G-Unit
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G-Unit or the Gorilla Unit (as spelled on clothing, whether uninitentional, or a reference to the urban jungle of NYC, especially Queens) is a rap group signed to Interscope Records. The group is composed of multi-platinum rapper 50 Cent alongside solo artists Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck became one of the most dominant groups in hip-hop.
The group first garnered a following in the underground and "street" scene in New York by independently releasing several mixtapes. They also appeared on many other mixtapes, including those of DJ Kay Slay and DJ Clue. They now have their own official deejay Whoo Kid.
In 2003 the group released their debut album Beg for Mercy. It has exceeded sales of over two million copies. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart. The success of this album led Reebok to release a line of G-Unit Sneakers.
Other artists signed to that are signed to G-Unit Records includes R & B singer Olivia, The Game and Spider Loc.
Brief Overview of G-Unit
G-Unit Members
- 50 Cent- 50 Cent is an artist signed to Shady and Aftermath Records. The rapper survived nine gunshot wounds, and proceeded to mainstream success. His albums Get Rich Or Die Tryin' and The Massacre were executive-produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre. With their help, G-Unit has become one of the top-selling mainstream hip-hop acts. He is considered responsible in part for the multi-platinum sales of his G-Unit artists.
- Lloyd Banks- Considered the second-in-command of G-Unit, Lloyd Banks is the youngest member of the group. His solo debut album "The Hunger For More", includes the hit singles "On Fire" and "I'm So Fly". Though he does not often mention this fact, Lloyd Banks is part Puerto Rican, as well as African American.
- Tony Yayo- Known as the Talk of New York (T.O.N.Y.) he has been featured as a guest on 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and The Game albums, as well as G-Unit's debut album. Tony Yayo was arrested and imprisoned for weapons charges. The members of G-Unit began a "Free Yayo" campaign while he was serving his year sentence in prison. When he was released in 2004, he went forth to record his debut album. The album Thoughts of A Predicate Felon was released in summer 2005, featuring G-Unit's roster among other rappers (such as Mobb Deep).
- Young Buck- The newest official member of G-Unit, Young Buck is from Nashville. His album, Straight Outta Ca$hville, was released one month after Lloyd Banks' album. He began his rap career with his partner D-Tay and was soon discovered by Cash Money Records. The deal with Cash Money soured and soon he joined Juvenile's Uptown Players (UTP). After Juvenile left Cash Money officially, Young Buck was left without a label to deal with. 50 Cent, while on tour with Juvenile, finalized a contract, and signed the rapper to his G-Unit. He also has metallic definitions on his teeth.
- Sha Money XL- Sha Money XL, is the co-founder of G-Unit. He also is appointed as the president of G-Unit Records. He acts as a business manager for the group, as well as a producer for several tracks on various G-Unit artists' albums. Sha Money is also executive producer for all members of G-Unit. Outside of G-Unit, Sha Money XL has produced songs for Snoop Dogg, Slim Thug, and other rappers.
- Olivia- Olivia is not only the first lady of G-Unit, but also the only R & B artist from the record label. Her album debut on J Records was shelved and she was soon dropped from the label. Soon afterwards, she emerged as member of G-Unit. Her contributions thus far have included the smash hit "Candy Shop" off The Massacre. Her album, Behind Closed Doors, will be her official debut, with features from G-Unit, Dr. Dre and many notable producers, in particular, Scott Storch and Cool and Dre.
- Spider Loc- Spider Loc is the second member from the west besides The Game to be signed to G-Unit Records. Spider Loc, a former Crip member who was once signed as an artist to Death Row Records. He soon would later leave the label as well as Death Row's comeback kid Crooked I. As Crooked I found home with Universal Records, Spider Loc soon met 50 Cent. The two met while 50 Cent was filming one of his videos, and, as the two talked, 50 Cent agreed to sign the rapper on his label. Spider Loc's debut, The West Kept Secret is scheduled for release in late 2005.
- DJ Whoo Kid- The official tour deejay, DJ Whoo Kid is responsible for making G-Unit's exclusive mixtapes. He also has a show on the Shade 45 radio network where he is responsible for mixing and bringing new freestyle artists to G-Unit.
G-Unit's Recent Signings
G-Unit roster has grown since M.O.P. and Mobb Deep have formally signed recording contracts under G-Unit Records. West Coast artist, Kokane, is rumoured to be in talks with G-Unit Records. Rumors have also been raised regarding potential signings of Lil' Scrappy and D-Tay to G-Unit South. Cuban Link and Jayo Felony are also considered noted to be in talks with G-Unit. To the suprise of fans, former Bad Boy artist Ma$e appeared onstage to announce that he signed to G-Unit and was comfirmed by 50 Cent at the MTV Video Music Awards. Other rappers such as Beanie Sigel, N'vyus and D-Rich are possibly working with G-Unit. as not only an artist but as a label though little is known about him or his affiliations.
Controversy
The feud with The Game
The Game's debut album, The Documentary, was surrounded by controversy. Soon after its release, 50 Cent and G-Unit publicly ousted the rapper from their clique on many radio stations notably, the controversial Hot 97. 50 Cent claimed that The Game didn't follow the tradition of G-Unit and was unloyal in not participating in recent feuds that 50 Cent had started with Nas, Fat Joe, and D-Block. 50 Cent also claimed that he had not been given proper credit for his work on The Game's album. A subsequent shooting outside the radio station (allegedly by a G-Unit street team member, Kevin Reed, a Compton man affiliated with The Game) still lingers between The Game and 50 Cent. On the anniversary of the Notorious B.I.G.'s death, the two publicly "squashed" their beef, jointly donating money to charities and promising that they wouldn't risk their lives on the feud. Within a few weeks, however, 50 Cent and G-Unit continued to make incendiary comments about The Game. The Game has also continued to attack 50 Cent's reputation, most notably at Hot 97's recent Summer Jam 2005, and on his 'How The West Was One' tour. The Game recently released a 15-minute-long song titled "300 Bars and Runnin", He has also taken to wearing clothing bearing the slogan: "G-Unot".
Other Enemies
G-Unit's strength has been carried through its continuous feuds with other rappers. Over the previous year, 50 Cent, Eminem, and all members of G-Unit have undertaken lyrical battles with Ja Rule, Tha Inc., Joe Budden, Benzino and The Source.
After "diss" songs aimed at numerous New York artists, G-Unit now is engaged in beef with Nas, Fat Joe, Shyne, Jadakiss along with D-Block. G-Unit also has a feud with West Coast veteran rapper, Yukmouth.
Discography
Albums
- 2003 Beg For Mercy #2 US, #13 UK, 5X platinum (worldwide)
Singles
From Beg For Mercy:
- 2003 "Stunt 101" #13 US; #25 UK
- 2003 "Poppin Them Thangs" #76 U.S.; #10 U.K.
- 2004 "Wanna Get To Know You" (feat. Joe) #15 US, #27 UK
From And Then ... (by Joe):
- 2004 "Ride Wit U"/"More And More" (Joe feat. G-Unit) #56 US, #12 UK