With 50 Cent’s anticipated sophomore album, The Massacre, being moved up from March 8 to March 3 due to rabid bootlegging, Interscope Records is offering exclusive content for those who choose to purchase the CD legally.
As incentive, 250,000 limited edition packages are being manufactured, with a special Digipack and a CD key to unlock exclusive goodies, including photographs, a bonus track, and a trailer for 50 Cent’s upcoming video game, "Bullet Proof."
"Fans want instant gratification, especially when they are fiending for my music. They’ll even risk buying the wrong s**t from bootleggers," said 50 in a statement. "I want them to have the real thing as soon as possible."
As further incentive, 10 fans who buy the album will also win G-Unit clothing and footwear, Formula 50 Vitamin Water, a G-Unit dog tag designed by Jacob the Jeweler, and autographed photos of 50 Cent.
"50 Cent is linked so closely to the streets, that we have to react quickly when his album surfaces illegally," said Steve Berman, Senior Executive of Marketing and Sales for Interscope Geffen A&M. "The best way to combat piracy problems is by getting the real version into stores with all the exclusive content and special packaging that comes with it."
Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent serve as executive producers on The Massacre, which features guest appearances by G Unit, The Game, Olivia and Jamie Foxx.
In related news, 50 will join Eminem on Shade 45, an uncensored leg of the Sirius Satellite Radio network. The Queens-bred rapper is slated to host G-Unit Radio alongside resident DJ Whoo Kid every Saturday as part of an exclusive pact the pair inked earlier this year.
“I’m bringing my A-game to Sirius,” 50 Cent said. “G Unit Radio is [going to] blow up on Shade 45.”
