Rapper 50 Cent has denied reports he has fired Young Buck from his G-Unit group, calling his comments on New York radio station last week a "late April fools joke". The In Da Club star - born Curtis Jackson - fuelled speculation fellow rapper Young Buck had been expelled from the group after he voiced his disapproval at Buck's attempts to make peace with G-Unit rivals Jadakiss and The Game.

Speaking on radio station Hot 97 last Wednesday, he said, "In a prior interview on the Angie Martinez show he (Young Buck) made references to being his own man and his decisions to try and make friends with people who I have issues with.

"I hold him in the same space that I hold Game in. If I got issues with somebody and we down with each other, you got issues with them."

But 50's manager Chris Lighty insists the comments were all made in jest.

He tells AllHipHop.com, "It was just a late April fools joke. 50 Cent has a twisted sense of humor."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)