Get Rich or Die Tryin’
Like his predecessor Eminem, rap star 50 Cent is making the crossover from music to movies, but his first feature film project is already surrounded by controversy.

Billboard advertisements for the gangsta rapper’s upcoming flick Get Rich or Die Tryin’ have prompted anti-violence protests after the signs, which feature the star displaying the bullet scars on his back holding a microphone in one hand and a gun in the other, were put up around public schools in Los Angeles.

Critics claim the movie ads promote violence and Paramount removed the large posters from the school neighbourhoods after L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich wrote a letter criticizing the marketing strategy.

50 Cent, a former drug dealer who was once shot nine times, actually welcomes the negative publicity, which he says will only fuel interest in his foray into film.

"I do appreciate it," he said. "They are talking about it on media outlets I didn't have plans to market the movie to. They are helping me out."

The music mogul said his critics are underestimating the intelligence of young people, who are bombarded by dozens of violent images on a daily basis. The rap star wonders why his ad was targeted, but protests don’t erupt over promotional materials for other violent films.

"I think Paramount made a business decision. I don't have a problem with it. At the end of the day, those kids are going to see the film,” he said. "They read the articles, they've seen the videos, they heard the music. When the film comes out, they're gonna see the film, regardless.”

The R-rated flick, which shares its name with the title of 50 Cent’s major label debut CD release, will open in theatres on Nov. 9. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, stars as a drug dealer who gives up his life of crime to pursue a music career in the biographical picture.

50 Cent’s latest album, The Massacre, has sold 4.7 million copies