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 Jayβs music. After heβd 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 Centβs 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 βGet Rich Or Die Tryinββ 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 Tryinβ 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.
Banks Victory
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So if shit hit the fan then we might as well die together
I'm high as ever, more holes and more cheddar
G-Unit move around wit them pounds and berreta's
Yea faggot, if I want it I'm gon' have it
Regardless if it's handed to me or I gotta grab it
Don't make a ass outta yaself tryin to stop me
I'm cocky, raps rocky, nigga you sloppy
I'll club you nigga, I never heard of you nigga, ugly nigga
I'm the wrong one to provoke
You rattin on niggas is only gon' leave you smoke
So the only thing left now is tools for these cowrads
I got no friends, fuck most of these cowards
They pop shit 'till we start approaching these cowards
While we lay around dollars, they lay around flowers
I got a intergangstress who argue and steams wit reefer
And who flip when I call a bitch like she Queen Latifah
Not all the vehicle's is long enough to stash the streetsweeper
This shit can get uglier than the Master P sneaker
We slidin through the ruckus, wit prada on the chuckus
Soon as spring break ho's home from college want to fuck us
I ain't here to drop knowledge on you suckas
I'll sick rottweiler's on you fuckas, cops followin to cuff us
Top dollars to discuss this, whole lotta zeros
When it comes to paper I blow a soul outta aero
I'ma break before I lay floor berry
Besides, every rapper ain't a star, nigga plad ain't bulbary
You can't tame Lloyd, smokin by the big screen
You changin the channel looks like I'm playin the game boy
I know to watch botherin ya vision
You reach and I'll put a dot on ya head like its part of yo religion
Why party wit a pigeon?
I'm blowin a 10 'cause Bush handin flyers for a party in a prison
I'm in the gucci vest wit the green and red straps
I'm the last rapper to scare niggas since Craig Mack
Now every morning's a fast start
And there ain't problem gettin dressed 'cause my closet got more aisles than pathmark
Run, move startin a wave
And leave wit 12 shells in ya mouth like a carton of eggs
I'm the young pimp pardon my age
I don't got long hair but if I did she be puttin my braids
Niggas find what club they at
Take 'em wit us, and run a train on 'em like a subway mac
Get advances from grey agra
See these record labels got most artists gettin fucked like the gay rappa'
I go the college on the tour
I'm goin down in history nigga, next to Wallace and Shakur
I keep ya ammo clean, text polished in the drawer
Camera's by the hamper that mine into the floor
By now, you probably heard of me
Fresh outta surgery, flashy as a fuck, you gon' have to murder me
Burglary, I'm leavin wit cha nike's bergendy, White T, bergendy
You match now, back down
Niggas love to hate you, but love you when you disappear
Catch me on the boat wit weed smoke and official gear
Heavy when I toke, see notes from different years
Besly in the robe, re-motes for liftin chairs
You ain't rich, but we glad to snatch ya
I send cars to crib like I'm a cab dispatcha
You better off wit ya stupid guys, lookin for a coupe to drive
You ain't gettin nuttin but ya french fries supersized
It's a damn shame y'all still local
I'm in a million dollar studio layin my vocals
Nigga
Still in the projects nigga, you ain't goin nowhere
You gon' fuckin be there for the rest of yo muthafuckin life
And yo momma said, I'm supposed to tell you somethin.....
To encourage you, somethin positive
Aight well I ain't gon' lie to you muthafucka, he ain't goin nowhere
Get yaself a beer, get on the fuckin curve
Fuckin dirtbag
In the song "Banks Victory," 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks talk about the struggles of being in the rap industry and the dangers associated with it. The lyrics touch on the idea that their lives are constantly at risk, and they may as well "die together" with their crew, G-Unit. The song also highlights how they are willing to work tirelessly to achieve financial success, even if it means risking their lives. Banks Victory has a theme of gang violence and boasts of using firearms. The lyrics also address the issue of fake friends and fake alliance which creates confusion in this lethal and troublesome world of rap.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yo we can't stay alive forever
We won't live forever, so if things go wrong, we might as well face it together
So if shit hit the fan then we might as well die together
If things go terribly wrong, we should face the consequences together, even if it means death
I'm high as ever, more holes and more cheddar
I'm very intoxicated, earning more money and creating more opportunities
G-Unit move around wit them pounds and beretta's
The G-Unit moves with firearms and weapons for protection
Yea faggot, if I want it I'm gon' have it
If I desire something, regardless of how it will be obtained, I will acquire it
Don't make a ass outta yaself tryin to stop me
Don't embarrass yourself by attempting to hinder my progress
I'm cocky, raps rocky, nigga you sloppy
I'm confident and my raps are powerful, while you are untidy and unimpressive
You know that I'm, 8 levels above you nigga
You are aware that I am far superior to you, on a much higher level
I'll club you nigga, I never heard of you nigga, ugly nigga
I will physically harm you, I am unfamiliar with your existence, and you are unattractive
I'm the wrong one to provoke
You should not dare to provoke me
You rattin on niggas is only gon' leave you smoke
If you snitch on others, it will only lead to danger and threats against you
So the only thing left now is tools for these cowrads
The only solution now is to arm ourselves against these cowardly individuals
I got no friends, fuck most of these cowards
I have no true friends, and I do not respect most of these cowardly individuals
They pop shit 'till we start approaching these cowards
They talk aggressively until we confront them directly
While we lay around dollars, they lay around flowers
While we accumulate wealth, they are left dead and surrounded by funeral flowers
I got a intergangstress who argue and steams wit reefer
I have a female gang member who engages in arguments and smokes marijuana
And who flip when I call a bitch like she Queen Latifah
She gets angry when I refer to a woman derogatorily, similar to how Queen Latifah would react
Not all the vehicle's is long enough to stash the streetsweeper
Not all vehicles have enough space to hide a large firearm
This shit can get uglier than the Master P sneaker
The situation can become even more chaotic and unpleasant than the Master P sneaker design
We slidin through the ruckus, wit prada on the chuckus
We are moving smoothly through the chaos, wearing expensive Prada shoes
Soon as spring break ho's home from college want to fuck us
As soon as the female college students return from spring break, they are eager to have sexual intercourse with us
I ain't here to drop knowledge on you suckas
I am not here to educate or enlighten you fools
I'll sick rottweiler's on you fuckas, cops followin to cuff us
I will release aggressive Rottweilers to attack you fools, with police officers chasing after us to arrest us
Top dollars to discuss this, whole lotta zeros
A large amount of money is required to even have a conversation about this, with many zeros involved
When it comes to paper I blow a soul outta aero
When it comes to money, I spend it recklessly as if it holds no value
I'ma break before I lay floor berry
I would rather break down or die before I admit defeat
Besides, every rapper ain't a star, nigga plad ain't bulbary
Not every rapper is a true star, and wearing plaid clothing is not a symbol of success
You can't tame Lloyd, smokin by the big screen
You cannot control or manipulate me, I am relaxed and smoking marijuana in front of a large television
You changin the channel looks like I'm playin the game boy
Your attempt to control the situation is futile and insignificant, it's as if I'm playing with a handheld video game
I know to watch botherin ya vision
I understand that it disturbs you and affects your ability to see clearly
You reach and I'll put a dot on ya head like its part of yo religion
If you attempt to attack or threaten me, I will place a bullet on your forehead as if it's a religious marking
Why party wit a pigeon?
Why spend time with an unattractive or undesirable person?
I'm blowin a 10 'cause Bush handin flyers for a party in a prison
I am freely smoking marijuana worth $10, as if former President Bush is promoting a party in a prison
I'm in the gucci vest wit the green and red straps
I am wearing a Gucci vest with distinctive green and red straps
I'm the last rapper to scare niggas since Craig Mack
I am the most intimidating rapper since Craig Mack, instilling fear in others
Now every morning's a fast start
Now every morning begins energetically and swiftly
And there ain't problem gettin dressed 'cause my closet got more aisles than pathmark
There is no difficulty in choosing outfits, as my closet is so large it has more sections than a Pathmark supermarket
Run, move startin a wave
Quickly run and create a movement that grows in size and impact
And leave wit 12 shells in ya mouth like a carton of eggs
After the encounter, you will be left with 12 bullet casings in your mouth, resembling a carton of eggs
I'm the young pimp pardon my age
I am a young pimp, please excuse my age
I don't got long hair but if I did she be puttin my braids
Even though I do not have long hair, if I did, a woman would style my braids
Niggas find what club they at
People discover which club they are located in
Take 'em wit us, and run a train on 'em like a subway mac
Bring them with us and engage in group sexual activity with them, similar to a subway sandwich
Get advances from grey agra
Receive financial advances from older wealthy individuals
See these record labels got most artists gettin fucked like the gay rappa'
Many artists in the music industry are being taken advantage of by record labels, just like the exploitation of gay rappers
I go the college on the tour
I am educating others about my experiences and lifestyle through my performances
I'm goin down in history nigga, next to Wallace and Shakur
I will be remembered in history alongside icons like The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur
I keep ya ammo clean, text polished in the drawer
I ensure that your ammunition is clean and your firearm is well-maintained and easily accessible
Camera's by the hamper that mine into the floor
Surveillance cameras are strategically placed near the laundry basket, surveilling all movements
By now, you probably heard of me
By now, it's likely that you are aware of my reputation and fame
Fresh outta surgery, flashy as a fuck, you gon' have to murder me
Just after surgery, I appear stylish and confident, to eliminate me, you'll have to kill me
Burglary, I'm leavin wit cha nike's bergendy, White T, bergendy
After committing a burglary, I will leave with your expensive burgundy Nike shoes and a white T-shirt of the same color
You match now, back down
You are no match for me, so retreat and surrender
Niggas love to hate you, but love you when you disappear
People enjoy hating on you, but suddenly appreciate you when you are no longer present
Catch me on the boat wit weed smoke and official gear
You will find me on a boat, surrounded by the smell of marijuana and wearing high-quality clothing
Heavy when I toke, see notes from different years
When I smoke marijuana, it has a strong effect on me, and I have hallucinations or revelations from various time periods
Besly in the robe, re-motes for liftin chairs
I am comfortably wearing a luxurious robe, with remote controls to adjust or elevate chairs
You ain't rich, but we glad to snatch ya
Although you are not wealthy, we would still gladly rob you
I send cars to crib like I'm a cab dispatcha
I send luxury cars to people's homes, similar to a taxi dispatcher
You better off wit ya stupid guys, lookin for a coupe to drive
You are better off with your foolish friends, searching for a sports car to drive
You ain't gettin nuttin but ya french fries supersized
You will only receive a larger portion of French fries, nothing more
It's a damn shame y'all still local
It's quite disappointing that you are still only known locally
I'm in a million dollar studio layin my vocals
I am recording my vocals in a high-budget studio, worth millions of dollars
Still in the projects nigga, you ain't goin nowhere
I am still in the low-income housing area, which signifies that you will not progress or achieve anything significant
You gon' fuckin be there for the rest of yo muthafuckin life
You will remain stuck there for the entirety of your life, there's no hope of escaping
And yo momma said, I'm supposed to tell you somethin.....
And your mother asked me to convey a message to you...
To encourage you, somethin positive
To provide you with a positive message of encouragement
Aight well I ain't gon' lie to you muthafucka, he ain't goin nowhere
Well, I won't lie to you, he is not going to progress or achieve anything significant
Get yaself a beer, get on the fuckin curve
Go and get yourself a beer and sit on the street corner, you have no future
Fuckin dirtbag
You are a despicable and worthless individual
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PhilDaBank
Fun fact : Lloyd banks recorded this in a cage
With lions.
They respected him
@matthewcarl82
π€£π€£π€£
@primetime78664
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@SKND_CBK
Forreal, good oneπ―π€£π―
@Johns1082
Phil Bigord Rite! lol fuckin' guy is a beast on the freestyle mic!
@kingejiro
Facts my G. You can feel Lloydβs hunger on this one.
@user-yw2rd9fh1w
36 and all I can say is that I'm happy I was around for the golden ages of rap like this. Constantly new material being drop and a majority was π₯π₯π₯
@johnwellman2161
Bro same here. Whoa. Just turned 37 and this is better than ever. Much love
@sno0pRz
same bro
@granddad6689
Banks wordplay, scheme, multisyllabic structure and imagery is underrated.