50 Cent Sued Taco Bell for $4 Million Over a Name Change Stunt

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

Back in 2008, at the height of the “Candy Shop” rapper’s fame, Taco Bell launched a new campaign titled “Why Pay More?” The popular fast-food chain released its value menu in May that year, featuring items priced at 79¢, 89¢, and 99¢—a far cry from current prices.

As part of the campaign, Taco Bell made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion to 50 Cent (real name Curtis 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, who went on to sue Taco Bell for an eye-watering $4 million. He 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 authorization, 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.”

“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.

In response, Taco Bell’s spokesman Rob Poetsch said, “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 50 Cent won the lawsuit, but the terms of the settlement were never disclosed. “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 parties paid for their own respective legal fees as part of the deal.

This wasn’t the first time a celebrity found themselves in a legal battle with a huge brand. In 2017, WWE favorite John Cena was slapped with a $500,000 lawsuit from Ford after he sold his brand-new GT without the car manufacturer’s permission. Twelve months later, they settled the suit out of court, and Cena issued a public apology to Ford.