G-Unit Records
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAn American hip-hop record label founded by 50 Cent and Sha Money XL and associated with the G-Unit rap collective.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
G-Unit Records is an American hip-hop record label created by rapper 50 Cent and music executive and manager Sha Money XL. The imprint emerged after 50 Cent signed with Interscope Records and replaced his earlier Rotten Apple Entertainment imprint. Its formation connected the commercial momentum of 50 Cent’s solo career with the wider G-Unit collective, whose principal members included Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck. The label’s early period was defined by a close relationship with Interscope Records and by releases that combined major-label distribution with the identity and street-oriented aesthetic of the G-Unit crew. 50 Cent’s debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, became the central commercial foundation for the operation. The group’s Beg for Mercy followed in 2003, while Lloyd Banks’s The Hunger for More arrived in 2004. These projects established G-Unit as more than a vehicle for one artist: it functioned as a platform for solo releases, crew albums, soundtrack projects and affiliated acts. During the middle of the 2000s, the roster expanded beyond the original G-Unit members. The label and its related operations became associated at different times with The Game, Spider Loc, Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Young Hot Rod, 40 Glocc, Nyce, Mazaradi Fox, Governor and others. Some signings were short-lived, rumored, made through affiliated arrangements or later ended, reflecting the fluid nature of artist contracts in the period. G-Unit also introduced G-Note Records, a subsidiary aimed at R&B and pop-oriented projects. Internal disputes affected the label’s public image and roster. The breakdown between 50 Cent and Young Buck became a highly publicized feud, while 50 Cent’s conflict with The Game also shaped the label’s reputation and music. These tensions contributed to uncertainty around the G-Unit roster, although the label continued to release and promote music through the late 2000s and 2010s. In 2014, G-Unit moved away from its Interscope arrangement and began operating with Caroline Records, a Capitol Music Group company. The change reflected broader shifts in music distribution and 50 Cent’s reported dissatisfaction with aspects of his previous label relationship. In later years, the imprint continued to sign or associate with selected artists, including Uncle Murda in 2016. Kidd Kidd and Lloyd Banks publicly left the label and the wider G-Unit group in 2018. The label’s current operational status and active roster are not clearly established in the available reference material.
History
G-Unit Records was established on October 15, 2002, by 50 Cent and Sha Money XL. The label replaced 50 Cent’s earlier Rotten Apple Entertainment imprint and was developed alongside his relationship with Interscope Records. The concept linked the rapper’s solo career with the G-Unit group, then consisting of Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck. Each group member was associated with the label both collectively and as an individual recording artist. The imprint’s first major releases were closely tied to 50 Cent’s rapid rise. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ served as the commercial foundation for the label, while G-Unit’s Beg for Mercy, released in November 2003, established the group as a major recording act. Lloyd Banks followed with The Hunger for More in 2004. The label also became involved in soundtrack releases, including the soundtrack connected with the film Get Rich or Die Tryin’. G-Unit expanded its roster and affiliations during 2004 and 2005. The Game joined the wider operation for a period, while Spider Loc, Mobb Deep and M.O.P. were among the artists connected with the label during this phase. Other signings and affiliations included Young Hot Rod, Governor, 40 Glocc, Nyce and Mazaradi Fox. Not every reported relationship became a long-term recording arrangement, and the roster changed frequently. The label’s public identity was affected by disputes involving 50 Cent and artists associated with G-Unit. His split with The Game became a prominent rap feud. In 2008, 50 Cent removed Young Buck from the G-Unit group, although Buck was reported to remain signed to the label at that time. The dispute generated diss records and public controversy, including the release of a recorded telephone conversation. Later reporting also indicated that Mobb Deep and M.O.P. were no longer part of the roster. G-Unit broadened its intended scope in the late 2000s and early 2010s. G-Note Records was launched as a subsidiary focused on R&B and pop music. Associated artists included Governor, Hot Rod, Lea Sunshine and DJ Pauly D, although several later departed or did not remain active with the imprint. The company also considered or discussed agreements involving artists such as Shawty Lo, Beanie Sigel, Mýa, Danny Brown and others; these discussions did not uniformly result in confirmed long-term signings. In 2010, G-Unit pursued a limited North American distribution arrangement with EMI for releases by Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo. In February 2014, the label left the Interscope umbrella and operated in conjunction with Caroline Records under Capitol Music Group. This was a significant distribution and corporate-relationship change during a period when physical album sales were declining and independent-style distribution arrangements were becoming more important. The label continued to maintain a connection with 50 Cent and added Uncle Murda in 2016. By 2018, Kidd Kidd and Lloyd Banks had announced their departures from the G-Unit group and label. The available reference material does not establish a definitive current roster or confirm whether G-Unit Records remains actively releasing music as a standalone operation.
- 2018
Kidd Kidd and Lloyd Banks depart
[1]Both artists announced departures from G-Unit and the label during 2018.
- 2016
Uncle Murda joins the label
[1]Uncle Murda was signed to G-Unit Records.
- 2014
Caroline distribution era begins
[1]The label moved from its Interscope relationship to an arrangement with Caroline Records and Capitol Music Group.
- 2010
G-Note Records introduced
[1]The subsidiary was created to develop R&B and pop-oriented releases.
- 2010
EMI distribution arrangement announced
[1]G-Unit announced a limited North American distribution deal involving Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo releases.
- 2008
Young Buck removed from the group
[1]50 Cent publicly expelled Young Buck from G-Unit amid a highly publicized dispute.
- 2004
The Hunger for More released
[1]Lloyd Banks released his debut album through G-Unit, led by the single “On Fire.”
- 2003
Beg for Mercy released
[1]G-Unit’s debut studio album was released and became one of the label’s defining early projects.
- 2002
Label founded
[1]50 Cent and Sha Money XL established G-Unit Records on October 15, replacing Rotten Apple Entertainment.
Products and positioning
A commercially oriented hip-hop imprint built around 50 Cent, the G-Unit collective and affiliated rap artists, with a later R&B and pop division through G-Note Records.
Studio album · 2003
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
50 Cent’s debut studio album was the principal commercial foundation for G-Unit Records. It featured contributions from Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck and included the singles “21 Questions” and “If I Can’t.” The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified nonuple platinum by the RIAA.
Group studio album · 2003
Beg for Mercy
The debut studio album by G-Unit, featuring 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck. Released in November 2003, it became a flagship project for the label and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.
Studio album · 2004
The Hunger for More
Lloyd Banks’s debut solo album on G-Unit Records. Released in 2004, it topped the Billboard 200 and was supported by the single “On Fire.” The project helped demonstrate the label’s ability to develop individual artists from the G-Unit collective.
Soundtrack album · 2005
Get Rich or Die Tryin' soundtrack
A soundtrack associated with the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ film and featuring contributions from artists connected with the G-Unit operation. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 and received platinum certification from the RIAA.
Subsidiary label · 2010
G-Note Records
A G-Unit subsidiary launched around 2010 with an emphasis on R&B and pop music. Its associated artists included Governor, Hot Rod, Lea Sunshine and DJ Pauly D, though the available reference material does not establish a current active roster.
Controversies
2008
50 Cent–Young Buck dispute
A public dispute between 50 Cent and Young Buck led to Buck’s removal from the G-Unit group, diss records from both camps and the release of a recorded telephone conversation. The dispute became one of the most visible controversies associated with the label.
2005
The Game and G-Unit feud
The Game’s relationship with 50 Cent and G-Unit deteriorated into a public rap feud after his period of association with the label, affecting the group’s roster and public identity.
Brand decisions
2014
Change distribution relationshipStrategyBackground
Following reported tension between 50 Cent and Interscope, G-Unit changed its distribution structure.
Action taken
The label left the Interscope umbrella and began operating with Caroline Records, a Capitol Music Group company.
Aftermath
The move placed G-Unit in a different distribution framework during a period of rapid change in recorded-music economics.
2010
Create G-Note RecordsStrategyBackground
G-Unit sought to extend beyond core hip-hop into R&B and pop music.
Action taken
The company launched G-Note Records as a subsidiary imprint.
Aftermath
Artists including Governor, Hot Rod, Lea Sunshine and DJ Pauly D were associated with the subsidiary, although its long-term activity is unclear.
2002
Replace Rotten Apple Entertainment with G-Unit RecordsStrategyBackground
After 50 Cent’s signing to Interscope, his earlier imprint was replaced by a label designed to connect his solo career with the G-Unit collective.
Action taken
50 Cent and Sha Money XL launched G-Unit Records and used it as the principal imprint for related artists and projects.
Aftermath
The structure supported releases by 50 Cent, G-Unit and Lloyd Banks during the label’s commercially strongest early period.
Recent events
- 2018
Kidd Kidd and Lloyd Banks leave G-Unit[1]
Leadership change
Kidd Kidd and Lloyd Banks announced departures from the G-Unit group and label during 2018.
- 2016
Uncle Murda signs with G-Unit Records[1]
Leadership change
50 Cent signed rapper Uncle Murda to G-Unit Records.
- 2014
G-Unit moves from Interscope to Caroline Records[1]
Other
G-Unit Records left the Interscope arrangement and began operating with Caroline Records, a Capitol Music Group company.
- 2002
G-Unit Records launches as a 50 Cent imprint[1]
Other
50 Cent and Sha Money XL established G-Unit Records after 50 Cent’s signing to Interscope, replacing Rotten Apple Entertainment.
Sources1 sources
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