50 Cent tells judge that stacks of $100 bills in his Instagram photos are FAKE

Rapper 50 Cent has declared that the fat stacks of cash he flaunted on Instagram during bankruptcy proceedings are fake, after a judge demanded he explain where he got the cash.

The Get Rich or Die Tryin' star, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, posted up a series of photos and videos on the app showing himself surrounded by piles of money. But the photos sparked the ire of Judge Ann Nevins, who demanded to know exactly how the supposedly bankrupt megastar could get so much money.

'I'm concerned about allegations of nondisclosure and a lack of transparency in the case,' Judge Nevins said.

But in a written declaration filed on Tuesday, 50 Cent declared that the money was prop money used for photo shoots, and that he was just trying to maintain his 'brand.'

'Hip-hop culture is widely recognized as aspirational in nature,' the declaration read. 'The standard by which artists and fans engage is commonly tied to money, jewelry, products and advertising over social media. 

'Products and brands are now marketed through social media as an effective way to engage with consumers. 

'Just because I am sensitive to the needs of maintaining my brand does not mean that I am hiding assets or that I have lied on my filings in this Bankruptcy Case, neither of which is true.' 

Judge Nevins was concerned about three pictures on the rapper's Instagram account. 

The first showed a bottle of Effen Vodka, which Jackson is paid to endorse, in Jackson's fridge, surrounded by stacks of money. 

The second has Jackson spelling out the word 'BROKE' in $100 bills, and the third showing 50 Cent on his bed, covered in cash.

There is also a video showing Jackson getting cheese from his money-filled fridge before asking the camera, 'What?' 

Another video shows him pretending to wake up in bed, only to discover his legs are buried under a pile of notes.

The images were flagged by Lastonia Leviston, who won $7million in a sex-tape dispute with 50 Cent but hasn’t been able to collect that money because he says he is broke. 

The proceedings have been ongoing since July last year.