Rapper 50 Cent sues over 99 Cent Taco Bell promotion

A hip-hop-themed Taco Bell ad campaign has turned the stomach of rapper 50 Cent, who launched a lawsuit against the fast food retailer on Wednesday.

The rapper filed a federal lawsuit in Manhattan claiming that the restaurant chain used his stage name without permission in a recent campaign promoting a low-priced menu offering items for 79 cents, 89 cents and 99 cents.

According to court filings, the rapper accuses the company of sending out a letter to media and creating ads calling on him to change his name for a day to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent to reflect the promotional prices and visit a Taco Bell location and "rap" his food order. In exchange, the chain vowed to donate $10,000 US to a charity of his choice.

The lawsuit alleges that the company didn't send the letter to the rapper until afterward.

"Rather than face rejection or pay fair value, Taco Bell chose to steal his endorsement and to enjoy all the publicity of being associated with a mega-star while bearing none of the costs," the suit reads.

Peter D. Raymond, a lawyer for the rapper, said the campaign led the public to believe 50 Cent was a willing participant when he knew nothing of the initiative.Thelawsuit also claims thathis reputationsuffered, noting that members of theblogosphere began accusing him of "selling out."

The rap star, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is suing for $4 million US.

A Taco Bell spokesman stated that the company had simply made "a good faith, charitable offer" to the rapper.

A year ago, the Grammy-nominated New York rapper launched a $1-million US suit against an internet advertising company for using his likeness, without permission, in an online game inviting players to "shoot the rapper."