Rapper 50 Cent, or Curtis Jackson, is suing his longtime rival Rick Ross for copyright infringement, according to TMZ. This lawsuit is part of a series of musical, legal, and personal battles between the two that spans years and has gotten 50 in some pretty serious trouble recently.
Now 50 Cent is saying Rick Ross, or William Roberts, infringed his copyright for the hit “In Da Club,” using it without permission to freestyle jabs at 50 Cent when the song’s creator lost a lawsuit. To really understand this story, we must go back to the beginning of this rivalry.
Back to the Beginning
In 2009, Rick Ross got the rivalry with 50 Cent started by calling him names on his album. It was just a normal rap attack, slinging insults in rhyme.
But 50 Cent needed to put in his two cents. He replied with insult songs and parody videos, mocking Ross. But then he went too far and released a sex tape of Rick Ross’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, Lavonia Leviston.
Leviston sued 50 Cent for using her image without permission and was awarded millions in compensatory and punitive damages. This prompted 50 Cent to file for bankruptcy this past fall.
Ross was so thrilled with the outcome of the lawsuit between his rival and Leviston that he then issued a song, using 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” for the music while rapping his own triumphant jabs at him. Now 50 is firing back for copyright infringement.
Battle Rappers
The battle between the rappers doesn’t seem to be doing either of them much good. If not for this sparring with Ross, 50 would not be blamed for the sex tape release that led to his bankruptcy. Now it is Ross’s turn to get burned and 50 Cent is doing his best to make that happen.
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