- 50 Cent claims Courtney Kemp wanted to kill off Ghost earlier and takes credit for hiring her as the series creator.
- Hardwick confirmed something shifted behind the scenes but refused to publicly side with either 50 Cent or Kemp.
- The Power franchise dispute centers on creative credit, with Kemp emphasizing her role as writer and creator despite 50’s contributions.
Omari Hardwick is speaking out on the Power pettiness surrounding Courtney Kemp and 50 Cent’s claims that the series creator wanted to cancel Christmas on his character several seasons early. And while Hardwick kept his comments diplomatic, 50 cranked up the controversy, taking another petty swipe at Kemp by declaring, “She forgot I hired her.”
In a new interview with the Associated Press, Hardwick was asked whether he knew at the time that Kemp, Power’s creator, was allegedly trying to write his character out. He did not deny that something changed behind the scenes.
“There was definitely a shift,” Hardwick said. “Oftentimes the most talented people are treated not necessarily the greatest.”
Even with that acknowledgment, Hardwick made it clear he was not looking to take sides in the public back-and-forth between 50 Cent and Courtney Kemp.
“I never said anything, did I?” he asked, and the interviewer replied, “No, you didn’t.” He then added, “I always rock with 50. I always pray for Courtney.”
According To 50 Cent, Courtney Kemp Wanted Ghost Killed Off Earlier
The latest drama follows 50 Cent’s October interview with Variety, where he accused Power creator Courtney Kemp of taking too much credit for the STARZ series and claimed he was instrumental in expanding the franchise. He also alleged that Kemp had inappropriate relationships with cast and crew members, an accusation he has not publicly substantiated. He also claimed Kemp wanted Ghost killed off as early as Season 3.
Kemp pushed back, disputing his account of their working relationship and emphasizing that while 50 helped bring Power to television, she created and wrote the series.
Now 50’s got more to say after Hardwick’s interview. The perpetually petty rapper reposted the clip on X and seemingly took another swipe at Kemp.
“Small a** in a BIG seat, she forgot I hired her,” he wrote, adding that Hardwick kept it real and declaring, “we hit the bullseye with POWER.”
The post appears to be aimed at Kemp, though he did not tag her.
As for Omari Hardwick, he’s had his own friction with 50 over the years.
The rapper previously said,
“I think [Omari] overvalues himself, to be honest with you,” and confirmed the two were no longer on the best terms.
In 2022, Hardwick said on “The Pivot” podcast that he made $150,000 per episode, which he felt was not enough for being the main attraction of Starz.
That detail adds context to 50’s comments about pay and ego, even if Hardwick’s recent answer was much more measured.
Nevertheless, Hardwick did not endorse either side’s version of events.
Power ended in 2020, but the franchise has continued with multiple spinoffs, and the passion around its characters has not faded. Ghost remains one of the most recognizable roles in modern TV drama.
Courtney Kemp has not publicly responded to Hardwick’s comments or 50 Cent’s latest post, leaving the dispute over Power’s creative credit unresolved for now.
