I will not pretend to know exactly what happens when a person files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Sure, I can read about it on the internet. And the internet will tell me that "when a business is unable to service its debt or pay its creditors, the business or its creditors can file with a federal bankruptcy court for protection under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11. In Chapter 11, in most instances the debtor remains in control of its business operations as a debtor in possession, and is subject to the oversight and jurisdiction of the court." But beyond that explicit book definition seems to be an implicit, almost subversive, real life applicable definition that basically says this is often just a legal way for rich people to protect themselves. I don't know.
But I do know that this act came within a couple days of him being ordered to pay $5 million to a woman who sued him over a sex tape, and it doesn't take much of a leap to assume the chapter 11 filing is a very public "fuck you, bitch" to her. Because the woman in question is the mother of Rick Ross's child. Who 50 had a very public feud with a few years ago; a beef that culminated with 50 finding a video of her having sex with another man, editing it, providing play-by-play commentary on it, and distributing it on the internet. And 50 did all of this because, as he continues to remind us, he is the worst type of person: powerful and petty.
This is something the praise orgy of 50's business acumen often found in national publications leads us (myself included) to (almost) forget. Perhaps he's an asshole, a New York Times piece might assert. But he's a savvy businessman, a Washington Post profile will state. And savvy businessmen often need to be assholes, according to something the Wall Street Journal would run. But 50 never misses an opportunity to drive straight past "asshole" and even past "yeah, he's kind of a dick" before stopping at "this is not a good dude." Last year, when he mocked Floyd Mayweather for being illiterate, many (myself included) laughed. Because fuck Floyd Mayweather. (And because it was funny. Petty gives no fucks.) But his entire career — literally, his entire career — is full of examples of him doing publicly petty shit to people, for…reasons?
Like recording a conversation with one of his closest friends — a guy tearfully begging to be back in his good graces — and then leaking the conversation to the public. Which, again, was hilarious in the moment. Because thugged out rappers begging on the phone like Mikey from Swingers will never not be funny. But between acts like that, the way he speaks of (and reportedly treats) exes, and, shit, the way he treats his own teenaged son, you have to wonder if there's anyone in his life he won't turn against on a whim. Which, if you do happen to be in his circle, should scare the fuck out of you. Because extremely rich and powerful and relentlessly petty has no limitations. Nothing seems to be off-limits for the Black Regina George.
(Except, of course, throwing a baseball.)