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.
Cocaine
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Columbia
Oh, uhh... well, do you mind if I do a line?
Yeah, go ahead; fuck it, let's all do one
I can't feel my face
I mean I can touch it, but I can't feel it... inside
Cocaine – I know police is watchin' (I see 'em watchin')
Cocaine – I got to get my money, you think shit is funny
Me I'm 'bout my business (you're motherfuckin' right) – Cocaine
Columbian girl, Peruvian chick
She make the money roll and I love the bitch
Know she ain't a virgin, but she pure
For the right price I'll let you fuck with her raw
A little like a pimp, I'm your pusher man
She could make us both rich nigga, yes, she can
You want your own spot, let's talk locations
Then talk market and the public relations
Everybody's watchin'
But no one talks about it (shut your mouth)
Right now – that's all it was, anything call it
She said "Sex just ain't the same without it"
Cocaine – I know police is watchin' (I see 'em watchin')
Cocaine – Hustlin', I'm not stoppin' (I ain't stoppin')
Cocaine – I got to get my money (I
Got to eat), you think shit is funny
Me I'm 'bout my business – Cocaine
Every little step I take (come on), you will be there
Every little step I make (look, bitch), we'll be together
So grateful (yeah), so faithful (uhh)
Every gram in the hand's more paper (c'mon)
I'll cut it, you sniff it, or smoke it, terrific
Movie stars, models and blondes and cocaine
New York, L.A. – 's all the same
The angels look the other way
'Cause they can understand my pain
Cocaine – I know police is watchin' (I see 'em watchin')
Cocaine – Hustlin', I'm not stoppin' (naw, I ain't stoppin')
Cocaine – I got to get my money
(Yeah), you think shit is funny (c'mon)
Me I'm 'bout my business (business) – Cocaine
You niggas got a problem, yeah
A big motherfucking problem
At a minimum,
I'ma have a nigga put speedknots all
Over your motherfucking head, ya dig?
Oh shit
The lyrics to 50 Cent's song "Cocaine" tell a story about a drug dealer and his interactions with a customer. The dealer starts by asking the customer where they got the cocaine, to which the customer responds "Columbia". The customer then asks if they can do a line, and the dealer agrees. The chorus repeats the word "cocaine" three times, with the dealer asserting that he won't stop hustling because he needs to make money to survive. He declares that he is all about his business.
The second verse introduces a female drug dealer who can make both the dealer and the customer rich. The female dealer is from Colombia or Peru, and while she may not be a virgin, the dealer promises that for the right price, the customer can have sex with her without a condom. This is followed by the dealer talking about market conditions and public relations, emphasizing that everyone is watching but nobody is talking about it.
The third verse references the pain that the dealer is experiencing, which leads him to use cocaine as a coping mechanism. He declares that he won't stop hustling, despite the presence of police, and encourages his customers to keep buying. The song's hook, which is repeated throughout, serves as a reminder of the drug's power and the danger associated with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Where did you get this stuff?
Asking where the cocaine came from
Columbia
Answering where the cocaine came from
Oh, uhh... well, do you mind if I do a line?
Asking permission to use cocaine
Yeah, go ahead; fuck it, let's all do one
Granting permission and inviting others to join in
I can't feel my face
Experiencing physical effects of using cocaine
I mean I can touch it, but I can't feel it... inside
Describing the numbness caused by cocaine use
Cocaine – I know police is watchin' (I see 'em watchin')
Being aware of law enforcement surveillance of drug activity
Cocaine – Hustlin', I'm not stoppin' (I got to eat)
Continuing to sell drugs because of financial necessity
Cocaine – I got to get my money, you think shit is funny
Emphasizing the seriousness of making money through drug dealing
Me I'm 'bout my business (you're motherfuckin' right) – Cocaine
Being focused on making a profit through selling drugs
Columbian girl, Peruvian chick
Referring to women who are involved in drug trafficking
She make the money roll and I love the bitch
Being attracted to a woman who is making money through drug dealing
Know she ain't a virgin, but she pure
Acknowledging that the woman has experience in the drug trade
For the right price I'll let you fuck with her raw
Offering the opportunity to have sex with the woman without using protection
A little like a pimp, I'm your pusher man
Comparing oneself to a pimp and referring to the act of selling drugs
She could make us both rich nigga, yes, she can
Believing that the woman's involvement in the drug trade can result in financial gain
You want your own spot, let's talk locations
Discussing potential locations for selling drugs
Then talk market and the public relations
Considering the market and public opinion when selling drugs
Everybody's watchin'
Feeling that one's drug activity is being observed by others
But no one talks about it (shut your mouth)
Not wanting people to reveal the drug activity to others
Right now – that's all it was, anything call it
Talking about using cocaine in the moment
She said 'Sex just ain't the same without it'
Referring to the idea that sex is more enjoyable when using cocaine
Every little step I take (come on), you will be there
Acknowledging that drugs will always be a part of the lifestyle
Every little step I make (look, bitch), we'll be together
Referring to the idea that cocaine use will always be present in his life and relationships
So grateful (yeah), so faithful (uhh)
Feeling strongly connected to cocaine use
Every gram in the hand's more paper (c'mon)
Believing that selling drugs is a lucrative business
I'll cut it, you sniff it, or smoke it, terrific
Offering cocaine in different forms
Movie stars, models and blondes and cocaine
Referring to high-profile individuals who use drugs
New York, L.A. – 's all the same
Suggesting that drug activity is common in different locations
The angels look the other way
Feeling that higher powers are ignoring drug activity
'Cause they can understand my pain
Suggesting that drug use is a way to cope with emotional pain
You niggas got a problem, yeah
Addressing those who may disapprove or oppose drug activity
A big motherfucking problem
Asserting that any opposition to drug activity will be a significant issue
At a minimum, I'ma have a nigga put speedknots all over your motherfucking head, ya dig?
Threatening violence against those who oppose drug activity
Oh shit
Expression of surprise or excitement
Contributed by Samuel H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ColdCorner
@Michelle Torez BISD would have been a classic with this tracklist, shame he changed it..
01 Intro
02 Came to Win [produced by Red Spyda]
03 Get Up [produced by Scott Storch]
04 Need Your Hate [Produced by Dr. Dre]
05 Here for a Reason [ft. Nate Dogg] [produced by tha Bizness]
06 Good to Be a Gangsta [produced by Ty Fyffe & Sha Money XL]
07 Don't Mess With 50 [produced by Don Cannon]
08 Trust in Me [produced by J.R. Rotem]
09 Norman Bates Motel [ft. Eminem] [produced by Dr. Dre]
10 Bitch I'm Sorry [produced by Needlz]
11 All for You [produced by Hi-Tek]
12 No Time to Lose [ft. Swizz Beatz] [produced by the Individuals]
13 Lonely at the Top [produced by Play-N-Skillz]
14 You Need Us [ft. Lloyd Banks & Tony Yayo] [produced by DJ Khalil]
15 Different Path [ft. Dave Young] [produced by Havoc]
16 I Get It In [produced by Dr. Dre]
17 Somebody Forgive Me [produced by Jake One]
18 My Reign [produced by Eminem]
19 Ready for War [ft. Dr. Dre] [produced by Dr. Dre]
emil kolenovic
I heard this 12 years ago and I love it every time I hear it
schummler
I feel u bro
Skip01
Sad this isn't on Spotify
Tom S
And big 10
Pepsi 21
And Shoting guns ft Kidd kidd
Amadeus
What wrong with youtube?
Pepsi 21
@Amadeus playing music in the Car
Blazkowizzle
None of the real 50 is on Spotify. Got to transfer that shit over
Michelle Torez
Damn this mixtape is so good! Underrated!!
bdot187
He managed to release two classic mixtapes at the same year, yet people wanna say he fell off in 07!🤨🧐