Biography:
Though G-Unit became generally recognized as the brand name associated with 50 Cent, for instance serving as a catch phrase ("G-G-G-G-G-Unit!) as well as a record label (G-Unit Records), it in fact began as the name of his backing posse. G-Unit originally was a trio comprised of 50, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo (often with the accompaniment of either DJ Whookid or Cutmaster C as their DJ), and this particular lineup resulted in a series of popular mixtapes during the early 2000s: 50 Cent Is the Future, God`s Plan, No Mercy, No Fear, and Automatic Gunfire. Before the group had a chance to record its debut album for Interscope in the wake of 50`s breakthrough with Get Rich or Die Tryin`, Yayo was sentenced to prison for a gun-possession charge. His replacement, Young Buck, stepped up soon afterward, and the group continued its activity, working on yet more mixtape recordings and scoring some big-time success on the "G-Unit Remix" to 50`s "P.I.M.P.," which also featured Snoop Dogg and got heavy rotation on MTV. Meanwhile, G-Unit recorded their debut album, Beg for Mercy, over the course of 2003, and Interscope finally rush-released the album on November 14 to combat bootlegging, preceding it with a lead single, "Stunt 101." Several other singles followed, including "Poppin` Them Thangs" and "Wanna Get to Know You." Yayo rejoined the group when he was released from prison in 2004. Other G-Unit affiliates included the Game, Olivia, and Mobb Deep. As 50`s stature began diminishing in the late 2000s, however, several of his G-Unit affiliates either defected or were let go.
