FUSE TV - 50 Cent Splits With Shady Records, Goes Independent

50 Cent and Interscope used to be so intertwined that he adopted the label as his own nickname and once rapped "I run Interscope." But after 12 years with the label, as well as subsidiaries Aftermath Records (run by Dr. Dre) and Shady Records (run by Eminem), 50 Cent will be going quasi-independent.

He announced today that he's signed a worldwide distribution deal with Caroline Records — through Capital Records and Universal Music Group — to promote and release his forthcoming fifth album Animal Ambition, which will be out June 3. Interscope will continue to control 50's four previous albums, which sold about 30 million copies for the label.

In statements, both 50 and Eminem put positive spins on the split. You can read those below.

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.

Tony Yayo, meanwhile, says that G-Unit—50's group that was dropped from Interscope in 2012—no longer exists. "50 ain’t rocking with me and Banks the same. I layed my life down for the unit but you live and you learn,” Yayo said in an Instagram comment. “Too much stress. I flew the world already. Dropped an album. Time to try new things and the Unit not together. F--k it.”