50 Cent says Eminem paused Street Fighter soundtrack for new album
Eminem is preparing his next album. That was the update from 50 Cent at the Los Angeles premiere of Street Fighter on Oct. 12.
Speaking to the Associated Press on the red carpet, 50 Cent said Eminem had already started music for the film's soundtrack. He said Eminem put "a couple pieces together" before stepping back. The reason, he said, was that Eminem got closer to his own album and wanted to focus on preparing its presentation, as reported by Billboard.
The comments adjust earlier plans that 50 Cent had discussed in public. In December, he had promised to recruit Eminem for the Street Fighter soundtrack. In July, he went further and teased a film theme song featuring himself, Eminem and 2Pac.
For a general reader, that history matters because soundtrack talk had raised expectations among film and music fans. A theme song with three big rap names would be a loud launch for a film. For now, 50 Cent's account suggests Eminem chose his own record over the film project.
Eminem's most recent album remains The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), released in July 2024. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the main US albums chart, with 281,000 total album-equivalent units, the industry measure that converts streams and individual track sales into album sales. The figure comes from Luminate, the data company that supplies the US charts, via Billboard.
The album news landed just days before Street Fighter reaches cinemas. The live-action reboot is set to arrive in theatres on Oct. 16. 50 Cent spoke as a member of the cast. He is listed as Balrog, one of the film's characters.
The two musicians have a long record of backing each other's releases. 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' included an Eminem co-sign, the public support from an established star that can open doors for a newer act. The encouragement has run both ways. In a December 2024 interview, Eminem said he was trying to get 50 Cent to make another album, as reported by Complex.
For fans, this means a short-term disappointment and a longer-term prospect. There is no confirmed Eminem song for Street Fighter at this stage. There is also no title, tracklist or release date yet for an Eminem album in the remarks reported so far. What is confirmed is that Eminem has new music in progress, and that his collaborator expects that record to come first.
