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50 Cent leaves Interscope, goes independent
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 21 February 2014
50 Cent’s relationship with Universal/Interscope has been so fractious over the years that it has appeared in the CMU Beef Of The Week column not once, but twice. But yesterday he confirmed that he has now departed the label for good. He will release his new album independently though his own existing G-Unit label in June, with distribution handled worldwide by another Universal division, Caroline International.
This also, of course, means leaving behind the Interscope-controlled imprints of mentors Eminem and Dr Dre – Shady and Aftermath, respectively – to which he was officially allied.
In a statement, the rapper said: “I have had great success to date with Shady / Aftermath / Interscope and I’d like to thank Eminem and Dr Dre for giving me an incredible opportunity. I’ve learned so much from them through the years. I am excited to enter this new era where I can carry out my creative vision”.
Meanwhile, Eminem commented: “Both myself and Shady Records are grateful to have had the chance to play a part in 50’s career. Shady simply would not be what it is without 50 Cent. I’ve developed a great friendship with 50 over the years, and that’s not going to change. We know 50 will have success in his new situation, and we remain supporters of both him and G-Unit”.
As part of 50 Cent’s alliance with Interscope, the Universal division has previously distributed most G-Unit releases in the US, with Polydor doing the same in the UK. Though the imprint has used other distributors for some releases in some territories, including EMI Label Services and [PIAS].
On his division’s new partnership with Fiddy, Caroline President Dominic Pandiscia said: “We are thrilled to welcome 50 Cent and G-Unit to our family. 50 is simply one of the most accomplished and creative artists, and his plans for the future are as exciting and innovative as you can imagine. I deeply thank him for his belief in our team and what we can do to help support his creative vision in the years to come”.
50 Cent’s new album, ‘Animal Ambition’, is due for release on 2 Jun.
