Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s publishing company, G-Unit Books, has filed a lawsuit against the rapper’s ex-girlfriend, Shaniqua Tompkins, accusing her of violating a long-standing life rights agreement through recent social media posts. The complaint, filed earlier this month, centers on Instagram videos in which Tompkins reportedly discusses her past relationship with Jackson, allegedly in breach of a contract she signed in 2007.
According to court documents obtained by Billboard, Tompkins agreed nearly two decades ago to grant G-Unit Books the exclusive rights to publicize and profit from her life story in exchange for $80,000 and a percentage of future royalties. At the time, Jackson and Tompkins, who share a son named Marquise, had recently ended a long-term relationship that began in the 1990s. The contract was reportedly designed not only for use in potential biographical or autobiographical projects but also to prevent unauthorized exploitation of Jackson’s name and likeness.
“Jackson purchased these rights to preserve them for use in future biographical or autobiographical projects,” the complaint reads. “But also in part because he was concerned that Tompkins would attempt to monetize their history and his name. His concerns were ultimately proven correct.”
The lawsuit argues that Tompkins’ recent videos which have circulated on Instagram, were posted in violation of the life rights agreement and have harmed the company’s ability to capitalize on those rights in future productions. It claims she was “contractually prohibited” from using personal information about her relationship with Jackson for financial or promotional gain. The content, according to the suit, has “diminished the value of the exclusive rights it acquired and undermined its ability to develop and market future works based on those rights.”
G-Unit Books is now seeking $1 million in damages and is requesting a court order to compel Tompkins to remove the existing videos and refrain from posting any additional content related to Jackson.
However, Jackson appeared to indirectly acknowledge the lawsuit on social media. In a now-deleted Instagram post that included a screengrab from TMZ’s coverage of the story, he appeared to mock Tompkins’ appearance rather than address the legal matter directly. “I didn’t realize how much she looks like me, girl you handsome with them baby hairs,” he wrote in the caption.
This marks the second legal dispute involving 50 Cent in recent months. In April, Jackson filed a separate lawsuit against the producers of the upcoming horror film Skillhouse, in which he stars. The rapper alleges he was never paid for his work on the film, despite having already filmed several scenes. According to that complaint, Jackson agreed to move forward with filming under the assumption that final contract terms would eventually be settled. However, no agreement was ultimately reached, and Jackson claims he was never compensated.