Severing a deeply tumultuous relationship, 50 Cent has reportedly left Interscope Records, and will release his new album Animal Ambition through an independent distributor. New releases by 50 and artists on his G-Unit label will also now be released via Caroline (a division of Universal Music Group).
Despite selling 30 million albums during his time on Interscope, 50’s relationship with the label has not been without severe turmoil. In addition to discrepancies on release and promotion of his recent albums, in 2011 the rapper was enraged to discover that Interscope had blocked his new video – from his own YouTube account – for the song “They Burn Me” on copyright grounds.
Pre-orders of Animal Ambition will be accompanied by two bonus tracks, beginning March 18th. The rapper will also premiere new songs and videos each week up until the album’s June 3rd release.
“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 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.”
“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.”
In January, 50 spoke about Animal Ambition: “I’m so anxious to put out material,” he explained. “It took me so long to get the business portion of music straight, because I had went through an auditing process because it was the last record required for Interscope Records. And now, I got Animal Ambition, I was inspired to write this. It really has to be current. If it’s not like right now, what I feel is like the hottest thing, I know it’s done right, but it’s not necessarily what I should be doing right now.”
