Ever since 50 Cent engineered one of the most spectacular debuts in modern music history with 2003’s Get Rich or Die Trying, where he sent Ja Rule to the musical showers, he has endured a string of setbacks and disappointments. Now he is rumored to be leaving the Aftermath/Shady label following another major disappointment.
Aftermath Entertainment, which was founded by musical genius Dr. Dre, has re-signed multiplatinum rapper Game, a longtime bitter archrival of 50 Cent. This only served to further fuel the spectulation that 50, born Curtis Jackson, is not happy that Dre decided to have both volatile but successful acts on the same roster. Allhiphop.com says 50 is thought to be looking to release his next CD under an independent label in the not-too-distant future.
But the deterioration of the once-glorious triumvirate of Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent has been in the making for years now. Unlike his first two albums, which were gargantuan smash hits, 50’s last two albums have flopped. His autobiogrpahical film, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, brought disappointing returns at the box office, especially in comparison to his mentor Eminem’s blockbusting smash, 8 Mile. And much to his embarrasment, the hard-core rapper lost a very public head-to-head album sales competition against Kanye West. His well-documented beef with Rick Ross didn’t do much for his latest album release either. And now his avowed enemy, Game, the man he has had the longest, most bitter and most violent beef with, is being shown mad love from the man who gave both men their big breaks: Dr. Dre. –terry shropshire
