50 Cent in the Country? Breland's New Song Could Be the Summer Hit

Breland's new single, 'In My Truck,' is a bold reimagining of 50 Cent's 2003 hit, 'In Da Club'. The song, which marks his return after two years, swaps the word 'club' for 'truck,' adapting the essence of hip-hop to the world of country. This fusion, which seems simple, could make it a summer hit. The track includes all the elements of a country hit: references to cowboys, trucks, and clever rhymes.

The song follows the path of Shaboozey's 'A Bar Song (Tipsy),' which transformed the hip-hop hit 'Tipsy' by J-Kwon into a country-pop phenomenon. 'In My Truck' exchanges hip-hop lyrical tropes for country elements, such as references to whiskey and brands like Rado, creating a contrast with the more everyday lyrics.

This track represents the culmination of Breland's journey in country music. The New Jersey artist has become a thoughtful artist and a highly sought-after collaborator, unafraid to express his ideas or experiment with genres. An example is his 2024 song, 'Grandmaman'em,' which offers a fresh perspective, both sonically and lyrically, on the country tradition of honoring ancestors.

In addition, 'In My Truck' is a sequel to his 2019 debut, a country-trap anthem with a similar title: 'My Truck'. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2020, Breland said: 'There are certain songs of mine that may make you say, 'This is a country song'. You may say, 'This is a hip-hop song'. Ultimately, I think that's a good thing. It's progress. I think the less we feel the need to put labels on music, the less we feel the need to put labels on people. That's how we move forward in culture'.

On the Nashville Now podcast, Breland discussed the arrival of pop artists in country and the reasons for their success. He explained that country music accepts certain artists who collaborate with other trusted artists. He mentioned the case of BigXthaPlug, who was successful in collaborating with country artists before releasing a full album with pop and country artists.

Breland revealed that he obtained approval from 50 Cent and Dr. Dre to use 'In Da Club' in 'In My Truck'. Fat Joe and Jadakiss, on their podcast Joe & Jada, praised the song and highlighted the difficulty of obtaining authorization to use 50 Cent's hit. Jadakiss stated: 'He made history, he got something cleared that's almost impossible to clear. That tells you it's going to be a hit'.

Whether or not it becomes the song of the summer, 'In My Truck' is one of the catchiest songs heard in a long time. The combination of country and hip-hop, along with the interpolation of a classic like 'In Da Club,' gives it a unique appeal.

The song builds on the success of Shaboozey and his song 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)', which took a hip-hop song and transformed it into a country-pop hit. Breland seeks to replicate that success, merging genres and creating a fresh and appealing sound for a wider audience.