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.
Could've Been You
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gave her street smarts, shit you can't get in college
She's a reflection of me so you know she the shit
If I'm a star she a star, if I'm rich she rich
That's my dog
I tell her stay she wanna go, I tell her go she wanna stay
That's my dog
You know a bitch don't usually mean nothing to me, that's right
She couldn't listen that, she ain't around
So ungrateful screaming "I hate you"
She must got amnesia, bitch I made you
Now just think, just think that could've been you
Just think, that should've been you
Yeah, with me, I share the world with you
But you ain't ride with a rider so I ain't fucking with you
Say, say, say girl, come here, no, you, no, her, yeah, you, go
The reason you didn't get dick
Because you got your nose up your ass like your smelling your shit
But tonight you met your match
'Cause I be smelling my shit too, now how you like that?
You could've had this dude and anything you choose
And now girl you lose cause I ain't fucking with ya
(Could've been you)
Shopping spree's, drop top hair blowing in the wind
(Could've been you)
Living lavish, instead it's your girlfriend
But you tripping while we sipping
In the back of the club big tipping
She say it hurts when you supposed to win then you lose
You were supposed to be sure, baby, you was confused
I had a thing for you, I had a ring for you
House, cars, kids and a pet name for you
Pussycat, told you I'd make it, you ain't believe
I guess cause coming up was hard it was easy to leave
Now think about it, maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong
Either way shorty, life goes on
When you around, my smile's a grin, my thoughts are a sin
You ask me can we try again, I ain't fucking with you
It's on, the club jumping, I'm trying get my liquor and
You wanna suck the dick again, I'm staring at your thicker friends
I guess I'm like Will Smith in "Pursuit of Happyness"
In my hood, we all hustle and in pursuit of the same shit
Now just think, just think, that could've been you
Now just think that should've been you with me
I share the world with you
But you ain't ride with a rider, so I ain't fucking with you
Say, say, say girl, come here, no, you, no, her, yeah, you, go
The reason you didn't get dick
Because you got your nose up your ass like your smelling your shit
But tonight you met your match
'Cause I be smelling my shit too, now how you like that?
You could've had this dude and anything you choose
And now girl you lose cause I ain't fucking with ya
(Could've been you)
Shopping spree's, drop top hair blowing in the wind
(Could've been you)
Living lavish, instead it's your girlfriend
And it ain't no other way to put it except
I know you understand it girl, it's so
But you see us in the back of the club
Popping bottles and it could've been you, but nope
Said it could've been, could've been you, yeah
Said it could've been, could've been you
The lyrics of the song "Could've Been You" by 50 Cent feat. R. Kelly talks about a woman who missed out on an opportunity to be with him. He gave her everything he could, including knowledge, street smarts, and material things, but she still couldn't see the value in their relationship. He acknowledges that he and the woman were a perfect match, but due to her ungratefulness, he had to let her go. He then reflects on the life they could have had together, including shopping sprees, living lavishly, and popping bottles at the club.
In the song, 50 Cent shows his vulnerability by opening up about how hurt he was when the woman rejected him. He had envisioned building a future with her but had to find that she didn't appreciate what he had to offer. Although the lyrics are about a romantic relationship, it also reflects the difficulty of navigating relationships with friends and loved ones.
Overall, "Could've Been You" is a powerful song that speaks to the value of investing in relationships and being grateful for the people in our lives who offer us love and support.
Line by Line Meaning
I gave her books to read, fed her mind with knowledge
I educated her and provided her with mental stimulation
Gave her street smarts, shit you can't get in college
I taught her practical knowledge that could not be learned in a formal education setting
She's a reflection of me so you know she the shit
She is a representation of my success and greatness
If I'm a star she a star, if I'm rich she rich
We share the same level of fame and wealth
That's my dog
She is close to me and we share a strong bond
I tell her stay she wanna go, I tell her go she wanna stay
She is indecisive and struggles with making choices
You know a bitch don't usually mean nothing to me, that's right
I am not emotionally attached to women and view them as disposable
But that's my dog I go left, she go right, I go up, she go down
Our indecisiveness causes us to take opposing actions
She couldn't listen that, she ain't around
Her unwillingness to listen caused our relationship to end
So ungrateful screaming "I hate you"
She is expressing anger and bitterness towards me
She must got amnesia, bitch I made you
She has forgotten the contributions and support I provided her with
Now just think, just think that could've been you
Consider the missed opportunity to be with me and enjoy my success
Just think, that should've been you
You could have been the one sharing in my success and wealth
Yeah, with me, I share the world with you
Being with me would mean experiencing a life of luxury and success
But you ain't ride with a rider so I ain't fucking with you
You did not support me in my pursuits, so I am no longer interested in you
The reason you didn't get dick
The reason I did not have sex with you
Because you got your nose up your ass like your smelling your shit
You are too self-absorbed and unaware of your surroundings
But tonight you met your match
You have met someone with a similar personality to yours
'Cause I be smelling my shit too, now how you like that?
I am also self-centered and uninterested in you
Shopping spree's, drop top hair blowing in the wind
Enjoying a luxurious lifestyle and experiencing freedom
Living lavish, instead it's your girlfriend
Instead of enjoying this life with me, you are watching your friend experience it
And it ain't no other way to put it except
There is no other way to say it
I know you understand it girl, it's so
You understand the situation and it is clear to you
Said it could've been, could've been you, yeah
Reiterating the missed opportunity to be with me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PRANAM INJETI, CURTIS JACKSON, ROBERT KELLY, KHALIL ABDUL RAHMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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