Recent rumors have swirled that G-Unit Records might be dropped from the Interscope Records roster, but a representative from the label flatly denied that such gossip was true.
While nothing is certain, the rumors appear to originate from a recent appearance by 50 Cent on Shade 45 with DJ Whoo Kid. In the interview, the pair and others outwardly joke and offer opinions on rappers like Nas, Fat Joe, Jay-Z and The Game.
In the interview, which aired last week, 50 Cent said, "Everybody looks and they think 'Well you can't tell me what to do.' [The Game] played them. None of them sell any records. Look at Nas: 'Hip-Hop is Dead' is the same single [sample] off his last album. That right there is feasting."
He also charged that he was making 25% of The Game's current CD, Doctor's Advocate. A rep for Interscope refused to confirm such information.
Oher insiders suggest that the rumors stem from a down-turn in album sales for the G-Unit brand, which typically sells into the millions..
Despite artistic acclaim, Mobb Deep sold moderate units of Blood Money, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.
The G-Unit debut sold over 100,000 copies during its first week in May 2006 and has since been certified gold (500,000).
Lloyd Banks, another popular G-Unit artist, sold 143,000 of Rotten Apple in his first week, a considerable decline from the 433,000 copies of his 2004 debut The Hunger for More.
The album debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. The album also took the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. By week four, Banks had sold about 234,000 copies of the album, which is approaching 500,000 units sold.
Others charge that internet postings are the source of the false information.
In 2007, listeners can expect releases from Young Buck, as well as G-Unit founder 50 Cent. In the interview with Shade 45, 50 Cent said that he was 90% finished his upcoming album, titled Before I Self Destruct.
