Rotimi Explains Departure from 50 Cent’s G-Unit: “He Didn’t Understand Afrobeats”

Nigerian-American singer Rotimi has opened up about his decision to part ways with 50 Cent’s G-Unit label, attributing the move to creative differences over his Afrobeats sound.

In a recent interview on Adesope Live, Rotimi explained that at the time of his tenure with G-Unit, between 2017 and 2018, Afrobeats was not yet a dominant genre in the United States. While artists like Davido and Wizkid were gaining recognition in cities like Boston and New York, the genre hadn’t achieved mainstream status, particularly in Los Angeles.

Rotimi recalled a pivotal conversation with 50 Cent that led to his exit from the label. “He asked me about the sound I was pursuing, and I explained it was Afrobeats,” Rotimi said. “I told him I had a song, ‘Love Rhythm,’ which I believed was going to be a hit. But when he didn’t understand the vision, I knew I had to move on.”

Acknowledging their creative differences, 50 Cent released Rotimi from his contract, allowing him to explore opportunities better aligned with his musical direction.

Following his departure, Rotimi joined Empire, becoming the label’s first Afrobeats artist. “Empire understood my vision,” he added, highlighting the move as a turning point in his career.

Rotimi has since gained widespread recognition, with his unique blend of Afrobeats and R&B resonating globally. His decision to prioritise creative freedom over label alignment marks a significant step in his journey as a pioneer of the Afrobeats movement in the Western music scene.