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.
Funeral Music
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Business is entertainment
And what entertain the customers is the sight of blood
[Intro: 50 Cent]
Cam I mean, I was bein nice to him, Ok I'll get him
[Verse 1]
I make mills off the tracks I talk on (It's king-pin)
50 don't call me nigga I don't wanna talk it out
The 40 cal'll hit yo' leg go on and walk it out
I see it clear you tryin to sabotage Jimmy
See what happens when you talk after sippin the Henny?
I'll send Haitian niggas at you yeah sak pase?
Zoe pound niggas they don't play
Buck stabbin niggas on camera and it's ok
Cause my money make my lawyers make the shit go away
Attempted murder, get a year on probation
Cam are you clear what you facin'?
You must ain't hear me, I done told you I'm a boss
I'm eatin good but I ain't chubby like Ricky Ross
Word on the street is, 50's not Jay
And Cam better stay out of his way
[Chorus]
Everything's cooler than a fan till you rolled on
Have you in the I.C.U. tryin to hold on
Niggas in the waitin room been waitin so long
Till they hear the flatline the doc say he's gone, he's gone (Ha ha, that's f**ked up!!!)
When they say he's gone (Ah ha, ah ha, ah ha, he dead)
[Verse 2]
Well he knew that could happen f**kin with the kid
This is graveyard music right here ya dig?
This is not competition this is murder
Career endin, mind bendin, Southside ya finished
Now look niggas laughin at Cam down on Lennox
They heard what he did but they don't know why he did it
I have eighty of them boys with black flags, come through with black mags
And have you niggas zipped up in black bags
For a second he was hot now he cold
I apply pressure on niggas until they fold
But never mind me, man that's just how it be
The game got me trained they call me the hustle man
And like fame, my style will live forever
They thought I crossover, cause they don't know no better
I think they think I'm laxed now cause I got the cheddar
Till I return back bustin trust me it's nothin (OHHH!!!!)
[Chorus]
Everything's cooler than a fan till you rolled on
Have you in the I.C.U. tryin to hold on (Hold On)
Niggas in the waitin room been waitin so long (Ha Ha!!!)
Till they hear the flatline the doc say he's gone, he's gone
When they say he's gone (It shouldn't have to be like this man!!!)
[Outro]
DipSet! Cam stay up! I'm not gonna destroy DipSet...
Just gotta make changes, from now on, Jimmy's the boss, of DipSet!!!
And Juelz is the Capo (He's gone) Cam's demoted to soldier...
We like Jimmy better anyway!! Ballin'! Come on man
What's the last Cam joint you liked? Computers computin
Boogity boobity, Hahahahahaha!!!! (He's gone)
Cameron, you better learn how to talk to me!!! OHHHH!!!!
The song "Funeral Music" by 50 Cent is a diss track directed towards rapper Cam'ron. The song begins with a sample that says "The business is entertainment and what entertain the customers is the sight of blood", which sets the tone for the rest of the song. In the first verse, 50 talks about his success in the hip-hop industry and how he doesn't want to talk things out with Cam'ron. He warns Cam'ron that he can have him hurt or killed, even bringing up the fact that he has connections to Haitian and Zoe Pound gangs. He also mentions the legal consequences of attempting to harm him.
In the chorus, 50 Cent addresses the inevitable consequences of crossing him. He talks about how something that was once cool (like being in the rap game) can quickly turn into a nightmare, leaving someone on the brink of death in the ICU. The second verse continues with threatening lyrics towards Cam'ron and how 50 Cent's style is here to stay. He claims that he's not afraid to take down anyone who poses a threat to him or his success in the industry.
Overall, Funeral Music is a ruthless song about 50 Cent's dominance in the rap industry and how he's not afraid to take down his enemies. It's a bold message of warning that Cam'ron better watch his back.
Line by Line Meaning
You niggas should worship the ground I walk on
I am so powerful and influential that others should idolize me
I make mills off the tracks I talk on (It's king-pin)
I'm a successful rapper who makes millions of dollars off my music
50 don't call me nigga I don't wanna talk it out
Don't call me by that word and let's skip trying to resolve our issues through conversation
The 40 cal'll hit yo' leg go on and walk it out
If you come at me with hostility, I won't hesitate to use my weapon to harm you
I see it clear you tryin to sabotage Jimmy
I can tell that you're trying to harm my associate Jimmy's reputation or success
See what happens when you talk after sippin the Henny?
When you speak after drinking alcohol, the words you say can have serious consequences
I'll send Haitian niggas at you yeah sak pase?
I'll have Haitian men come after you and ask how you're doing in Creole
Zoe pound niggas they don't play
The Zoe Pound gang is very serious and doesn't mess around
Buck stabbin niggas on camera and it's ok
My associates can commit violent crimes on camera and I can make them disappear with my wealth and lawyers
Cause my money make my lawyers make the shit go away
I can make legal problems disappear because of the power that comes with having a lot of money
Attempted murder, get a year on probation
Even serious crimes can result in a light punishment if you have wealth or power
Cam are you clear what you facin'?
Do you understand the severity of the situation you're in?
I'm eatin good but I ain't chubby like Ricky Ross
I'm successful, but not as overweight as rapper Rick Ross
Everything's cooler than a fan till you rolled on
People will act cool and calm until they are physically attacked or harmed
I apply pressure on niggas until they fold
I use my wealth and influence to push people to their breaking point and submission
The game got me trained they call me the hustle man
I'm so good at making money that people refer to me as a master of the game
And like fame, my style will live forever
My music and personality will be memorable and influential for many years
They thought I crossover, cause they don't know no better
People underestimate me and think I've lost my power or influence, but they don't understand the truth
Come on man, What's the last Cam joint you liked?
When was the last time you really enjoyed a Cam'ron song?
Cameron, you better learn how to talk to me!!! OHHHH!!!!
Cam'ron needs to be respectful and careful when speaking to me, or else there will be consequences
Contributed by Mia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Candi Osama
When this dropped even at a kids age I understood how hard this was 😂🔥
Rafael Sheffey
Fr I had to come back & reminisce 😂
Kirkland Thompson
R/S I wasn't a kid though. 💯 respect!
0𐌾 - ፕ◊ᕈᓮᙅ
Fr tho this track used to get me gassed up to run n play for hours
FlethooTv
I STG Im 22 now hurd this when I was kid Im like dayummm 50 was really tuff def grew up to this 🤦🏽♂️🔥
Star
we all did as a kid.. our era was different
Anthony Salcedo
Most slept on dis track ever!
Mr Q
Because it’s corny 😂
Cash Rulez
And yet it ended cam career 😂😂😂
Javon Womack
@cashrulez5952 no it didn't