Rap star 50 Cent has been hit with a lawsuit claiming he stole the idea for his movie and album Before I Self Destruct was stolen from a book titled The Preacher’s Son-But The Streets Turned Me Into A Gangster.

The lawsuit, which was filed in United States District Court of New Jersey by the book’s author Shadrach Winstead.

Winstead claims he owns the copyright to the book The Preacher’s Son-But The Streets Turned Me Into A Gangster, which was released in 2008.  

According to Winstead, 50 Cent stole the concepts for his November 2009 album and accompanying movie Before I Self Destruct, from Winstead’s book.

“The defendant infringed the copyright by publishing and selling an audio visual work (a movie released in DVD format), coupled with an audio recording (“recordings”),” Winstead’s complaint reads. “In many cases, the content and word choice used by Defendants in their work is identical to that used in Plaintiff’s book.”

Winstead’s lawsuit seeks an undisclosed amount in damages.

The author also seeks all profits and interests gained from both formats of Before I Self Destruct. (Via AHH)