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G-Note Records
G-Note Records
G-Note Records
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G-Note Records is a subsidiary record label of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. The label was formed in late 2010 for pop, dance and R&B artists. The offices for the label are in New York.[1]

Key Information

Origins (2010)

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After the success of former G-Unit subsidiary label "G-Unit South,"G-Unit Philly, and "G-Unit West, 50 Cent decided to create another subsidiary in 2009. Unlike the two other subsidiary labels, G-Note Records is a Hip hop based label including Pop, Dance and R&B music.[2] The label was founded in late 2010 with the first two artists signed, Governor and Hot Rod.[3] The first official music that was released under the label was Hot Rod's first single called Dance With Me.[4] It was believed that 50 Cent intended to sign more acts to the label in the upcoming year, including R&B singer Jovan Dais who was featured on the original version of his single "Baby By Me", Zimbabwean singer Gamu Nhengu, and singer Jeremih who he has recently worked on a couple of projects with.[5][6] The second single released on the label was Governor's, the song was called "Here We Go Again" and featured 50 Cent.[7] In an interview with G-Unit Radio 50 Cent said he created the label because

"There was a gap in the market, the group G-Unit had a distinctive aggressive style and so also everyone on the label's style was expected to be aggressive. It also is a platform for artist's to make all different styles of music".[8]

In late April 2011, it was reported that 50 Cent was in talks with DJ Pauly D about signing to the label for a three-album deal. This was later confirmed by DJ Whoo Kid in an interview with Shade 45.[9][10] In the beginning of December 2011, DJ Pauly D was officially signed to G-Note Records.[11] Lea was dropped from the label at the top of 2013.

Roster

[edit]

Current artists

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Act Year
signed 		Albums
under the label
DJ Pauly D 2011 Pumitzvah

Former Artists

[edit]
Act Years on
the label 		Albums
under the label
Lea Sunshine 2011–2014 -Miss me single
Hot Rod (rapper) 2006-2014 -HandsDown
Governor (singer) 2009-2013 Touch of Magic

Discography

[edit]

Upcoming releases

[edit]
List of upcoming studio album releases
Artist Details
DJ Pauly D
  • Title: Untitled
  • Release date: TBA

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

G-Note Records

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from Grokipedia
G-Note Records is an American founded in late as a of by rapper and entrepreneur , specializing in pop, dance, and R&B music. The label was established to provide a platform for artists whose styles diverged from the hip-hop focus of the parent company , allowing to expand into more melodic and mainstream genres. Its inaugural signing was , an Arizona-based rapper who had previously joined G-Unit in 2006 and became G-Note's flagship artist, releasing the single "Dance With Me" to mark the launch. Subsequent signings included singer Governor, who debuted on the label with the 2010 single "Here We Go Again" featuring 50 Cent, blending R&B with hip-hop elements. In 2011, Lea Sunshine (also known as Lea) became the label's first female artist, releasing her debut single "November Skies (11-11-11)" under G-Note and drawing on her prior collaboration with Lil' Flip on the 2004 hit "Sunshine." Later that year, DJ Pauly D from MTV's Jersey Shore joined as a producer and artist, aiming to contribute to album projects for the roster. G-Note's early releases emphasized crossover appeal, with tracks like Hot Rod's contributions and Lea's pop-infused singles targeting broader audiences beyond traditional rap demographics. However, activity on the label waned after 2014, with no major new signings or releases reported in subsequent years, though retrospective discussions in 2025 interviews highlighted its role in 50 Cent's diversification efforts. The imprint remains part of the G-Unit portfolio under , reflecting 50 Cent's broader business strategy in music and entertainment.

History

Founding (2010)

G-Note Records was founded in late by rapper and entrepreneur Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. The label was established as a means to broaden the musical scope of Jackson's existing ventures, drawing on his established prominence in the industry following the massive success of his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2003, which solidified his partnership with major labels. Headquartered in New York, New York, the imprint aimed to capitalize on Jackson's and industry connections to launch a new entity focused on underrepresented genres within his portfolio. As a of , G-Note Records operated under the umbrella of Jackson's primary hip-hop label, which had been distributed through —a division of —since its inception in 2003, with an additional distribution partnership added with Label Services in August 2010. This structure allowed G-Note to leverage G-Unit's established infrastructure while carving out its own niche, ensuring access to widespread promotional and release channels during its formative phase. The founding reflected Jackson's strategic intent to diversify revenue streams amid evolving dynamics. The initial objectives of G-Note Records centered on signing and promoting artists in pop, dance, and R&B genres, addressing a perceived limitation in G-Unit's predominantly hip-hop-oriented roster by introducing more mainstream-appealing sounds. Jackson envisioned the label as a platform for talents that aligned with broader commercial trends, such as club-friendly tracks and melodic productions, to reach wider audiences via radio and digital platforms. This expansion was motivated by Jackson's desire to extend G-Unit's influence beyond rap, utilizing his personal and leverage with distributors to foster a more versatile artist development pipeline.

Developments (2011–present)

G-Note Records launched in late 2010 with inaugural signings Hot Rod and Governor, followed by an initial surge of activity in 2011 marked by further high-profile signings aimed at diversifying beyond G-Unit's traditional hip-hop focus into pop, dance, and R&B genres. Governor released the single "Here We Go Again" featuring 50 Cent in December 2010, highlighting the imprint's emphasis on melodic, non-rap talent. Shortly thereafter, singer Lea Sunshine joined as the first female artist, dropping her debut single "November Skies (11-11-11)" to showcase the label's pop-oriented direction. By December 2011, DJ Pauly D from MTV's Jersey Shore signed on, bringing crossover appeal and releasing his debut single "Back to Love" featuring Jay Sean in 2013, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Despite this early momentum, G-Note faced significant challenges, including limited commercial breakthroughs and a wave of artist exits by the mid-2010s. Hot Rod's anticipated debut album My Life stalled without a full release, despite singles like "Dance with Me," contributing to perceptions of underperformance. Lea was dropped in early 2013 amid modest sales for her work, while departed shortly after his single, shifting focus to independent DJ residencies. also left around 2013 following his single "Touch of Magic," leaving the roster depleted. These setbacks were compounded by 50 Cent's growing emphasis on non-music ventures, such as launching SMS Audio headphones in 2011 and executive producing the series Power starting in 2013, which diverted his promotional resources from the label. G-Note maintained a loose affiliation with parent label G-Unit Records, receiving ongoing but minimal operational support, even as G-Unit navigated its own distribution hurdles after 50 Cent transitioned from Interscope to EMI in 2010, leading to delays in projects like his album Street King Immortal. By 2015, the imprint entered a period of dormancy, with no new signings, releases, or public announcements reported through November 2025, as confirmed in retrospective interviews that year, though no formal closure has been declared. This inactivity aligns with broader industry trends, where major label subsidiaries have waned in favor of artist-led independents empowered by streaming platforms like Spotify and independent distribution services.

Roster

Current artists

DJ Pauly D, born Paul DelVecchio, signed with G-Note Records in December 2011, leveraging his fame from MTV's to pursue a career in dance and EDM-pop music. The deal, a three-album under 50 Cent's imprint focused on pop and dance genres, positioned him as a key artist for the label's roster. His contributions to G-Note include the 2013 single "Back to Love" featuring , which peaked at number four on the shortly after release, marking his sole output under the label to date. No full-length album has been released, despite initial plans for a debut project, reflecting the label's overall inactivity in artist development since the early . As of November 2025, DJ Pauly D remains the sole artist affiliated with G-Note Records, with no new material issued through the imprint, though his signing continues to be referenced in professional bios and event promotions within 50 Cent's broader network.

Former artists

G-Note Records, established as a of to diversify into pop, R&B, and genres beyond hip-hop, signed several artists in its early years who later departed the label. , born Rodney Toole, was an R&B/hip-hop hybrid artist who originally signed to in 2006 and transitioned as the flagship artist for G-Note upon its launch in 2010. He remained active with the imprint until approximately 2014, releasing singles like "Dance With Me" before departing amid G-Unit's broader label restructuring following 50 Cent's exit from . Governor, born Governor Washington Jr., was an R&B singer signed to G-Note Records in 2010 following his affiliation with G-Unit, focusing on soulful tracks such as "Here We Go Again" featuring . He later left the label and rebranded as Gio Washington, pursuing an independent career. Lea Sunshine, born Lea Quezada, joined G-Note in early 2011 as the label's first female artist, blending pop and R&B influences following her earlier feature on Lil' Flip's "Sunshine." She signed in early 2011 and later left the label. Most former G-Note artists departed in the mid-2010s due to the label's commercial underperformance and internal G-Unit changes, including 50 Cent's 2014 split from Interscope, which disrupted artist promotion and distribution.

Discography

Albums

G-Note Records, a subsidiary of G-Unit Records launched in late 2010, did not release any full-length albums during its operation. The label, distributed through Interscope Records, focused primarily on singles by its R&B and pop-oriented artists, with 50 Cent serving as an executive producer on several tracks. Signed talents such as Hot Rod and Governor developed material for debut projects, but these remained unreleased, contributing to the imprint's limited output and eventual dormancy after 2013. This niche emphasis on urban and dance music without major album commitments reflected the label's short lifespan and lack of commercial breakthroughs on charts like Billboard's R&B listings.

Singles

G-Note Records' singles output primarily occurred during its initial phase from to , focusing on pop, , and R&B tracks designed to capture club and radio audiences as lead-ins to upcoming albums. The label's promotional strategies emphasized music videos and digital releases through , leveraging 50 Cent's G-Unit network for visibility, though none achieved major commercial breakthroughs. The inaugural single was "Dance With Me" by Hot Rod, released on December 16, 2010, as a hip-hop-infused dance and R&B track produced by Fuego. Aimed at club play with its upbeat, party-oriented sound, the song was promoted via a viral music video featuring teenager Keenan Cahill, which helped generate online buzz and positioned it as the flagship release for the newly launched imprint. Governor's "Here We Go Again," featuring , followed closely as a crossover R&B and hip-hop single released on December 23, 2010. The track blended smooth vocals with rap verses to appeal to broader audiences, serving as the for Governor's planned A Touch of Magic, which remained unreleased. It received a depicting an intimate studio session between the artists and garnered some radio and digital attention. Lea Sunshine's debut single "November Skies (11-11-11)," released in 2011, represented the label's push into pop with a radio-friendly sound targeting young female listeners. Despite efforts to secure , the track saw limited success and did not produce significant impact, reflecting the challenges G-Note faced in breaking talent. In 2013, DJ Pauly D released "Back to Love" featuring as his debut single on the . The track aimed at mainstream audiences but also achieved limited commercial success. Overall, G-Note's few singles emphasized and video promotion but struggled to achieve mainstream traction, contributing to the label's eventual dormancy.

References

  1. https://rapradar.com/2010/12/18/50-cent-launches-g-note-records/
  2. https://theboombox.com/50-cent-launches-new-g-note-record-label/
  3. https://consequence.net/2010/12/50-cent-launches-g-note-records/
  4. https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/50-cent-launches-g-note-records-announces-hot-rod-flagship-artist-56090/
  5. https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com/280451/50-cent-launches-g-note-records/
  6. https://rapradar.com/2010/12/23/new-music-governor-x-50-cent-here-we-go-again/
  7. https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/lea-talks-life-after-lil-flip-advice-50-and-unleashing-her-real-vocals-45153/
  8. https://www.discogs.com/artist/237913-Lea-2
  9. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dj-pauly-d-signs-to-50-cents-g-note-1158883/
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRgmSZ1bOeI
  11. https://ownswho.com/articles/50-cent-masters
  12. https://www.discogs.com/label/33761-G-Unit-Records
  13. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/g-unit-records-inks-with-emi-956865/
  14. https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/v-exclusive-hot-rod-talks-g-unit-g-note-transition-50s-ultimatum-56197/
  15. https://www.billboard.com/charts/dance-electronic-songs/2013-02-02/
  16. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/pauly-d-50-cent-jersey-shore-269203/
  17. https://picassobaby.com/2021/01/25/10-albums-g-unit-records-never-released/
  18. https://hiphopdx.com/news/50-cent-says-interscope-records-changes-have-delayed-street-king-immortal/
  19. https://www.nydailynews.com/2011/12/02/jersey-shore-star-pauly-d-signs-to-50-cents-g-note-record-label/
  20. https://www.bet.com/article/e19dy9/50-cent-confirms-signing-dj-pauly-d
  21. https://www.insomniac.com/music/artists/dj-pauly-d/
  22. https://www.rialtotheatre.com/tm-attraction/dj-pauly-d/
  23. https://dentonrc.com/local-events?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%252F1016671s-dj-pauly-d
  24. https://www.facebook.com/DJPAULYD/posts/one-question-for-ya-wydafter-new-dj-pauly-d-music-out-now-use-this-sound-djpauly/1277476867077654/
  25. https://hiphopdx.com/news/50-cent-leaves-shady-records-aftermath-entertainment-interscope-records/
  26. https://www.rap-up.com/article/2011/02/07/video-governor-f-50-cent-here-we-go-again
  27. https://www.popmatters.com/gio-washington-interview-2557085686.html
  28. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/686809-what-happened-to-g-unit
  29. https://rapradar.com/2010/12/21/hot-rod-discusses-g-note-records/
  30. https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/1582608/2-of-50-cents-new-pop-dance-r-b-artists-videos
  31. https://djbooth.net/songs/hot-rod-dance/
  32. https://open.spotify.com/track/6X4WyDNu0PSrXfaHXrtjuy
  33. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IRSH5t2Rqo
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/4512545-DJ-Pauly-D-Feat-Jay-Sean-Back-To-Love
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