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 Workout
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear a lotta talkin niggas must be mad at BANKS
But there only one problem niggas ain't as bad as BANKS
Nigga yous front you gon get shot down
We fend to pump crack at cho spot now, G-Unit
Nigga ain't nuttin change
You move I'll blow your brains
These niggas don't really want war (nah)
They just walk around frontin
Cause I walk around stuntin
Why you think the long pump is in the trunk for (yea)
If you really want somethin we can show up at your front door
I know my history, my family tree done said "master" (uh-huh)
Fuck livin positive, cause negativity spreads faster
A celebrity has ta, bulletproof his car
Cause big hits come flyin through ya door like Casper (WOO)
I'm smokin out the jar (jar) scopin out the bar
Distracted see shorty breast pokin out the bra (uh-huh)
Not the type to go spark metal in
Start thinkin you gangsta cause you hit a park yellow van (yea)
Act hard but ya heart made a marshmellows man
Talk tough, til you get cuffed and start tellin damn
Everyday I got a new bitch and when I'm done wit her
It'll look like she dived head first into cool whip (GOD DAMN)
You only gon wind up dead tryin to prove shit
I put chalk around ya head like a pool stick (yea)
I gotta have bucks on the waist
I'm hungry like a south african with fly stuck to his face( WAA)
Catch Banks in a truck full of bass (uh-huh)
Remember I'm a batchelor, the 4 or 5 ducks outta space
You could either get bucked or get ya ass jumped
The only tigger you touch is on a gas pump
I got my own personal slave she really got a curfew
Cook and clean for the kid like silly in color purple (UH-HUH UH-HUH)
I know you wanna pop me but (but)
If I hit you first, the exit wound gon be the size of a hockey puck (AHH)
Fuck, I really hold the rubber
I send +Sparks+ at you and I don't mean Emilio or Bubba
I'm aimin for a video cover, huge tall bustas
A pound and a philly hold the smuggler
G=Unit's whats up right now
The Gucci cloth is on a newport sign upsidedown
You gotta come a little harder, nigga
You wear jerseys while mine a throwback and yours is a Starter(HA HA HA)
You still gotta beg a ho (ho)
And you mad cause you blowin on oregano
You niggas'll never blow
Anyone to step in my ring is brave
I don't know a thing about hair stylin but I can make a finger weave (ERR)
Short stay leave her butt in the telly
Lace up the beef and brocclis peanut butter and jelly
I'm about to get this deal (uh-huh) shorty know
Thats why she foamin out the grill like a Alka-Seltzer pill
I ain't loud around a snitch (nah)
I don't crowd around a btich (nah)
The jumpsuit match wit the Carolina kicks
I been sick since niggas was on Harlod Miner dick
I could call up a chick and put a child around her lips (WOO)
Niggas can't stand the fact that I'm real
I kidnap the Queen from the castle and put her back on the pill
Gimme Barbie at her best (UH-HUH)
Bacardi at the chest(UH-HUH)
I'm similar to the young Marcus Darvy at the desk
Useta have ta push up, now I hardly got ta press
Got two guns, and both lead to cardiac arrest
My success got suckers salty (salty)
Blowin steam like a cup of coffee
Click POW get these fuckas off me
[50 Cent]
I hear a lotta talkin niggas must be mad at BANKS
But there only one problem niggas ain't as bad as BANKS
Nigga yous front you gon get shot down
We fend to pump crack at cho spot now, G-Unit
Nigga ain't nuttin change
You move I'll blow your brains
Yea
Lloyd Banks nigga
Whats up nigga?
It's 50 nigga
You fuckin wit him right?
I know you fuckin wit him cause I said you fuckin wit him
Thats my baby right there thats my boy right there my young nigga
Whats up nigga?
What the fuck
I hear niggas hollerin that "keep it real" and all that nigga
Nigga if you talkin all that gangsta shit
Nigga we get it poppin nigga
Whats up nigga?
Anytime nigga I don't give a fuck if it's 4 in the afternoon nigga
Any where you see me nigga
Lets go
In 50 Cent's song "Banks Workout," the rapper Lloyd Banks discusses his gangsta lifestyle and his preparedness to face any challenges coming his way. Banks portrays an air of confidence that stems from his family history and negative experience of trying to live positively. He warns those who underestimate him to stay away, stating that he would shoot them dead. Banks also speaks of his attitude towards women, claiming to have a new woman every day, as well as his love of smoking weed and observing women in bars. He concludes by stating that he is about to get a deal and that this makes women flock to him.
The lyrics reveal Banks' toughness and violent tendencies. He uses his family's background and his ability to shoot anyone who tries to mess with him to assert his dominance over others. Banks' statements about women objectify them, reducing them to objects of his desire. Additionally, the lyrics reveal the intense hypermasculinity that is prevalent in hip-hop culture, with Banks viewing any display of emotion or desire for positivity as weakness. Overall, the song portrays Lloyd Banks as a hardened gangsta who is prepared to take on anyone who opposes him.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear a lotta talkin niggas must be mad at BANKS
People are talking a lot, they must be upset with Lloyd Banks
But there only one problem niggas ain't as bad as BANKS
The problem is that these people are not as bad as Lloyd Banks
Nigga yous front you gon get shot down
If you act tough, you will get shot
We fend to pump crack at cho spot now, G-Unit
We are going to sell drugs at your location
Nigga ain't nuttin change
Nothing has changed
You move I'll blow your brains
If you make a move, I will shoot you
These niggas don't really want war (nah)
These people do not actually want a war
They just walk around frontin
They just pretend to be tough
Cause I walk around stuntin
Because I show off
Why you think the long pump is in the trunk for (yea)
The reason the gun is in the trunk is for protection
If you really want somethin we can show up at your front door
If you want to start trouble, we can come to you
I know my history, my family tree done said "master" (uh-huh)
I understand the history of my family and the struggles we have faced
Fuck livin positive, cause negativity spreads faster
I do not believe in living positively because negative things happen quickly
A celebrity has ta, bulletproof his car
Famous people need to protect themselves by bulletproofing their cars
Cause big hits come flyin through ya door like Casper (WOO)
Because bullets can come through your door easily
I'm smokin out the jar (jar) scopin out the bar
I am smoking weed and checking out the women at the bar
Distracted see shorty breast pokin out the bra (uh-huh)
I am distracted by the woman's breasts poking out of her bra
Not the type to go spark metal in
I do not want to start trouble
Start thinkin you gangsta cause you hit a park yellow van (yea)
Do not think you are tough because you hit a car in a parking lot
Act hard but ya heart made a marshmellows man
You act tough, but you are really weak
Talk tough, til you get cuffed and start tellin damn
You talk tough until you get arrested and start giving information away
Everyday I got a new bitch and when I'm done wit her
I have a new woman every day and when I am finished with her
It'll look like she dived head first into cool whip (GOD DAMN)
She looks like she dove headfirst into a pile of whipped cream
You only gon wind up dead tryin to prove shit
You will only end up dead if you think you need to prove something
I put chalk around ya head like a pool stick (yea)
I will kill you and put chalk around your head like on a pool table
I gotta have bucks on the waist
I must have money on me
I'm hungry like a south african with fly stuck to his face( WAA)
I am very hungry and determined to succeed
Catch Banks in a truck full of bass (uh-huh)
Lloyd Banks is driving a truck with loud music
Remember I'm a batchelor, the 4 or 5 ducks outta space
Remember, I am single and very rich
You could either get bucked or get ya ass jumped
You will either get shot or beaten up
The only tigger you touch is on a gas pump
The only trigger you touch is when you pump gas
I got my own personal slave she really got a curfew
I have a personal assistant who has a curfew
Cook and clean for the kid like silly in color purple (UH-HUH UH-HUH)
She cooks and cleans for me, like the character in The Color Purple
I know you wanna pop me but (but)
I know you want to kill me but
If I hit you first, the exit wound gon be the size of a hockey puck (AHH)
If I shoot you first, the wound will be very large
Fuck, I really hold the rubber
I really have a gun
I send +Sparks+ at you and I don't mean Emilio or Bubba
I will shoot bullets at you
I'm aimin for a video cover, huge tall bustas
I am aiming for a music video with tall, muscular women
A pound and a philly hold the smuggler
I am carrying drugs with me
G=Unit's whats up right now
G-Unit is currently popular
The Gucci cloth is on a newport sign upsidedown
I am wearing Gucci clothing and holding a cigarette upside down
You gotta come a little harder, nigga
You need to try harder
You wear jerseys while mine a throwback and yours is a Starter(HA HA HA)
You wear cheap jerseys while mine is an expensive, vintage one
You still gotta beg a ho (ho)
You need to beg women for attention
And you mad cause you blowin on oregano
You are mad because you are smoking fake weed
You niggas'll never blow
You will never be successful
Anyone to step in my ring is brave
Anyone who challenges me is very brave
I don't know a thing about hair stylin but I can make a finger weave (ERR)
I am not knowledgeable about hair, but I can braid hair with my fingers
Short stay leave her butt in the telly
I have a short-term relationship with a woman and she leaves my hotel room
Lace up the beef and brocclis peanut butter and jelly
I will prepare a meal of beef and broccoli, with a side of peanut butter and jelly
I'm about to get this deal (uh-huh) shorty know
I am about to make a big deal and the woman I am with is aware
Thats why she foamin out the grill like a Alka-Seltzer pill
She is excited for me and foaming at the mouth like a tablet of Alka-Seltzer
I ain't loud around a snitch (nah)
I am not talking loudly around someone who might snitch on me
I don't crowd around a btich (nah)
I am not hanging out with a woman who is not worthy of my time
The jumpsuit match wit the Carolina kicks
My outfit matches my shoes
I been sick since niggas was on Harlod Miner dick
I have been popular and successful since the 90s
I could call up a chick and put a child around her lips (WOO)
I can have a woman perform oral sex on me
Niggas can't stand the fact that I'm real
People do not like that I am genuine
I kidnap the Queen from the castle and put her back on the pill
I am very successful and powerful, and I control important people
Gimme Barbie at her best (UH-HUH)
I want the most attractive women
Bacardi at the chest(UH-HUH)
I want to drink Bacardi
I'm similar to the young Marcus Darvy at the desk
I am like a young Marcus Darvy, sitting at a desk and working hard
Useta have ta push up, now I hardly got ta press
I used to have to do push-ups, but now I am very strong
Got two guns, and both lead to cardiac arrest
I have two guns and both can kill you
My success got suckers salty (salty)
My success makes people angry and jealous
Blowin steam like a cup of coffee
People are angry and upset
Click POW get these fuckas off me
I will shoot people who come at me
Yea
Yes
Lloyd Banks nigga
This is Lloyd Banks speaking
Whats up nigga?
What is going on?
It's 50 nigga
This is 50 Cent speaking
You fuckin wit him right?
You are working with me, correct?
I know you fuckin wit him cause I said you fuckin wit him
I know you are working with me because I told you to
Thats my baby right there thats my boy right there my young nigga
That is my friend and I am proud of him
What the fuck
What is going on?
I hear niggas hollerin that "keep it real" and all that nigga
People are saying to stay true to yourself and be honest
Nigga if you talkin all that gangsta shit
If you are speaking like a gangster
Nigga we get it poppin nigga
We will start trouble
Anytime nigga I don't give a fuck if it's 4 in the afternoon nigga
I am ready to start trouble at any time, even in the afternoon
Contributed by Jayce O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@OrthodoxHC
Banks punching hard.Probably the best guy from G-Unit if we compare punchlines.
@seanharris140
G. T. Probably? I think certainly. Lol.
@joshbocanegra3896
Thatβs without question
@jaymokwena7011
First time listening to this track was back in 2004 and I still say today that this is Banks' best track he has ever done
@jojocapone4861
" I got my own personal slave, she really got a curfew,
Cook and clean for da kid like Sealy in Color Purple".... Love dat line
@sp4366
That line is one of my favs since over a decade
@ojthomas5599
That's got to be one of the best freestyles of all time...
@INSFAN86
LOL YO BANKS SERIOUSLY IN MY OPINION WAS THE BEST MC IN THE GAME DURING THESE YEARS. METAPHORS,PUNCLINES EVERYTHING WAS JUST ON POINT. AND HE DEF SOUNDS DIFFERENT NOW A DAYS
@brotherhood6391
Banks and them still have some of the best bars and lines ever hes up there
@BergManATM
Banks was a monster, can't deny it at all!!! PURE FRANKENSTEIN ON THE MIC