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G-Unit

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This article is about the rap group, for the manga, see Gundam W G-Unit: Last Outpost.. For other uses, see G-Unit (disambiguation).
File:G-Unit.JPG
G-Unit members 50 Cent, Young Buck and Lloyd Banks

G-Unit (or Guerilla Unit; most people mistake the G in G Unit to stand for gorilla.) is a successful hip-hop/rap group currently signed under the Interscope Records label. The group first garnered a following in the underground "street" scene in New York by independently releasing several mixtapes. The group's founder, Queens-based rapper 50 Cent officially brought the group into Interscope. Since signing to Interscope, many of G-Unit's members have released several successful solo albums.

History

G-Unit started after 50 Cent left Columbia Records. The rapper sought interest in working with neighborhood friends Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Paul Miller, Bang 'Em Smurf, and Domination. They were once the original members of the group. Before 50 Cent signed to Interscope, Bang 'Em Smurf was arrested on a weapons charge. 50 Cent refused to help the rapper and it lead to him and Domination abruptly leaving. Not long after, Big-Lu was caught on Drug trading charges, this left a question mark and if he will ever return. Tony Yayo was also sent to jail and was helped by 50 Cent. G-Unit would later establish Nashville rapper Young Buck to the group.

50 Cent gained solo success after jointly signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Eminem's Shady Records. After signing the rapper released the debut Get Rich or Die Tryin' with amazing success. After the debut, 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL founded G-Unit Records.

Clothing and Merchandise

Official merchandise endorsed by 50 Cent and G-Unit. The multi-platinum rapper has endorsed various products from clothing, sneakers, necklaces, and even bottled water.

After the release of G-Unit's Beg For Mercy album, the shoe company Reebok partnered with 50 Cent and created the G-Unit line of footwear. The shoe is one of Reebok's most popular brands and is one of the most successful hip-hop products.

Marc Ecko and 50 Cent created the G-Unit Clothing Company to endorse hip-hop clothing and sunglasses. The shirts sold are some of the official products that are endorsed by G-Unit.

Controversy

Feuds with rappers

File:The Game and 50 Cent truce.JPG
50 Cent and The Game make short-lived public amends.

Before being signed by Eminem's and Dr. Dre's record labels, G-Unit was engaged in a feud with Ja Rule and The Inc. Records (formerly known as Murder Inc. Records). All parties involved in that feud have since ended the conflict.

G-Unit has also engaged in feuds with other rappers such as Fat Joe, Shyne, Nas, D-Block and Cassidy. The most recent feud is with their labelmate, The Game.

After gaining exposure in the mainstream, 50 Cent was interested in working with The Game after being backed by Dr. Dre. The Game at the time was endorsed by G-Unit, but after the rapper's debut release, The Documentary, 50 Cent formally dismissed him.

50 Cent claimed proper credit was not given at the time of The Game's album release. During that dispute, a member of The Game's entourage was shot after confrontation at Hot 97[1]. After the situation between them escalated, 50 Cent and The Game decided to hold a press conference to announce their reconciliation [2]. Many fans felt that the supposed feud, and particularly the incident at the radio station was a publicity stunt designed to boost the sales of the two albums the pair had just released [3]. 50 Cent and G-Unit continued to feud with The Game, denouncing his street credibility in the media and claiming that without their support, he will not score a hit from his second album[4]. The Game during a performance at the Summer Jam launched a boycott called "G-Unot" [5]. This was the first of many feuds where G-Unit is engaged with a rapper from the same label.

Disputes with the police

As G-Unit's popularity grows, the issues with members and law enforcement increases. The rappers are frequently targeted by police due to the increase violence that occurs after concerts and promotions involving the group.

Before 50 Cent officially released his debut album, he and Lloyd Banks were arrested for possession of firearms[6]. Tony Yayo was also arrested and he spent over a year in prison for a weapon charge. Since then, he been on probation and required to avoid conflicts [7].

Young Buck was also arrested after a dispute at the Vibe Awards led to a man being stabbed. The incident occurred after Dr. Dre was assaulted by the man, and Young Buck rushed to Dr. Dre's defense. Young Buck is on probation for the incident[8].

Lloyd Banks and Young Buck were arrested while being on Eminem's Anger Management tour for weapon violations while making a stop in New York [9].

While attending a video release for labelmate Busta Rhymes, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks had a heated exchange with producer Swizz Beatz. After Tony Yayo and his entourage left abruptly, a shooting had occurred leaving one of Busta Rhymes' bodyguards dead. The New York Police Department is currently investigating the incident. Since the death, Tony Yayo as well as Busta Rhymes have been tight lipped about the incident, forcing the police to subpoena the rappers to testify. This on-going controversy surround the street credibility of rappers is determined on the power of not talking to police[10].

Discography

Beg For Mercy:

  • 2003 "Stunt 101" #13 US; #2 UK
  • 2003 "Poppin Them Thangs" #25 U.S.; #3 U.K.
  • 2004 "Wanna Get To Know You" (feat. Joe) #15 US, #2 UK

ARMIN LIPPE

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