50 Cent has reportedly sued Taco Bell for using his name in an advertising campaign without permission.

Last month, Taco Bell released a letter to the press asking 50 Cent to endorse its 'Why Pay More Value Menu' by changing his name to "79 Cent," "89 Cent" or "99 Cent".

50 Cent's lawsuit, which was filed in a Manhattan court today (July 23), claims that Taco Bell released the letter to the press before sending it to 50 Cent and fooled consumers into thinking that the rapper had agreed to endorse the fast food chain.

The lawsuit claims that Taco Bell intentionally used 50 Cent's name to attract attention and publicity to its campaign without compensating him.

?Simply put, Taco Bell knew that it would likely have had to pay [50 Cent] a multi-million-dollar fee to get his endorsement, even if he had agreed to do it - which is in doubt,? the lawsuit said.  ?Rather than face rejection or pay fair value, Taco Bell chose to steal his endorsement and to enjoy all the publicity of being associated with a mega-star while bearing none of the costs.?

The lawsuit also claims that the letter damaged 50 Cent's reputation by associating him with "pedestrian" rap themed video games on Taco Bell's website.  The lawsuit also said 50 Cent has been criticized on blogs for ?selling out" because consumers believed he had endorsed Taco Bell as a result of the letter.

50 Cent is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

Yum! Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, declined to comment on the lawsuit.

An aspiring Houston rapper was today (July 24) sentenced to 30 years behind bars for killing another local rapper during a rap battle in 2006.

According to The Fort Worth Star Telegram, Samuel Raynard Jones and Christopher Smith got engaged in a heated rap battle on a local field when Jones pulled a gun on Smith.

Smith would suggest to Jones that they should fight with fists and Jones agreed.  The two would wrestle for a brief time and witnesses would break up the fight when Jones began choking Smith.

Jones would then shoot Smith while he was picking up his belongings.  Smith was 17 years old.

Jones, 20, pleaded guilty Thursday to engaging in organized criminal activity.  Prior to the shooting, Jones had been on probation on drug and deadly conduct charges

Scott Storch's financial troubles continue to mount as reports have surfaced that the producer is facing foreclosure on his $10 million mansion.

According to The Palm Beach Post, Storch had signed two mortgages with SunTrust Bank that were worth a total of $7.75 million to purchase the home but has failed to make monthly payments for nearly a year.

In addition to the expected foreclosure, Storch is also responsible for $11,215 worth of electrical lien throughout the 10 bedroom, 16 bath home and paying $17,151 for his personalized camera network.

As reported earlier, Storch currently owes $511,839 in property taxes for the mansion and also owes $46,000 in child support. He also owes $500,000 to a record label  for reneging on a loan deal.

Storch?s lawyer, Guy Spiegelman, has blamed mismanagement and "cash flow problems" for Storch's financial difficulties.

Storch has produced hits for Fat Joe, Beyonce, Dr, Dre and G-Unit, among others.

DMX pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of theft and identity theft at an Arizona courtroom today (July 24).

As reported earlier, DMX is accused of checking into an Arizona hospital in April under the name of ?Troy Jones? to avoid paying a $7,500 bill.

According to The Associated Press, after DMX plead not guilty to the identity theft charges, he rapped for reporters outside the courtroom and plugged his upcoming album titled Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later.

The Yonkers bred rapper is due back in court on August 12th for a conference relating to the identity theft charges.

Lil Wayne has reportedly been sued by a musical publishing company for using a Rolling Stones song without permission.

According to Reuters,  Abkco Music Inc. claims that Lil Wayne sampled Rolling Stones' song "Play With Fire" without permission and used  it on his song ?Play With Fire? which is featured on Tha Carter III.

Abkco owns the rights to the "Play With Fire". They claim Lil Wayne?s  version of ?Play With Fire? uses "explicit, sexist and offensive language" and  causes the public to believe that  their company and the Rolling Stones approved the rapper?s version.

Abkco?s  lawsuit was  filed in  Manhattan federal court  today (July 24) and  seeks unspecified damages.

Lil Wayne?s representatives could not be reached for comment.