In a recent interview with XXL Magazine, former A&R Lenny “Linen” Nicholson revealed a surprising origin story behind 50 Cent’s iconic song “Many Men.” According to Nicholson, the beat that would later fuel 50 Cent’s grim yet triumphant anthem was initially a Nas track—one he recorded vocals for but ultimately left unfinished.
As Nicholson explained, Nas had originally vocalized over the beat while working with an emerging artist named Nashawn. For Nas, this approach was a common part of his creative process; he often recorded over a beat as a test, deciding later whether to complete it based on the impression it made. However, Nas didn’t fully connect with the track and eventually set it aside. When he abandoned the project, Nicholson saw an opportunity and, with Nas’ permission, passed the beat to another rising artist in New York at the time: 50 Cent.
The rest, as they say, is history. 50 Cent took the beat and transformed it into “Many Men,” a song that would become one of the most defining tracks of his career and a hallmark of his album Get Rich or Die Tryin’. Infused with 50 Cent’s gritty storytelling and raw emotion, the track gained widespread acclaim and became a cornerstone of early 2000s hip-hop.
This backstory adds a new layer to the song’s legacy, showing how beats and lyrics can evolve as they pass through different artists’ hands. "Many Men" stands as a testament to 50 Cent’s ability to take an idea left behind by one of hip-hop’s greats and make it his own. In hindsight, Nas’ decision to step away from the track helped pave the way for a defining moment in hip-hop history.
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