50 Cent in Hot Water for Doing His Job

There’s no doubt that “rapper” is a unique job description, fraught with contrary rules and weird social norms. But there are a few aspects of the genre that transcend. One of these: be seen with fat stacks of cash.
It’s a staple of the rap game … unless, of course, you’re currently in bankruptcy court. A lesson rapper 50 Cent is about to learn the hard way.

50 Cent Poses with "Fake" Cash on Instagram

Curtiss Jackson is currently in the process of finalizing a bankruptcy filing. However, he made the dubious decision to plaster his Instagram feed with photos of himself handling thick stacks of cash. Now the judge in the case, Ann Nevins, is arguing the photos raise questions about the rapper’s actual financial status.

"I'm concerned about allegations of nondisclosure and a lack of transparency in the case," Judge Nevins said. "There's a purpose of having a bankruptcy process be transparent, and part of that purpose is to inspire confidence in the process."

Is 50 Cent Really Broke?

The implication, of course, is that Jackson is being less than honest about his current financial situation. Now it could be argued – and Jackson’s representation likely will argue – that a few photos on social media do not constitute an accurate picture of financial solvency.

A sound argument … until you see a photo of an open fridge filled with cash. Or stacks of cash artfully arranged to spell the word: “broke.” Or the fact that he’s buying property in Africa.

Now, nobody believes Jackson is really broke. He said himself the filing is an attempt to sidestep a lawsuit filed by a rival over a sex tape … yes, this is the rap game. But, while stacks of cash are staples in rap videos, they don’t play well in courts when you are claiming impoverishment.

50's Crisis PR Team Steps In

That hasn’t stopped Jackson’s PR people from trying that argument. In a recent news release, 50 Cent’s PR team said:

"By including pictures from [Mr. Jackson's] social media accounts and implying that [he] is hiding assets...the [three creditors] intentionally ignore that [Mr. Jackson] is in the entertainment and promotion business and must maintain his brand and image (or those of the products he is promoting)…”

In other words, he has a reputation to project, even in bankruptcy court. It will be interesting to see if Judge Nevin buys that argument.

Roman Temkin is a real estate developer from NYC.