Taco Bell lawyers get tough with rapper 50 Cent

NEW YORK — Rapper 50 Cent is facing a challenge to his street cred — from Taco Bell.

Lawyers for the fast-food chain are calling his federal lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, another attempt to "burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer."

(enlarge photo) In this Nov. 5, 2008 file photo, rapper 50 Cent also known as Curtis Jackson poses backstage at MTV's 'Total Request Live' show in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)

The squabble is over a fake letter sent out by Taco Bell Corp. asking 50 Cent to change his name for one day to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent to help publicize its value menu.

In return, the company offered to donate $10,000 to the charity of his choice.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has sued for trademark infringement.

Jackson's attorney, Peter Raymond, says he wonders why Taco Bell would use his client's name in an ad campaign.

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com

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