The Source Defends ‘G-Unot’ Issue, 50’s Manager Chris Lighty Speaks

The recently released November issue of The Source features a sensational cover story on 50 Cent and G-Unit with the headline "G-Unot! Is Corporate Rap’s Top Unit Fading Fast?" Although insiders have speculated that the article is fueled by a feud with Interscope Records, 50 Cent & his G-Unit crew, The Source’s Editor-In-Chief Dasun Allah […]

The recently released

November issue of The Source features a sensational cover story on 50 Cent and

G-Unit with the headline "G-Unot! Is Corporate Rap’s Top Unit Fading Fast?"

Although insiders have speculated that the article is fueled

by a feud with Interscope Records, 50 Cent & his G-Unit crew, The Source’s

Editor-In-Chief Dasun Allah said the notion is untrue.

"We are functioning as what a journalistic structure and

organization is supposed to do," Allah told AllHipHop.com. "We are

supposed to be the watchdogs of the industries in our culture that exploit and

live from our culture–as has been the traditional role of the press."

Allah said the issue is simply a look at the state of Hip-Hop,

with G-Unit as the center point.

"It was an analysis; the G-Unit thing was an analysis,"

Allah told AllHipHop.com.

The Source questions 50’s image, the rapper’s approach

to business and the cultural ramifications of his multi-platinum success.

Additionally, the issue takes on New York radio station Hot

97 and the issue of payola, an illegal practice of airing records for gifts

or other considerations.

New York’s attorney General Elliot Spitzer recently targeted the

music industry as a whole due to payola practices and is in the process of settling

with major record labels that have been found guilty of the practice.

Last week at New York’s Power 105.1, program director Michael

Saunders was terminated for allegedly accepting gifts from Sony/BMG. The latest

issue of The Source alleges that Funkmaster Flex has taken money from labels

to play records on Hot 97.

Funk Master Flex chastised The Source on his Hot 97 radio show

on Monday and Tuesday, deeming the magazine a "sinking ship," which

prompted angry calls from co-owner Ray “Benzino” Scott to rival

station Power 105.1

Violator CEO Chris Lighty told AllHipHop.com that he was disappointed

in the cover story and the portrayal of 50 Cent and other artists he manages.

"I deeply regret the turn The Source magazine has made

in the last few years and the recent cover with 50 Cent is a testament to the

lack of respect for journalism," Lighty told AllHipHop.com. "[It’s]

just a blatant attack against my client and friend that does nothing to further

Hip-Hop. I supported The Source for many years until this dismal turn for the

worst took place and journalism was replaced for favoritism. The G-Unit brand

and Hip-Hop can’t stand for such attacks and I hope they hear the criticism

and take heed before it is truly too late."

In addition to 50 Cent, Violator handles the careers of Busta Rhymes, Missy

Elliott, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga, Nore and others.

Countering, Allah adamantly denied Lighty’s assertions, stating the issue

transcends 50 Cent and G-Unit.

"Who else is doing what we did as far as Hurricane Katrina

was concerned? Who covered Minister Farrakhan the way we did? Who asked those

questions? Who put it into perspective and made it so we can grasp and digest

the message and ask the questions that are on people’s minds?" The Source

editor queried.

The current issue

of The Source is on stands now.