Not true, 50 was around with How To Rob, then went no where. Then when his mixtapes took hold he went nothing but up and the got signed. At that stage, he could of signed to any number of major labels. 50 gave himself his start. I mean, Get Rich Or Die Trying even had tracks that were recorded before the deal. Dre gave 50 In Da Club and Em gave him Wanksta, but tracks like BackDown were recorded before the deal and appeared on mixtapes first, same with Heat, and I cant really remember the others.
At that stage 50 could of signed anywhere and blown up. He signed to Dre and Em, they helped him blow up, but they didnt make him.
50 then went on to start a record label on his own, put his homies on on his own, started a clothing line, etc etc.
50 made himself, with Em and Dre's help, they didnt make him.