When Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, was first getting his start as a rapper in the 1990s, he was also at the beginning of what would become his complicated journey as a father.
His parter at the time, Shaniqua Tompkins, gave birth to his first son, Marquis, in 1996. Seven years later, Curtis would release his debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ — the rest, as they say, is history.
Curtis’ relationship with both Shaniqua and Marquis would prove to be complex and unfortunately, full of tension.
In 2012, Curtis’ second child, Sire, was born to Daphne Joy. While their relationship has seemed to be better than he one he has with Marquis, it’s been equally complex.
Here, everything to know about 50 Cent’s two children, Marquis and Sire.
Marquis Jackson
Date of birth: 13 October, 1996
Mother: Shaniqua Tompkins
Born during the early years of 50 Cent’s rise to fame, Marquis Jackson is Curtis’ first child.
Marquis’ relationship with his father grew to be an incredibly strained one due to rising tensions between 50 Cent and Marquise’s mother, Shaniqua Tompkins.
After their split, 50 Cent and Shaniqua entered into a bitter custody battle that wasn’t resolved until 2008. At the time, the rapper admitted that having little to no contact with Marquis, who was 11, was “the toughest, because he’s my motivation.”
“My relationship with my son is changing because he and his mum aren’t friends anymore,” Curtis explained. “There’s different channels I have to go through. He has lawyers appointed to him through the court. So I have to talk to his lawyer to get things situated for me to actually get him.”
After years of public disputes, the bond deteriorated to the point of estrangement. Over the years, there have been several public clashes between the father and son, including a 2018 social-media post in which 50 Cent wrote that he wouldn’t mind if Marquis “got hit by a bus”. The moment made headlines and underscored just how fractured things had become.
Despite occasional attempts at reconciliation, they remain distant.
Sire Jackson
Date of birth:
Mother: Daphne Joy
Born to model Daphne Joy, Sire’s upbringing has looked markedly different to Marquis’.
50 Cent often shares affectionate posts and photos of the two together, from holidays to red carpets.
In 2019, he famously rented out an entire Toys “R” Us store for Sire as a Christmas surprise.
But even this relationship has faced challenges. In early 2024, 50 Cent sought full custody of Sire following allegations in a lawsuit involving Daphne.
She responded by accusing him of abuse, allegations he denied.
The case is ongoing and has put the family back in the spotlight, with potential long-lasting ramifications for Sire’s relationship with his father.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
