50 Cent’s song ‘Many Men’ has unexpectedly surged in popularity following a chilling assassination attempt on Donald Trump. But while 50 Cent revelled in the renewed attention, Darrell ‘Digga’ Branch, the song’s producer, had decidedly mixed feelings.
Darrell ‘Digga’ Branch shared his thoughts on the viral trend with TMZ Hip Hop, acknowledging that having the track blow up in 2024 is certainly a win. However, Digga is not pleased that his work is being linked to a political figure he personally despises. Branch admitted, “I can’t stand the guy,” making it clear that despite the streaming success, he’s not comfortable with Trump’s association with ‘Many Men’.
The incident in question occurred in Bethel, PA, where would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks was apprehended by Secret Service agents after tragically killing an innocent bystander at Trump’s rally. In the aftermath, Digga’s phone blew up with notifications as the song’s streams shot up by 250%, hitting over 2 million listens in just a couple of days. It’s a remarkable feat for a track initially released in 2003.
Adding fuel to the controversy, 50 Cent embraced the song’s renewed fame by performing it at a Boston concert with an audacious twist—projecting the ‘Get Rich Or Die Tryin” album cover featuring Trump’s face. This stunt did not sit well with Digga, who firmly stated that he’d object if Trump attempted to use the song for his campaign. “It’s all fun and games until he tries to use it on his campaign trail,” Digga expressed, drawing a clear line.
A veteran in the music industry, Digga began his career in the late ’90s producing for Harlem’s top talents. He continues to make waves and is set to showcase his extensive catalogue in an upcoming beat battle in Atlanta. In a recent episode of ‘It Is What It Is’, Ma$e revealed to Cam’ron that the late Big L once set him up for a robbery—a claim that Digga confirmed, adding even more layers to his storied career. Fans of Digga and his early collaborators will soon have the chance to delve deeper into these tales when Cam’ron and Ma$e’s biopic is released.
In the end, while ‘Many Men’ might be enjoying a resurgence, its producer Darrell ‘Digga’ Branch is keen on separating the song from any political narratives. With a career full of hits and dramatic moments, Digga’s stance highlights the complex intersection of music and politics.