Rapper 50 Cent has applied for legal recognition of his financial contribution to the raising of his son Marquise. The 'In Da Club' hit-maker dated Shaniqua Tompkins for four years in the late 1990s and the pair had a son together in 1997. After the couple split, 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, and Tompkins reached a child support agreement in private, which the rapper increased after his chart success in 2003.

However, Jackson has now filed papers in New York Family Court to make their financial arrangement formal. Friends of the star tell the New York Daily News that he decided on court action after Tompkins began to demand more money. A pal says, "It was just getting so out of hand. It was driven by greed. He felt it was necessary to get a court order making clear just what his responsibility is. He took matters into his own hands. It's usually the woman who files. But he wants to do the right thing.”

"50 has always provided for his kid. His son's mother is now making unreasonable demands, which seem to have no limits." Jackson bought Tompkins and Marquise a house in Long Island and regularly spends time with his son. The pal adds, "He's paying a lot of child support. He takes (Marquise) on vacations. He sees his son very frequently. When he's on the road, he brings him out."

Tompkins has hired lawyer Raoul Lionel Felder to represent her case, who said, "Ms Tompkins is going to get more than fifty cents, I can tell you that."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)