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.
Be a Gentleman
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you watch what you say (brrat, nigga take that)
Or Jesus Christ can't save you (it's gangsta)
Once you go 'gainst the grain
Yo, no more freestyles and verses killin' Sticky and Ja
I've movin' on now, I got bigger fish to fry
Since 'How to Rob' a lot of niggas been naming names
Still niggas acting like I don't get down or something
Like I ain't the next nigga to wear the crown or something
You gonna talk about your chips 'til we run in your crib
And you gone ask dumb questions like, "Can I live?"
Look, If I shoot you, I'm famous
If you shoot me, you're brainless, you said it yourself
I'm slick enough to twist your lines and send them back at you
Swift enough to snatch the MAC and pop that at you
Take it personal, see if I won't send you to hell
I've done told Ton and Pok, they better have my bail
But if it's over a mil' don't put the crib up done
'Cause if 50 get free nigga, 50 gonna run
It's best you be a gentleman
And you watch what you say (brrat, brrat)
Or Jesus Christ can't save you once you go 'gainst the grain
(It's gangsta)
It's best you be a gentleman
And you watch what you say (brrat, nigga take that)
Or Jesus Christ can't save you once you go 'gainst the grain
(It's gangsta)
Look I'm supposed to be cocky, I ain't a poor no mo'
I ain't gotta steal from the corna' store no mo'
Got my own crib, I ain't sleepin' on the flo' no mo'
Bouncers don't try to play me at the do' no mo'
But when they see me they say, "Search him, he might have the nine" (yeah)
"He might shoot this motherfucker up like Shyne"
It's been a while since a new nigga came tight like this
Your man, he aight, but he ain't quite like this
Niggas is feelin' it
The Benz pullin' up on the set (uh-huh)
Me jumpin' out, thirty thou' on my neck (uh-huh, uh-huh)
And since you said, wasn't nothin' to sweat (what?)
That you was outta line so here's what you get
A verbal ass kickin'
Jesus Christ sent me to test ya
Let's see how- see how he act's under pressure
'Til Makaveli returns it's 'All Eyez On Me'
'Til the feds build up cases and find pies on me
It's best you be a gentleman
And you watch what you say (brrat, brrat)
Or Jesus Christ can't save you once you go 'gainst the grain
It's best you be a gentleman
And you watch what you say (brrat, nigga take that)
Or Jesus Christ can't save you (it's gangsta)
Once you go 'gainst the grain
(It's gangsta)
(2000 shit)
(Yo)
You know what y'all need to do?
Get together
Make a, "We Are The World" record
Faggot ass niggas
50 Cent's song Be a Gentleman warns against the dangers of street life and the consequences of being too aggressive. The chorus advises that it is best to be a gentleman and to watch what you say so that Jesus Christ can save you when you go gangsta. The lyrics describe 50 Cent's progression from his early days of freestyling and dissing other rappers to his focus on bigger goals, such as acquiring wealth and securing his freedom.
The song begins with 50 Cent mocking other rappers who try to mimic his style but fail to understand the game. He name-drops Sticky and Ja, rappers who he dissed in previous songs. 50 Cent claims to have moved on from that type of behavior and now has "bigger fish to fry." He insists that he has changed the game and is the next rapper to wear the crown.
The second verse of the song outlines the dangers faced by those who engage in street life. 50 Cent describes how people try to take advantage of him, and how he has to be constantly vigilant to protect himself. He warns his rivals that he is "slick enough to twist your lines and send them back at you" and "swift enough to snatch the MAC and pop that at you." The song concludes with 50 Cent telling his rivals that they had better watch what they say or they will end up in hell.
Line by Line Meaning
It's best you be a gentleman
It's in your best interest to act respectfully and politely
And you watch what you say (bwahh nigga take that)
Be careful with the words you choose or face the consequences
Or Jesus Christ can't save you once you go gangsta, friend
Once you turn to a life of crime, there may be no way to redeem yourself
Yo, no more freestyles and verses killin' Sticky and Ja
I'm done with dissing other rappers with my music
I've movin' on now, I got bigger fish to fry
I have more important things to focus on in my career and life
Since 'How to Rob' a lot of niggas been naming names
After my song 'How to Rob,' many rappers have been calling each other out by name
Monkey see, monkey do, I done changed the game
Others have copied my style, but I have revolutionized the music industry
Still niggas acting like I don't get down or something
Some people are still doubting my credibility
Like I ain't the next nigga to wear the crown or something
I am the next big thing in the rap scene
You gonna talk about your chips 'til we run in your crib
You brag about your money until we rob you at home
And you gone ask dumb questions like "Can I live?"
You'll ask for mercy after we take your money and possessions
Look, If I shoot you, I'm famous
If I shoot you, I'll become even more well-known
If you shoot me, you're brainless, you said it yourself
If you try to kill me, you're foolish and will face the consequences
I'm slick enough to twist your lines and send them back at you
I can cleverly use your own words against you
Swift enough to snatch the MAC and pop that at you
I am quick enough to take your gun and use it against you
Take it personal, see if I won't send you to hell
If you challenge me, I'll make sure you regret it
I've done told Ton and Pok? They better have my bail
I have warned my friends that they may need to bail me out of jail
But if it's over a mil' don't put the crib up done
Don't risk losing your home if the bail amount is too high
'Cause if 50 get free nigga, 50 gonna run
If I get out of jail, I'll flee to avoid further trouble
Look I'm supposed to be cocky, I ain't a po' no mo'
I'm allowed to be arrogant because I'm no longer poor
I ain't gotta steal from the corna' store no mo'
I don't have to resort to theft anymore
Got my own crib, I ain't sleepin' on the flo' no mo'
I have my own home and don't have to sleep on the floor
Bouncers don't try to play me at the do' no mo'
Security guards don't try to intimidate me at the door anymore
But when they see me they say search him
Despite my success, people still associate me with violence and possible weapons
"He might have the nine
They suspect that I may be carrying a firearm
He might shoot this motherfucker up like Shyne"
They fear that I may become violent like another famous rapper, Shyne
It's been a while since a new nigga came tight like this
I'm one of the best new rappers in the scene
Yeah man, he aight, but he ain't quite like this
Other rappers may be good, but they're not as unique as me
Niggas is feelin' it
People are enjoying my music
The Benz pullin up on the set (uh huh)
My luxury car arriving on the set
Me jumpin out, thirty thou' on my neck (uh huh uh huh)
I step out of the car with expensive jewelry on my neck
And since you said it was nothin' to sweat (what)
Since you claimed that I was nothing to worry about
That you was outta line so here's what you get
You crossed a line, now you'll face consequences
A verbal ass kickin'
I'll put you in your place with my words
Jesus Christ sent me to test ya
I'm here to challenge and intimidate you
Let's see how see how he act's under pressure
Let's observe how he reacts when stressed
'Til Makaveli returns it's 'All Eyez On Me'
Until the famous rapper Makaveli comes back, everyone's attention is on me
'Til the feds build up cases and find pies on me
Until the government finds evidence of criminal activity against me
Ya'll know what you need to do, get together,
I'm calling out to other rappers to unite
Make a We Are The World record, faggot ass niggas
Come together and make music for a good cause instead of fighting and bickering
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Curtis James Jackson, Dominick Lamb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RT-up1je
50 has so many songs that aren’t mainstream but could be number 1 if it came out
@theblackpic1111
And that’s ppls problem with 50 they’ll literally say dumb shit like “he hasn’t made good album since 2005” that’s because he had a lot of street records
@PrincessDesert
50 ‘s last check was like, 80 million dollars or some crazy shit. he cheated death and changed the rap game forever. he knows he can do whatever da fuk he wants he on top and dont need to do thug albums anymore he done living ghetto
@jrtaylor5172
@Emiliano Dean no 150 from Starz
@candyman1630
man I dislike 50 a lot, but I LOVE this shit!!!
n*** is feeling that
the benz pulling up on the set
I'm jumping out $50,000 on my neck
that s*** you said was nothing to sweat
but you was out of line so here's what you get!!!
@mtbnomadsouthsideant7909
@Candyman he said a verbal ass a verbal ass kicking Jesus Christ sent me here to test let's see how he react under pressure the makaveli returns it's all eyes on me till build a case or find bodies on me
@blackchakra8997
Is it weird I listen to this every Christmas?
@prodegycruz
Can I say no?
@reflexaoativa
nice mann ;)
@robertbones326
Jacob Mayberry jesus christ sent 50 to test ya