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.
G-Unit That's What's Up
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, Gggga Gggga G-UNIT (UNIT, haha), yeah, it's 50 CENT (CENT)
and Lloyd Banks (BANKS), and Tony Yayo (YAYO), nigga, nigga (haha, haha)
You gotta love it, New York City (haha)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ 50 Cent ]
Uh, yeah, my chain is so heavy (heavy), I think it's necessary (necessary)
For me to talk about all of the stones in my resi (stones in my resi, YEAH)
I used to push a Chevy (uh huh), about to cop a Bentley (what)
And stun on these niggaz 'till my tank on empty (tank on empty)
This gangsta shit is in me (in me), the money I got plenty (plenty)
I still hustle, but I don't cop jewels from any (any)
I know a stripper named Jenny (Jenny)
I marked a nigga named Vinny (Vinny)
I ain't in on many (many), a CEO named Giddy (Giddy)
50 is so witty, 50 is so high (high)
50 got the f**kin' hood on lock (lock, what)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ Lloyd Banks ]
When I'm knockin' you down, no one can save ya, from the other side of the door
It sounds like you going through this (AH) before (AH)
My passport is valid, so I'm goin' through Asia
Flyin' through Paris, stoppin' in Britain, shoppin' and shittin' (YEAH)
If you ain't jumpin' off of the truck, you walkin'
We got frozen hearts, get on the bus like Rosa Parks (Rosa Parks)
My name papi, so I'm higherin' the price
Bitch about to make enough money, to buy you a life (OH)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ Tony Yayo ]
Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, yo, yo, I got so many hoes, that my pimp game natural (uh huh)
The only time I don't f**k, is in the AIDS capital (YEAH)
Look at the watch, you have a hard time seein' it
I got so many rocks, they have a hard time breathin' (C'MON)
See the cross on my neck?
Hoes want to know what's the course on my neck (course on my neck)
First she said no, now she almost said yes (almost said yes)
Now we in the telly, and we both butt nak, workin' up a sweat (sweat, sweat)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ Outro - 50 Cent talking ]
Yeah nigga (yeah nigga)
You know it's me when I'm cruisin' through your motherf**kin' hood
And shit nigga, Don't try to act like you don't know it me
And shit, You know what I'm sayin'?
I didn't put no tints on the motherf**ker
So you could see me nigga
If I'm gonna spend $125,000 on some wheels
I want you to get a good look nigga (haha uh)
Yeah, look at me, look at the license plate
The license plate say: "Get one nigga" (haha)
Can you get one nigga?
The lyrics to 50 Cent's That's What's Up portray the lavish lifestyle of the rapper and his fellow G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo. 50 Cent starts off by acknowledging his success and wealth, as evidenced by the expensive jewelry and vehicles he owns. He then proceeds to boast about his gangsta nature and his ability to hustle while maintaining his status. He drops a few names of people in his circle and asserts his dominance over the rap game.
Lloyd Banks comes in with a verse about his international travels and his propensity for luxury. He describes how people who aren't as successful as him have to walk, while he travels in style. He also touches on his nickname and his pimp game, suggesting that he has a lot of women, and that his association with them is purely transactional. Tony Yayo finishes the song by bragging about the abundance of women in his life and the expensive jewelry he has.
Overall, the song serves as a celebration of wealth, success, and the indulgent lifestyle that comes along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh, Gggga Gggga G-UNIT (UNIT, haha), yeah, it's 50 CENT (CENT)
Introducing the rappers in G-Unit
and Lloyd Banks (BANKS), and Tony Yayo (YAYO), nigga, nigga (haha, haha)
Naming the other G-Unit members
You gotta love it, New York City (haha)
Proudly representing their city
I been doin' my own thang
Asserting independence and success
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
Showing off expensive jewelry
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
Repeating the message of independence and success
I said I've been doin' my own thang
Emphasizing the message of independence and success
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
Showing off luxury cars
I'm doin' my thang
Repeating the message of independence and success
Uh, yeah, my chain is so heavy (heavy), I think it's necessary (necessary)
Explaining the reasons for wearing expensive jewelry
For me to talk about all of the stones in my resi (stones in my resi, YEAH)
Highlighting the wealth and material possessions in their life
I used to push a Chevy (uh huh), about to cop a Bentley (what)
Contrasting their past with their present and future
And stun on these niggaz 'till my tank on empty (tank on empty)
Continuing to show off their success and material possessions
This gangsta shit is in me (in me), the money I got plenty (plenty)
Boasting about their gangster lifestyle and wealth
I still hustle, but I don't cop jewels from any (any)
Demonstrating that they still work hard but don't settle for less
I know a stripper named Jenny (Jenny)
Making references to their experience with certain people
I marked a nigga named Vinny (Vinny)
Naming someone they have a problem with
I ain't in on many (many), a CEO named Giddy (Giddy)
Naming someone they are not associated with
50 is so witty, 50 is so high (high)
Bringing attention to 50 Cent's talent and state of mind
50 got the f**kin' hood on lock (lock, what)
Asserting dominance and control over the neighborhood
When I'm knockin' you down, no one can save ya, from the other side of the door
Threatening harm and violence to those who cross them
It sounds like you going through this (AH) before (AH)
Implying that their adversaries are familiar with this type of situation
My passport is valid, so I'm goin' through Asia
Boasting about traveling and seeing the world
Flyin' through Paris, stoppin' in Britain, shoppin' and shittin' (YEAH)
Listing the places they have traveled and the activities they enjoy doing
If you ain't jumpin' off of the truck, you walkin'
Implying that those who don't follow them are missing out
We got frozen hearts, get on the bus like Rosa Parks (Rosa Parks)
Bringing attention to their cold and ruthless behavior
My name papi, so I'm higherin' the price
Referring to themselves as a pimp and increasing their value
Bitch about to make enough money, to buy you a life (OH)
Belittling those who are not as successful as they are
Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, yo, yo, I got so many hoes, that my pimp game natural (uh huh)
Boasting about their ability to attract multiple women
The only time I don't f**k, is in the AIDS capital (YEAH)
Boasting about their sexual prowess while making a derogatory comment
Look at the watch, you have a hard time seein' it
Showing off their expensive and flashy watch
I got so many rocks, they have a hard time breathin' (C'MON)
Bringing attention to the amount of jewelry they own
See the cross on my neck?
Drawing attention to the religious symbol on their neck
Hoes want to know what's the course on my neck (course on my neck)
Demonstrating their success and the interest they receive from others
First she said no, now she almost said yes (almost said yes)
Boasting about their ability to persuade women
Now we in the telly, and we both butt nak, workin' up a sweat (sweat, sweat)
Sharing graphic details of their sexual encounter
Yeah nigga (yeah nigga)
Continuing their confident and defiant attitude
You know it's me when I'm cruisin' through your motherf**kin' hood
Asserting their presence and dominance in the neighborhood
And shit nigga, Don't try to act like you don't know it me
Challenging anyone who may try to deny their influence
And shit, You know what I'm sayin'?
Seeking agreement and approval from their audience
I didn't put no tints on the motherf**ker
Showing off their car and making a statement about their visibility
So you could see me nigga
Asserting their presence and dominance
If I'm gonna spend $125,000 on some wheels
Acknowledging the cost of their car and their willingness to spend money
I want you to get a good look nigga (haha uh)
Demanding attention and respect
Yeah, look at me, look at the license plate
Drawing attention to themselves and their car
The license plate say: "Get one nigga" (haha)
Boasting about their success and encouraging others to achieve the same
Can you get one nigga?
Challenging others to match their success
Contributed by Jayce I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MaxUgly
I would argue that title belongs to the man, and his group, that made this beat!
Hear me out, my definition of a "best rap group" has to back up the "group" part better. It can't just be a GOAT and some solid or mediocre members.
Not to discredit G Unit or especially 50. It is just that 50 is hands down GOAT (not the one and only but UP there) status and the rest are not. Arguing Llloyd is up there, I won't disagree with but also won't agree. To me G-Unit weren't consistent enough or made enough albums, or had enough hard hitters (artists) to be "best group of all time". They are good but it is kinda like an Eminem/D12, Snoop/Doggpound, Ice Cube/Westside Connection, Nas/Bravehearts, Pac/Outlawz, situation. One person stands out and goes waay beyond the rest. I am thirty-six and don't remember anyone even bringing up the Outlawz in a good or bad way. Hate to say ti but same with G-Unit, with the difference being Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks being talked about.
I may be out of touch but can't think of any modern day groups that are as tight like that. I would say Black Hippy all day but that is like a side project for them all. A$ap is a hard one cause he is pulling ahead of everyone...
Wait wait, if two people are enough for a "group" Griselda! Conway and Benny the Butcher, also Run the Jewels, but I think they get looked at like MF DOOM or Del the Funky Homosapian, as "weird" shit so won't even go there. Either way, they are "groups" cause they don't have a huge skill gap and aren't off on tour alone or making solo albums.
I reference this twice but 50 makes the point I am about to in the youtube short "50 Cent speaks on the list of TOP 50 rappers of all time"
It really comes down to when you grew up, your teen years are going to shape you with your brain developing, hormones, hearing a song after losing virginity, first time doing drugs or drinking, all these things stick and shape us. which 50 has spoke on. I am sure if was fifteen a few years ago Migos would be the "greatest group"
I hear all my favorites (50 included, see Larry king interview "EXCLUSIVE: 50 Cent's Top 5 Favorite Rappers", first name that pops in his head is Rakim, before my time... I only really go back that far with KRS) put Rakim in their top 5 and I only know like two songs... My friends drunk ass wife told me I wasn't a real hip-hop head a few months ago when I didn't know all the Big-L songs she was playing.. I felt dumb, went back and yea, he is probably who my GOAT's grew up on, I never got exposed to him. Shes like five years older and that is a long time in hip hop.
Watch the YouTube short "50 Cent speaks on the list of TOP 50 rappers of all time" because he says what I am trying to, but more eloquently. For my old ass, Wu is number one on any metric, NINE of them going in, RZA producing (this his beat 50 is on here, after all), innovating, and as he put it "metal sharpening metal" that inner group competition to have the hottest verse produced fire.
Two ways to argue against that:
1. Method Man was better, bigger
2. After Forever, they started splitting off
My answers:
1.Commercially, at the start, yea, he was the first one people jumped on, as RZA predicted and intentionally made the song METHOD MAN a single, Branded as Wu-Tang, with the whole clan on the rest of it. also ODB, Ghost, Raekwon had commercial joints. ODB was making the biggest splash for awhile. If you read RZA's book, or even just watch American Saga, it is crazy how he had the vision and made it happen. Literally applying the Hagakure, Art of War, etc.. to the music industry. As well as Wu Wear and later films and cartoons. Him and Tarantino hang out and watch kung-fu movies...
2.Solid argument but I am talking about the stretch of years in the 90's when they made all those classic Wu albums. RZA gave them freedom to do what they wanted outside as long as they completed their Wu contracts. They still tour together as a group without a binding contract, just saw them and NAS this past year. Even their solo albums were pretty much WU releases, every other song had one or more other members
For context I am 36 and didn't discover hip hop until maybe ten. Already weird enough I wrote this book report not gonna ask your age, but can you name any old groups I missed or hip me to some current day ones? If we can say two is enough then Outkast is for sure right after WU for me and Bone Thugs is there too. Three six pretty much made trap what it is and they have a spot in my heart and for sure count as a group by these standards. I would add flipmode but that would break the criteria I set, Busta is waaay ahead. NWA, while short lived, was revolutionary and a great, sad about easy...
I feel like I left out an obvious one, so would love to be humbled..
Also, I don't know everything G Unit has done, so would love to hear any counterpoints or albums/mixtapes I should check out. but since we both agree this is a banger, I feel like we at least have common ground there, you might be able to hip me to something or remind me of something I forgot... I hope you understand why I defined a "group" as I did, let me know if you would define it another way.
Peace!
@nicholaswhite4301
One of the greatest mixtape runs in Hip-Hop history....
@homiesoprano1993
Facts, dont forget they had the radio freestyles too
@anth.7336
and d block and fab
@joechap2006
Real ones know
@jimmyshoetron5565
One of the? THE greatest
@cameron9028
Not a single thumbs down on this comment thats how you know its REAL niggas fuckin wit 50
@Thinkoutsidedabox1
They all killed it. Best rap group of all time.
@MaxUgly
I would argue that title belongs to the man, and his group, that made this beat!
Hear me out, my definition of a "best rap group" has to back up the "group" part better. It can't just be a GOAT and some solid or mediocre members.
Not to discredit G Unit or especially 50. It is just that 50 is hands down GOAT (not the one and only but UP there) status and the rest are not. Arguing Llloyd is up there, I won't disagree with but also won't agree. To me G-Unit weren't consistent enough or made enough albums, or had enough hard hitters (artists) to be "best group of all time". They are good but it is kinda like an Eminem/D12, Snoop/Doggpound, Ice Cube/Westside Connection, Nas/Bravehearts, Pac/Outlawz, situation. One person stands out and goes waay beyond the rest. I am thirty-six and don't remember anyone even bringing up the Outlawz in a good or bad way. Hate to say ti but same with G-Unit, with the difference being Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks being talked about.
I may be out of touch but can't think of any modern day groups that are as tight like that. I would say Black Hippy all day but that is like a side project for them all. A$ap is a hard one cause he is pulling ahead of everyone...
Wait wait, if two people are enough for a "group" Griselda! Conway and Benny the Butcher, also Run the Jewels, but I think they get looked at like MF DOOM or Del the Funky Homosapian, as "weird" shit so won't even go there. Either way, they are "groups" cause they don't have a huge skill gap and aren't off on tour alone or making solo albums.
I reference this twice but 50 makes the point I am about to in the youtube short "50 Cent speaks on the list of TOP 50 rappers of all time"
It really comes down to when you grew up, your teen years are going to shape you with your brain developing, hormones, hearing a song after losing virginity, first time doing drugs or drinking, all these things stick and shape us. which 50 has spoke on. I am sure if was fifteen a few years ago Migos would be the "greatest group"
I hear all my favorites (50 included, see Larry king interview "EXCLUSIVE: 50 Cent's Top 5 Favorite Rappers", first name that pops in his head is Rakim, before my time... I only really go back that far with KRS) put Rakim in their top 5 and I only know like two songs... My friends drunk ass wife told me I wasn't a real hip-hop head a few months ago when I didn't know all the Big-L songs she was playing.. I felt dumb, went back and yea, he is probably who my GOAT's grew up on, I never got exposed to him. Shes like five years older and that is a long time in hip hop.
Watch the YouTube short "50 Cent speaks on the list of TOP 50 rappers of all time" because he says what I am trying to, but more eloquently. For my old ass, Wu is number one on any metric, NINE of them going in, RZA producing (this his beat 50 is on here, after all), innovating, and as he put it "metal sharpening metal" that inner group competition to have the hottest verse produced fire.
Two ways to argue against that:
1. Method Man was better, bigger
2. After Forever, they started splitting off
My answers:
1.Commercially, at the start, yea, he was the first one people jumped on, as RZA predicted and intentionally made the song METHOD MAN a single, Branded as Wu-Tang, with the whole clan on the rest of it. also ODB, Ghost, Raekwon had commercial joints. ODB was making the biggest splash for awhile. If you read RZA's book, or even just watch American Saga, it is crazy how he had the vision and made it happen. Literally applying the Hagakure, Art of War, etc.. to the music industry. As well as Wu Wear and later films and cartoons. Him and Tarantino hang out and watch kung-fu movies...
2.Solid argument but I am talking about the stretch of years in the 90's when they made all those classic Wu albums. RZA gave them freedom to do what they wanted outside as long as they completed their Wu contracts. They still tour together as a group without a binding contract, just saw them and NAS this past year. Even their solo albums were pretty much WU releases, every other song had one or more other members
For context I am 36 and didn't discover hip hop until maybe ten. Already weird enough I wrote this book report not gonna ask your age, but can you name any old groups I missed or hip me to some current day ones? If we can say two is enough then Outkast is for sure right after WU for me and Bone Thugs is there too. Three six pretty much made trap what it is and they have a spot in my heart and for sure count as a group by these standards. I would add flipmode but that would break the criteria I set, Busta is waaay ahead. NWA, while short lived, was revolutionary and a great, sad about easy...
I feel like I left out an obvious one, so would love to be humbled..
Also, I don't know everything G Unit has done, so would love to hear any counterpoints or albums/mixtapes I should check out. but since we both agree this is a banger, I feel like we at least have common ground there, you might be able to hip me to something or remind me of something I forgot... I hope you understand why I defined a "group" as I did, let me know if you would define it another way.
Peace!
@zil7618
@@MaxUgly holy fuck get a life
@harreesiraj8554
Yayo snapped on this