In a move that can only be described as peak 50 Cent energy, the rapper once took Taco Bell to court for $4 million. Why? Because the fast-food giant tried to get him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent, or 99 Cent for a marketing campaign.
Here’s what we know!
Back in 2008, Taco Bell thought it would be hilarious to promote its new Why Pay More!? Value Menu by asking 50 Cent to literally change his name to one of the new low prices.
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It’s possible that maybe the marketing team was having a bad day, but I can’t imagine anyone thinking this was a good idea.
The campaign promised burritos and nachos for under a buck, which is honestly a vibe, but their attempt at a gimmick turned into a full-on lawsuit.
Embed from Getty Images50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III (but I’m sure you knew that), wasn’t having it. He claimed Taco Bell was using his name to sell tacos without his permission.
According to the lawsuit, Taco Bell made 50 Cent the star of their campaign, even though he never agreed to it.
Embed from Getty Images“Without seeking or obtaining Jackson’s authorization, defendant Taco Bell made him the star and focus of its nationwide advertising campaign,” the filing said. Sure, Taco Bell, that’s one way to market your taco-burrito combo.
Of course, Taco Bell’s spokesperson, Rob Poetsch, tried to save face by saying the name change offer was made in “good faith” (which, sure, Rob, sure).
Embed from Getty ImagesApparently, the company was willing to donate $10,000 to a charity of 50 Cent’s choice if he agreed to rap his order at Taco Bell while going by “79 Cent” for the day. Yeah, that’s a big ask.
But this wasn’t just some harmless joke. The lawsuit mentioned that customers were fuming, thinking 50 Cent had sold out by endorsing Taco Bell.
Embed from Getty Images“Many customers believed that 50 Cent had agreed to endorse Taco Bell’s products,” the filing said, and honestly, can you blame them? This is not the collaboration anyone was expecting.
And let’s talk about the money for a second.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe lawsuit sought $4 million in damages, which seems a little excessive for what was essentially a big miscommunication over burritos, but hey, it’s 50 Cent. He’s not known for low stakes, right?
Fast forward to the following year, and 50 Cent won the lawsuit, though no one knows exactly how much he walked away with.
Embed from Getty Images“Both parties are satisfied,” was the only official statement, which, of course, leaves us all wondering what was really in that settlement.
It’s funny how these legal battles aren’t all that rare in celebrity land.
Embed from Getty ImagesRemember when John Cena got sued by Ford in 2017? He sold his GT without permission and was slapped with a half-million-dollar lawsuit. He settled out of court and issued a public apology to Ford. Celebrities: they’re just like us, only with more lawyers.
In the end, Taco Bell probably should’ve known better than to mess with 50 Cent, and 50 Cent should’ve known better than to get involved in something this silly.
Embed from Getty ImagesStill, this whole saga feels like the ultimate intersection of celebrity ego and corporate mishap. A true American tale.
It’s a reminder that even in fast food and rap royalty, things can go hilariously sideways when the marketing team doesn’t think through the fine print.
Embed from Getty ImagesLet’s just hope the next time Taco Bell wants to get creative with a celebrity tie-in, they stick to their usual strategy of burritos and commercials, and leave the name-changing requests behind.
