50 Cent "Dangerously" Close To Signing New G-Unit Member

According to reports, 50 met up with the TV star sometime last week to discuss various business collaborations.

Pauly D is DANGEROUSLY close to joining forces with G-Unit -- because TMZ has learned, 50 Cent desperately wants to sign him to his record label ... in fact, a 3-album deal is already on the table. Sources close to negotiations tell TMZ, the "Jersey Shore" DJ met with Fiddy and his people in NYC last week -- where they discussed the lucrative record deal ... and also tossed around the idea of a Pauly D merchandise line, specifically Pauly D-brand headphones. Nothing's signed yet -- but according to sources, 50 wants to hammer out the deal ASAP ... before Pauly jets off to Italy to shoot "Jersey Shore" Season 4. We're told talks have become so serious -- 50 and Pauly have even started to kick around ideas for people Pauly can collaborate with. Calls to 50's people weren't returned. (TMZ)

Last month, Southern rapper Shawty Lo revealed plans to possibly ink a deal with 50.

"I done sat down with about four or five labels and the best situation I think I'd like is, I had a meeting with 50 Cent [...] and I left New York last Wednesday," Shawty explained in an interview. "We had a good six, seven hour meeting and I think it went well. I just want his attorneys to get with my attorneys and then we'll make it concrete. So you know, stay tuned...I feel like 50 is a hard worker." (Video City TV)

In late 2009, 50 updated fans on the status of his G-Unit Records.

"As far as the rest of the roster, of course the original G-Unit as a group are gonna stay together," Fif promised in an interview. "That's myself, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks on the actual label, G-Unit Records as a roster, I let Prodigy and Havoc go off the label because P had to get extra money before he went into jail. And Havoc just had idle time while P was gone because he didn't work as often as P does. M.O.P. was kinda just waiting for me to do it for them...Hot Rod and Spider Loc are still technically signed to G-Unit Records...[Young] Buck is still signed to G-Unit Records, hopefully he can come up with a record. If he can come up with a song, we can get my money back, you know what I'm saying? I hope he can come up with something right quick. I'm looking forward to that check at least. They gotta pay me not to put the [G-Unit] logo on it." (This Is 50)

Last summer, G-Unit Records signed a distribution deal with EMI Music.

"We are delighted to join forces with G-Unit and artists who are truly marquee names in hip-hop," EMI Music Vice President Mike Harris said in a statement. "G-Unit is a huge force. Lloyd Banks knows how to deliver a lyrical punch and his single has already generated huge anticipation for the album.. Tony Yayo is a totally unique talent, and 'Pass the Patron' already has the hip hop world buzzing about his album coming out next year." (Statement)