S. Samuel
G-Unit fans eagerly awaiting an explanation for the demise of 50 Cent's Sleek headphones deal can rest easy as new reports claim the rap star pulled the trigger on the company.
According to reports, 50 has since moved from Sleek to another company willing to work with his vision.
In actuality, it was G-Unit that terminated a Brand Licensing Agreement that it had entered into with Sleek, which termination automatically triggered the termination of the earlier announced tri-party agreement. However, not long after the termination of the tri-party agreement, TV Goods and 50 Cent, via his affiliate company, SMS Audio, LLC, entered into a Term Sheet for the two parties to continue joint efforts to produce and distribute a direct response television infomercial to globally market a wireless over-the-ear headphone product offered or sold by SMS that is endorsed by and/or and bears the name of “50 Cent.” Sleek is not a party to that Term Sheet. (Yahoo News)
A few days ago, reports claimed 50 and Sleek parted ways, however, detailed reasons were not provided.
You may remember our brief run-in with 50 Cent back at CES, where he announced a partnership with Sleek Audio for Sleek by 50, a pair of “wireless hybrid” headphones with built-in Kleer technology. Today the company revealed that it has terminated its agreement with G-Unit Brands, 50’s licensing company, and that it will be “re-evaluating our Wireless Hybrid over-the-ear headphones at a later date.” There’s no word on why the collboration went awry, and the company only indicates that it has decided to focus on its in-ear offerings instead. Of course, we’ve got way more than 21 questions about what made the relationship go sour, but hate it or love it, Sleek by 50 is no more. Disheartening PR after the break. (Engadget)
Last January, 50 publicly unveiled his headphones venture.
Ludacris and 50 Cent, two rappers, actors and entrepreneurs, unveiled their own respective lines of headphones at CES this year. Ludacris showed off a 5-model line branded Soul by Ludacris, and produced by a company called Signeo. And 50 Cent unveiled his own headphones, called Sleek by 50 Cent, which will be made by H&H Imports, a company that last year signed Hulk Hogan on as the sponsor of a line of home cleaning products called PumMax. (Los Angeles Times)
50 and Dr. Dre became engaged in a minor dispute after the Doc allegedly mocked the rapper’s headphones line earlier this year.
Dr. Dre totally DISSED his former protege 50 Cent in Los Angeles the other night … maybe … possibly … OK, we’re really not sure — but it’s all on tape!!!! Here’s the back story — 50 went on a Twitter tirade this week, claiming Dre HATES him because he’s launching a line of headphones to compete with Dre’s “Beats” line. But when we asked Dre about the beef out in front of Boa Steakhouse in Hollywood Tuesday night … Dre simply replied, “I never heard of his headphones.” DISS!!!!!!!!!!!! (maybe). (TMZ)
Check out a recent 50 Cent interview down below:
