50 Cent’s ex alleges safety concerns forced her to sign away life rights

50 Cent’s former girlfriend Shaniqua Tompkins claims she was coerced into signing over exclusive rights to her life story following their split in 2007. She says the agreement was signed under pressure during a turbulent period after their relationship ended. Tompkins has now laid out her version of events in court, as 50’s publishing imprint G-Unit Books pursues legal action against her over comments she has made publicly about their past.

According to AllHipHop, Tompkins testified that she was not working at the time the contract was presented to her and described herself as “entirely financially dependent on [50 Cent].” She alleged that his manager at the time, the late Chris Lighty, insisted she sign the paperwork despite her objections. Tompkins further claimed Lighty warned her there would be serious repercussions if she continued to refuse.

“Fearing for my life and for my children’s lives, I signed the agreement under extreme duress,” Tompkins alleged. She added that she never recieved $80,000 she was supposed to be paid for the deal, instead only getting $35,000. She claims $5,000 went to a lawyer she never hired, but knew for having worked with 50 in the past. Altogether, she says she should not be bound by the terms of the agreement.

Why Is 50 Cent Suing Shaniqua Tompkins?

G-Unit Books, which is owned by 50 Cent, first brought the lawsuit against Shaniqua Tompkins last summer. The company pointed to a run of video interviews she participated in around that time. During those appearances, Tompkins accused 50 of assaulting her while she was pregnant and described him as abusive during their relationship.

“Capitalizing on her recent notoriety from a ‘viral’ post commenting on testimony in the high-profile ‘Diddy’ trial, Tompkins has repeatedly and deliberately exploited the very rights she conveyed to G-Unit Books,” the complaint read.

50’s attorney Reena Jain also addressed the situation, saying: “Tompkins’ behavior was intentional—she explicitly referenced the very agreement she breached while she actively breached it, stating it was something that was ‘going to have to be worked out legally.' Jackson purchased these rights to preserve them for use in future biographical or autobiographical projects, 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."