50 Cent announced today that he has signed an exclusive worldwide distribution and services agreement with Caroline/Capitol/UMG. The hip-hop mogul will now transition to independent status after a successful 12-year run with Shady Records/Aftermath and Interscope, during which he sold over 30 million albums. Shady Records/Aftermath and Interscope will continue to market and release Get Rich or Die Tryin', The Massacre, Curtis and Before I Self Destruct.

"We are thrilled to welcome 50 Cent and G-Unit to our family. 50 is simply one of the most accomplished and creative artists, and his plans for the future are as exciting and innovative as you can imagine," said Caroline President Dominic Pandiscia. "I deeply thank him for his belief in our team and what we can do to help support his creative vision in the years to come. I'd also like to thank everyone at Shady/Aftermath and Interscope, particularly Eminem and Dr. Dre, for offering their endorsement and support of our involvement with 50 Cent and G-Unit. They've done an incredible job these past 12 years, and we've got a great legacy of label partnership to build on."

50's first album under the new agreement will be Animal Ambition, due out on Jun. 3.

[Via PRNewsWire]

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