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.
Freestyle Who Shot Ya
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here we go, Flex
If dead men can talk, can you sleep?
Yo homie told you who got him
Would you have the heart to shoot
The nigga who shot him
Or would you start switchin' up?
You bitchin' up
What if he said money ain't everything?
The hood raised us wrong
All jux'll get your money long
But look here I'm gone
Would that touch your heart
Have you feelin' funny inside?
Would that be enough to make
Yo punk ass ride?
What if he gave you a little
List of things to do?
Said he wouldn't have to die
He could live through you would you
Load the gat and get ready to ride?
Or would you lock the door
At yo crib and hide?
It's a cold world even when it's hot outside
Whether sun shine or rain
You still feel pain
Hit him 'cause he gave you strength
Now you in a daze
Yo homie- is in his grave, cause you-
Y'all know who killed him
Filled him with them Lugers and
The Rugers and the Deserts
Them boys smoked your homie
You ain't gon' do nothin' back?
Not even if he told you
"You next and get clapped"?
Don't take much for them shells to
Make a mess of you
Yo peoples gon' prolly cremate and
Burn the rest of you yeah, get 'em!
Ayo, ayo, it's T-O-N-Y Y-A-Y-O
The light on the 44'll light up yo
Bag gettin' chopped at the and the blender
So the coupe got TV, and the trail spinners
I'ma hustle like Larry Flint
Fly pimp in bulletproof with chinchilla pimps
I catch stunts like Evel Knievel
I got that diesel and that X
And I'm not Vin Diesel
Yo, I know you love the choppy flow
The rocks that glow
I'll have your man laid out in a hospital
He wasn't thinking with his
Mind, he wasn't logical, what? Yo!
Woah, 50 Cent, 50 Cent g-Unit, ha ha
You want beef with me?
Take a number and get in line
You want pairs with me?
I pop ya top off with the nine
You mad at me? Shit, 'cause you can't shine
You ain't gettin' yours?
That's fucked up 'cause I'm gettin' mine
In the lyrics to 50 Cent's song "Freestyle Who Shot Ya," he explores themes of loyalty, revenge, and the consequences of actions within the street life. The lyrics imagine a scenario where a friend reveals the identity of the person who shot him, posing the question of whether the listener would have the courage to seek revenge or protect themselves. 50 Cent challenges the listener's mindset, suggesting that the hood's influence has shaped them to prioritize money and violence above everything else. He questions if a mere list of instructions from the deceased friend would be enough to provoke action.
The lyrics highlight the cold and unforgiving nature of the world, emphasizing the pain and loss inherent in street life. 50 Cent emphasizes that even with strength gained from seeking revenge, the listener would still find themselves in a daze, mourning the loss of their friend. The song suggests that the cycle of violence continues, with the listener becoming the next potential victim.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, uh huh, yeah i got it, keep going
Yeah, I understand, continue with what you're saying
Here we go, Flex
Let's start, let's go
If dead men can talk, can you sleep?
If those who have passed away can reveal the truth, can you rest peacefully?
Yo homie told you who got him
Your friend informed you about his attacker
Would you have the heart to shoot the nigga who shot him
Would you be brave enough to retaliate against the person who harmed your friend?
Or would you start switchin' up?
Or would you behave differently?
You thinkin' 'bout the penitentiary, you bitchin' up
You're considering the consequences of prison and becoming fearful
What if he said money ain't everything?
What if he expressed that wealth isn't the most important thing?
The hood raised us wrong, all jux'll get your money long
Our upbringing in the neighborhood instilled wrong values, but criminal activities can lead to financial success
But look here I'm gone, would that touch your heart
But listen, once I'm gone, would that deeply affect you?
Have you feelin' funny inside?
Will it make you feel uneasy internally?
Would that be enough to make yo punk ass ride?
Would that be sufficient motivation for you to take action?
What if he gave you a little list of things to do?
What if he provided you with instructions?
Said he wouldn't have to die, he could live through you
Promising that he wouldn't need to die, instead, he would continue to live through your actions
Would you load the gat and get ready to ride?
Would you prepare your gun and be prepared to retaliate?
Or would you lock the door at yo crib and hide?
Or would you stay at home, lock the door, and hide?
It's a cold world even when it's hot outside
The world remains harsh even in favorable conditions
Whether sun shine or rain, you still feel pain
Regardless of positive or negative circumstances, you still experience suffering
Hit him 'cause he gave you strength, now you in a daze
You attacked him because he provided you with courage, but now you're confused
Yo homie- is in his grave, cause you-
Your friend is buried because of your actions
Y'all know who killed him, filled him with them Lugers and
You're aware of who killed him, they shot him with Lugers and
The Rugers and the Deserts, them boys smoked your homie
The perpetrators used Ruger and Desert Eagle guns to fatally shoot your friend
You ain't gon' do nothin' back?
You're not going to seek revenge?
Not even if he told you 'You next and get clapped'?
Not even if he warned you that you're the next target and will be shot?
Don't take much for them shells to make a mess of you
It won't take much for bullets to severely harm you
Yo peoples gon' prolly cremate and burn the rest of you, yeah, get 'em!
Your friends and family will likely cremate your remains and erase your existence, yeah, go get them!
Ayo, ayo, it's T-O-N-Y Y-A-Y-O
Hey, hey, it's Tony Yayo
The light on the 44'll light up yo
The gun's flashlight attached to the .44 will illuminate you
Bag gettin' chopped at the and the blender
Your drugs are being divided and mixed in the blender
So the coupe got TV, and the trail spinners
My car has a television and spinning rims
I'ma hustle like Larry Flint
I will work hard and hustle like Larry Flint
Fly pimp in bulletproof with chinchilla pimps
I'm a stylish pimp, wearing bulletproof clothing and luxurious chinchilla fur
I catch stunts like Evel Knievel
I successfully perform risky and daring actions like Evel Knievel
I got that diesel and that X, and I'm not Vin Diesel
I have potent drugs like diesel and ecstasy, but I'm not the actor Vin Diesel
Yo, I know you love the choppy flow
I understand that you enjoy my rhythmic and fragmented flow
The rocks that glow, I'll have your man laid out in a hospital
The flashy jewelry I wear will blind you, and I'll leave your partner injured in a hospital
He wasn't thinking with his mind, he wasn't logical, what? Yo!
Your partner acted impulsively and irrationally, it's true!
Woah, 50 Cent, 50 Cent g-Unit, ha ha
Oh, 50 Cent, the rapper associated with g-Unit, ha ha
You want beef with me? Take a number and get in line
If you want to start a conflict with me, you'll have to wait your turn
You want pairs with me? I pop ya top off with the nine
If you want to gamble with me, I'll shoot you in the head with my gun
You mad at me? Shit, 'cause you can't shine
Are you angry at me? Well, it's because you can't outshine me
You ain't gettin' yours? That's fucked up 'cause I'm gettin' mine
You're not achieving success? Well, it's unfortunate because I am succeeding
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@glockypicasso
RIP KAY SLAY!!!!!!!
@DiceRico456
This is from 2002 hot 97 freestyle
@GOTTIWXRLD
Yayo Adlibs 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@ismailnyc6004
Yayo talking that shit!!!! Queens stand up !!!
@sickathanyouraverage4404
That's cause he wasn't thinking with his mind he wasn't logical
@aarondublin9025
If new york rappers were to start rapping like how they use to in the early 2000s they would take over again I would love to see tge east coast take over again
@VonGOMD
@@aarondublin9025nah this type of style been played out. It’s all about what can get played in the clubs and radio now
@jamaaranthony
Hardest I heard yayo ever go!
@azellray
Southside all day!
@RyuByron
Can’t disrespect the classics