50 Cent found himself unexpectedly pulled into an overseas controversy involving former G-Unit associate, Daniel Calliste—better known as Bang Em Smurf.
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Smurf is reportedly holed up at the Novotel hotel near Stevenage in Hertfordshire, where the British government is housing asylum seekers. According to The Sun, he fled his home country of Trinidad in late 2024, claiming threats from local gang members.
The British tabloid ran the story under the sensational headline: “50 Cent Rapper Lives At Asylum Hotel.” Though the two parted ways decades ago, the headline thrust 50 Cent’s name back into the spotlight—something he didn’t take lightly.
“I haven’t spoken to this guy in 23 years, I hate that my name is attached to this,” Fif said on IG alongside a screenshot of the newspaper. “I in no way have any association or connection to gangs. I AM NOT GANG GANG!”
Smurf briefly rose to prominence in the 2000’s as part of the early G-Unit movement – he even has an appearance in 50’s “In Da Club” video. At the time, he was considered one of 50’s close associates. “You couldn’t breathe the same air as 50 without going through Smurf. That was his shooter, his gunner,” fellow Queens rapper Domination told Vice in 2005.
However, the pair later fell out when Calliste got arrested after a New York shoot out in 2004, and 50 Cent refused to pay Smurf’s $75,000 bail.
Calliste ended up serving three-and-a-half years for gun possession after the incident and was deported back to Trinidad upon his release.
It is believed that Calliste’s application for asylum has been rejected and he will be deported back to his homeland.
