," Eminem said in a late 2024 interview. 50’s response? He’s ready to hit the booth as soon as he finishes his Vegas residency.
Imagine that: a joint album from two grand-generation rappers that still sounds harder than anything the 20-year-olds are putting out.
The takeaway for the rest of us
There is a lesson here about loyalty. In an industry where people switch sides for a streaming bonus, 50 Cent and Eminem have stayed solid for over two decades.
- Loyalty is a long game: 50 still credits Em for his entire career.
- Coolness isn't about age: It's about staying "in the pocket," as 50 puts it.
- Family changes the art: Expect more introspective, legacy-focused tracks from Detroit’s finest.
If you want to keep up with the "Grandpa Shady" era, keep an eye on Hailie’s podcast, Just a Little Shady. She’s been the most reliable source for how the family is handling the new addition. And for the 50 Cent fans? Watch out for the Street Fighter movie soundtrack in late 2026. He’s already teasing an Eminem feature for that, which would be the perfect "cool grandpa" move.