50 Cent Announces Departure From Interscope; Signs Indie Deal With Caroline/Capitol/UMG

Here’s some surprising bit of news to start off your Thursday.

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50 Cent has today announced his departure from Shady/Aftermath/Interscope where he spent 12 successful years and sold over 30 million albums. He and his G-Unit imprint have now entered into a independent deal with Caroline, which is an Independent Services division of Capitol Music Group. Capitol is a front line umbrella label owned by Universal Music Group.

Over the last few years, 50 Cent has been quite vocal about his disappointment with his label Interscope not backing him up properly and failing to give proper budget to release his Street King Immortal album.

50’s four albums Get Rich or Die Tryin‘, The Massacre, Curtis and Before I Self Destruct, will continue to be marketed and released by Shady/Aftermath/Interscope.

With the announcement also comes the news of his first project under the new deal. His album Animal Ambition will arrive in stores June 3rd with the pre-orders going up on March 18th where fans will immediately receive two instant tracks. The corresponding videos will premiere online. An additional song and video will launch each week leading up to the album’s release.

Says Caroline President Dominic Pandiscia:

“We are thrilled to welcome 50 Cent and G-Unit to our family. 50 is simply one of the most accomplished and creative artists, and his plans for the future are as exciting and innovative as you can imagine. I deeply thank him for his belief in our team and what we can do to help support his creative vision in the years to come. I’d also like to thank everyone at Shady/Aftermath and Interscope, particularly Eminem and Dr. Dre, for offering their endorsement and support of our involvement with 50 Cent and G-Unit. They’ve done an incredible job these past 12 years, and we’ve got a great legacy of label partnership to build on.”

50 Cent:

“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. 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:

“Both myself and Shady Records are grateful to have had the chance to play a part in 50’s career. 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.”

Steve Berman, Vice Chairman of Interscope/Geffen/A&M:

“50 Cent is, and always will be, a marquee artist for us at Interscope/Geffen/A&M. We respect his decision to pursue this new venture and the next chapter in his career, and wish him nothing but the best. He will always be a part of our family.”