Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, has announced that he will be leaving Universal Music Groups' Interscope records, the label that helped make him a household name and skyrocketed him to superstardom. The Grammy-award winning rapper will become an independent artist, signing with the label Caroline, at Capitol Music Group.

50 Cent had long been contemplating leaving the label after his later albums proved less successful than his earlier, highly successful releases Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre, and continous conflicts over release dates. His most recent effort, 2009's Before I Self Destruct, had its release date pushed back several times before its debut. Under Caroline, 50 will have more control over the timing and release of his albums.

50's exit also marks a break from Eminem's Shady Records and Dr. Dre's Aftermath label. Yet, there are no hard feelings from 50 Cent's friend and mentor Eminem.

"Both myself and Shady Records are grateful to have had the chance to play a part in 50′s career," Eminem said in a statement. "Shady simply would not be what it is without 50 Cent. I've developed a great friendship with 50 over the years, and that's not going to change. We know 50 will have success in his new situation, and we remain supporters of both him and G-Unit."

Interscope is likewise supportive of 50's decision to move on.

"50 Cent is, and always will be, a marquee artist for us," said Interscope Vice Chairman, Steve Berman. "We respect his decision to pursue this new venture and the next chapter in his career, and wish him nothing but the best. He will always be a part of our family."

50's move may be surprising to some given that his contract with Interscope stipulated another album release. The rapper credits his relationship with Dr. Dre and Eminem for the smooth transition. "They don't want to me to be uncomfortable," 50 said in an interview with Forbes. "They value our friendship to the point that they would never want [to jeopardize] it over that little bit of money."

50 also admitted that Caroline being owned by Universal helped matters along.

50 has already put out a new track, and plans to release his new album, Animal Ambition, on March 18.