Rapper 50 Cent Dumped Record Label

The rapper announced that he's leaving his long-time record label, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records, and Eminem's imprint, Shady/Aftermath, Times Live says. The Grammy winner and his G-Unit Records have signed a distribution agreement with Caroline, the independent label at Capital Music Group. Capitol is one of the many labels that are part of Universal Music Group. 50 Cent – real name Curtis Jackson III – launched an ultra-successful, six-time platinum debut with Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003, when he burst on the music scene with Eminem as his mentor. His sophomore album, 2005's The Massacre, was almost as successful, but other albums didn't match his previous efforts and he expressed his unhappiness with his label. Jackson had been planning to release a fifth album on the label, but it was set with multiple release dates and singles, and eventfully didn't see a release. His last album was 2009's Before I Self Destruct, which also had several release dates. "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," 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." Jackson had a plethora of hits early in his career that dominated the pop, rap and R&B charts, from P.I.M.P. to Candy Shop to the anthemic In da Club, which introduced the young rapper aside Dr. Dre and Eminem.