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Freeway – Diamonds In the Rough
|align="left"|Freeway – Diamonds In the Rough
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*Chart position: TBA
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*U.S. sales: TBA
RIAA certification: TBA
*RIAA certification: TBA
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Beanie Sigel – The Classic
|align="left"|Beanie Sigel – The Classic
Released: TBA
*Released: TBA
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*Chart position: TBA
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*U.S. sales: TBA
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Revision as of 16:45, 28 August 2011

G-Unit Records
Parent companyInterscope, EMI
Founded2003
Founder50 Cent, Sha Money XL
Distributor(s)Interscope, EMI
GenreHip-Hop
Country of originUnited States
Official websitehttp://www.thisis50.com/

G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. In August 2010, the label added an additional distribution with EMI,[1][2] however, it still maintains a distribution with Interscope.[3] G-Unit Records is currently distributing G-Unit Philly, an extension of the label managed by Tony Yayo, along with the R&B, Dance and Pop division of the label, G-Note Records.[4]

History

2003–2005

Following the success of 50 Cent's debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', he was granted his own record label. This was when G-Unit Records was created.[5] G-Unit, then consisting of Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck, was signed to the label as a group as well as solo artists. Bang Em Smurf was very closely affiliated with them before they signed to Interscope Records.[6] He claimed that before 50 Cent saw mainstream success, the two recorded a mixtape from which they would earn $5 each, they sold 400,000 copies. 50 Cent allegedly never gave Bang Em' Smurf his share.[6] In addition to this Bang Em' Smurf claimed that 50 Cent did not contact or bail him out while he was in jail. This led to him and his close friend, Domination, no longer wanting to be affiliated with the group. Domination was never an official member of G-Unit but was a close friend of Bang 'Em Smurf during his G-Unit days. After the two had a brief feud with 50 Cent and G-Unit in 2003, Domination and Bang 'Em Smurf were no longer associated with G-Unit. Bang 'Em Smurf was never actually signed to G-Unit as an artist, but rather as an executive, or "boss," as he put it.[7]

2003 saw the release of G-Unit's commercial debut, Beg For Mercy, which sold 377,000 copies in its first week of release.[8] It has now sold over 2.7 million units in the U.S.[9] and 6 million copies worldwide.[10] It has been certified 2× platinum by the RIAA.[11]

After bringing in The Game in early 2004,[12] Spider Loc was also signed around the time of Young Buck's album release.[13] As a result of the problems that 50 Cent encountered with The Game's falling out with the label in 2005, he was not sure whether or not to sign any new artists to his "family", which was how he perceived G-Unit as a group and record label. However, later that year, the opportunity to sign Mobb Deep[14] and M.O.P.[15] came up.

2006–2009

In 2006, G-Unit Records signed Young Hot Rod.[16] In the same year, in conjunction with Mobb Deep's Infamous Records, they signed both Nyce and 40 Glocc. In 2007, Mazaradi Fox was also added to the label.[17] It was also highly anticipated that Detroit rapper Trick Trick, would sign to the label,[18] though this deal never came to be.

In 2008, amidst rumors of a "beef" within G-Unit between 50 Cent and Young Buck, 50 Cent officially kicked Young Buck out of the group, though assuring that he was still signed with the label.[19] Numerous slander songs then arose on the internet from both camps, with Young Buck being included on a track with former rival The Game. 50 Cent then leaked a taped phone conversation between himself and Young Buck, which showed one of the true reasons for the falling out; 50 Cent was owed money by the Southern rapper. Young Buck later stated the conversation took place over a year before the leak.[20] The two camps have since released a multitude of songs against each other, while the feud seems to be settling down as of late 2008, with Young Buck stating he's been working on his latest album, which to still be released under the G-Unit label.[21] In 2008 50 Cent signed westcoast rapper Slim da Mobster as a joint venture with Dr.Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Eminem's Shady Records he was the first rapper to ever sign for the three lebels, but in 2010 the rapper was moved from G-Unit Records to G-Unit West but he still remaines with Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records were his debut album is set for release in 2011.

In late 2009, G-Unit Records founder 50 Cent released his fourth album, Before I Self Destruct, which featured a track entitled "So Disrespectful", which insulted his various rivals including Jay-Z and G-Unit Records artists Game and Young Buck. Also in 2009, 50 Cent would collaborate with former Roc-A-Fella Records artist Beanie Sigel, which would also lead to speculation that Beanie Sigel was signing to G-Unit Records.[22] While promoting Before I Self Destruct, 50 Cent also did a radio interview in which he spoke about the G-Unit Records roster. Within the interview it was confirmed that Game, Young Buck, Spider Loc, Young Hot Rod, and Mazardi Fox were all still signed to the label, while both M.O.P and Mobb Deep were no longer signed to the label.[23] The year 2009, also saw the signing of New York rapper, Trav, former Grand Hustle, R&B singer, Governor and [24] Beanie Sigel on the 5th of November respectively.50 also confirmed this.[17]

2010 – Present

In early January 2010, 50 Cent claimed that he was looking to sign new comedians, and authors to the label, expanding outside of the realm of recording artists.[25] Atlanta borne comedian, Young Jack Thriller, would be the first comedian signed to the label,[25] releasing a weekly "So Disrespectful," YouTube podcast.[26] He would also be a regular guest on Shade45's G-Unit Radio, and co-host of the program.[27][28] Also in early 2010, in reference to his recent affiliation with 50 Cent and possibly G-Unit Records, Beanie Sigel stated that he would not be signing with the label, as he and 50 Cent mutually "used" each other, though no harm to their business relationship was made.[29] Also in early 2010, label signee Young Buck responded to various songs released on 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct. He released five records aimed at 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, G-Unit, and 40 Glocc.[30]

Though he was previously unsure about signing new talent to the label, in January 2010, 50 Cent expressed interest in signing European R&B singer Jamelia to G-Unit Records, citing that it could not only help her build a reputation in the U.S., but also sign a new female artist to the label, which hasn't had a female artist since Olivia.[31]

In an interview with MTV, 50 Cent announced that he is looking for new artists, "You'll see new faces, because I'm looking for new artists now. I'll sign new artists and take them with me and kinda groom them. Make em look like snitches like me, Some of the stuff you can't teach a person; they gotta have it". While he was on tour, recently made affiliate Beanie Sigel confirmed after a long awaited wait, that he would be finished signing to G-Unit when 50 got back from tour.[32] G-Unit artist Tony Yayo recently announced that newly signed artist Mike Knox was officially signed to the "G-Unit Philly" extent of the label, along with Knox confirming it himself in same interview.[33]

In August 2010, amidst the controversy surrounding Montana Fishburne's entrance into the adult film industry, co-porn star, Brian Pumper, released several rap songs shouting out 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo. As Pumper's fame on the internet began to rise, he made appearances on Shade45's G-Unit Radio,[27] revealed that he and long time G-Unit DJ, DJ Whoo Kid, had begun work on a mixtape together, and that he and 50 were in talks of possibly signing him to G-Unit as a solo rapper.[34] It is currently unknown whether or not he'll be signed. Also in August, Tony Yayo discussed how he and The Pack member, "Lil B," had hooked up and worked together in the studio, along with Yayo's newly proclaimed protoge, "Danny Brown." He also stated that there was a large possibility that Lil B might be signing to G-Unit Records, and spoke as if Danny Brown was already signed.[35] Despite this, Brown confirmed that he is not signed to G-Unit as of yet, but he is talks of possibly signing to the label.[36] Also in September 2010, there was quite a bit of speculation that R&B singer Mýa, was in the process of, or already signed to the label.[37] Lloyd Banks later in September would confirm that Mobb Deep member Havoc was in talks to negotiate a new contract for the group in terms of signing to the label.

In early March, 2011, rapper Shawty Lo reported in an interview that he was in talks with the label about signing.[38] On June 8, 2011 it was confirmed by both Shawty Lo and AllHipHop.com that he had signed a deal with the label.[39] He had this to say about signing with the label, " “This is like something before the album, my new situation with G-Unit was just solidified and I got off the phone with 50 yesterday, I just signed a really large deal,”.[40] It was later confirmed by Shawty Lo that he had not signed to the label as an individual artist, but so that his label D4L would be under and part of the G-Unit Records roster.[41]

It was rumoured that Lea Sunshine, the singer who was featured in Lil' Flip's hit single "Sunshine", was signing to label. After touring with G-Unit and being featured on G-Note Records singer Hot Rod debut single, she confirmed on her Twitter account that she had signed with 50 Cent and G-Note Records.[42][43][44]

After a camoe appearance in Tony Yayo's music video, "Haters", it was reported by MTV that former Young Money affiliate, Kidd Kidd, had signed with the label.[45][46] As well as this young and upcoming rapper Genasis, reported via his Twitter that he had just inked a deal with 50 Cent and the G-Unit Records label after 50 Cent seen a video of Genasis performing[47][48].In 2009 Beanie Sigel was signed to G-Unit Records and as of 2011 he has been signed to G-Unit Philly.

Distribution

On August 13, 2010, in an interview with MTV News, Lloyd Banks announced that G-Unit had signed a distribution deal with EMI in North America. The distribution deal is strictly with artists Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, as stated by 50 Cent in an interview, that G-Unit as a label is not completely distributed by EMI, as he and G-Unit are still obligated under the Interscope G-Unit Distribution.[3]

G-Note Records

G-Note Records is a subsidiary record label of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records.[4] The label was set up in late 2010 to handle all Hip-Hop, R&B and Pop artists on the record label.[49] The artists signed to this label are "Governor", who was signed to G-Unit Records in 2009 and "Hot Rod" who originally was signed to G-Unit Records in 2006.[50]

Roster

Artists

Act Year signed # Albums released under G-Unit
G-Unit 2003 2

Tony Yayo 1
Lloyd Banks 3
Spider Loc 2005 -
Hot Rod 2006 -
40 Glocc -
Governor 2009 -
Beanie Sigel -
Freeway -
Kidd Kidd[51] 2011 -
Genasis -
DJ Pauly D[52] -

Labels

DJs and producers

Former Artists

Act Years signed Albums under G-Unit Source
Olivia 2004-2008 — [54]
Game 2004-2005 1 [55]
Mobb Deep 2005-2008 1 [56]
M.O.P. 2005-2008 — [57]
Lil Scrappy 2005-2009 1 [58]
Mazaradi Fox 2007-2009 — [59]
Young Buck 2003-2010 2 [60]

Discography

Past releases

Album information
G-Unit – Beg for Mercy
Lloyd Banks – The Hunger for More
  • Released: June 29, 2004
  • Chart positions: 1 U.S.[62]
  • U.S. sales: 1 Million +
  • RIAA certification: Platinum[63]
  • Singles: "On Fire", "I'm So Fly", "Karma"
Young Buck – Straight Outta Cashville
The Game – The Documentary
Tony Yayo – Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Get Rich or Die Tryin' soundtrack
Mobb Deep – Blood Money
Lloyd Banks – Rotten Apple
Lil Scrappy – Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live
Young Buck – Buck the World
G-Unit – T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight)
Lloyd Banks – H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More)

To be released

Album information
Lloyd Banks – Lloyd Banks' fourth studio album
Tony Yayo – Tony Yayo's second studio album
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart position: TBA
  • U.S. sales: TBA
  • RIAA certification: TBA
Hot Rod – My Life
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart position: TBA
  • U.S. sales: TBA
  • RIAA certification: TBA
Governor – A Touch of Magic
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart position: TBA
  • U.S. Sales: TBA
  • RIAA certification: TBA
Shawty Lo - Still Got Units
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart position: TBA
  • U.S. Sales: TBA
  • RIAA certification: TBA
Freeway – Diamonds In the Rough
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart position: TBA
  • U.S. sales: TBA
  • RIAA certification: TBA
Beanie Sigel – The Classic
  • Released: TBA
  • Chart position: TBA
  • U.S. sales: TBA
  • RIAA certification: TBA

References

  1. ^ http://www.billboard.com/news/g-unit-records-inks-with-emi-1004109315.story?tag=hpfeed#/news/g-unit-records-inks-with-emi-1004109315.story?tag=hpfeed
  2. ^ http://www.emimusic.com/?s=G-Unit
  3. ^ a b [1]
  4. ^ a b http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/gnote-records-is-a-divison-of
  5. ^ G-Unit biography. Allmusic. Accessed July 16, 2007.
  6. ^ a b Carl Chery (December 5, 2003). Former G-Unit Affiliate Tells All to All-Access. SOHH. Accessed August 30, 2007.
  7. ^ http://twitter.com/bangemsmurf_fdw/status/22405935276[]
  8. ^ a b Katie Hasty. (July 9, 2008). Lil Wayne Back On Top Of The Billboard 200. BillBoard. Accessed July 10, 2008.
  9. ^ a b Crosley, Hillary (April 24, 2008). G-Unit, The Game Push Back New Albums. Billboard. Accessed May 10, 2008.
  10. ^ a b New York Post, Return of the Rap Pack. NYPost. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  11. ^ a b RIAA. RIAA Searchable Database - "G-Unit". RIAA. Accessed May 10, 2008.
  12. ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 28, 2005). 50 Drops Game From G-Unit; Shots Fired at Radio Station. MTV. Accessed July 29, 2007.
  13. ^ Spider Loc Bio. SpiderLoc.com. Accessed November 29, 2008.
  14. ^ Lauren Gitlin (February 15, 2005) Mobb Deep Get Hand Out From 50 Cent. Roling Stone.com Accessed November 29, 2008.
  15. ^ Ahsmi Rawlins (February 21, 2007) M.O.P. Signs on To Push Sizzurp, Plans G-Unit Debut LP XXL. Accessed November 29, 2008.
  16. ^ Al Capone (October 17, 2007). Hot Rod Talks G Unit, Industry Beefs, Album, Mixtape, & More. DefSounds. Accessed November 29, 2008.
  17. ^ Jon Michael (June 6, 2008) Mazaradi Fox - Soldier's Story SixShot. Accessed November 29, 2008.
  18. ^ Trick Trick to sign with G-Unit?
  19. ^ Aliya Ewing (April 7, 2008) 50 Cent Kicks Young Buck Out Of G-Unit & More! HipHopDX. Accessed November 29, 2008.
  20. ^ Black Widow (June 19, 2008) Young Buck Responds to Leaked Phone Convo With 50 Cent, 'I Don't Feel No Shame' SixShot. Accessed November 29, 2008.
  21. ^ Shaheem Reid (October 21, 2008) Young Buck Says The Rehab Will Sell A Million In A Week MTV.com Accessed November 29, 2008.
  22. ^ 50 Talks Possibly Signing Beanie Sigel
  23. ^ 50 Says Game, Buck & More Still Signed To G-Unit
  24. ^ Governor
  25. ^ a b [2]
  26. ^ [3]
  27. ^ a b [4]
  28. ^ [5]
  29. ^ Beanie Sigel Says 50 Used Him For Publicity
  30. ^ Young Buck disses 50 Cent & G-Unit
  31. ^ 50 Cent To Sign Jamelia
  32. ^ Beanie Sigel Confirms Deal
  33. ^ Mike Knox Signs to G-Unit Philly
  34. ^ [6]
  35. ^ [7]
  36. ^ [8]
  37. ^ [9]
  38. ^ http://hiphop-n-more.com/2011/03/shawty-lo-signing-with-g-unit/
  39. ^ http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2011/06/10/22786338.aspx
  40. ^ http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/50-cent-signs-shawty-lo-to
  41. ^ http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/shawty-lo-speaks-on-his-new
  42. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/LeaQSunshine/status/88654300397584385
  43. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/LeaQSunshine/status/88321912819822592
  44. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/LeaQSunshine/status/88278297351421952
  45. ^ http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/07/10/50-cent-introduces-kidd-kidd-to-g-unit/
  46. ^ http://hiphop-n-more.com/2011/07/50-cent-signs-kidd-kidd-to-g-unit/
  47. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/GENASISISHERE/status/93863847496122368
  48. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/GENASISISHERE/status/93785593997312000
  49. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/CodyKreezy/status/15852871283113984
  50. ^ http://www.CodyKunigel.com/hotrod.html
  51. ^ http://hiphop-n-more.com/2011/07/50-cent-signs-kidd-kidd-to-g-unit/
  52. ^ http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/pauly-d-confirms-g-unit-deal-with-50-cent
  53. ^ http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/shawty-lo-speaks-on-his-new?xg_source=activity
  54. ^ [10]
  55. ^ [11]
  56. ^ [12]
  57. ^ [13]
  58. ^ [14]
  59. ^ [15]
  60. ^ [16]
  61. ^ Joe D'Angelo (November 19, 2003). Beg for Mercy chart position. VH1. Accessed 26 July 2007
  62. ^ Billboard. Artist Chart History – Lloyd Banks. Billboard. Accessed July 9, 2007.
  63. ^ Gold and Platinum search results - "The Hunger For More". Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed August 27, 2007.
  64. ^ Joe D'Angelo (September 1, 2007). Straight Outta Ca$hville chart position. VH1. Accessed 26 July 2007.
  65. ^ Mitchell, Gail (March 12, 2007). Rapper Young Buck shows versatility on new album. Reuters. Accessed September 5, 2007.
  66. ^ Gold and Platinum search results – "Straight Outta Cashville". Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed August 24, 2007.
  67. ^ Chris harris (November 16, 2005). 50 Cent Gets A Billboard Beating From Zellweger's Ex. VH1. Accessed August 24, 2007.
  68. ^ Johnson, Dick (August 10, 2007). Pulse Report. SOHH. Accessed August 11, 2007.
  69. ^ 50 Cent Timeline. Rock on the Net. Accessed May 24, 2007.
  70. ^ Chris Harris (May 10, 2006). Tool, Pearl Jam Claim Billboard Chart In The Name Of Rock. VH1. Accessed 27 July 2007.
  71. ^ Samuel, Anslem (May 2008). XXL: G-Unit is in the House. XXL magazine, p. 73.
  72. ^ Kondo, Toshitaka (June 13, 2007). Stormy Weather. Vibe. Accessed August 23, 2007.
  73. ^ Chris Harris (October 18, 2006). Lloyd Banks Can't Catch Rod Stewart's Classics In Race For Billboard #1. VH1. Accessed August 24, 2007.
  74. ^ CRIA Search Certification Database - "Lloyd Banks". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Accessed May 29, 2008.
  75. ^ "Tracie J." Murphy (December 14, 2006). Hip-Hop Charts: Ciara Hits The Jackpot, Eminem "Re-Ups," Jay-Z Slides Down. SOHH. Accessed August 1, 2007.
  76. ^ UrbanConnects (April 4, 2007). Top Album Sales ANALYSIS 04/04/2007. UrbanConnects. Accessed August 13, 2007.
  77. ^ Keiper, Nicole (July 19, 2007). Rapper Young Buck focusing on charity work, new image. The Tennessean. Accessed September 26, 2007.
  78. ^ XXL Mag. XXL: Just Some Numbers. XXL. Accessed January 12.
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