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.
Elementry
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[50 Cent] A, be
[Scarlett] You can't fuck with me
[50 Cent] see, D
[Scarlett] We from the Harlem streets
[50 Cent] E, F
[Scarlett] Don't talk me to death
[50 Cent] G, H
[Scarlett]
Picture me rolling Range Rover
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
[50 Cent - Hook]
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
[Lloyd Banks]
1,2,3,4
[50 Cent]
Lloyd Banks' in the house
[Lloyd Banks]
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 flick, to spray a magazine
[Hook]
[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 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
In "Elementary," 50 Cent and his crew (G-Unit) rap about their experiences in the world of hustling and the rap industry. Scarlett represents the women in the group who are equally capable of handling their business as the men. She is not afraid of anyone, and her presence intimidates everyone, especially men who back off when they see her with her gang. Lloyd Banks talks about his time in prison and how frustrating it is for him while Tony Yayo brags about his success as a hustler by emphasizing the power he has over women. The hook of the song enforces the fall of those who snitch on others and disrespect people. The song is elementary in the sense that it is easy to understand the message portrayed in it.
Line by Line Meaning
G Unit!
Introducing the crew, G-Unit
A, be
Rhyming and playing with the alphabet
You can't fuck with me
Feeling confident and untouchable
see, D
Continuing to rhyme and play with the alphabet
We from the Harlem streets
Pride in their neighborhood of Harlem
E, F
More alphabet play and rhyming
Don't talk me to death
Not wanting to hear endless talking
G, H
Finishing off the alphabet play and rhyming
It's elementary
Things are simple and easy to understand
Picture me rolling Range Rover
Imagining themselves in a luxury car
Same color your Air Force Ones
Matching their car to their shoes
White on white, ya like?
Asking if the color combination is approved
Red I flight the night
Traveling across the country overnight
From L.A. to N.Y.
Traveling from one coast to another
I'm Harlem bound
Heading back home to Harlem
You see how bitches tense up, when Scarlett 'round
Women become nervous or intimidated in her presence
Niggas get the heart to holla while we up in the club
Men have the courage to talk to them in the club
But get intimidated when they see me sitting on dubs
But become intimidated when they see her in a luxury car
I hear 'em whispering " dat ain't a man, shit that's her."
People mistaking her for a man and talking behind her back
She roll with them G Unit niggas, that's what's up
She is associated with G-Unit crew
Disrespect me, I'll have niggas blast ya up
Warning people not to disrespect her or face consequences
Take my advice, don't let ya peoples grass ya up
Don't let friends snitch on you to the cops
I got a fetish for the chips
Having an obsession with money
20's for the six
Giving out $20 bills to people in need
Hollows for the clips
Referring to buying bullets
Try me, if you think I'm playing bitch
Challenging anyone who doesn't take her seriously
And the police we'll have another crime scene taker
Warning people not to mess with her or they'll end up dead
Jim Star crush your head, give your ass a shape-up
Violent imagery of what they will do to those who cross them
Uptown niggas known for the money they make
People in Harlem known for making a lot of money
Everybody ain't shook, you see doing the shake
Not everyone is scared, some people still enjoying themselves
The boss spending ends
The boss is spending money
Saying, "Gimme that Benz, 20 inch rims, and four TV's"
Asking for luxury items
The snitch in the precinct saying
A person in the police station giving information
"He sell X, he sell techs, and he sell D"
Snitch reporting on illegal drug activity
The balla by the bar saying,
A wealthy person in the bar talking
"Everybody drink, the best champagne, it's all on me"
Offering to buy drinks for everyone
Snitch in the back of the police car
Another snitch in the police car
Pointing out the window saying, "He robbed me"
Accusing someone else of robbery
It's elementary
Referencing how easy it is for snitches to give information
Lloyd Banks' in the house
Introducing Lloyd Banks
Now get the fuck on the floor
Telling people to start dancing
I slid through the front door
Entering the venue
With the 9 and the velour
Carrying a gun and wearing a velvet track suit
A cal in my pocket
Having a gun in his pocket
You wil', I'mma pop it
Threatening to use the gun
I'm down for a profit
Willing to do whatever it takes to make money
I'm ghetto as hell
Having a rough upbringing
You can't you tell?
Asking if it's obvious
My road dog, under the jail
One of his friends is in prison
Getting frustrating mail
Receiving upsetting letters from his friend in jail
So I'm drinking and smoking
Using substances to cope with the stress
Thinking and hoping
Reflecting on his situation and wishing for something better
This cell gon' open
Hoping his friend will be released from jail soon
You can dance next to me, but don't throw an elbow
Telling people to dance but not be aggressive
I'll throw one back and leave blood on your Shell Toes
Promising to fight back if provoked
Hell no
No way
I ain't paying for pleasure
Not willing to pay for sex
Your pussy don't bring rainbows and pots of treasure
Sex doesn't equal riches or happiness
It's every girl's dream, to floss with the team
Girls want to show off by being associated with famous people
Long on the suine
Wearing expensive jewelry
DVD's on the screen
Watching movies on a screen
Blowing on cream
Smoking weed
Waiting for you to scheme
Expecting people to try and take advantage of them
You ain't gotta know how to flick, to spray a magazine
Someone doesn't need to know how to shoot a gun to use it
I don't wanna grow up, I'mma hustler kid
Not wanting to give up the hustle lifestyle
Go'head and stunt, see I don't pop two your wig
Telling someone to show off but not make him mad
I'm artistic, intelligent, so much ability
Proud of his skills and talents
When I use them big words, your bitch be feeling me
Impressing women by using big words
So ya'll niggas hate me, 'cause your wives be our groupies
Drawing the jealousy of men because their wives like them
Ya'll irritate me, like loud people in the movies
Finding other people annoying
Fall back, matter fact back down
Telling people to step back and leave him alone
'Cause I just passed security without no pat down
Boasting that he was able to avoid security checks
You can catch me in the bathroom blowing a sticky
Admitting to smoking weed in the bathroom
Or catch me on the dancefloor feeling some tits
Admitting to sexual behavior on the dance floor
Sex sells, so I'mma P-I-M-P
Acknowledging that sex is a valuable commodity and deciding to exploit it
So my pockets never be empty
Making sure he always has money
It ain't no problem, we scoop them models
Having no trouble attracting women
We got condoms, coups, and lavish condos
Having access to protection, luxury cars and homes
50 got me getting ass like I never did
Being introduced to a more lavish and excessive lifestyle by 50 Cent
So when I step in the club, hoes love the kid
Women are attracted to him because of his association with 50 Cent
The cat in the house go
Animal noises interjected as part of the song
Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow
Continuing with animal noises
The bird in the cage go
More animal noises
Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet
Concluding with animal noises
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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