MANY MEN AI VERSION: AI Cover Version

Lisa Ernst · 18.09.2025 · Technology · 4 min

I stumbled upon a 1960s soul remix of 50 Cent's "Many Men" that was allegedly AI-generated – and suddenly my feed was full of it. What exactly is this "Many Men AI Version", why is it going viral, and what rules apply to it? This article provides clarity, from technology to law – with sources right behind.

Quelle: Original Rendering

Introduction

By "Many Men AI Version" users understand remixes or reinterpretations of 50 Cent's song "Many Men (Wish Death)" from 2003 that were created using generative AI tools – often in the style of a 1960s soul/Motown track. Such clips circulate on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok; they are sometimes labeled as "1960s Soul Version", "Noir Soul Version" or similar. The AI typically handles parts of production: voice cloning (text-to-speech/voice cloning), style transfer for instruments or automated remastering steps (Examples and discussions). The underlying track is by 50 Cent.

Current Situation

Since summer 2025, clips of an alleged "1960s Soul Version" are spreading rapidly across social media. Several reels and posts show snippets and reactions, including prominent voices like Joe Rogan, which further boost reach (Instagram, Instagram). On YouTube there are parallel uploads that document such Soul/Noir versions – sometimes labeled as "AI", sometimes as "Redux" or "Remake" (YouTube, YouTube, YouTube). In forums, producers explain how they combine AI-generated segments with their own human arrangement – a hybrid approach that complicates classification (Reddit). In the larger context, these remixes sit in a line with earlier AI-music virals, such as the "Fake Drake/The Weeknd" debate 2023, after which platforms removed content due to copyright concerns (Axios). In 2024 TikTok and Universal Music Group agreed on a new deal that also includes "AI safeguards" and the removal of unauthorized AI content (The Guardian).

Analysis

Why does "Many Men" shine so strongly in AI garb? First: recognizability. A well-known song plus a strong style break (2003 gangsta rap reimagined as 1960s soul) sparks curiosity and shareability (YouTube). Second: Creator economy. Short, emotionally charged music clips perform well in Reels; reactions from prominent accounts amplify the effect (Instagram). Third: Debate around Artificial Intelligence. Every viral AI track becomes a topic for discussion about copyright, artists' rights and creative possibilities – media report accordingly (Harvard Law School).

The clip shows a prominent live reaction to the soul version and explains the viral boost.

Fact Check

Evidence: There exist multiple videos/posts that show a 1960s soul interpretation of "Many Men" and label them as AI/remix; they achieve high engagement on social media (YouTube, Instagram, Instagram).

Evidence: Platforms and rights holders have repeatedly reacted to AI music since 2023, sometimes removing content, sometimes signing new agreements and AI-protection clauses (Axios, The Guardian).

Unclear: Who created the initial viral "1960s Soul Version" of "Many Men"? With multiple uploads and re-edits, attribution is unclear; a single original source cannot be verified (YouTube, Reddit).

False/misleading: "AI-songs are automatically legal/non-problematic." Apart from whether purely AI-generated works are copyrightable, other rights apply: to composition, master recording, and to the voice/likeness of real artists. Legal analyses point to copyright, neighboring rights and personality/publicity rights (Harvard Law School, Romano Law).

Reactions & Counterarguments

Platforms: After the "Fake Drake" wave, streaming services removed affected tracks; TikTok and UMG agreed in 2024 to protect measures against unauthorized AI content (Axios, The Guardian).

Legal voices: Experts see purely AI-generated music in the USA as not necessarily copyrightable; however, with AI assistance or use of protected templates, other rights and risks apply (Harvard Law School, AVIXA Xchange).

Community: In forums and comments, debates range from "cool style experiment" to "unclear use of branding/voice"; some producers describe hybrid workflows with human post-production (Reddit, Reddit).

Implications & Advice

Opportunity: Style experiments can open up texts, melodies and emotions in new ways; learners can train arrangement, sound design and storytelling using familiar songs (YouTube).

Risk: Rights violations threaten if the composition, original recording or the recognizable voice are used without permission. Guides and overviews on copyright/fair use in short-video contexts can help (Emanuelson Firm).

Practical tips: Use licensed stems/samples; obtain clearances for voices and compositions; disclose AI usage transparently; check platform rules and label deals, especially for monetization (The Guardian, Romano Law).

Open Questions

Who first created the viral "1960s Soul Version" of "Many Men", and what training data/models were used? Without clear attribution, this remains unresolved (YouTube, Instagram). How will courts assess voice cloning and style copies across different legal systems in the future? Ongoing debates hint at more regulation and new guidelines, but standards are still evolving (Harvard Law School).

Conclusion

The "Many Men AI Version" is less a single work than a viral style trend: a well-known rap song reimagined as a 1960s soul number – technically possible, socially amplified and legally delicate. If you experiment with AI music, maintain a balance between creativity and caution: style-breaking yes, rights clearance as well – then a hype can become a durable learning experience (Axios, The Guardian, Harvard Law School).