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.
Build You Up )
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la la la la (Uh huh)
Ooh I'd lie for you baby (Ooh I'd die for you baby)
I like the way that feel
I'll build you, but if ever I fall down
And I need you to pick me up
Promise me, you'll be around
Listen, if you let me, I'll be the reason you shine
It's the secret, I want the world to know that you're mine
But on some real shit, communications could be better
So I'm writing this song instead of a love letter
They gon' play it on the radio a hundred times a day
I figure when you hear it you gon' stop and think of me
I wanna get to know you, and be the reason you smile
Girl you know where I'm from, you know how I get down
When times get tough, tell me that I'm special
Not rap, I mean me, that I'm special
You know they say diamonds are a girl's best friend
Precious stones, could you put me before them?
If so, I'll see to it they always around
Nothing but the best, now how does that sound?
If I drop a jewel when we talk you can keep it
Girl you on my mind all the time, that's a secret
Baby, I'll build you up
Girl, if I know for sure I have you by my side
I'd build you up
Girl, I need to know for sure you're mine
I need to know for sure
Girl, if I know for sure I have you by my side
I'd build you up
Girl, I need to know for sure you're mine
I think about you thinkin' that you feel the same way
Or is it just my imagination that get runnin' away?
If you ready to ride, girl, c'mon, let's roll
G-5-5 fly, ma, let's go
It's hard to measure the pleasure of havin' you in my presence
Your smile makes me smile, I'll show you my style
You can shop a little bit, I'll pick out some shit
One pair at a time 'til your shoe game sick
Now who knows what the future holds we'll be together probably
For better or worse, like Whitney and Bobby
If you wanna play house, we can play house then
But wait, why pretend when you can move in?
Before I be your buddy in bed let me be your best friend
Girl, it's more than lust, I want your trust
You keep it real with me, I keep it real with you
'Cause I know with you by my side there's nothing I can't do, yeah
Baby
Girl, if I know for sure I have you by my side
I'd build you up
Girl, I need to know for sure you're mine
(Build you up, baby, when you're down)
Girl, if I know for sure I have you by my side
('Cause your smile, like a frown, yes I will)
I'd build you up
Girl, I need to know for sure you're mine
I'm gon' build you up baby
La la la, la la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la la la la la la
The opening lines of the song "Build You Up" by 50 Cent begins with a catchy hook that sets the mood for the rest of the lyrics. The chorus reflects the love and devotion the rapper has for his special someone, promising to lift them up when they fall down. The rapper seems to be head over heels in love and ready to go to any length to make the love affair work.
He wants to build his partner up and be a strong support system when they need him. In the verses, he acknowledges that communication could be better in their relationship, so he wrote a song instead of a love letter to express how he feels. He wants to be the reason his partner shines and wants the world to know that she is his.
The song is an ode to love and the things we do for the ones we love. It's a message that says that true love is one that takes two people up and not one that leaves the other down. Overall, the song celebrates the importance of being a solid support system to the person you love, even in the toughest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la (Yeah!)
Expressing excitement and happiness.
La la la la la la la la (Uh huh)
Continuing to show excitement and happiness.
Ooh I'd lie for you baby (Ooh I'd die for you baby)
I am willing to go to great lengths for you, even if it means sacrificing my own well-being.
I like the way that feel
I enjoy the feelings that being with you brings.
I'll build you, but if ever I fall down
I will support and uplift you, but if I am ever in a vulnerable position, I hope you will do the same for me.
And I need you to pick me up
In times of need, I hope you will be there to support me, just like I would do for you.
Promise me, you'll be around
Please reassure me that you will always be there for me, no matter what.
Hold me down, I'll build you up
If you support me, I will be your foundation and support system in return.
Listen, if you let me, I'll be the reason you shine
If you allow me to support you, I will be the catalyst for your success and growth.
It's the secret, I want the world to know that you're mine
I may be keeping this under wraps, but I want everyone to know that you are special to me.
But on some real shit, communications could be better
I acknowledge that we need to work on improving our communication with each other.
So I'm writing this song instead of a love letter
I am expressing my feelings through my music instead of writing a traditional love letter.
They gon' play it on the radio a hundred times a day
I hope this song will be played frequently on the radio to remind you how much you mean to me.
I figure when you hear it you gon' stop and think of me
I hope this song will make you think of me and the love that we share.
I wanna get to know you, and be the reason you smile
I want to deepen our connection and bring joy to your life.
Girl you know where I'm from, you know how I get down
You already know everything about me and my lifestyle.
When times get tough, tell me that I'm special
I need your support and encouragement during difficult times.
Not rap, I mean me, that I'm special
I do not just want to be recognized for my music career, but as a person who is special to you.
You know they say diamonds are a girl's best friend
Society may put a lot of value on material possessions like diamonds, but I hope you value me more than any expensive gifts.
Precious stones, could you put me before them?
Would you prioritize me over material possessions?
If so, I'll see to it they always around
If you value me more than material things, I will make sure they are always present in our lives.
Nothing but the best, now how does that sound?
I will always strive to provide you with the best of everything.
If I drop a jewel when we talk you can keep it
If I share valuable knowledge with you during our conversations, you can keep it for yourself.
Girl you on my mind all the time, that's a secret
I am constantly thinking about you and our relationship, but I do not always express this openly.
I think about you thinkin' that you feel the same way
I often think about whether or not you have similar feelings for me.
Or is it just my imagination that get runnin' away?
I am unsure if I am just imagining this connection or if it is truly mutual.
If you ready to ride, girl, c'mon, let's roll
If you are ready to take this relationship to the next level, let's do it.
G-5-5 fly, ma, let's go
I want to travel and experience life with you, so let's take off on a private jet together.
It's hard to measure the pleasure of havin' you in my presence
Being around you brings me so much joy that it is difficult to put into words.
Your smile makes me smile, I'll show you my style
Your happiness makes me happy, and I want to share my unique personality and interests with you.
You can shop a little bit, I'll pick out some shit
You can enjoy shopping, and I will help you select items that look great on you.
Now who knows what the future holds we'll be together probably
We cannot predict the future, but I hope that we remain together.
For better or worse, like Whitney and Bobby
No matter what challenges we may face, I want us to stick together like Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown did.
If you wanna play house, we can play house then
If you are ready to live together and start a life together, I am too.
But wait, why pretend when you can move in?
There is no need for us to pretend to be in a relationship when we can actually take the next step and move in together.
Before I be your buddy in bed let me be your best friend
I do not just want a physical relationship with you, I want to build a strong foundation of friendship.
Girl, it's more than lust, I want your trust
Our connection is not purely physical, I also want to earn your trust.
You keep it real with me, I keep it real with you
If we both communicate honestly, then we can build a strong, authentic relationship.
'Cause I know with you by my side there's nothing I can't do, yeah
If we work together and support each other, there is nothing that we cannot achieve.
I'm gon' build you up baby
I am committed to supporting and uplifting you in every way possible.
La la la, la la la la la la la la
Continuing to express joy and excitement.
La la la, la la la la la la la la
More expressions of joy and excitement.
La la la, la la la la la la la la
Even more expressions of joy and excitement.
La la la, la la la la la la la la
Continuing to sing in a joyful manner.
La la la, la la la la la la la la
Final expressions of joy and excitement.
La la la, la la la la la la la la
Ending on a happy note.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Scott Storch, Curtis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good