G-Unit Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group. Founded in 2002 by rapper 50 Cent, for the first eleven years of operation, G-Unit ran in conjunction with, and was distributed by, Interscope Records. In February 2014, distribution switched to Caroline Records and Capitol Music Group. G-Unit Records has a subsidiary label G-Note Records, which caters to R&B and pop. The label's flagship artist is its founder 50 Cent. History 2003–2005 Following 50 Cent's signing to Interscope Records in 2002, 50 Cent was granted his own label, G-Unit Records. The first album released on the label was 50 Cent's debut studio album, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. G-Unit, then consisting of Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck, was signed to the label as a group, each respective member also being signed as a solo artist. G-Unit's commercial debut, Beg for Mercy, sold 377,000 copies in its first week of release in 2003. It has now sold over 2.7 million units in the U.S. and 6 million copies worldwide. It has been certified double platinum by the RIAA. 50 Cent and G-Unit's successes allowed other members and artists of G-Unit to release their projects. G-Unit member and artist Lloyd Banks released his debut album The Hunger for More on June 29, 2004 through G-Unit. The album featured guest appearances from G-Unit artists Tony Yayo, Young Buck, 50 Cent (who also executive produced the album), and The Game. Anchored by the success of the single On Fire, the album sold over 433,000 units in its first week. The album debuted and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Top 200, and ultimately was certified Platinum in America. After bringing in West Coast rapper and Aftermath signee, the Game in early 2004, Spider Loc was also signed, around the time of Young Buck's Straight Outta Cashville release. However, Game and 50 Cent later had a falling out, and 50 Cent became unsure about signing new artists to his "family"—how he perceived G-Unit as a group and record label. Later in 2005, the opportunity came to sign Mobb Deep and M.O.P. G-Unit Records ended 2005 with the November release of the soundtrack to Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. The album featured appearances from G-Unit artists Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Tony Yayo, Mobb Deep, Olivia, M.O.P., Prodigy, Spider Loc and 50 Cent. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard