50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin may very well be the best debut album in hip-hop history. A bold claim, to be sure, but one that can no doubt be argued with a legitimate case. Boasting production from Dr. Dre, Eminem, and more, 50's debut served to highlight his brash, merciless persona, it was not without a touch of nuance. As it stands, one of 50's most personal tracks stemmed from Get Rich, giving welcome insight behind the seemingly impenetrable exterior.
"Many Men" proved that 50 wasn't adverse to revealing the inner workings of his mind, a stark contrast to the cavalier violence of "Heat," or the lavish braggadocio of "P.I.M.P." Conversely, "Many Man" found 50 reverting to his sonic roots, weaving tales of street life over a hypnotic instrumental from Darrell Branch and Eminem. I'm like Paulie in Goodfellas, you can call me the Don, like Malcolm by any means with my gun in my palm," raps 50, over the soft piano line. "Slim switched sides on me, let n***s ride on me, I thought we was cool, why you want me to die, homie?"
While the narrative surrounding 50 centered around his seemingly bulletproof nature, "Many Men" deconstructed the myth, proving that the Southside Jamaica Queens rapper was indeed mortal.
Quotable Lyrics
I ain't gonna spell it out for you motherfuckers all the time
Are you illiterate, n***? You can't read between the lines?
In the Bible it says what goes around comes around
Hommo shot me, three weeks later he got shot down
Now it's clear that I'm here for a real reason
Cause he got hit like I got hit, but he ain't fuckin' breathin
