When Taylor Swift released her new album “The Life of a Showgirl,” one famous fan was especially excited to hear the track list. Rapper 50 Cent took to social media to celebrate after discovering he is the only celebrity directly named on the entire album, even declaring himself a new member of the Swiftie fandom.
The Celebrity Shout-Out
The key moment happens in the song “Ruin the Friendship,” the sixth track on the album. In the song, Swift reminisces about a high school memory and a moment of regret at a prom. The lyrics describe a scene where, while dancing with a date, she sees a friend looking at her just as a 50 Cent song begins to play.
She sings,
“Have fun, it’s prom / Wilted corsage dangles from my wrist / Over his shoulder I catch a glimpse / And see…You looking at me / And it was not an invitation / But as the 50 Cent song played / Should’ve kissed you anyway.”
The mention places the rapper’s music squarely in a pivotal, emotional moment in the narrative of the song.
50 Cent’s Reaction
The “In Da Club” rapper quickly reacted on Instagram after the album dropped on October 3, 2025. He shared the album’s cover art and posted a triumphant message.
He wrote, “s–t is popping right now, she shout me out, she don’t shout you out,” followed by several mischievous emojis. He proudly declared, “LOL. THIS IS FOR BIG TIMERS ONLY!” and noted, “Wait I’m the only shout out on the whole album.”
His excitement didn’t stop there. In a follow-up post, he embraced his status as a Taylor Swift fan. He shared a meme of himself on the album cover and wrote, “I’m low key a swiftie over here … I like this album check it out !”
Fan Reactions Online
Fans of both artists flooded the comments section of 50 Cent’s posts to share in the fun. The interaction was seen as a positive crossover between different music genres.
One fan commented, “Love seeing so many rappers rock with Taylor Swift.” Another added, “Was waiting for you to post about it! So cool!” The moment sparked jokes and celebrations, with a third fan quipping, “Fifty is a Swifty?”
The Meaning Behind “Ruin the Friendship”
While 50 Cent’s name is featured prominently, the song itself tells a deeper story. “Ruin the Friendship” is widely understood by fans to be about a late friend from Swift’s high school years, Jeffrey Lang.
The lyrics tell a story of teenage hesitation and later tragedy. Swift sings about not acting on her feelings for a friend for fear of making things awkward. After leaving school, she loses touch with him, only to later receive a phone call from her friend Abigail with the “bad news” that he had died. The song concludes with the poignant line, “My advice is to always ruin the friendship / Better that than regret it for all time.”
Swift had previously spoken about Lang’s passing at the 2010 BMI Country Music Awards, saying, “Yesterday, I sang at the funeral of one of my best friends. And he was 21, and I used to play my songs for him first. So I would like to thank Jeff Lang.”
Other Notable Songs on the Album
While 50 Cent is the only celebrity directly named, Swift’s new album is filled with songs that fans believe reference other famous figures.
- “Actually Romantic” is thought to be a response to fellow pop artist Charli XCX. The lyrics, “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave / High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me,” seem to address a public falling-out. This is potentially linked to Charli XCX’s 2024 song “Sympathy Is a Knife,” which contained lines about Swift.
- “Cancelled!” has led to speculation about a rift with longtime friend Blake Lively. The song includes the lines, “Good thing I like my friends canceled / I liked them cloaked Gucci and in scandal,” which fans connect to Lively’s recent legal battles and her association with the Gucci brand.
- Several tracks, including “Wood” and “The Fate of Ophelia,” are seen as joyful celebrations of her relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce. “Wood” includes a reference to the couple’s shared public image and even name-checks his “New Heights” podcast.
A Milestone Album
“The Life of a Showgirl” is Swift’s 12th original studio album and her first since “The Tortured Poets Department.” The album arrives after a period of major personal and professional milestones for the artist, including the conclusion of her record-breaking Eras Tour, regaining control of her master recordings, and her engagement to Travis Kelce.
In an interview with BBC Radio 1 on the day of the album’s release, Swift described the project, saying, “It’s also got teeth to it, I’m proud of that too. Cause it’s the full picture of like the full life experience. Which for me it’s like there’s always some element of drama that someone is forcing into my consciousness. Which is fun to write about too.”
The album is available in multiple limited editions, including a CD that features unique acoustic versions of songs like “Opalite” and a special “My Advice Version” of “Ruin the Friendship.”
Also Read: Decoding Taylor Swift’s ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’: From Charli XCX to 50 Cent
