I figure most people know, but a 200k budget is far different from getting 200k.
And unlimited Dre beats doesn't mean shyt if you can't get a release date. Ask Rakim, Hitman, Raekwon, Joel Ortiz, Bishop Lamont, Stat Quo, Slim the Mobster, and a billion other solo acts that never got put on the shelf during their Aftermath tenures.
When Busta Rhymes was finally able to release The Big Bang in 2006 I was shocked. I was also shocked when Raekwon was able to use a few beats from Dre that he got during his time there when he finally released Linx 2.
What solo acts from Aftermath actually got used? Eminem, 50, Obie, Game, The Firm, Eve, and Truth Hurts? Can't be many more than that.
Wasn't Ice Cube signed to Aftermath at one point?