50 Cent: Power producer to rival Empire with new Fox comedy series My Friend 50

50 Cent will be adding yet another TV show to his portfolio, with the US rapper reportedly creating a new sitcom for Fox. The hip hop star is said to be teaming up with Ride Along 2 producer Will Packer for the comedy series My Friend 50, which could rival the network's current ratings driver Empire.

Deadline reports that 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, will make recurring and occasional appearances as a version of himself. Written by Ava Tramer, the sitcom will follow character Amanda Kramer, a woman in her twenties who believes that joining 50 Cent's entourage will improve her life. Amanda then finds herself hired as the narrator of a documentary about the Candy Shop rapper.

Confirming the news, 50 told his Instagram followers: "Now you know I ain't b**********g, I got WILL( Green Lit ) Packer on the Team. We walk in pitch, then walk out with bag full of money." Packer, 41, is best known for producing a number of high-budget projects including Kevin Hart's Ride Along, Think Like A Man, No Good Deed, Wedding Ringer and NWA. biopic Straight Outta Compton, which grossed $200m (£134m) at the box office worldwide.

My Friend 50 is a collaboration between 50 Cent's G-Unit Film & Television production company, Universal Television and Will Packer Productions. It is believed the deal with Fox will not affect 50's contract with Starz network, which airs his acclaimed TV series Power. The 21 Questions rapper executive produces and stars in Power alongside Omari Hardwick and the show is often pitted against and compared to Fox's Empire, which stars Taraji P Henson and Terrence Howard.

Power has enjoyed two popular seasons and is currently filming its third season. The show's rivalry with Empire has often hit headlines and in October, 50 mocked the drama for its drop in viewers, writing on Instagram: "There are 3 million less viewers who tuned into last night's Empire episode!!!! did you watch it? We could not take the extra gay stuff or celebrity stuff last night!!!!"

Further casting and an air date for My Friend 50 are yet to be announced.