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.
Follow My Lead
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll like to thank you all for coming out tonight
It's my third album, third tour, third time's a charm
Girl when I go, I wanna take you 'round the globe with me
I got doe, the kinda paper you can blow with me
And baby I know that money ain't everything
But it's for sure and ain't for nothing when you f*** with me
Follow my lead, baby, I could be all you need
If you follow my lead
Follow my lead, I'll hold you down, put your trust in me
Baby follow my lead
Follow my lead, I think God made you for me
Follow my lead
Follow my lead, I'm the one girl in time you'll see
If you follow my lead
don't listen to the rumors, they say 50 f***in' crazy
50 don't know how to treat a lady, they wrong
I like you a lot, I don't wanna hurt you
But I call a square a square and a circle a circle
So if you act like a b****, I call you a b****
Then hang up, probably call you right back and s***
And I have to say, baby, I apologize
Cross my fingers, God forgive me for tellin' lies
Like Janet Jackson said, "I miss you much?
I really wanna feel your touch and smell your scent
Baby, I could pa** the day watchin' you model lingerie
I wanna spend the night tonight, shorty, if it?s okay
You could be my Beyonce, I'll be your Jay
Ha ha, I gotta great sense of humor
First I'll make ya smile then I woo ya
You know I wanna do ya, or do ya?
Follow my lead, baby, I could be all you need
If you follow my lead
Follow my lead, I'll hold you down, put your trust in me
Baby follow my lead
Follow my lead, I think God made you for me
Follow my lead
Follow my lead, I'm the one girl in time you'll see
If you follow my lead
After seven hours, New York to London
You're wonderin' what's gonna be the next stop
I told you, I'm a don, you gonna know I'm a don
After you shop 'til your feet hurtin' in Milan
Now take a picture, these are moments you can cherish
They say the scenery was made for lovers out in Paris
Ask a fan about me they say, 50, we love him
Without them there's no me so I love them
Man, they're the reason I exist, the reason I insist
I'm never less than the best, I'm perfection I guess
That's why n****s are stressed, I pa** the test
Every time I drop I'm burnin' hot
So I don't care if she loves me or loves me not
Long as I enjoy the time that we spend
I ain't lookin' for commitment, we could f*** and be friends
Matter of fact we can do it right in back in my Benz
I get it done with speed
Follow my lead, baby, I could be all you need
If you follow my lead
Follow my lead, I'll hold you down, put your trust in me
Baby follow my lead
Follow my lead, I think God made you for me
Follow my lead
Follow my lead, I'm the one girl in time you'll see
If you follow my lead
Follow, follow my lead
Follow my lead, follow my lead
Follow my lead
Baby, follow my lead
Follow my lead
In "Follow My Lead," 50 Cent is using his success and wealth to persuade a woman to be with him, promising to take her all around the world and shower her with money. However, he also warns her that he won't tolerate any bad behavior, and apologizes for any lies he may tell. 50 Cent acknowledges that he's not looking for a committed relationship, but wants to enjoy the time they have together, even if it's just a physical connection. The chorus of the song is a plea to the woman to follow his lead, to trust him and to be with him, as he believes that she was made for him.
The song was released on 50 Cent's third studio album, "Curtis," in 2007. It features R&B singer Robin Thicke, who provides the smooth and melodic chorus. The track was produced by 50 Cent and Ty Fyffe, and was recorded at G-Unit Studios in New York City. Despite debuting at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song did not chart officially or receive any certifications.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, ladies and gentlemen
Opening introduction to the song and thanking the listeners for tuning in.
I'll like to thank you all for coming out tonight
Acknowledging the audience and their presence in the performance.
It's my third album, third tour, third time's a charm
This is the artist's third album and third tour, hoping for good luck and success.
Girl when I go, I wanna take you 'round the globe with me
The artist wants to take the girl on a trip to different places around the world.
I got doe, the kinda paper you can blow with me
He has enough money for them to spend extravagantly on their trip.
And baby I know that money ain't everything
The artist acknowledges that money is not the most important thing in a relationship.
But it's for sure and ain't for nothing when you f*** with me
However, the money he has can be beneficial for having a good time and enjoying life together.
When I go
Repeating the opening line of wanting to take the girl around the world with him.
Follow my lead, baby, I could be all you need
Asking the girl to follow his lead because he can provide everything she needs.
If you follow my lead
Emphasizing the importance of following his lead and trusting him.
Follow my lead, I'll hold you down, put your trust in me
Reassuring the girl that he will always be there to support and protect her.
Follow my lead, I think God made you for me
Expressing his belief that the girl was made for him and they are meant to be together.
Follow my lead, I'm the one girl in time you'll see
Confidently stating that he is the one for her and she will eventually realize it.
don't listen to the rumors, they say 50 f***in' crazy
Addressing rumors about the artist and clarifying that they are not true.
50 don't know how to treat a lady, they wrong
Rejecting false accusations that he does not know how to treat women.
I like you a lot, I don't wanna hurt you
Expressing his affection for the girl and not wanting to cause her pain.
But I call a square a square and a circle a circle
Being straightforward and honest in his communication with her.
So if you act like a b****, I call you a b****
If the girl behaves poorly or disrespectfully, he will call her out on it.
Then hang up, probably call you right back and s***
He will hang up on her and then call her back to resolve the issue and continue the conversation.
And I have to say, baby, I apologize
Acknowledging when he was wrong and apologizing for any mistakes he made.
Cross my fingers, God forgive me for tellin' lies
Praying and hoping for forgiveness for any lies he may have told in the past.
Like Janet Jackson said, "I miss you much?
Quoting a famous line from a song by Janet Jackson, expressing how much he misses the girl.
I really wanna feel your touch and smell your scent
Describing his desire to be physically close to her.
Baby, I could pa** the day watchin' you model lingerie
He enjoys looking at her and watching her model lingerie.
I wanna spend the night tonight, shorty, if it's okay
Asking the girl to spend the night with him, seeking her consent.
You could be my Beyonce, I'll be your Jay
Comparing themselves to the celebrity couple Beyonce and Jay-Z, portraying a desire for a strong and successful relationship.
Ha ha, I gotta great sense of humor
Indicating that he has a good sense of humor and can make her laugh.
First I'll make ya smile then I woo ya
He will make her laugh and then show her affection and interest.
You know I wanna do ya, or do ya?
Expressing his desire to be intimate with her.
After seven hours, New York to London
Describing a long flight that they might take together.
You're wonderin' what's gonna be the next stop
Wondering what their next destination will be.
I told you, I'm a don, you gonna know I'm a don
Asserting himself as a leader or boss in their relationship or partnership.
After you shop 'til your feet hurtin' in Milan
Describing a luxurious shopping trip in Milan, Italy.
Now take a picture, these are moments you can cherish
Encouraging her to capture memories of their time together.
They say the scenery was made for lovers out in Paris
Paris, France is known for being a romantic place, and they can enjoy the scenery and each other's company there.
Ask a fan about me they say, 50, we love him
Referring to the admiration of his fans and how they love him as an artist.
Without them there's no me so I love them
Acknowledging that his fans are the reason for his success and expressing his gratitude for their support.
Man, they're the reason I exist, the reason I insist
Reiterating the importance of his fans and how they motivate him to continue making music.
I'm never less than the best, I'm perfection I guess
Confidently stating that he always strives to be the best and is perfect in his own way.
That's why n****s are stressed, I pa** the test
Asserting that he passes any test or challenge that comes his way, causing stress to his competitors.
Every time I drop I'm burnin' hot
His new music releases are always popular and successful.
So I don't care if she loves me or loves me not
He does not care if the girl truly loves him or not as long as they enjoy each other's company.
Long as I enjoy the time that we spend
As long as they both enjoy their time together, he is satisfied with the relationship.
I ain't lookin' for commitment, we could f*** and be friends
He is not necessarily looking for a long-term commitment and would prefer a casual relationship.
Matter of fact we can do it right in back in my Benz
Suggesting that they could be physically intimate in the backseat of his car.
I get it done with speed
He is confident in his ability to perform well in the bedroom.
Follow my lead, baby, I could be all you need
Repeating the chorus to urge the girl to follow and trust him completely.
If you follow my lead
Reiterating the importance of her following his lead.
Follow my lead, I'll hold you down, put your trust in me
Promising to be there for her and protect her, asking for her trust.
Follow my lead, I think God made you for me
Expressing his strong feelings for her and belief that they are meant to be together.
Follow my lead, I'm the one girl in time you'll see
Confidently claiming that he is the one for her and she will realize it eventually.
Follow, follow my lead
Repeating the chorus and emphasizing the importance of following his lead.
Baby, follow my lead
Urging the girl once again to follow him and trust him completely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, JUSTIN KEITH HENDERSON, CHRISTOPHER JOHN WHITACRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joe7wd28
This is probably 50’s most underrated song.So smooth and Robin did an amazing job on this!
@davidrivera2110
My favorite, I dont understand how this is not a classic now
@alu_card7665
https://youtu.be/Xu1MYf6xGvc
50 Cent - Follow My Lead (Slowed + Reverb)
@Mjohannb
you said it all
@coldcorner9902
@@davidrivera2110 And i'll never understand why this wasn't the hook @1:21 - @1:41 that part is so dope.
@mcebolubisi9147
@@coldcorner9902 man I've been asking myself that for so many years 😔😔😔
@RJKK
One of 50's best tracks, just went unnoticed...
@mattrogers868
cause we saw the video before it hit 106 and park
@youngdonsama
Some of us noticed n still listen 2023
@gerardlow-shang4675
Facts