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.
Elementary
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
G Unit!
A, B (You can't fuck with me)
C, D (We from the Harlem streets)
E, F (Don't talk me to death)
G, H (It's elementary)
[Verse 1 - Scarlett]
Same color your Air Force Ones
White on white, ya like?
Red I flight the night
From L.A. to N.Y.
I'm Harlem bound
You see how bitches tense up, when Scarlett 'round
Niggas get the heart to holla while we up in the club
But get intimidated when they see me sitting on dubs
I hear 'em whispering " dat ain't a man, shit that's her."
She roll with them G Unit niggas, that's what's up
Disrespect me, I'll have niggas blast ya up
Take my advice, don't let ya peoples grass ya up
I got a fetish for the chips
20's for the six
Hollows for the clips
Try me, if you think I'm playing bitch
And the police we'll have another crime scene taker
Jim Star crush your head, give your ass a shape-up
Uptown niggas known for the money they make
Everybody ain't shook, you see doing the shake
[Hook - 50 Cent]
The boss spending ends
Saying, "Gimme that Benz, 20 inch rims, and four TV's"
The snitch in the precinct saying
"He sell X, he sell techs, and he sell D"
The balla by the bar saying,
"Everybody drink, the best champagne, it's all on me"
Snitch in the back of the police car
Pointing out the window saying, "He robbed me"
It's elementary
[Verse 2 - Lloyd Banks (50 Cent)]
1,2,3,4
(Lloyd Banks' in the house)
Now get the fuck on the floor
I slid through the front door
With the 9 and the velour
A cal in my pocket
You wil', I'mma pop it
I'm down for a profit
I'm ghetto as hell
You can't you tell?
My road dog, under the jail
Getting frustrating mail
So I'm drinking and smoking
Thinking and hoping
This cell gon' open
You can dance next to me, but don't throw an elbow
I'll throw one back and leave blood on your Shell Toes
Hell no
I ain't paying for pleasure
Your pussy don't bring rainbows and pots of treasure
It's every girl's dream, to floss with the team
Long on the suine
DVD's on the screen
Blowing on cream
Waiting for you to scheme
You ain't gotta know how to read, to spray a magazine
[Hook - 50 Cent]
The boss spending ends
Saying, "Gimme that Benz, 20 inch rims, and four TV's"
The snitch in the precinct saying
"He sell X, he sell techs, and he sell D"
The balla by the bar saying,
"Everybody drink, the best champagne, it's all on me"
Snitch in the back of the police car
Pointing out the window saying, "He robbed me"
It's elementary
[Verse 3 - Tony Yayo]
I don't wanna grow up, I'mma hustler kid
Go'head and stunt, see I don't pop two your wig
I'm artistic, intelligent, so much ability
When I use them big words, your bitch be feeling me
So ya'll niggas hate me, 'cause your wives be our groupies
Ya'll irritate me, like loud people in the movies
Fall back, matter fact back down
'Cause I just passed security without no pat down
You can catch me in the bathroom blowing a sticky
Or catch me on the dancefloor feeling some tits
Sex sells, so I'mma P-I-M-P
So my pockets never be empty
It ain't no problem, we scoop them models
We got condoms, coups, and lavish condos
50 got me getting ass like I never did
So when I step in the club, hoes love the kid
[Hook - 50 Cent]
The boss spending ends
Saying, "Gimme that Benz, 20 inch rims, and four TV's"
The snitch in the precinct saying
"He sell X, he sell techs, and he sell D"
The balla by the bar saying,
"Everybody drink, the best champagne, it's all on me"
Snitch in the back of the police car
Pointing out the window saying, "He robbed me"
It's elementary
[Outro - 50 Cent]
The cat in the house go
Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow
The bird in the cage go
Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet
It's elementary
The song Elementary by 50 Cent ft. G Unit and Scarlett, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo is a rap song that speaks about the lavish lifestyle and dangerous streets of Harlem. The title, "Elementary," is used sarcastically to suggest that the lyrics describe the most basic or elementary aspects of life in the hood, such as drugs, money, gangs, and violence. These topics are nothing new, but the song delivers them with a certain confidence and swagger.
Scarlett starts with a verse that highlights her luxurious white Range Rover with red glowing lights that draws attention wherever she goes. She mentions how she hangs out with the G Unit crew and warns anyone that would try to mess with her or her gang. Lloyd Banks takes the second verse, where he brags about his criminal lifestyle, name-drops sneaker brand Shell Toes, and warns anyone that would try to attack him. Tony Yayo closes the song with a verse that talks about his prowess with women, his hatred for certain types of people, and his success as a hustler.
The song's hook, performed by 50 Cent, repeats the phrase "it's elementary" after describing different types of behaviors and people in the streets. The song showcases the bravado and confidence that the G Unit members have, and how they live life without any fear, but also highlights the dark side of the streets, such as snitches, drugs, and stolen goods.
Line by Line Meaning
G Unit!
This is a shoutout to 50 Cent's rap group, G Unit.
A, B (You can't fuck with me)
I'm too good, you can't beat me.
C, D (We from the Harlem streets)
We grew up in Harlem and are street-wise.
E, F (Don't talk me to death)
Stop talking so much, it's annoying.
G, H (It's elementary)
This is simple and easy, there's nothing complicated about it.
Picture me rolling Range Rover
Imagine me driving my fancy Range Rover.
Same color your Air Force Ones
My Range Rover is the same color as your Air Force Ones (shoes).
White on white, ya like?
My Range Rover is white, do you like it?
Red I flight the night
I take red-eye flights at night.
From L.A. to N.Y.
I travel from Los Angeles to New York.
I'm Harlem bound
I'm going back to my hometown, Harlem.
You see how bitches tense up, when Scarlett 'round
Girls get nervous when I'm around.
Niggas get the heart to holla while we up in the club
Guys get the courage to talk to me when we're at a club.
But get intimidated when they see me sitting on dubs
But they get scared when they see me with my 20-inch rims.
I hear 'em whispering "dat ain't a man, shit that's her."
I hear guys whispering that I'm not a man, I'm a woman.
She roll with them G Unit niggas, that's what's up
She hangs out with the G Unit guys, that's cool.
Disrespect me, I'll have niggas blast ya up
If you disrespect me, my guys will shoot you.
Take my advice, don't let ya peoples grass ya up
Listen to me, don't let your friends betray you.
I got a fetish for the chips
I like making money.
20's for the six
I have $20 bills for my six-shooter.
Hollows for the clips
I have bullets for my gun.
Try me, if you think I'm playing bitch
Test me if you think I'm joking, bitch.
And the police we'll have another crime scene taker
If you mess with me, you'll end up dead and the police will take a report.
Jim Star crush your head, give your ass a shape-up
My friend, Jim Star, will beat you up and give you a haircut.
Uptown niggas known for the money they make
People in Harlem are known for making money.
Everybody ain't shook, you see doing the shake
Not everyone is scared, you see people doing a dance called the shake.
The boss spending ends
The boss is spending money.
Saying, "Gimme that Benz, 20 inch rims, and four TV's"
He wants a Benz, big rims, and four TVs for his car.
The snitch in the precinct saying
The informant at the police station is talking.
"He sell X, he sell techs, and he sell D"
He's telling the police that someone sells drugs.
The balla by the bar saying,
The rich guy at the bar is talking.
"Everybody drink, the best champagne, it's all on me"
He's buying expensive champagne for everyone.
Snitch in the back of the police car
The informant is in the police car.
Pointing out the window saying, "He robbed me"
He's telling the police someone robbed him.
1,2,3,4
Counting up to four.
(Lloyd Banks' in the house)
Lloyd Banks is present.
Now get the fuck on the floor
Get down on the floor.
I slid through the front door
I walked in the front door smoothly.
With the 9 and the velour
Carrying my gun and wearing velour clothing.
A cal in my pocket
A gun is in my pocket.
You wil', I'mma pop it
If you mess with me, I'll shoot you.
I'm ghetto as hell
I'm really ghetto.
You can't you tell?
Can't you see it?
My road dog, under the jail
My friend is in prison.
Getting frustrating mail
My friend is getting annoying letters.
So I'm drinking and smoking
To cope with the stress, I'm drinking and smoking.
Thinking and hoping
I'm thinking and hoping for the best.
This cell gon' open
I hope my friend's cell will be opened soon.
You can dance next to me, but don't throw an elbow
You can dance near me, but don't hit me with your elbow.
I'll throw one back and leave blood on your Shell Toes
If you hit me, I'll hit you back and make your shoes bloody.
Hell no
No way.
I ain't paying for pleasure
I'm not paying for sex.
Your pussy don't bring rainbows and pots of treasure
Having sex with you won't make me rich or happy.
It's every girl's dream, to floss with the team
It's every girl's dream to show off with me and my friends.
Long on the suine
I have a lot of money.
DVD's on the screen
I have DVDs playing on my screens.
Blowing on cream
I'm smoking weed.
Waiting for you to scheme
I'm waiting for you to come up with a plan.
You ain't gotta know how to read, to spray a magazine
You don't need to be educated to shoot a gun.
I don't wanna grow up, I'mma hustler kid
I don't want to be an adult, I'm a hustler.
Go'head and stunt, see I don't pop two your wig
Go ahead and show off, but I won't shoot you.
I'm artistic, intelligent, so much ability
I'm creative and smart.
When I use them big words, your bitch be feeling me
When I use complicated words, girls find me attractive.
So ya'll niggas hate me, 'cause your wives be our groupies
Guys hate me because their wives are attracted to me and my group.
Ya'll irritate me, like loud people in the movies
You guys annoy me, like loud people at the movies.
Fall back, matter fact back down
Step back and calm down.
'Cause I just passed security without no pat down
I got through security without being searched.
You can catch me in the bathroom blowing a sticky
You might find me smoking weed in the bathroom.
Or catch me on the dancefloor feeling some tits
Or you might find me touching girls' breasts on the dancefloor.
Sex sells, so I'mma P-I-M-P
I make money from sex, so I'm a pimp.
So my pockets never be empty
I always have money in my pockets.
It ain't no problem, we scoop them models
It's not hard, we get a lot of girls.
We got condoms, coups, and lavish condos
We have condoms, expensive cars, and nice apartments.
50 got me getting ass like I never did
50 Cent helped me get more girls than ever before.
So when I step in the club, hoes love the kid
So when I go to the club, girls like me.
The cat in the house go
The cat in the house makes this sound.
Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow
This is the sound a cat makes.
The bird in the cage go
The bird in the cage makes this sound.
Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet
This is the sound a bird makes.
Contributed by Ava D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nyeka Page
She killed her part... this the shit i grew up on 💪💪😜
Matt Bauer
Like 50 didn’t write that verse for her lol
Nav Collects
Shout out to all the REAL g unit fans listening to this banger
CAMILO HENRIQUEZ
Classic 50!! G-unit!!On the E train and J train now bumping that base in my whip like it’s 2002!! 2020 Jamaica queens!! Fuego!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Jesse Asante
This mixtape was 🔥🔥🔥
BORNJOMO
this joint FIRE on so many levels......
ToneBeats86
50 and Banks had the best hooks ever 😂😂😂
Gracie Ayala
2023 and still bumping this
Andrew
Snitch in the precint sayin He sell X, he sell Tecs, and he sell D
Snitch in the back of the police car pointin' out the window sayin he robbed me....
#ItsElememtary
YL16
Damn this shi goes hard