50 Cent and Twitter Think 'Empire' Is a Rip-Off of 'Power'

The run up to Empire's solid debut last night on FOX didn't come without any opposition. Its main source of criticism came from 50 Cent, who accused the Lee Daniels-backed series of copying the marketing techniques of the Starz show Power that the rapper executive produces.

50 posted this now-deleted photo on Instagram:

[caption id="attachment_451836" align="aligncenter" width="337"] [Photo Credit: @50Cent][/caption]

However, after watching last night's premiere, their stark difference is clear. Empire tells the story of Luscious Lyon (Terrence Howard), a former drug dealer turned music mogul, and the struggle amongst his family for individual power. Meanwhile, Power follows Ghost, a club owner trying to keep his drug-dealing side hustle and his mistress at bay.

When Empire co-star Taraji P. Henson, who plays the Lyon's fresh-outta-prison matriarch, was asked about 50's comments, she made this unforgettable comeback:

[caption id="attachment_451837" align="aligncenter" width="581"] [Photo Credit: @therealtaraji][/caption]To which 50 hilariously responded:

I'm at CES 2015 working #SMSAUDIO @tarajiphenson don't be mad at me.lol. I love your work girl.#FRIGO #EFFENVODKA #POWERTV

A video posted by 50 Cent (@50cent) on Jan 1, 2015 at 9:28am PST

But last night, the viewers finally had a chance to weigh in, too. All we can say is 50 must be pretty happy:

Fucc that new show Empire they copying the @Power_Starz that's 10 times better Rns 💯 — Wild T Joker (@WildTJoker) January 8, 2015

Wowww Empire really reminds me a lot of that show Power that 50 cent got — TRAP MAMI. (@AyooBrooklyn) January 8, 2015

Power is better than Empire but Empire will still get good ratings jus bcuz of Taraji and Terrance lol so nbdy rly cares how bad the show is — Chyna Lynn (@madein__CHYNA) January 8, 2015

"Empire" is "Power" for people that don't have Starz — Miz Figz (@Manda_figz) January 8, 2015

Empire Like A Fake Ass Power To Me But Kinda Different In A Way — January 17th♑️ (@Doing_My_Thang) January 8, 2015

THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POWER AND EMPIRE IS SEX ND NUDITY.. THAT CANT SHOW TITTIES ON FOX — Teezy (@336BTeezy) January 8, 2015

Power was so dope lol I'm not getting the same vibe from Empire — B (@BdannN) January 8, 2015

Empire seems like a watered (soaked) down Power — Hiawatha Smalls (@kblizzle) January 8, 2015

I can't compare empire to power because Power is actually good — Tariq⭐ (@Tariq8442) January 8, 2015

Take a look at 50, the TV producer, discuss creating original music for his series.

[mtvn_player vid="1011605" autoplay="true"]

Got a chance to catch Empire last night? Let us know your thoughts on the comparison!

[Photo Credit: FOX]