Rotimi, the Nigerian-American singer and actor, recently opened up about his decision to leave 50 Cent’s G-Unit record label. In a candid interview, the multi-talented artist revealed that one key reason for his departure was the disconnect between his artistic vision and the label’s direction, particularly when it came to the Afrobeats genre.
Rotimi shared that 50 Cent, the iconic rapper and founder of G-Unit, didn’t fully grasp the potential and nuances of Afrobeats, a genre close to Rotimi’s roots. “He didn’t understand Afrobeats,” Rotimi remarked, emphasizing that his passion for exploring his Nigerian heritage through music was not aligning with the label’s priorities.
G-Unit, known for its focus on hip-hop and rap, provided Rotimi with significant exposure and opportunities during his early career. However, as his artistic identity began to evolve, he felt a need to step away and carve his own path, particularly as Afrobeats was gaining momentum on the global stage.
Since leaving G-Unit, Rotimi has embraced his Afrocentric sound, blending Afrobeats with R&B to create a distinct musical style. This decision has resonated with fans worldwide, as his music often celebrates his Nigerian heritage while appealing to a broad audience. Songs like “In My Bed”
“Afrobeats was big in the States, but they weren’t following it in LA. So, 50 Cent and I had a conversation. He was like, ‘What’s this sound you are trying to do?’ I said, ‘Bro, it’s Afrobeats.
“I have a record called ‘Love Rhythm’ and it’s going to blow up. But if you don’t understand what it is, then I have to go somewhere else.’ He let me out of my deal because we disagreed on the creative process, Afrobeats.” Rotimi said in the interview
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