Jackson was born and raised in South Jamaica, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. His mother Sabrina, a drug dealer, died in a fire when he was 8. Since his father had already abandoned the family, young Curtis was sent to live with his grandparents. Growing up during the crack epidemic of the 80s and 90s, Jackson dealt drugs when he wasn't "killing time" at school or boxing at a local gym. His grandparents assumed he was at after-school programs when he was out selling crack. In tenth grade, Jackson was caught with guns and drug money passing through the metal detectors at Andrew Jackson High School in Queens. In 1994, Jackson was arrested again for selling vials of cocaine to an undercover officer, and three weeks later he was arrested yet-again after police found heroin, crack cocaine, and a starter pistol in his home. Jackson was sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison, but opted to join a 6 month boot camp program and get his GED. Around this time, Jackson began going by "50 Cent," inspired by deceased Brooklyn stick-up man Kelvin "50 Cent" Martin.
After leaving drug dealing to pursue a rap career, he released his debut album Guess Who's Back Again in 2002. He was discovered by Eminem and Dr. Dre and then signed to Interscope Records. He has since released Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003), The Massacre (2006), Curtis (2007) and Before I Self Destruct (2009).
50 Cent has engaged in feuds with other rappers including Jay-Z, Ja Rule, The Game, Cam'ron, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross. He has also pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin' in 2005, the Iraq War film Home of the Brave in 2006, and Righteous Kill in 2008. 50 Cent is one of the richest hip-hop performers, having a net worth estimated at US $440 million in 2008.
Before 50 Cent ever inked a major deal, he built up a substantial fan base in New York through underground mixtapes. 50 Cent met up with Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC and was signed to his label to write all of Jay’s music. After he’d left JMJ, he signed to Columbia Records in 1996. On this label, he released Power of the Dollar, and the singles How to Rob and Ghetto Qua Ran. Columbia Records released him from the label after being shot on May 24th, 2000.
Around this time, Eminem had heard one of 50 Cent’s demo tapes and expressed a huge interest in him on MTV, as did Dr. Dre. Shortly after this, 50 Cent officially signed to Interscope Records. He was the first rapper to sign to the joint label owned by Dr. Dre and Eminem. The first song he released on this record was entitled Wanksta and was featured on the 8 Mile soundtrack.
In its first week of release, his debut ”Get Rich Or Die Tryin’” sold 872,000 units - easily reaching Gold status. Within the second week it went Platinum (1 mil) and on April 12th, 2004 the RIAA certified it six times Platinum.
In 2005 he followed the success of his album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ with a new release - The Massacre (originally called St. Valentines Day Massacre until the release date was pushed back). The first single released off this, Disco Inferno, was a huge hit - he followed this hit up by the release of Candy Shop and then again with Just a Lil Bit.
In 2003 Interscope Records allowed 50 Cent to have his own label - G-Unit Records. He first signed Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and Young Buck as the established members of G-Unit Records. In 2004, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent had signed The Game under a joint venture.
50 Bars
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm dead and gone niggaz gon' remember my name, 50
50 bars of pleasure, 50 bars of pain
When I'm dead and gone niggaz gon' remember my name, 50
Yo, Black is flashy like Alpo, gun happy like Papi
Sneaky muh'fucka 'mind me of nigga that clapped me
Unless you want to get your ass laid out in Gilmore
He had some soldiers, 'mind me Troy and E-Bags
When they came through they hollored like, "Whattup Conrad?"
Grimy niggaz, they loved to get gully
Summertime, still had on black gloves and skullies
The Lex 450 pulled up that's Cornbread
Them niggaz from Philly woulda called him an old head
But he a O.G., 'mind me of Chaz and Bump, real low key
Sounded like they don't know nothin' about drama
For this money shit many men do trauma
Switchy walked in son, this bitch had the baddest ass
The bulletproof glass was rolled down on his S-Class
Heard in D.C., he kept mad blocks in order
Picture this, a young nigga gettin' it like Rich Porter
Sonny came in for half a pit - he got knocked
He on lock still controllin' the spot from Comstock
Pop pulled up in the CL5, surprisin' Caine
His man just got fucking merked by some lame
Heard he got it in the Range nigga Caine popped one in his brain
Over some-thang, took his watch and his chain
Country boys off the hook down there in Richmond Mayne
In the black 740 I sat, my hat turned back
"Down down baby," Nelly singin' my wrist blingin' what?
I'm waiting on this nigga Wise, three loaves for two pies
Son he smokin' that shit, I can see it in his eyes
Comin' up Wise, and locs is close
And locs ride 'round lookin' for wires to toast
Benny hopped out the Escalade with a few thorough men
From B-More, they sellin' heroin in Maryland
Reverts back to Diesel, killed like 4 fiends
His popularity grew, that only meant more cream
First it was him and his brother, now he got a team
Went from 5 and a half grams to livin' the dream
Seen he pulled up, God damn, you know his format
Bentley is all marble in the door, mink floor match
Hit the hazards, out the stash box popped 2 glocks
Peace "All Eyez On Me," 2Pac
Everybody know he a boss he still gotta floss
He on the same bullshit that sent Gotti up north
That's Ty in the blue TS, stuntin' like he Nicky Barnes
He broke but he talk like he a Don
Homes hoppin' out the Jag that's Max, Haitian cat
Kill a nigga quick remind me of Haitian Jack
I peeped his style son I know his steelo, he on the d-low
He smile at niggaz mumblin' fuck you in Creole
Heard war stories bout how he maneuver with the Ruger
Hold the iron horizontally and send shots through ya
Few niggaz tried to merk him, most them got found
Some turned away try to run they in wheelchairs now
Banks hopped out, bulletproof this, bulletproof that
Bulletproof snorkel, bulletproof hat
Got out a black Hummer, he blew 90 on that
Poppin' mad shit like he gonna bulletproof that, let's go
50 bars of pleasure, 50 bars of pain
When I'm dead and gone niggaz gon' remember my name, 50
50 bars of pleasure, 50 bars of pain
When I'm dead and gone niggaz gon' remember my name, 50
In the song "Bars" by 50 Cent, he raps about the life of a gangster in New York City, where pleasure and pain come in equal parts. The song details various characters, many of whom are notorious gangsters, including "Black" and "Papi." The lyrics describe their weapons, style, and demeanor, highlighting the danger inherent in their way of life. 50 Cent further describes a range of other characters, including Benny, Diesel, and Ty, all of whom are trying to get ahead in the game. The chorus repeats throughout the song: "50 bars of pleasure, 50 bars of pain / When I'm dead and gone niggaz gon' remember my name, 50."
One interesting fact about this song is that it was released on 50 Cent's first official mixtape, "Guess Who's Back." The mixtape included several other tracks that helped to launch 50 Cent's career, including "In Da Club" and "Wanksta." Another fact is that despite its focus on gangsters and violence, "Bars" received critical acclaim for its production and lyrical content. Many fans saw it as a gritty and honest portrayal of life on the streets.
Another interesting fact about "Bars" is that it was produced by Nick Speed, who has worked with several other major artists, including Eminem and 50 Cent's former rival, Ja Rule. The song samples a melody from "As We Enter" by Nas and Damian Marley, and the beat also features classic east coast hip-hop drums and synths. Additionally, some fans have noted that the lyrics seem to reference real-life events and figures, such as Rich Porter and Haitian Jack, who were notorious drug dealers in the 80s and 90s.
In terms of chords, "Bars" is a rap song that relies heavily on the beat and 50 Cent's flow. The instrumental features a simple loop of a melodic sample, accompanied by drums and some atmospheric synths. There are no traditional chords or chord progressions in the song, as it is meant to be a showcase of 50 Cent's rapping ability and the production's ability to set a mood.
In conclusion, "Bars" by 50 Cent is a powerful rap song that describes the life of a gangster in New York City. The lyrics and beat work together to create a gritty and realistic portrayal of the streets, highlighting both the pleasure and pain that come with that lifestyle. Through its references to real-life figures and events, "Bars" also offers insights into the history of hip-hop and the culture that surrounds it.
Line by Line Meaning
50 bars of pleasure, 50 bars of pain
I rap about both the good and bad experiences in my life, showcasing both joy and struggle
When I'm dead and gone niggaz gon' remember my name, 50
I believe that my music will make a lasting impact on the genre and cement my place in history
Yo, Black is flashy like Alpo, gun happy like Papi
I'm describing a dangerous individual who values material possessions and uses weapons as a way to assert dominance
Sneaky muh'fucka 'mind me of nigga that clapped me
This person is unpredictable and reminds me of someone who shot at me in the past
He ain't the type you shoot dice with and win dawg
This person is not a friendly opponent in any scenario and is not easy to beat
Unless you want to get your ass laid out in Gilmore
If you challenge this person, it could result in your physical harm or even death
He had some soldiers, 'mind me Troy and E-Bags
He has a group of loyal followers who are willing to do his bidding
When they came through they hollored like, 'Whattup Conrad?'
When this group of people arrives, they immediately show off their bravado and assert their dominance
Grimy niggaz, they loved to get gully
These individuals are dirty and not afraid to engage in violence or criminal activity
Summertime, still had on black gloves and skullies
Even in the warm weather, these guys dress the part and continue their criminal ways
The Lex 450 pulled up that's Cornbread
A car arrived, and it belongs to a known criminal named Cornbread
Them niggaz from Philly woulda called him an old head
People from Philadelphia would refer to him as an elder in the criminal underworld
But he a O.G., 'mind me of Chaz and Bump, real low key
He's an original gangster and reminds me of other low-key criminals like Chaz and Bump
Sounded like they don't know nothin' about drama
Cornbread and his associates seem to be out of touch with the gritty reality around them
For this money shit many men do trauma
The pursuit of wealth often leads men to engage in dangerous and sometimes traumatic activities
Switchy walked in son, this bitch had the baddest ass
A woman with a stunning figure entered the room, catching everyone's attention
The bulletproof glass was rolled down on his S-Class
A luxury car pulled up, and its bulletproof glass was rolled down
Heard in D.C., he kept mad blocks in order
There are rumors that this man controls a large number of city blocks in Washington, D.C.
Picture this, a young nigga gettin' it like Rich Porter
Imagine a young man acquiring wealth and success like Rich Porter, a notorious drug dealer from Harlem
Sonny came in for half a pit - he got knocked
A man named Sonny entered the room, but he was arrested for a drug-related offense
He on lock still controllin' the spot from Comstock
Even while in prison, Sonny still exerts control over the criminal enterprise he was running on the outside
Pop pulled up in the CL5, surprisin' Caine
A man named Pop arrived, surprising someone named Caine
His man just got fucking merked by some lame
This man's associate was recently killed by another criminal
Heard he got it in the Range nigga Caine popped one in his brain
Caine retaliated by shooting and killing the person who killed Pop's associate in a Range Rover
Over some-thang, took his watch and his chain
This violence was the result of a dispute over possessions like a watch and a chain
Country boys off the hook down there in Richmond Mayne
There are some dangerous criminals in Richmond, Virginia, where country boys are making a name for themselves
In the black 740 I sat, my hat turned back
I was sitting in a black BMW 740 with my hat turned backward
"Down down baby," Nelly singin' my wrist blingin' what?
Nelly's song "Down Down Baby" is playing while I admire the bling on my wrist
I'm waiting on this nigga Wise, three loaves for two pies
I'm waiting for someone named Wise to make a drug deal, exchanging three pounds of drugs for two pounds of money
Son he smokin' that shit, I can see it in his eyes
I can tell that Wise is high from smoking drugs just by looking at his eyes
Comin' up Wise, and locs is close
Wise is on the rise, and his followers are nearby
And locs ride 'round lookin' for wires to toast
Wise's associates are searching for snitches to eliminate
Benny hopped out the Escalade with a few thorough men
A man named Benny exits a Cadillac Escalade with several trustworthy companions
From B-More, they sellin' heroin in Maryland
These men sell drugs in Baltimore and Maryland
Reverts back to Diesel, killed like 4 fiends
Benny used to deal drugs under the name Diesel and has killed four people addicted to his product
His popularity grew, that only meant more cream
Benny became more successful as he gained notoriety and made more money
First it was him and his brother, now he got a team
Benny started out working with just his brother but now has a group of people supporting him
Went from 5 and a half grams to livin' the dream
Benny went from dealing small amounts of drugs to living a life of luxury
Seen he pulled up, God damn, you know his format
When this man arrives, you can tell that he is wealthy and successful
Bentley is all marble in the door, mink floor match
He drives a Bentley with luxurious features like marble in the door and a mink interior
Hit the hazards, out the stash box popped 2 glocks
He pulls over to the side of the road and retrieves two guns from a hidden compartment in his car
Peace "All Eyez On Me," 2Pac
He greets someone with a quote from 2Pac's song "All Eyez On Me"
Everybody know he a boss he still gotta floss
Even though this man is successful, he still feels the need to flaunt his wealth and status
He on the same bullshit that sent Gotti up north
This man is involved in criminal activities similar to those that sent the notorious crime boss John Gotti to prison
That's Ty in the blue TS, stuntin' like he Nicky Barnes
Someone named Ty is driving a blue TS and acting like a flashy figure similar to Nicky Barnes, a notorious heroin dealer from the 1970s
He broke but he talk like he a Don
Despite being broke, Ty acts like a powerful figure in the criminal underworld
Homes hoppin' out the Jag that's Max, Haitian cat
A man named Max exits a Jaguar; he is of Haitian descent
Kill a nigga quick remind me of Haitian Jack
Max has a reputation for being violent and reminds me of another Haitian criminal named Haitian Jack
I peeped his style son I know his steelo, he on the d-low
I've observed Max's behavior and know his tactics; he is secretive and avoids attention
He smile at niggaz mumblin' fuck you in Creole
Max insults people in his native language of Creole while smiling at them to hide his true intentions
Heard war stories bout how he maneuver with the Ruger
I've heard rumors of Max's deadly prowess with firearms
Hold the iron horizontally and send shots through ya
Max fires his gun sideways to improve accuracy and increase the chances of causing harm
Few niggaz tried to merk him, most them got found
Several people tried to kill Max, but most of them ended up dead themselves
Some turned away try to run they in wheelchairs now
Those who weren't killed in their attempts on Max's life are now disabled and in wheelchairs
Banks hopped out, bulletproof this, bulletproof that
Someone named Banks gets out of a car and brags about how everything he owns is bulletproof
Bulletproof snorkel, bulletproof hat
Banks even has a bulletproof snorkel and hat to protect himself in any situation
Got out a black Hummer, he blew 90 on that
Banks drives a black Hummer and speeds quickly down the road
Poppin' mad shit like he gonna bulletproof that, let's go
Banks is talking a big game, claiming that he can bulletproof anything, and urges others to follow him
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Curtis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JD-rz5lx
This song proves 50 Cent's been on levels most artists will never be. His throwaways are better than other rappers' best songs
@thediaz07
I wish 50 would do a "best of" and put on all the songs from before GRODT. Power of the dollar and this album don't have enough attention..aside from big time 50 fans.
@JD-rz5lx
@Nobody Agreed - It would definitely bring them to light more. But I also kind of like the idea that only the real ones know about these underground records
@thediaz07
@JD yeah you're right...but power of the dollar should be re released.
@lynbomb1
All facts
@DCDCDC978
This aint a throwaway fam. This is it. This is the level.
@allenwillis8563
One of his hardest songs everrrrrr
@swerv9180
Facts
@jonnyflores4903
Word is bond it is
@thegeordie4life550
This and "I Don't Need 'Em".