50 Cent Leaves Interscope and Shady Records for Independent Label; Album Coming in June

By Daniel Distant, Christian Post Reporter Friday, February 21, 2014

50 Cent left his longtime label, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records and Eminem's imprint, Shady/Aftermath, on Thursday. The gangster rapper decided to leave for an independent label Caroline of Capital Music Group.

50 Cent released a statement thanking Dr. Dre and Eminem, who discovered the rapper and made him one of the biggest artists in the world since 2003's six-times-platinum Get Rich or Die Tryin.

"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," 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, said in a statement. "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."

Eminem also released a statement for one of the most successful emcee's ever to be on his label.

"Both myself and Shady records are grateful to have had the chance to play a part in 50's career," Eminem said. "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."

While 50 Cent was able to release his first album, then The Massacre, Curtis and finally Before I Self Destruct on the label— the first three albums went platinum, but his last effort only went gold— friction with his label prevented a new album from being released since 2009. Jackson expressed unhappiness with his label publicly as well.

On Caroline, which has distributed albums by Korn and rapper E-40, 50 Cent will release Animal Ambition June 3. Pre-orders for the album begin March 18 and the rapper said he'll be premiering a new song and video each week until its release.