New rubbers from 50Fifty is set to launch his own range of condoms. The rapper is to put his name on a new line of rubber sheaths and has revealed he is going to donate a percentage of the profits to a HIV charity.

50, who recently announced that he has co-written three novels, said: "The kids become immune when you constantly beat them over the head, 'Read a book, read a book.' We have to be a little more creative about it. It's the same with safe sex. As opposed to being part of a safe sex campaign, I'm going to make condoms and donate a part of the proceeds to HIV awareness."

From Pieces to Weight50 is set to launch his G-Unit Books imprint in New York on Thursday, January 4th.

Fifty will be signing copies of three books on the label along with Nikki Turner and K Elliot at Borders-Columbus Circle at the Time Warner Building on January 4th.

The new books follow 50’s memoirs released as a collaboration with MTV/Pocketbooks, ‘From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon A Time In Southside Queens.’

He stated in a recent interview: “Last year, my memoirs, From Pieces to Weight, marked the beginning."

Continuing: "Now, I'm rounding up some of the top writers, same way I rounded up some of the top rappers in the game, to form G-Unit and take this series to the top of the literary world."

According to the insurance company for 50 Cent, it is not liable for any damages in a lawsuit based on a brawl allegedly involving the rapper last year. This comes as a surprise because it is quite obvious that someone of 50's stature would not settle for the cheapest insurance.

It has been reported that National Fire, his insurance provider, has claimed that the rapper, who is being sued by radio personality "Zxulu" Dunkerson, violated his insurance coverage by waiting more than a year to inform the company of the suit. Why he did not contact his insurance agency sooner is a good question to begin with.

Dunkerson claimed in the $10 million lawsuit that during a radio interview in Washington last year, a member of 50's entourage attacked him and stole his verizon cellular phone.

Remember a few years ago when Charles Barkley said he was not trying to be anyone's role model? Yet many people thought that he had that responsibility. Oprah has been lambasted for not supporting hip-hop culture (though apparently she does like Beyonce). Last week rapper 50 cent called Oprah an "oreo". (For anyone who may be unfamiliar with the term, it means black on the outside - white on the inside, and it is NOT a compliment.)

He also said that while she was black years ago when she started out, she's been a middle aged white lady for some time now. Bill Cosby has gotten in trouble for "airing the dirty laundry," or telling the family business. The Dixie Chicks were vilified for making remarks about the president to foreigners. They were called traitors. These are not unsimilar issues. They were all criticized for not living up to what other people thought they were obligated to represent.

Reuters (US)- Robert De Niro and rapper 50 Cent are in final negotiations to co-star in "New Orleans," a police thriller set against the backdrop of Hurricane Katrina.

The indie film (previously titled "Microwave Park") centers on a cop (De Niro) who thinks his partner was killed by the storm, only to discover that he was shot to death. When he gets a new partner (50 Cent), the pair investigate the murder, taking them on a journey into a world of police corruption.

The project was originally set in Los Angeles but changed to New Orleans after the Katrina disaster. Production is tentatively scheduled to begin in the city in February. Tim Hunter is directing for Millennium Films.

World Entertainment News Network
Sept 20th, 2006

Hip-hop star MYA strongly denies claims she dated 50 CENT, and even hints the IN DA CLUB rapper may be gay.

Mya jokingly claims the rapper has simply mixed her up with his G-UNIT cohort LLOYD BANKS, reports the New York Daily News. She says, "50 and I never dated... despite what he chooses to believe in his own mind.

"I don't know how he would get Lloyd Banks confused with me."

Associated Press
Sept 16th, 2006

NEW YORK—50 Cent may have to dig in for a lot more change than that after being pulled over by police last week in midtown Manhattan while taking his silver Lamborghini for a spin.

Plainclothes officers in an unmarked car stopped the star rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, at about 2 p.m. after he allegedly made an unsafe lane change.

As a crowd gathered and snapped photos with cellphones, the officers ordered 50 Cent out of the sports car and took him to a nearby station.

The rapper was cited for a lane-change violation, and for having an expired licence and no registration, said Det. Christopher Filippazzo, a police spokesman.

REUTERS
Sept 9th, 2006

NEW YORK, NY, United States (UPI) -- Rap star 50 Cent was hauled away in front of a crowd of fans Friday after being pulled over by New York police for alleged traffic violations.

The star of the gangster rap genre flashed a big smile to onlookers as he stepped out of his Lamborghini sports car in Manhattan after he allegedly failed to signal a lane change and then could not produce a driver`s license or proof of insurance for the patrolmen who pulled him over.

The New York Daily News said 50 Cent, whose given name is Curtis Jackson, went along peacefully to the Midtown South precinct despite boos from the crowd. He was sprung a short time later.

Reuters
Sept 8th, 2006

Rapper 50 Cent was arrested in New York on Friday for driving dangerously in an uninsured Lamborghini through midtown Manhattan, police and witnesses said.

The recording artist, whose given name is Curtis Jackson, was pulled over by an unmarked patrol car. At first he refused a police order to get out of the car, instead making a call on his cell phone, tourist Ian Parvess said.

"Eventually the cops opened the door. ... He just got out of the car and put his hands on the car and they put the cuffs on him," Parvess, who videotaped the arrest, told Reuters.