50 Cent goes R&B on “Black Magic”
50 Cent Channels Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield on Black Magic
After months of silence and speculation, 50 Cent is officially back in the studio with a new direction for his fifth studio album, Black Magic. Known for his hard-hitting street anthems and chart-topping singles, the G-Unit general is now exploring a more soulful, mature sound that pays homage to legends like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield.
Speaking in a new interview, 50 Cent confirms that while the title Black Magic may remain, the music has evolved since his initial creative concept. Originally imagined as a European dance-inspired record during his overseas tour, the album has shifted gears since he returned to the U.S. studio scene.
“I started writing to a Black Magic concept before I left,” 50 explains. “Since I’ve been back, I’ve been writing in a different direction, so I’m not sure if it’ll be totally what I initially created. But I’ll end up taking the best of everything.”
Early discussions framed Black Magic as a techno or dance-oriented project. However, those plans seem to be on the back burner. Instead, 50 Cent is focusing on creating music that is both lyrically rich and musically textured.
A New Musical Approach
The Queens rapper says his new material is heavily inspired by the vocal styling and musical depth of artists like Marvin Gaye. “It’s still got a soulful vibe to it, and that’s why I called it Black Magic. I had some Marvin Gaye-inspired stuff, some things that content-wise would feel like something Curtis Mayfield would do from my perspective.”
Despite drawing from these soulful roots, 50 Cent is not attempting to replicate the past. Rather, he’s using their creative energy as a foundation. “It feels brand new. If I didn’t tell you it was inspired by that, you wouldn’t know. I didn’t say the same things they said; it’s just my perspective on what they offered.”
A Departure from Tradition
The creative change comes after Before I Self Destruct, his last studio album, underperformed by 50’s standards despite earning gold certification. That project, while packed with gritty narratives, lacked the sonic range that 50 says he now seeks to achieve.
With Black Magic, the G-Unit head honcho is venturing outside of his comfort zone. Rather than simply crafting club bangers or aggressive anthems, he’s working on songs that showcase nuance and emotional depth. “I’m using different song formats. I’ll write a rap song in a sequence of a different kind of record,” he shared in a previous interview with Tim Westwood.
Production Without Boundaries
While 50 Cent has historically collaborated with elite producers like Dr. Dre and Timbaland, he says Black Magic is being built from a broader pool of talent. “It’s been various,” he says of the current lineup of producers. “I usually write to music that inspires me to offer something. Sometimes the newer producers have hit records.”
50 isn’t relying solely on name recognition to shape this project. Instead, he’s seeking raw creativity, allowing producers to influence him with fresh sounds. “They may not produce hit records as often as Dre or Timbaland, but if you’re around the music enough, you can identify a hit when you hear one.”
No Official Release Date Yet
Although Black Magic is clearly moving along in the studio, there is still no official release date. 50 Cent says he’s planning to coordinate with Eminem about the rollout strategy. Eminem is currently finalizing Recovery, the follow-up to Relapse, and 50 wants to ensure their releases complement rather than conflict.
“I’m supposed to meet with Em about that actual release date,” 50 says. “He changed his whole project, and I’m not even sure if the music for Relapse 2 is ever gonna come out because he had a whole new idea.”
A More Mature 50 Cent
The shift in sound also mirrors 50 Cent’s personal evolution. Now 34 years old, he says he’s listening to curated mixes of his favorite artists, including 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G., to elevate his songwriting expectations.
“I listen to those records to create expectations. It creates a level to me, within myself, of how good the record has to be before I’m ready to launch it,” he told the Detroit Free Press.
His approach reflects a more seasoned artist aiming to produce timeless music rather than just radio hits. While fans can still expect signature 50 Cent content—gritty, unfiltered, and direct—the presentation promises to be more layered and musically ambitious.
Final Thoughts
As fans wait for the official drop, Black Magic is shaping up to be one of 50 Cent’s most creative projects to date. With Marvin Gaye-inspired harmonies, Curtis Mayfield-esque storytelling, and a new level of emotional vulnerability, the album could mark a bold reinvention for the rap mogul.
When 50 Cent finally released his debut album, he had a powerful story to tell. As a result, 50 resonated with fans in a major way. Along the way, he established himself as a major force in the game. With his influence, 50 built a powerful brand. Now, he’s repositioning the brand.
First, 50 is going through a complete reinvention of his style with Black Magic. However, that concept was for a more techno-infused project. Now, he has shifted to heavy soul influences for his album. All of this has created an entirely different concept for his upcoming album.
Regardless, 50 Cent is continuing to work, as he feels he has something to prove. With his last album, 50 fell below his own expectations. But he has his own reasons for why that happened. Learning from those past mistakes, 50 is determined to do better with his new album. Also, he’s invested in switching his style up, which does make a world of difference. After all, a hitmaker is a hitmaker, no matter where you put them.
Whether the title remains Black Magic or changes by the time it hits stores, one thing is clear: 50 Cent is expanding his musical palette, and he wants the world to know he’s not afraid to take risks.