50 Cent Fires Young Buck From G-unit

Young Buck, real name David Darnell Brown, was quoted in a recent interview with America's Yo! Raps Magazine bemoaning the fact he'd "never seen a royalty check" since signing with 50's G-Unit Records imprint - despite releasing his two albums, 2004's Straight Outta Cashville and 2007's Buck The World, on the label.

However, the allegations were blasted by the star's manager Sha Money XL, who claimed the quotes had been fabricated, insisting G-Unit has paid Young Buck $10 million (GBP5 million) to date.

Rumours of a rift between 50 and Young Buck have been around for months, after the Shorty Wanna Ride rapper was alleged to have signed with rival label Cash Money Records in January (08).

That report proved to be false, as did another claim that 50 was on the verge of firing Young Buck after he failed to join the G-Unit group on tour, or feature on their February (08) mixtape.

But now superstar 50 Cent has cleared up the rumours once and for all, by confirming Young Buck's departure from the group. Yet, he will continue on G-Unit Records in a solo capacity.

And 50 has compared the long-running feud with Young Buck to the infamous sacking of The Game from G-Unit in 2006.

Speaking to New York radio station Hot 97 on Monday (07Apr08), he said, "You can look at it and see that's Game all the way.

"I was giving him a chance, giving him the benefit of the doubt (to remain with the group). You can take this as an official notice right here - pretty much you can say: Young Buck is no longer in the group G-Unit, but signed to G-Unit (Records) as a solo artist."