It has been two decades since the groundbreaking release of 50 Cent’s iconic debut album, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.” However, a recent revelation regarding his notorious diss track aimed at Ja Rule, titled “Back Down,” sheds light on the fact that 50 Cent had more than just Ja Rule in his crosshairs when originally crafting the song.
A comprehensive two-hour-long video entitled “How 50 Cent Got Rich and Nearly Died Tryin‘” has emerged on the investigative YouTube channel Diverse Mentality, featuring Sha Money XL, the recording engineer behind the album. Sha Money XL vividly recalls the intense session alongside producer Dr. Dre, as they worked on laying down the foundation for what would become the unforgettable track, “Back Down.”
“Cutting that track at my place, Fif held nothing back,” recalls Sha Money XL, who not only served as a DJ and producer but would also become the future president of G-Unit Records.
Further elaborating on the video, the narrator, known as Quake, reveals that 50 Cent’s lyrical assault wasn’t solely focused on Ja Rule and Murder Inc., but initially took aim at a multitude of influential figures in the music industry. Supreme, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Nas, Cam’ron, and several others found themselves in 50 Cent’s lyrical crossfire. In fact, 50 Cent even extended an invitation to Dr. Dre to join him on the mic, adding to the ferocity as they unleashed their verbal tirade against the dominant cohort of rappers who held sway over the early 2000s.
Although the details surrounding the original version of the song remain shrouded in mystery, Quake recalls a specific bar from the initial recording, directed at Cam’ron: “You’re acting all gangsta and tough, you must’ve forgotten when the director yelled cut.” This clever line alluded to Cam’ron’s portrayal of Rico in the 2002 film “Paid in Full.”
According to Sha Money XL, it was Dr. Dre who stepped in as a much-needed “filter” for 50 Cent, eventually persuading him to narrow his focus solely on Ja Rule and Murder Inc. for the final version of the recording.
“Dre put the filter on him, like, ‘Hold up, bro. Hold up, bro. Nah, bro. You goin’ too far, man.’ So, we had to re-record that shit.” 50 Cent, renowned for his confrontational personality, had already gained a reputation for engaging in highly publicized beef with Ja Rule, a rivalry that ignited around the year 2000. Both artists offer different accounts of what initially sparked their feud. Although they seemingly buried the hatchet in 2011, tensions flared once more after Ja Rule drew comparisons between his and 50 Cent’s issues and those involving Drake and Meek Mill.
This newfound insight into 50 Cent’s creative process and the lengths to which Dr. Dre went to refine the final version of “Back Down” provides a captivating glimpse into the intricacies of one of hip-hop’s most prominent rivalries. The impact of 50 Cent’s debut album and the longevity of his feuds continue to reverberate throughout the industry, shaping the landscape of rap music for years to come.
[VIA]