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.
Dem Not Ready
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You not ready for me nigga you not ready for me
(no)
You not ready for me nigga you not ready for me
(no)
You not ready for me nigga you not ready for me
(no)
[50 cent]
Yea nigga I'm the first one up
I heard you been talking mad shit
Why don't you just step the fuck up
Get in my face and see what's happens
I'll take you out you won't know what happened like poof its magic
Yea I pull magic tricks I'm like be rabbit
I beat the hell out of all you faggots
I do it big just like a real savage
Game wanna mess wit us we'll do it back
Fuck all this 'get rid of beef' y'all heard that
You wanna know what's happens when you mess wit G-Unit
You get dropped,shot and punched in yo shit bitch
(chorus)
[Lloyd Banks]
Uhh Yea
Sit down 50 man let me get on this nigga
He talkin' like he a G
But he don't wanna see me in the streets
Niggas get capped up, smacked up and killed
I like to do it gangsta style yea I do it for real
I'll be yo dentist get yo chest filled Wit bullets
Yea yo plan failed to ruin the G-units name
Lets do it like Trina and stop playin' games
I'm a spit heat flashes make you look like a lame
And when I head in the club hoe's give me they name
I'll do it like li'l' flip and say
You a lame so yo dame must be playin mind games
If you think you mess wit G-unit
Think about we go in the streets and handle our business
(chorus)
[Tony Yayo]
I'm back on that gangsta shit
When I'm in the streets y'all know who I'm wit
G-unit we kill niggas that talk shit
The Game has gotten so selfish
We the one's who put him on the map
Take this track rewind it like Boom Boom Clap
And you'll find out who's goin' get ya
We always goin' be on 106&park like yo twin Big Tigga
I hope you figured out why we made this song
'cause you really don't want to fuck wit us we King Kong
(chorus to a fade)
The song "Dem Not Ready" by 50 Cent is a classic example of bravado rap. The lyrics are a series of boasts and threats of violence directed towards anyone who dares to stand in the rapper's way. The chorus, performed by Young Buck, repeats the phrase "you not ready for me nigga" over and over again, while 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo take turns spitting their verses.
The first verse is performed by 50 Cent himself. He starts off by accusing someone of talking "mad shit" about him and challenges them to step up and face him. He then boasts that he is capable of taking them out with ease, comparing himself to a magician who can make his enemies disappear. He also makes sure to include a homophobic slur directed at his rivals.
Lloyd Banks takes over for the second verse, in which he brags about his gangsta style and his propensity for violence. He describes himself as a "dentist" who fills his enemies' chests with bullets and threatens to "cap" and "smack up" anyone who gets in his way. He also compares himself to rapper Trina and warns his rivals not to "play games" with him.
Finally, Tony Yayo delivers the last verse. He reminds his enemies that G-Unit is responsible for making them famous and warns them not to mess with the crew. He also drops a reference to the popular video countdown show "106 & Park" and suggests that G-Unit will be a fixture on the program for years to come. The chorus repeats one final time before the song fades out.
Line by Line Meaning
You not ready for me nigga you not ready for me
You are not prepared to face me or take me on as an adversary
It's G-Unit and we bout to get this fuckin' hoe
G-Unit as a collective is ready to confront and handle business against anyone who stands in their way
Yea nigga I'm the first one up
I am ready and eager to take on any challenge presented to me
I heard you been talking mad shit
I have been informed that you have been speaking negatively about me behind my back
Why don't you just step the fuck up
Instead of talking, why don't you confront me face to face?
Get in my face and see what's happens
Confronting me may result in a violent altercation
I'll take you out you won't know what happened like poof its magic
I am capable of defeating my opponents easily and swiftly, leaving them surprised and powerless
I pull magic tricks I'm like be rabbit
I am skilled at executing unexpected and impressive feats, similar to the fictional character B-Rabbit
I beat the hell out of all you faggots
I am willing and able to physically harm anyone who opposes me
I do it big just like a real savage
I undertake and achieve tasks in a large or impressive way, similar to a wild and fierce animal
Game wanna mess wit us we'll do it back
If someone provokes or attacks G-Unit, they will retaliate with equal force
Fuck all this 'get rid of beef' y'all heard that
I do not believe in or desire to follow the trend of peace-making and resolving conflicts among rappers
You wanna know what's happens when you mess wit G-Unit
If you challenge or harm G-Unit, there will be dire consequences and repercussions
You get dropped,shot and punched in yo shit bitch
You will be physically attacked and harmed by G-Unit members
Sit down 50 man let me get on this nigga
Allow me to handle this confrontation with the opponent
He talkin' like he a G
He is speaking and acting as if he is a gangsta or tough guy
But he don't wanna see me in the streets
He is not willing to confront or fight me in person
Niggas get capped up, smacked up and killed
Those who oppose or anger me may face a violent punishment, potentially involving firearms
I like to do it gangsta style yea I do it for real
I strongly identify with, embrace and act in accordance with the gangsta culture and lifestyle
I'll be yo dentist get yo chest filled Wit bullets
I am capable of harming and killing my opponent with firearms
Yo plan failed to ruin the G-units name
Your attempts to damage the reputation or image of G-Unit have not succeeded
Lets do it like Trina and stop playin' games
Let us stop pretending and act aggressively and violently
I'm a spit heat flashes make you look like a lame
I will rap with impressive skill and intensity, making my opponent look weak and inferior
And when I head in the club hoe's give me they name
When I go to clubs, girls willingly and eagerly give me their contact information and names
I'll do it like li'l' flip and say
I will imitate the style and approach of rapper Lil' Flip
You a lame so yo dame must be playin mind games
You are someone who is uncool and unpopular, so your girlfriend must be manipulating and deceiving you
Think about we go in the streets and handle our business
Consider the possibility that G-Unit will take violent action towards you in a public setting
I'm back on that gangsta shit
I am returning to and embracing the gangsta culture and mindset
When I'm in the streets y'all know who I'm wit
When I am in public, everyone knows and recognizes me as a member of G-Unit
G-unit we kill niggas that talk shit
G-Unit members are willing and able to kill anyone who speaks negatively or offensively towards them
The Game has gotten so selfish
The rapper The Game has become arrogant and self-centered
We the one's who put him on the map
G-Unit is responsible for The Game's initial rise to fame and success
Take this track rewind it like Boom Boom Clap
Listen to this song again and again, paying attention to every detail and element
And you'll find out who's goin' get ya
By listening carefully to this song, you will realize who will harm or attack you
We always goin' be on 106&park like yo twin Big Tigga
G-Unit members will consistently appear and perform on music television shows such as 106 & Park
I hope you figured out why we made this song
I expect and hope that you understand why G-Unit wrote and performed this particular track
'cause you really don't want to fuck wit us we King Kong
Because of our strength, power and reputation, you are not capable or willing to confront G-Unit members
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mokikz
Damn this brings me back to the summer 2003
@masonridgewell8063
Fo Sho'! Greatest summer of all time!
@chrisstath8268
this track is underratted af
@BkuBrown
Mixtape era > streaming era
@randomweeb2809
Always 🔥🔥🔥
@TheMack-km5lz
50 Cent is on some reggae shit on this track🔥 and this song sounds like make it clap by Busta Rhymes💯👌🏾 50 just went hard on this💥 still bumping this in 2020💥
@TheMack-km5lz
@Wakili Martins word💯💯💯
@chitownreese35
This when 50 was snapping
@Baarz420
THANK YOU U MADE MY YEAR!! I BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS SONG SINCE LIKE 2003 I KEPT GETTN THE OTHER VERSION
@TheMack-km5lz
50 is on some reggae shit🔥🔥🔥