Ja Rule Addresses Viral Plane Confrontation: No Plans to Reconcile with Tony Yayo, Uncle Murda, or 50 Cent
By Marcus Hale New York, NY – February 20, 2026
Rapper Ja Rule has broken his silence following a heated, viral altercation on a Delta flight with G-Unit’s Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, issuing an apology for his behavior while firmly stating he has no intention of mending fences with his longtime rivals, including 50 Cent. In recent interviews, the 49-year-old Queens native emphasized maturity and personal growth, but made it clear that some enmities are permanent fixtures in life.
The incident unfolded on February 8, Super Bowl Sunday, aboard a flight from San Francisco to New York City. Video footage, obtained by TMZ and widely shared online, captured Ja Rule standing in the aisle, repeatedly shouting “What we doing?” toward Tony Yayo, who responded with expletives from his seat. Uncle Murda was also involved in the exchange. Witnesses described the confrontation as verbal, with no physical contact beyond one person attempting to calm Ja Rule by placing hands on his shoulders. Ja Rule later posted on X, calling the moment “hilarious” and claiming he “popped these punks by myself” and threw a pillow at Yayo’s head.
xxlmag.com
Tony Yayo, Uncle Murda Have Heated Run-In With Ja Rule on Plane
Days later, on February 12, Ja Rule issued a public apology via ABC News, which he reposted to Instagram. “I’m not proud of my behavior. It’s goofy to me,” he said. “I’m a grown man about to be a proud grandfather, and I wish that video of me wasn’t out there either. I don’t like people taking me out of my character so for that I apologize to my wife, family, fans, business and investment partners.” The statement highlighted his regret over appearing immature, especially as he prepares for grandfatherhood.
billboard.com
Ja Rule Apologizes for Airplane Incident With Tony Yayo & Uncle Murda
In follow-up comments to TMZ while walking in New York City on February 17, Ja Rule doubled down on taking responsibility for the plane incident but drew a firm line on reconciliation. “Sometimes in life, people have enemies, and that’s okay. That’s okay to have enemies. Everybody can’t be friends… But what I’m saying is, we don’t also have to be at war. There’s room for us to be not friends and also not be at war,” he explained. He explicitly stated he would “never” sit down to hash things out with 50 Cent or Tony Yayo, describing the beef as “in the freezer”—not escalating, but far from thawed.
theshaderoom.com
Ja Rule Speaks: Heated Tony Yayo, Uncle Murda Incident (Videos)
The roots of this tension trace back over two decades to the infamous Ja Rule vs. 50 Cent feud, which exploded in the early 2000s with diss tracks, physical altercations, and industry sabotage allegations. The rivalry peaked with incidents like the 2003 stabbing of 50 Cent associate Black Child and Ja Rule’s claims of industry blackballing. Tony Yayo, a core G-Unit member, has frequently referenced the beef, while Uncle Murda, known for his annual “Rap Up” series, has aligned with 50 Cent’s circle.
hotnewhiphop.com
50 Cent Vs. Ja Rule Beef: How It Started
The plane encounter reignited online chatter, with fans debating who “won” the verbal spar. Ja Rule initially leaned into the drama on social media before shifting to reflection. In appearances on TODAY and other outlets, he downplayed the severity, insisting “nothing really happened” and stressing his role as a father figure setting an example. He reiterated a desire for peace without forced friendship, noting growth influenced his apology.
Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda have not issued detailed public responses to Ja Rule’s latest statements, though Yayo previously suggested the situation could have escalated differently. 50 Cent, ever the provocateur, has commented indirectly through associates and social media jabs, maintaining his signature trolling style.
xxlmag.com
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Hip-hop observers see Ja Rule’s stance as pragmatic. The beef, while legendary, has long shifted from active warfare to occasional flare-ups. Ja Rule’s apology reflects personal accountability amid his evolving life—family milestones, business ventures, and a potential music comeback—while preserving the independence that defined his career.
As the dust settles, the incident serves as a reminder that some chapters in rap history remain open-ended. Ja Rule’s message is clear: coexistence without camaraderie is possible, and not every enemy
