Darrell “Digga” Branch, the producer of 50 Cent’s hit song “Many Men,” sees the recent trend of the song alongside the Donald Trump assassination attempt as a bittersweet moment. While he acknowledges that having the classic record go viral in 2024 is a positive development, he expresses discomfort with the song being used to portray Trump in a gangsta light, especially since he personally does not hold a favorable view of the former president.
Following the news of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Bethel, PA, Digga’s notifications began to flood with messages. Initially uncertain if the incident was real or a prank, it became evident that the shooting was a genuine occurrence. The attempted assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, was apprehended by Secret Service agents after fatally shooting an innocent bystander at a rally. This event inadvertently led to a surge in streaming numbers for “Many Men,” with a 250% increase and over 2 million streams in just 2 days, highlighting the enduring popularity of the 2003 album track.
Capitalizing on the renewed interest in the song, 50 Cent incorporated it into his concert performance in Boston, projecting his “Get Rich Or Die Tryin'” album cover with Trump’s face superimposed on it. While this move added to the buzz surrounding the song, Digga emphasizes that such usage is lighthearted until Trump considers incorporating the track into his campaign trail, a scenario that the producer finds objectionable.
As a veteran beatmaker who began his career producing for Harlem-based artists in the late ’90s, Digga is set to showcase his extensive catalog in an upcoming beat battle in Atlanta. Reflecting on past experiences, he corroborates Ma$e’s account of the late Big L’s attempt to orchestrate a robbery against him, shedding light on the often tumultuous nature of the music industry. With credits spanning various notable names in hip-hop, including Herb McGruff and the late Bloodshed, Digga suggests that fans can anticipate a comprehensive narrative of his journey through the forthcoming biopic collaboration between Cam’ron and Ma$e.
The convergence of 50 Cent’s “Many Men” with the events surrounding the Trump assassination attempt underscores the enduring impact of music in reflecting and responding to contemporary socio-political developments. While the song’s resurgence has generated newfound attention and success, it also raises critical questions about the intersection of art, politics, and personal convictions in the realm of popular culture.