New York City, you’re rocking with, 50 Cent!
Before we say anything, this is in praise to Griselda Records, who’ve done something most thought would never happen again – bring street music to mainstream. Following the testosterone industry change in 2007, when 50 Cent “lost” to Kanye West, Kanan was looking to reboot the entire G-Unit brand. Soon, after he transitioned from his most commercial tracks on CURTIS, back to really aggressive content we saw on Before I Self Destruct.
However, at the time, he was going through financial issues in the late 2000s, then again in 2012 when he hired a private investigator to look into the murder of Chris Lighty. As punishment, he was embarrassed with having to file bankruptcy, and fell back from trying to bring light to dangerous quiet people. With G-Unit, it got to the point where it was back to the original three-man camp of himself, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks.
The 134 All Stars of Southside were dropping street content; and was trying to get into the mainstream in 2008-2010. Unfortunately, he was also going through a nasty label breakup, as well as a headphones war with Jimmy Iovine. Without calling that situation a complete blackball, it was hard for 50 to get music consignment before he went to film. Many doors were closed on his face, which sadly was during the group’s most slept on content years.
Along with 50’s public enemies also running the game at the time, he was essentially phased out for a period. A few years ago, he went to call Lloyd Banks lazy and mention that Tony Yayo couldn’t leave the streets alone as a platinum artist. While he may be right in the case of Yayo, Banks had the right to work how he wanted because of serious immediate family deaths.
He could’ve compared Lloyd’s situation to Eminem, because those were very dark years for the two individuals. We know he was sensitive to Slim Shady, but could’ve been more empathetic to the PLK. The group would eventually reunite one last time, including getting to bags on the international tip. However, the money 50 Cent sees now, has closed any possible reunion with G-Unit and new album from Southside native.
Essentially, 50 being too smart for what the industry was trying to shy away from, didn’t allow him and his camp to have another run. We’re sure 50 doesn’t regret anything, because he had a son during his off-years from the mainstream. This is somewhat closure for a lot of you G-Unit fans that wonder what happened after “I Get Money.” If you’re an aspiring artist, be careful on who you piss off on the come up.