50 cent the massacre

G-Unit Records is a label distributed through Interscope Records, founded by 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL.

Label History

After the release of numerous mixtapes and the debut of the album Get Rich or Die Tryin', 50 Cent was granted his own label. Since 2003, the label has became successful for not only the rapper, but his appointed label artists. The label also had once signed The Game to G-Unit. After the departure of the rapper, G-Unit had signed on a new roster of talent to the growing label. Also 50 Cent has confirmed that he is planning on working with artists outside of G-Unit.

Artists

• 50 Cent- is the founder of the label. The rapper is signed to Aftermath Entertainment and Shady Records as a joint venture. The rapper released two albums, Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The Massacre. He was also featured in a film, based on his life.
• G-Unit- Although G Unit is the name of the entire collective in 2003, when G Unit was only four members (50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck), the quartet released an album as a group under the name G Unit.
• Lloyd Banks- Considered the second-in-command of the G-Unit, Lloyd Banks is the youngest member of the group and second youngest signed artist to the label. His solo debut album The Hunger For More was released in 2004 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. It spawned the smash singles "On Fire", "I'm So Fly" & "Karma". His sophomore album, Rotten Apple, is due for release in 2006.
• Tony Yayo- Known as the "Talk of New York" (T.O.N.Y.). Due to his imprisonment for weapons charges and he was only able to appear on two songs on Beg for Mercy and his solo project was delayed. The members of G-Unit began a "Free Yayo" campaign while he was serving his prison term. When he was released in 2004, he went forth to record his debut album, Thoughts of A Predicate Felon. His debut album was the first of the G-Unit group members to fail to reach but platinum success.
• Young Buck- Previously, the Nashville rapper was partnered with rapper D-Tay and was discovered by Cash Money Records. He later joined Juvenile's UTP Records. After appearing on 50 Cent's mixtapes and debut album, 50 Cent signed Buck to his label to establish a Southern fan base as well as give Buck exposure. His debut solo album, Straight Outta Ca$hville, became a platinum success. His second album, Buck the World is scheduled for 2006.
• Olivia- Olivia is not only the first lady of G-Unit, but also the only R&B artist on the predominantly rap record label. She released her debut album on J Records and had the hit song "Bizounce" in 2001. But she was dropped from the label due to poor album sales. As a member of G-Unit, her contributions thus far have included the smash hit "Candy Shop" off 50 Cent's The Massacre. Her upcoming album, Behind Closed Doors, will feature the G-Unit group, and many notable producers.
• Mobb Deep- A veteran gangsta rap duo from Queens. After bad promotion for their previous album forced the group to leave Jive Records, rappers Prodigy and Havoc signed on as artists in G-Unit. The album Blood Money was released in 2006. Their signing to the label has been criticized but also praised by many fans as sign of change in the group.
• M.O.P. - A Duo from Brownsville, New York. The group includes Lil Fame and Billy Danze. The group were once signed to Loud Records and Roc-A-Fella Records. Their album with Roc-A-Fella was shelved and the group demanded to be released from the label. After Roc-A-Fella folded into Def Jam, they left and recorded an independent album on Koch Records. 50 Cent publicly expressed interest in the group and a deal was eventually made. An album is expected for 2007.
• Spider Loc- Since the departure of The Game, 50 Cent expressed interest in Spider Loc to be a part of G-Unit in order to establish a strong West Coast fanbase. Spider Loc is a Crip member who was previously signed to Death Row Records. His debut, West Kept Secret is expected to be released in 2007.
• Young Hot Rod- Not much is known about this rapper, but he hails from Phoenix and was publicly announced as a new artist at a G-Unit concert. His first single is titled "Be Easy" featuring Mary J. Blige and he is also on the LL Cool J's single "Bump This" alongside 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks. His second single will be "Chase" featuring 50 Cent. His debut album, Fastlane, is scheduled for 2006.

G-Unit West

• Ras Kass- Was recently signed to G-Unit West expansion by Spider Loc.

Joint Ventures

• Lil Scrappy - An artist currently signed to BME Recordings / G-Unit Records. 50 Cent expressed interest in working with Scrappy after hearing his hit EP The King of Crunk & BME Recordings Present: Lil' Scrappy. 50 Cent and Lil' Jon will co-executive produce the rapper's debut LP Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live. It will feature appearances from G-Unit and tracks will produced by Lil' Jon, Sha Money XL and others.
• Freeway - Philadelphia rapper Freeway who is on Roc-A-Fella will work with both Jay-Z and 50 Cent on his sophomore album, Free At Last. The album will be released as a joint venture.

DJ's/Producers

• DJ Whoo Kid- Official DJ of G-unit.
• Sha Money XL- Co-Founder of G-Unit Records and official producer.
• Havoc- Member of recording artists Mobb Deep is also a producer.

Former Artists

• The Game- A Former member of G-Unit but was released from his contract. Before The Game was released he released his debut solo album The Documentary. Since Leaving G-Unit he has had an ongoing fued with them.

Solo Album Releases

Released

• 50 Cent - Get Rich Or Die Tryin' (2003)
• G-Unit - Beg For Mercy (2003)
• Lloyd Banks - The Hunger For More (2004)
• Young Buck - Straight Outta Cashville (2004)
• The Game- The Documentary (2005)
• 50 Cent - The Massacre (2005)
• Tony Yayo - Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon (2005)
• Mobb Deep - Blood Money (2006)
• Lloyd Banks - Rotten Apple (2006)

Upcoming

• Young Buck - Buck The World (November 28th, 2006)
• Young Hot Rod - Fast Lane (November 14th, 2006)
• Olivia - Behind Closed Doors (December 12th, 2006)
• Lil' Scrappy - Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live (October 31st, 2006)
• Freeway - Free At Last
• 50 Cent - 9 Bullets Later
• Spider Loc - The West Kept Secret
• Tony Yayo - T.O.N.Y.
• M.O.P. - Yearly Physical

External links

Official Sites

• 50 Cent
• G-Unit
• Lloyd Banks
• Young Buck
• Tony Yayo
• Olivia
• Mobb Deep
• M.O.P.
• Spider Loc
• Young Hot Rod
• Lil' Scrappy
• Freeway
• The Game

Unofficial Sites

• G-Unit World