HipHopDX Sues 50 Cent for Defamation Over “Fake News” Claim

50 Cent has been slapped with, yet, another lawsuit over his social media posts. This time, a well-known hip-hop website has accused the rapper of ruining their reputation over his claims of “fake news.” 

In new court documents obtained by The Blast, http://HipHopDX.com filed a $3 million defamation suit against 50 over a June post about his three-word catchphrase, “get the strap.” 

“The celebrity known as 50 Cent has maliciously used his power and influence to false attack a small, independent media company for its unfavorable but entirely truthful content,” the lawsuit read. “In late June 2018, it exposed as false certain public statements made by 50 Cent claiming to have sold the rights to a three-word catchphrase for a million dollars.” 

HipHopDX says they reported the facts, but 50 still went on to claim the information was inaccurate, calling the company a “bogus news outlet that does not check its facts.” 

“False attacks by celebrities and public figures on journalist and media companies, branding them as ‘fake news,’ have become a powerful weapon for pulling readers away from otherwise respected sources,” the lawsuit continued. “These are not merely political or public relations issues for media companies. Rather, they are attacks on a business and constitute classific defamation – false assertions to the public that are intended to, and do, damage a person or comapny in their professional reputation.” 

HipHopDX’s defamation lawsuit comes on the heels of 50’s suit against them over the photo used in the article in question. In his suit, 50 says the website used the photo without his permission, so he sued for copyright infringement. 

In the meantime, this is the second time 50 has been involved in a lawsuit over his catchphrase, “get the strap.” Just months ago, “Love and Hip Hop” star Teairra Mari highlighted the phrase in her lawsuit against him, claiming it to be a threat.