This Is Great ... 50 Cent Sues Taco Bell

50 Cent has sued Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food restaurant chain is using his name without permission in advertising that asks him to call himself 99 Cent.

The rapper says in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad asking him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent. His real name is Curtis Jackson.

The rapper's lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client didn't learn about the letter or that he was featured in the ad campaign until he saw a news report about it. Raymond said his client is seeking $4 million in damages.

Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: "We made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice."

50 Cent to 99 Cent?

50 Cent is involved in yet another feud, this time with fast food giant Taco Bell.

The chain offered the rapper a deal: $10,000 to the charity of his choice if he changed his moniker to 79, 89 or 99 Cent (he could choose which one) to promote Taco Bell's value menu. Fiddy would also make an appearance at a Taco Bell and order drive-thru via a rap.

The proposal was sent to the rapper, as well as the press, via a letter that read: "We know that you adopted the name 50 Cent years ago as a metaphor for change. We at Taco Bell are also huge advocates for change. We encourage you to 'Think Outside the Bun' and hope you accept our offer."

The rapper not only declined the offer, but he also threatened to involve his lawyers.

"When my legal team is finished with them, Taco Bell is going to have a new corporate slogan: 'We messed with the bull and got the horns!' " 50 Cent said.

His rep also complained about the chain's proposal.

"This is a sleazy and ill-conceived publicity stunt by Taco Bell's president, Greg Creed, whose disingenuous offer was leaked to the press before it was even presented to 50 Cent's agent yesterday," he said.

50 Cent's Roof Is on Fire!

What a big mess! These pictures are of the house that once used to stand tall owned by the girlfriend of rapper 50 Cent. The house recently burnt to the ground and Shaniqua Tompkins says that 50 is to blame. Tompkins, 32, say that 50, aka Curtis Jackson, promised her a house more than a decade ago, but that since their breakup, he's been trying to evict her and their 11-year-old son, Marquise. So sad.



The mansion in the Long Island community of Dix Hills was destroyed in a suspicious fire May 30. A judge Tuesday ordered 50 Cent to hold on to the property where the $2.4 million house is now charred rumble. The property is located in Dix Hills, New York.

Rapper 50 cent makes Paris Cry!

Rap artist 50 cent was able to reduce socialite heiress Paris Hilton to tears at a Super Bowl part in Arizona. Paris Hilton was playing host at the Super Bowl bash for 944 magazine, and 50 Cent was there main stage performance. Here is how it all went down: It seems that Miss Paris is quite the fan of 50 Cent, almost to groupie status ever since the two met up at the Sundance Film Festival. 50 Cent's performance started off without a hitch, Paris was grooving along, and 50 gave her a shout out. Now things get ugly! Apparently Paris took that shout out as an invitation to hop on the stage and groove some more, but 50 was having none of that. The rapper yelled " Get the f**k, off my stage when Paris climbed up. This reduced Paris to tears who began whining to all those who would listen " But, it's my party"....awww....I say, too bad, so sad, we can't always get everything we want, can we? Guess 50 Cent didn't feel like sharing the stage that night.
After all the tears were dried, it is claimed that Paris and 50 Cent still remain friends!

50 Cent vs. Kanye West

The epic battle is just days away! With albums dropping the same day, the two biggest rappers in music are prepared to fight their way up the charts to beat eachother out. September 11th will be quite the interesting day for the Bilboard charts, that's for sure!

50 Cent has publicly said, "I'm coming September 11. If Kanye comes that day, he comes that day. That'll be great. I think his people are smart, I think he's smart too ... I think they'll move [their release date]. But I'm coming September 11."

The two best-selling rap artists have been taunting eachother through the media for the past few weeks, but only September 11th will prove one the winner! Who will be the king of hip-hop? Check out their picture above of the latest Rolling Stone cover!

Jay-Z Hip-Hop's Top Cash King

Forbes' new list of Hip-Hop Cash Kings has Jay-Z at the top for 2006. And the results were reportedly tallied before the music mogul sold his Rocawear fashion label for $204 million.

Sean "Jay-Z" Carter, the CEO of Def Jam Recordings, made $34 million from his 11th album, Kingdom Come. He also racked up the Benjamins from his 40/40 Club sports-bar franchise, as well as numerous endorsements and a small stake in the New Jersey Nets.

Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, came in second place despite not releasing an album last year. His estimated 2006 earnings were $32 million and the result of several ventures, including his G-unit label, clothing line and videogames.

Sean "Diddy" Combs came in third place with earnings of $28 million from his Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, although his reps told Forbes magazine the number is actually higher.

Fourth through sixth place were producer and rapper Timbaland, Dr. Dre and Eminem.