50 Cent’s feud with Taco Bell was most likely one of many weirdest in historical past.
Additionally it is a quarrel that would not have occurred at another time in historical past.
50 Cent has been the goal of diss tracks previously. This coincides with the territory of his work. However coming throughout one in every of America’s most beloved quick meals institutions was slightly unusual.
It began as a joke. A $4 million lawsuit adopted.
Why did 50 Cent fall out with Taco Bell?
It began in 2008. We’d not name that fateful yr “a happier and less complicated time,” nevertheless it was a far much less annoying election yr than any that adopted.
In Might of that yr, Taco Bell launched a brand new worth menu. That is when anybody studying this over a decade and a half later ought to begin crying.
Costs for choose Taco Bell worth menu objects have been 79 cents, 89 cents and 99 cents. In 2024, they’re nearer to the value of a single packet of Taco Bell’s Avocado Verde (which is, frankly, scrumptious) than an precise meals merchandise.
You’ll have already guessed the place that is going.
To advertise its new worth menu, Taco Bell included a (joking) suggestion that fifty Cent (whose actual title is Curtis James Jackson III) change his title.
As a substitute of fifty Cent, the long-lasting fast-food franchise instructed he might change his title to 79 Cent, 89 Cent and even 99 Cent.
50 Cent declined the supply
To be honest, it does not appear to be 50 Cent’s downside was associated to the joke about his renaming.
Relatively, he accused Taco Bell of utilizing his title — for an promoting marketing campaign — with out his permission. In 2008, he was nonetheless thought-about a “large title” in common tradition.
And so he filed a $4 million lawsuit in opposition to Taco Bell. On the time, that will have been sufficient for greater than 4 million treasured menu objects!
Social networks already existed in 2008. Additionally, boards and different on-line communities (again when Google was doing nicely) gave individuals a spot to speak.
Based on 50 Cent’s lawsuit on the time, in response to the Guardian, some followers speculated that fifty Cent endorsed Taco Bell merchandise. Varied bloggers allegedly accused him of “promoting out” — once more, in response to his authorized assertion.
In different phrases, he accused Taco Bell of misusing his title and trademark with out his permission — and damaging his public picture and model. Whereas many individuals can be comfortable to look in a Taco Bell advert…they might love to join it and receives a commission, proper?
Who gained 50 Cent’s lawsuit in opposition to Taco Bell?
In 2009, it turned recognized that fifty Cent gained the Taco Bell lawsuit. Nevertheless, his legal professional advised the general public that neither facet would talk about the main points of the settlement (which is commonplace apply).
Naturally, many individuals instinctively facet with Taco Bell over 50 Cent. However we’re hope in order that the settlement is passable to all events.
In the meantime, regardless of the revelry greed inflation inflicting costs to skyrocket in recent times, ordering Taco Bell greater than 15 years after 2008 has one benefit: You possibly can simply get it delivered.