A groundbreaking AI hard rock rendition of 50 Cent‘s seminal track “Many Men (Wish Death)” has captivated audiences and ignited a fervent debate across fan communities about artificial intelligence’s transformative, and often divisive, impact on the music industry and beloved artists.
The landscape of music is rapidly evolving, blurring the lines between human creativity and technological innovation. At the forefront of this shift is the burgeoning world of AI-generated music, a phenomenon vividly illustrated by a recent viral sensation: a hard rock cover of 50 Cent‘s iconic track, “Many Men (Wish Death).” This reimagining has not only captivated millions but also sparked a profound discussion among fans and industry insiders about the future of artistry.
Originally released in 2003 on his critically acclaimed debut album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” “Many Men (Wish Death)” quickly became a cornerstone of modern hip-hop. Produced by Eminem, Darrell “Digga” Branch, and Luis Resto, the song delves into themes of betrayal and survival, resonating deeply with fans for over two decades. Despite its enduring popularity, 50 Cent himself surprisingly revealed that it was his least favorite track from the album, primarily due to its slower tempo.
The AI Reimagining: From Hip-Hop Anthem to Hard Rock Powerhouse
The viral hard rock cover emerged from the YouTube channel “Almost real,” a hub specializing in transforming popular hits into entirely new musical genres using Artificial Intelligence. The channel’s unique approach not only reworks the audio but also provides an AI-generated visual makeover for the artists, envisioning them in the style of their transformed genre.
For this particular rendition of “Many Men,” the creators presented an AI-generated image of 50 Cent sporting a red leather jacket and long, blonde hair, perfectly encapsulating the rock aesthetic. Since its upload, the track has accumulated nearly 250,000 views, with fans expressing awe at its realistic sound and seamless genre transformation. Comments highlight the impressive quality, with one user remarking, “If this song actually dropped in 1980 and it actually sounded like this with these lyrics, it would’ve shook the whole world up.” Another noted its resemblance to a Fall Out Boy cover, while others voiced both excitement and apprehension about AI’s potential to redefine music creation.
From Amazement to Alarm: Artists’ Reactions to AI Music
The rise of AI music has been met with a diverse range of reactions from artists. Some embrace it as a powerful new creative tool, while others voice serious concerns about intellectual property and the integrity of human artistry.
- Mike Tyson’s Awe at AI Collaborations: Retired heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was reportedly left in awe by an AI cover of “Many Men” featuring the voices of deceased legends 2Pac and Biggie. As recounted by Tony Yayo on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast, the AI rendition, though not a perfect replica, was enough to blow Tyson’s mind, with the champ exclaiming, “That’s f***ed up, bruh.”
- Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube’s Caution: Not all artists are as enthusiastic. Hip-hop veteran Snoop Dogg, while not entirely opposed to AI, expressed skepticism about a proposed joint album between Biggie and 2Pac using artificial intelligence, preferring to use existing vocal tracks instead of “computerized voices,” as reported by Baller Alert. Similarly, Ice Cube has taken a strong stance against unauthorized AI-generated songs using his voice, vowing legal action against creators and platforms, as detailed in HipHopDX‘s coverage of his comments on the Full Send podcast.
- Paul McCartney’s Historic Use: In a landmark move, Paul McCartney utilized AI technology to restore a John Lennon demo, creating “Now and Then,” dubbed “the last Beatles song.” As reported by BBC News, McCartney described AI as “a very interesting thing,” acknowledging it as “scary” for its deceptive potential but also “exciting because it’s the future.”
The “Almost real” channel further exemplifies AI’s versatility by creating other genre-bending covers, including a 1950s soul version of “Many Men,” and similar transformations for Eminem’s “Without Me” and Justin Bieber’s “Baby.”
Expanding Horizons: AI for Global Reach and New Forms of Artistry
Beyond remixes, AI is opening new avenues for artists and labels, from language translation to the creation of entirely virtual bands:
- Global Market Expansion: K-Pop giant HYBE has leveraged AI to release tracks by artist MidNatt in six languages simultaneously, significantly expanding global reach. Similarly, Grammy-winning producer Jordan “DJ Swivel” Young used an AI voice model to translate pop star Lauv’s single “Love U Like That” into Korean.
- The Velvet Sundown: A Truly AI Band: The psychedelic rock band The Velvet Sundown gained over a million monthly listeners on Spotify, later confirmed to be primarily the work of generative artificial intelligence. As reported by CNBC, this AI-driven entity reportedly generated over $34,000 in streaming royalties in a single month.
Despite these innovative uses, ethical concerns persist. In a significant move last year, over 11,000 artists, including notable figures like Oscar-winning star Julianne Moore and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, signed an open letter advocating for a prohibition on using human art to train AI without explicit permission and compensation. This sentiment, highlighted by Variety, underscores the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks in the evolving AI music landscape.
As AI technology continues to advance, the ability for the average listener to discern between human and machine-generated music becomes increasingly challenging. This rapid sophistication demands a thoughtful approach to integration, balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. The viral success of 50 Cent‘s “Many Men” in a hard rock style is more than just a momentary internet trend; it’s a powerful testament to AI’s burgeoning influence and a preview of the dynamic, complex future awaiting the world of music.
