50 Cent has blamed what he sees as a decline in intelligence in Hip Hop on why he’s retreated from rap over the last decade.
In a clip from his recent interview with Earn Your Leisure at Invest Fest that began making the rounds on Tuesday (October 1), the G-Unit boss said he’d need to dumb down his lyrics (word to Lupe Fiasco) in order to fit into the current rap landscape.
“If you listen to the music that’s out right now, I have to tap into my stupid. I have to tap into the stupid side of me to write the right thing when it comes time to write the music,” he said.
“This why I haven’t created as much content as I was creating in the past and I started going towards the film production and development of these projects. Because I can impact things in a bigger way through that.”
Despite feeling too smart for modern rap, 50 Cent has been teasing a music comeback over the last year.
50 Cent previously weighed in on the current state of Hip Hop in a 2022 interview with Houston’s 97.9 The Box, offering similarly harsh criticism.
“Part of Hip Hop is youth culture. I don’t think you’re supposed to have the hottest verse at 50 years old in Hip Hop,” he said. “I think the 16-year-old kid, the 15-year-old — that guy should be thinking and doing what is keeping the culture thriving, so it grows to a new energy with new vibes, with new music.
“I mean, some of it you look at and it’s easier! The cadences are the same, they’re rapping the same way on the records. If I gotta go make a record right now, I could do that record easy!
“You could actually take your favorite records and write your version of your favorite records with your words on that track, and then go get the next track because they’re using the same melody every time.”
He added: “If you know the words to the song — I don’t care whose record it is — just make your version of it. Change the lines and make your version of it.
“And then it’s gonna be easy to find a track that goes with it because the trap music is using the same tempo, the same cadences, so you gon’ find another track that it goes to perfect. And then you’re like, ‘Yo, this is my new joint!’”
Despite feeling like times have changed, 50 Cent has been teasing a music comeback over the last year.
In an interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood, the “In Da Club” hitmaker hinted that he’s working on a new album with help from longtime collaborator Dr. Dre.
Referring to an Instagram post where he teased “new music,” Fif said: “As soon as I said that, I got a text from [Eminem] that he had already spoke to Dre, and that Dre is in there and he got some crazy stuff for me to go hear.
“This is my process: I’ll go make something, what I can find, the best music that I can put my hands on. And when I feel real good about it, I bring it to put pressure on Dre to offer me something. ‘Cause he’ll have something… He’s always had something.”
C’mon now 50, you fell way off over a decade ago after the Massacre. No one’s checked for your music since . Great entrepreneur yes, but no one misses 50 dropping music.
No one’s checks for you at all
i dont know bro. his last tour that ended earlier this year grossed $100M. it was only the 3rd rap tour to do that. i think because of how popular he is now via television, he could sell some units. it wont be GRODT levels, but i think he’ll do well.
He’s right though, hip hop has become gay and retarded.
Blame Drake
I’m sorry when did 50 ever have super intellectual rhymes? When did 50 ever have a bar that went over people’s heads? He stopped rapping because he’s album sales were declining with each album and he talks too much crap to be out here releasing albums that don’t go platinum.
To be honest 50 has always been overrated. His affiliation with Eminem and Dr. Dre gave him some exposure that helped his record sales and pushed his fame status. Beside that I don’t recall people being struck by a rhyme, a wordplay, a lyric, a flow or the content of his music. And after a 20 years old career, he only dropped five solo albums each one being worst than the previous one. He’s mainly known for his beefs with Ja Rule, Diddy and former affiliates of the G-Unit, his Power tv show and his bromance with Eminem. That’s it.
Nah, Blame Wayne.
That’s the point. In these days and times 50 would be damn near Nas compared to THESE kids, not the literal Nas.
Baltimore Love Thing
Dr dre so fucking overrated
Translation: when i got rich, I ran out of shit to say because my entire identity is being a gangster / hustler of which I am no more.
No true 50. LL Cool J has the dopest album out. LL also has the dopest bars out in 2024. Common and Pete Rock album is insane. Doechii new album is dope. Get creative and rap!
No one is waiting for new music from 50 Cent. He does have a point. Besides a few rappers, the game is dumbed down. Females rap only about ass and pussy and new cats rap about stupid shit
His 100 million dollar tour states otherwise. His tour sold more than any other rapper touring this year and the fact the that album is over 21 years old. That speaks volumes.
it aint chinese arhythmitic- PimpC
chuuuuuuuch
Another 50 cents worth of wisdom. It’s rapping, not Rugby, ffs. Only in Hip Hop do mfs act like you’re supposed to stop at a certain age. At 50 you should have the craziest bars of your life if you’re working your craft. His best friend Eminem is over 50. Is he saying he shouldn’t Rap? LL is 50 + and put out his best work in decades last month. Middle age just isn’t too old to be rapping…
Bro is acting like his raps were deep or thought provoking STOP IT CURTIS. you havent had a hit record in years, not becuse todays music is STUPID (which it is) you just aint it
He ain’t lying. Some of it is just ignorant and brutally stupid. Brain cells ain’t required.
Love 50 but his music was dumb down music esp in the 00s when everyone was lyrical lol his ABC level raps is what made people stop checking in the first place
I still won’t forgive him for jumping on that Nas record and ruining the entire song. Dude can’t write good lyrics. Make a good hook every now and then sure.
I wouldnt say he ruined it but only writing 10 bars or whatever i lazy.
I understand his view on it but that should just be reason enough to create something dope like Nas have done lately, or LL on his latest.
It’s a good point. Current hip hop is pretty shite.
He knows he won’t sell…. Not now… His pride would take a hit and open him for ridicule, just like he does to everybody else… All about pride