Rotimi, also known as Olurotimi Akinosho, is a Nigerian-American singer and actor who left 50 Cent’s G-Unit record label because the label’s head didn’t appreciate his style.
Rotimi said in a recent interview on Adesope Live that Afrobeats was not yet popular in the US, particularly in the West, when he joined with G-Unit.
The genre had not yet fully expanded to the wider U.S. market, even if musicians like Davido and Wizkid were beginning to become well-known in places like Boston and New York.
Rotimi stated, “I was signed to G-Unit, but then in 2017/2018, Afrobeats was not mainstream in the United States. Davido and Wizkid had records that were gaining traction in Boston, New York, but it wasn’t mainstream at that time.
“Afrobeats was big in the States, but they weren’t following it in LA. So, 50 Cent and I had a conversation. He was like, ‘What’s this sound you are trying to do?’ I said, ‘Bro, it’s Afrobeats.
“I have a record called ‘Love Rhythm’ and it’s going to blow up. But if you don’t understand what it is, then I have to go somewhere else.’ He let me out of my deal because we disagreed on the creative process, Afrobeats.”
He continued by saying that 50 Cent gave him permission to depart the label after the argument.
Rotimi eventually signed with Empire, a company that backed his vision and artistic approach, becoming the first Afrobeats musician to do so.
