Dancehall star Masicka taps into one of hip-hop’s most recognizable records on “Shakazulu,” a track from his new album Forever Reign, incorporating elements of 50 Cent’s 2003 smash “In Da Club.”
The connection became a talking point among listeners shortly after the project surfaced, with fans recognizing the familiar DNA of the Dr. Dre-produced classic. Spotify’s SongDNA credits displayed for “Shakazulu” also connect several of the key figures behind “In Da Club” to Masicka’s recording, including Curtis Jackson (50 Cent), Andre Young (Dr. Dre) and Mike Elizondo.
The credits shown for “Shakazulu” list Masicka alongside a team that includes Alli Odunayo, Mike Elizondo, Dave Kutch, Donald “Razzy” Chen and Mario “Dunw3ll” Dunwell, among others. Jackson is credited as a composer For the sample.
Masicka previously told Fox5’s Rossana Scott, “They used to call me ‘Sicka.’ 50 Cent had come out with an album at that time named ‘(The) Massacre,’ and I was a huge 50 Cent fan in high school and growing up in Portmore. G-Unit was a massive movement in Jamaica at that time.”
“At that point in my life, I was trying to be an aspiring artist, and they suggested that this sounds right and this name fits me, and after a while, I took on to it, so it’s not like a real dictionary meaning. It’s more like a moniker,” he explained.
At the time he said he was yet to meet 50 Cent, but the G-Unit rapper had no issue clearing the sample according to sources.
Meanwhile, Forever Reign sits at No. 1 among dancehall albums on Apple Music’s U.S. Reggae Albums chart, on Friday, August 14, 2026.
The leader of Crocs army controls 30% of the current dancehall top 10s, with three albums among the highest-ranked projects.
According to Apple Music, Forever Reign released by Def Jam is ahead of Buju Banton’s Too Too Bad at No. 2 and Sean Paul’s classic The Trinity at No. 3.
Alkaline’s NPT follows at No. 4, Popcaan’s FIXTAPE is No. 5, Wayne Wonder’s No Holding Back is No. 6, Vybz Kartel’s God & Time is No. 7 and Serani’s No Games is No. 8.
Masicka then returns twice at the bottom of the top 10: 438 at No. 9 and Generation Of Kings at No. 10.
At home, Forever Reign ended Drake’s three-month reign atop Apple Music Jamaica, as his new album Forever Reign debuts at No. 1 on the platform’s albums chart.
Released on August 14, Forever Reign immediately surged to the top of Apple Music Jamaica, knocking Drake’s Iceman down to No. 2.
Masicka also doubles up inside the top five, with the clean version of Forever Reign debuting separately at No. 5.
