50 CENT - 50 CENT SLAMS CLAIMS BIOPIC GLORIFIES GUN CRIME

Hip-hop star 50 CENT has dismissed accusations his movie GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' glorifies violence and gun crime, insisting the film is being unfairly singled out for criticism.

Earlier this month (JAN06), UK watchdog the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled posters for the film, which feature the rapper holding a gun and a baby, could be seen as "glamorising" gun crime. Posters for the film were also removed from Los Angeles' boardings following protests in October (05).

But the rapper, real name CURTIS JACKSON, insists it was never his intention to promote violence.

The 30-year-old says, "No way was it in my head to capture a film that glorifies violence. Creatively I haven't done anything that wasn't acceptable.

"Eighteen films that came out before mine utilised weapons on their artwork. But when mine comes out they start protesting.

"If it glamorises it when I do it, then it's glamorised period. So we should protest every time."