In lieu of a shooting that occurred outside New York’s Hot 97 Monday night, 50 Cent’s Interscope label has cancelled the rapper’s scheduled in-store appearance today (March 2) at the Times Square Virgin Megastore in Manhattan, a label spokesman announced.
50 Cent was to appear to promote his much-anticipated sophomore release, The Massacre.
The Interscope spokesman declined comment on Monday’s shooting incident, which took place moments after 50 Cent broke news during an interview that Game was officially dismissed as a member of his G-Unit rap crew.
Label officials are currently trying to sort through the aftermath of 50’s decision to kick Game out and how it affects his new album.
Shortly after the incident at Hot 97, shots were also fired outside Violator Management, which represents 50 Cent. The shots left the glass front door shattered and six bullet holes in the wall of the lobby.
Further details on the Hot 97 shooting identified the man shot as Kevin Reed, an associate of Game, police said. Reed, 20, of Compton was shot once in the upper leg-groin area and grazed twice – once in the leg and shoulder, police said. He was treated and released from
St. Vincent’s Medical Center yesterday.
Police said they doubted Reed’s story that the shooting was not linked to rap beef. While people with Reed at the time reportedly told police they were bystanders, cops believe they are all affiliated with Game.
Several members of 50 and Game’s entourages left the scene after officers arrived, and police said an unclaimed dark sedan was left running outside the building.
Police are investigating both shootings and have made no arrests in connection to either.
