By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
After taking over the hip hop game in 2003, 50 Cent began focusing on running G-Unit Records and expanding the roster of the label. In 2003, 50 Cent introduced the G-Unit group and prepared the two other featured artists, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck, for 2004 debuts. The summer of 2004 was dominated by G-Unit Records, as Lloyd Banks and Young Buck had strong debut albums released during 2004.
In 2005, 50 Cent released his second album and caused beef with Fat Joe and Jadakiss. While he was unpopular with several rappers in the game, 50 Cent boasted of how the fans loved him and how he was amassing wealth. Among the rappers 50 Cent dissed on The Massacre was Mobb Deep, but that did not stop the duo from signing to the label during the summer of 2005. When Mobb Deep signed with G-Unit Records, many fans were disappointed.
During an interview with ThisIs50.com, Prodigy discussed how the fans reacted when they learned the group was signing with G-Unit Records. Prodigy said fans were angry because Mobb Deep was supposed to be self-contained. While the fans saw it as Mobb Deep being under 50 Cent, Prodigy and Havoc saw it as a smart business deal. The outspoken rapper said the fans should have congratulated them for closing a nice business deal, as opposed to being upset. At that point in their career, Mobb Deep had outlasted several groups from the 1990s and had generated interest from the most-popular label, at the time.
The deal had an exciting start, but ended in disappointment, as Mobb Deep released one album under the deal, which was not considered among their best. In 2009, Interscope Records forced 50 Cent to drop the group from G-Unit Records. Last summer, Mobb Deep began working on their new, self-titled, album.
