Michael K. Williams, who gave one of the greatest TV performances of the 21st century as Omar Little in The Wire, passed away on Monday, September 6th, at the age of 54.
Fans of The Wire and beyond were understandably distraught, with tributes quickly pouring in for the late star. “So sad,” wrote Viola Davis in an Instagram post. “Man do I wish this were a different ending. Rest well.” Mariah Carey shared a picture of her beside Williams on Instagram, writing “A beautiful soul, a beautiful person, I’ll miss you always. Thank you for blessing us with your talent.”
Others sadly didn’t display such tact, with 50 Cent deciding to throw sensitivity out of the window. As per Complex, the rapper has been rightfully criticised for a woefully inconsiderate Instagram post where he appeared to use the tragic death of Williams for his own gain, promoting his Stars TV show Power Book III: Raising Kanan.
“Damn if you didn’t see Raising Kanan check it out that fentanyl is no joke, killing the clientele. RIP michael k. williams,” he wrote in the deleted post. 50 Cent’s caption referenced a New York Post article that has since been updated, which now no longer mentions that fentanyl could have contributed to Williams’ suspected drug overdose.
Idc what anyone says, using someone’s tragic & untimely death to promote your own show with an insensitive ass caption is VILE. 50 Cent has always been ignorant, but this is crossing the line. pic.twitter.com/yeOQxZYbn1
— Dedee 🤎 (@thoughtfulbae) September 6, 2021
Leave it to 50 Cent to come with the insensitivity. Using Michael K. Williams’ death to promote that whack show. pic.twitter.com/4OYIP2vMPN
— Carl Thomas’ Turtleneck (Real Name’s KJ) (@therealkj4) September 6, 2021
People couldn’t fathom the terrible timing displayed by 50 Cent though, considering he had past differences with Williams over the years. Three years ago, 50 Cent claimed music executive James Rosemond, Jr., a.k.a. Jimmy Henchman, was assaulted while in prison serving his life sentence after being found guilty of a murder-for-hire plot against G-Unit affiliate Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher. Williams released a video at the time calling the rapper’s claims “completely false” without specifically mentioning him by name.
50 Cent wasn’t happy that Williams took Rosemond’s side in proceedings, and went on several tirades aimed at the actor, even warning him to “mind your business.” Whatever went on between them, trying to capitalise on someone’s recent death to promote your own work is unconscionable.
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Watch The best of Michael K. Williams as Omar Little in The Wire:
