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 cent-When It Rains It Pours
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One shot, one kill, what's the deal?
Yeah, what's the deal?
Listen, lil' homie, when it rains it pours
Hollow tips and talons, when it rains it pours
Get caught in lead showers just because
Niggas ain't playin', when it rains it pours
End up wet up, 'cause when it rains it pours
It usually goes down over money and whores
But lil' homie, in my hood, when it rains it pours
Ain't nothin' changed, niggas doin' the same ol' shit
Them new hollow tips in them same ol' clips
In the projects, niggas fuck with the same ol' chicks
And somehow, they still think they game so sick
Now from the rip, niggas know I'm 'bout my grip
I don't trick, man, I barely even feed a bitch
She say I'm stingy, I say, "I don't need you bitch"
Go 'head leave, see if I chase you, shit
Tell yo' mammy, I catch her in the streets I'mma get her
She know I'm on parole, why she call police on a nigga?
She just mad, 'cause a nigga pockets on swole
When she ask to borrow somethin', I say hell naw
I was tellin' the lil' homies all about this shit
So keep yo' mind on yo' money and don't trust no bitch
Keke hit high notes when them pigs came
But her ass kinda fat, so niggas treat her the same
This is real
Lil' homie, when it rains it pours
Hollow tips and talons, when it rains it pours
Get caught in lead showers just because
Niggas ain't playin', when it rains it pours
Niggas get set up, 'cause when it rains it pours
End up wet up, 'cause when it rains it pours
It usually goes down over money and whores
But lil' homie, in my hood, when it rains it pours
There was blood stains on my stoop when Akbar got shot
When homicide outside, nigga I'm not
This the third time them niggas done circled the block
It's money out now, yeah, but damn it's hot
They'll love to catch a nigga on a direct sale
They say, "tell us who caught the body, or you goin' to jail"
Look, if you know the drill you stay the fuck outta Dodge
And say what's happenin' to the captain
And say what's up to the Sarge
Fuck bein' in a cage man, that shit for the birds
Charlie drunk, drinkin' wild irish rose on the curb
The number spot full of niggas tryin' to bet a few bucks
Hopin' they number come out, they can have 'em some luck
Two Ace to the duece, and stumbled off mad
Lost his re-up money man, that's all he had
Magazine from the store, so he can look at the cars
And do pull ups in the park, on the monkey bars
Mad as fuck
Lil' homie, when it rains it pours
Hollow tips and talons, when it rains it pours
Get caught in lead showers just because
Niggas ain't playin', when it rains it pours
Niggas get set up, 'cause when it rains it pours
End up wet up, 'cause when it rains it pours
It usually goes down over money and whores
But lil' homie, in my hood, when it rains it pours
In "When It Rains It Pours," 50 Cent talks about how things can quickly deteriorate in his hood. He warns the listener that when it starts raining, it tends to pour, referring to how small troubles can quickly escalate into major problems. The song's title and its lyrics suggest that when it rains, hollow tips and talons (weapons) come out, and people are caught in lead showers (bullet showers). According to 50, people in his neighborhood do the same things, and somehow they still think they're sick at their game.
50 Cent uses different scenarios to illustrate the point he's trying to convey in the lyrics of the song. He talks about Keke, who is forced to sing high notes when law enforcement agents arrive because they don't want to get caught up with the police. Fifty also details the situation of Ace's uncle, who drank too much liquor and lost all his money by betting foolishly. And further, a man named Akbar was shot and killed resulting in bloodstains on 50's stoop.
50 represents the East Coast Hip-Hop wise in this song, loyal to the tradition of grimey street slang and rhyming with a streetwise sensibility that has its roots deep in the hood. It highlights the harsh realities and challenges that come with surviving in gunfire-ridden, poverty-stricken neighborhoods that are occupied by people in dire situations just trying to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, it's 50
The song is performed by 50 Cent.
One shot, one kill, what's the deal?
A reference to the idea that 50 Cent is a straight shooter and only needs one shot to take someone down. He's asking what's up with the situation he's currently in.
Listen, lil' homie, when it rains it pours
In his neighborhood, when things go wrong, they tend to snowball and get worse quickly.
Hollow tips and talons, when it rains it pours
There are guns and dangerous people around when things go awry in his hood.
Get caught in lead showers just because
Someone could get shot for no specific reason if they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Niggas ain't playin', when it rains it pours
People are serious and quick to resort to violence when things get hectic in his area.
Niggas get set up, 'cause when it rains it pours
People are often framed and taken advantage of when tensions are high in his neighborhood.
End up wet up, 'cause when it rains it pours
People end up dead or injured because of the dangerous situation they find themselves in when things go wrong.
It usually goes down over money and whores
Problems and fights often start because of issues related to money or romantic relationships.
But lil' homie, in my hood, when it rains it pours
In his neighborhood, when things start to go wrong, they spiral out of control and escalate quickly.
Ain't nothin' changed, niggas doin' the same ol' shit
The same issues and problems persist in his community, with people falling into the same old patterns of behavior.
Them new hollow tips in them same ol' clips
People are using new and more dangerous weapons, but still engaging in the same old conflicts.
In the projects, niggas fuck with the same ol' chicks
People are dating the same women and getting into trouble because of it.
And somehow, they still think they game so sick
Even though they are facing the same challenges, they continue to believe that they are invincible and can outsmart those around them.
Now from the rip, niggas know I'm 'bout my grip
From the start, people know that 50 Cent is all about his money and power.
I don't trick, man, I barely even feed a bitch
He doesn't waste his money on women or allow himself to be taken advantage of financially.
She say I'm stingy, I say, "I don't need you bitch"
A woman accuses 50 Cent of being miserly, but he responds by saying that he doesn't need her and won't let her take his money.
Go 'head leave, see if I chase you, shit
He's not going to beg someone to stay in his life, especially if they are after his money.
Tell yo' mammy, I catch her in the streets I'mma get her
He's willing to get violent with someone's mother if they cross him.
She know I'm on parole, why she call police on a nigga?
Even though 50 Cent is on parole and shouldn't be getting in trouble with the law, someone still tries to report him for something he didn't do.
She just mad, 'cause a nigga pockets on swole
Someone is jealous of his money and success.
When she ask to borrow somethin', I say hell naw
He won't let anyone take advantage of him and take his money.
I was tellin' the lil' homies all about this shit
He's trying to educate younger people in his community about the dangers of getting involved with people who are after their money or looking to cause harm.
So keep yo' mind on yo' money and don't trust no bitch
He's cautioning people to focus on their own finances and not to get involved with women who might try to take their money.
Keke hit high notes when them pigs came
Keke was screaming and yelling loudly when the police arrived on the scene.
But her ass kinda fat, so niggas treat her the same
Even though Keke is unreliable and not someone who can be trusted, some people are still attracted to her because of her physical appearance.
There was blood stains on my stoop when Akbar got shot
Someone was killed or injured just outside of his home.
When homicide outside, nigga I'm not
Even though there is violence and danger around him, he won't get involved or put himself in harm's way.
This the third time them niggas done circled the block
Someone is watching and possibly following him.
It's money out now, yeah, but damn it's hot
There's a lot of money to be made, but it's also very risky.
They'll love to catch a nigga on a direct sale
Someone is trying to trap him and get him involved in something illegal.
They say, "tell us who caught the body, or you goin' to jail"
The police are trying to pressure him into giving them information about a crime or risk being arrested.
Look, if you know the drill you stay the fuck outta Dodge
He's advising people to stay away from dangerous situations and conflicts if they know what's good for them.
And say what's happenin' to the captain
He's suggesting that people should ask for updates on the status of their friends and colleagues so that they can avoid getting involved in dangerous situations.
And say what's up to the Sarge
He's encouraging people to be friendly with the police so that they might be treated better and have an easier time in the future.
Fuck bein' in a cage man, that shit for the birds
He doesn't want to spend any time in jail or prison.
Charlie drunk, drinkin' wild irish rose on the curb
Charlie is drunk and sitting on the street, drinking cheap alcohol.
The number spot full of niggas tryin' to bet a few bucks
People are gambling and trying to make quick money.
Hopin' they number come out, they can have 'em some luck
They're hoping to win big and get lucky.
Two Ace to the duece, and stumbled off mad
Someone lost a bet and left angrily.
Lost his re-up money man, that's all he had
Someone lost all of their money and now has nothing left.
Magazine from the store, so he can look at the cars
Someone bought a magazine to look at pictures of expensive cars they can't afford.
And do pull ups in the park, on the monkey bars
Someone is exercising on the playground equipment because they can't afford to go to a gym.
Mad as fuck
They're extremely angry about their recent loss.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mike Elizondo, Curtis James Jackson, Che Pope, Andre Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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