Shawty Lo wants to sign with G-Unit
Shawty Lo in Talks to Sign With G-Unit Records
Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo is plotting a major career move, revealing that he is deep in discussions with 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records. Known for his breakout hit “Dey Know” and as the frontman of D4L, Shawty Lo says he recently had a promising meeting with 50 Cent that could lead to an official signing.
“I done sat down with about four or five labels and the best situation I think I’d like is, I had a meeting with 50 Cent, G-Unit, and I left New York last Wednesday,” Shawty Lo confirms in a new interview. “We had a good six, seven-hour meeting and I think it went well. I just want his attorneys to get with my attorneys and then we’ll make it concrete.”
The Bankhead representative made waves in 2008 with his Units in the City debut album. Now, with his sophomore effort I Am Carlos still awaiting release, Shawty Lo sees G-Unit as a potential home to reignite momentum.
Shawty Lo Looks for a New Label Home
After releasing Units in the City, Shawty Lo emerged as one of the South’s rising voices. The album peaked at #14 on the Billboard 200 and featured club favorites like “Dey Know,” “Foolish,” and “Dunn Dunn.” In 2008, he was also entrenched in a highly publicized beef with fellow Atlanta rapper T.I., further fueling his rise in notoriety.
With the feud behind him and I Am Carlos in limbo, Shawty Lo is without a major label deal. That reality has pushed the rapper to shop for a new home. While multiple labels have expressed interest, G-Unit appears to be his first choice.
“I feel like 50 is a hard worker,” Shawty Lo explains. “And I want to be around that kind of energy.”
50 Cent Expands G-Unit Roster
G-Unit Records has undergone significant changes since its early-2000s dominance. Originally anchored by 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo, the label has also featured acts like Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Young Buck, and Spider Loc. But according to 50, the label is entering a new era.
“The original G-Unit as a group are gonna stay together,” 50 recently stated. “That’s myself, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks on the actual label, G-Unit Records as a roster. I let Prodigy and Havoc go off the label because P had to get extra money before he went into jail.”
While some former signees have moved on, G-Unit Records signed a new distribution deal with EMI Music in 2010, positioning the brand for renewed impact. EMI’s Vice President Mike Harris commented, “We are delighted to join forces with G-Unit and artists who are truly marquee names in hip-hop.”
For Shawty Lo, joining a reinvigorated G-Unit could be the perfect alignment.
The Legacy of D4L and Units in the City
Before his solo debut, Shawty Lo led the rap group D4L, known for the 2005 hit “Laffy Taffy.” D4L wasn’t just a group—it was a movement and a brand. Shawty Lo transitioned the group into a label, D4L Records, amplifying his business presence in the rap game.
His debut solo album Units in the City put him on the map as a solo artist. “Dey Know” charted at #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks, and its official remix featured southern heavyweights like Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Plies, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross. The album’s reach extended through additional singles like “Foolish” and “Dunn Dunn,” further showcasing his style and charisma.
I Am Carlos: The Unreleased Sequel
Shawty Lo has been teasing I Am Carlos for the past two years. The album, which has faced multiple delays, is rumored to include features from Rick Ross, T-Pain, Lil Kim, Bun B, Nate Butler, Lyfe Jennings, Lil Wayne, T.I., and Gucci Mane. It’s also set to include the single “Atlanta, GA” with Ludacris, Gucci Mane, and The-Dream.
Although the album is currently without a release date, tracks like “Got Em 4 The LO” and “Let’s Get It” have gained underground attention. The former even received a music video, fueling fan anticipation. With a possible G-Unit partnership, I Am Carlos may finally get the rollout it deserves.
T.I. Beef and Redemption
One of the most talked-about chapters in Shawty Lo’s career was his beef with T.I. Stemming from disputes over their roots in Bankhead, the feud climaxed in 2008 during the Dirty Awards, where entourages clashed and forced police to intervene.
The two eventually reconciled. On March 7, 2009, Shawty Lo and T.I. shared the stage during T.I.’s farewell concert at Club Crucial. Lo later released “Roll the Dice,” a track signaling peace between the two Atlanta giants.
Their truce was a major moment for the Atlanta rap community, and it cleared the path for Shawty Lo to focus on new ventures, including his next album and potential label deals.
G-Note and the Expansion of 50 Cent’s Empire
While Shawty Lo sets his sights on G-Unit, 50 Cent has also launched G-Note, a sister label for more pop, R&B, and dance-focused artists. G-Note signee Hot Rod explained that 50 challenged his roster to become self-sufficient.
“He told us straight up, ‘You got to make yourselves hot. I can’t just be doing everything,'” Hot Rod said. “That’s when I took to my own grind and found promoters and did things on my own.”
With that same energy, Shawty Lo’s independent hustle might be exactly what G-Unit needs.
A New Chapter Ahead?
The future of Shawty Lo appears to be tied closely with the outcome of his G-Unit negotiations. If the deal materializes, it could inject new life into both his career and 50 Cent’s roster. The six-hour meeting in New York was more than a formality—it was a signal that Shawty Lo is serious about joining a team that values hustle, strategy, and resilience.
While final contracts have yet to be signed, Shawty Lo is optimistic.
“Stay tuned,” he says with a smirk. “I feel like this is gonna be something big.”
For fans and industry insiders alike, that’s a reason to pay attention.