50 Cent to Caroline

FOUR BITS & FOUR QUOTES: 50 Cent and his G-Unit imprint have a new home, as the hip-hop star inks what’s described as an exclusive worldwide distribution and services deal with Caroline/Capitol/UMG. Fitty had spent his entire 12-year career at Shady/Aftermath/Interscope, selling north of 30m albums, but relations had become strained in recent years, and his last LP for the company, 2009’s Before I Self Destruct, was his lowest-selling release, with 511k. The first release under the new deal, Animal Ambition, will hit on 6/3, with as calibrated setup involving the appearance of a new track and accompanying video each week leading up to release. This morning’s announcement contained quotes from Caroline President Dominic Pandiscia, who thanked Fitty “for his belief in our team”; Eminem, who said “I've developed a great friendship with 50 over the years, and that's not going to change”; IGA Vice Chairman Steve Berman, who commented, “We respect his decision to pursue this new venture and…wish him nothing but the best”; and the artist himself, who acknowledged Eminem and Dr. Dre as his benefactors and mentors. The new deal involves only future releases; Fitty’s catalog stays with Shady/Aftermath/Interscope. (2/20a)