Rapper 50 Cent filed a $4 million lawsuit against Taco Bell in 2008

50 Cent wasn’t best pleased when Taco Bell suggested he changed his stage name.

Back in 2008, (arguably at the height of the ‘Candy Shop’ rapper‘s fame) Taco Bell brought out a new campaign.

Titled ‘Why Pay More?’, the popular fast food chain released its value menu in May that year and had a series of items are prices from 79¢, 89¢, and 99¢ – a far cry from its current prices.

As part of the campaign, Taco Bell made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion to 50 Cent (real nameCurtis James Jackson III) to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent.

It went down like a lead balloon with the rapper though, who went on to sue Taco Bell for an eye-watering $4 million and accused the company of using his name in its campaign without his permission.

The lawsuit stated at the time, as per The Guardian: “Without seeking or obtaining Jackson’s authorisation, defendant Taco Bell made him the star and focus of its nationwide advertising campaign by using his name, persona and trademark to promote Taco Bell’s business and products.”

Taco Bell released it’s ‘Why Pay More?’ campaign in 2008. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“As Taco Bell intended, many customers believed that 50 Cent had agreed to endorse Taco Bell’s products. Indeed, postings on numerous internet ‘blogs’ castigated 50 Cent for ‘selling out’ by his apparent endorsement of Taco Bell,” the lawsuit continued.

But spokesman for Taco Bell at the time Rob Poetsch went on to say in the wake of the suit: “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.”

The following year it was revealed that the rapper won the lawsuit, but terms of the settlement were never revealed.

50 Cent went on to file a $4 million lawsuit against Taco Bell. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

“As is often the case in these situations, the parties have agreed not to discuss anything about the settlement except to say both sides are satisfied,” 50 Cent’s lawyer said at the time.

The only information shared was that both parities paid for their own respective legal fees as part of the deal.

It’s not uncommon for celebrities to find themselves in legal battles with huge brands – something which John Cena knows all about.

In 2017, the WWE favorite was slapped with a $500,000 lawsuit from Ford after he sold his brand new GT without the car manufacturer’s permission.

12 months later they settled the suit out of court and Cena issued a public apology to Ford.