When it comes to industry trolling, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson remains undefeated! And as we know, he always has the best timing, and this Super Bowl weekend was no different. His DoorDash commercial proves that some artists don’t just sell products, they dominate the conversation. In a landscape where celebrity ads often blur together, 50 Cent’s new DoorDash campaign, aptly titled “Beef 101,” cuts through the noise with razor-sharp humor, calculated shade, and undeniable self-awareness.
Premiering Thursday, February 5th, and shared directly by Fif across his social platforms, the commercial leans into his long-standing reputation as hip-hop’s “King of the Trolls”. But in true 50 fashion, the setup is all misdirection. He opens by claiming he’s turned over a new leaf. No more trolling, no more beef, before revealing a red DoorDash bag that suggests otherwise.
Beef, But Make It Branding
“I would never bring beef to a DoorDash commercial,” 50 deadpans, before reminding viewers that “delivering quality beef is more of an art than a science”. What follows is a sequence of visual punchlines that doubles as both comedy and cultural commentary.
First up: a bag of cheese puffs—an unmistakable wink toward Sean “Diddy” Combs, punctuated by 50’s mock restraint. “Don’t want to be too obvious,” he jokes, delivering a line that lands precisely because it is obvious. A variety pack of hair combs follows. “Oh, they sell combs…What a coincidence”. Each prop feels intentional, transforming DoorDash’s product range into a playful arsenal of inside jokes that longtime hip-hop fans instantly recognize.
Old Rivalries, New Timing
The commercial’s most nostalgic jab arrives with an alarm clock. “I’m always on time,” 50 says casually. A clear callback to Ja Rule’s 2001 hit “Always on Time”. It’s a subtle moment, but one that reinforces how deeply embedded these rivalries are in hip-hop history and how effortlessly 50 still controls the narrative.
The closing beat may be the sharpest of all. As he pulls out a bottle of his Branson Cognac, 50 remarks that it’s aged for “four years or 50 months,” a line that doubles as a pointed reference to Diddy’s recent prison sentencing. It’s bold, biting, and undeniably on-brand.
Authenticity With A Wink
In a press release, 50 Cent described the DoorDash partnership as “authentic,” noting that the campaign aligns with his real-life love of beef. “They’ve got everything you need and just like with beef, the receipts speak for themselves” he said. Even off-screen, the joke continues.
A Super Bowl Weekend Standout
More than just a commercial, “Beef 101” feels like a short-form cultural event—blurring the lines between advertising, comedy, and hip-hop history. By leaning fully into 50 Cent’s persona instead of sanding it down, DoorDash delivers one of the most talked-about celebrity spots of Super Bowl weekend.
In an era where attention is the real currency, 50 Cent proves once again that timing, authenticity, and a little well-placed shade can turn a 45-second ad into a viral moment. Beef was never on the menu but somehow, it still got delivered.