Rotimi Reflects on Leaving G-Unit Over Creative Differences
Nigerian-American artist and actor Olurotimi Akinosho, popularly known as Rotimi, has opened up about his exit from 50 Cent’s G-Unit record label. He attributed the decision to a lack of alignment on his musical direction, particularly his passion for Afrobeats.
In a recent interview on Adesope Live, Rotimi explained that when he joined G-Unit, Afrobeats was still gaining recognition in the United States.
“When I signed with G-Unit, Afrobeats wasn’t mainstream in the U.S. yet,” he shared. “Artists like Davido and Wizkid were making waves in cities like Boston and New York, but the sound hadn’t reached its peak, especially on the West Coast.”
Rotimi recounted a pivotal conversation with 50 Cent, the label’s head. “He asked me about the sound I was working on, and I told him it was Afrobeats. I had a track called ‘Love Rhythm’ that I believed was going to be a hit. But he didn’t understand the vision. I realized I needed to go somewhere that did.”
Following their discussion, 50 Cent agreed to release Rotimi from his contract.
After leaving G-Unit, Rotimi signed with Empire, becoming the first Afrobeats artist on the label. He credited Empire for supporting his creative vision and helping him bring his sound to a global audience.
This bold move not only cemented Rotimi’s place in the music world but also highlighted the growing influence of Afrobeats on the international stage.
