50 Cent Channels Nas & Notorious B.I.G., "I Have To Make Music That Has What Biggie Offered"

G-Unit leader 50 Cent provides fans with his state of mind heading into 2009's Before I Self Destruct follow-up album and why it is vital to channel rappers like Nas in the new XXL Magazine.

Based on an excerpt from the cover feature, 50 also addresses fans wanting him to make a return to a younger version of himself.

I don't see what I fell in love with," he says. "So now I gotta make music that reflects what N.W.A made. I have to make music that has the moments that Nas had. I have to make music that has what Biggie offered." He also discusses his currently untitled 5th solo album: "For me, I'm still up against what I've done," he says. "So in order to top it, I know it's a difficult task. You know, I see the bloggers. My audience hasn't grown with me. They keep saying, "Aw, man, I want the old 50!" 'Cause those people, it would take them on a safari. I was bringing them close enough to the animals, without being able to get hurt. I was taking them into my neighborhood, where you can very well get your a** killed." (XXL Mag)

Prior to scraping Black Magic last year, 50 said he was drawing inspiration from the late Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.

He calls the album a whole new sound for him, and describes it as "more soulful" and "more mature" than his past work. For inspiration, he says he's listening to a mix he made of some of his favorite artists' best songs, including 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. "I listen to those records to create expectations," says 50, who turns 35 in July. "It creates a level to me, within myself, of how good the record has to be before I'm ready to launch it." (Detroit Free Press)

A week ago, G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid offered his take on 50's delayed follow-up.

"He wants it to come out but he's dealing with label sh*t too," Whoo Kid said about 50 Cent's album delay. "It's like the politics of when to drop and you gotta understand there's competition with other people too. So labels are just, like, maneuvering when to drop 'cause I know he did, most of it is done. Like 95 percent of it is finished so he wants it to come out and if it was up to him it would but I may assume it's the labels that's f*cking with him but at the end of the day I heard like nine joints that's crazy. I wish I had it now so I could f*cking make some serious money off of it myself, but, you'll hear it soon." (Amaru Don TV)

In October, 50 Cent shared his thoughts on the LP's overall vibe.

"My new album is epic it defines the struggle between good and evil. There's a bright side and a dark side on it. #SK," he tweeted October 23rd.

"I had to write it that way so I don't lose people. When you see someone say they miss the old 50 know that person hasn't grown with me. #SK" (50 Cent's Twitter)

A release date/title for 50 Cent's upcoming LP has not yet been unveiled.