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.
Gangsta Shit
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Acting like my money ain't no good in the hood; you know what I mean?
Fucking head blown off, nigga; you know?
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
I'm the topic in every barbershop and beauty salon
Cause these other niggas that rap ain't on the shit that I'm on
Cause 50 this; 50 that; 50 stay with a gat
Thirty-two shots in the clip, hollow tips in the MAC
But when I come through, shh - the talking stop
My money long now, I can make the Pope get shot
Now, we can blow an hour talking bout the stones I rock
Or the hoes I got - catchin' stunts in the drop
Now, Nas, you love the kid, 50 on that killa shit
That big mobster bad man; BGF guerrilla shit
I'm marking my music like diesel on the block
So if you with me you gon' eat, and you gon' starve if you not
Weed smokers love me like they love Buddha
I'll turn your kids to a shooter
Crip niggas love me like they love Hoover
They tell me see careful good, cause niggas wanna see like you
They ain't used to a G like you, BOW!
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
You think you a killer but we gon' just pay 'em a visit
Put the potato on the barrel so nobody hear it
I keep a holster on my shoulder like I'm John Wayne
Shooting these niggas lights out like LeBron James
Holla my name; give me a reason to see you bleeding
After you feel these hollow tips, nigga, then we even
Full of anger until there's no more bullets in the chamber
Ain't nothing like when you get popped and don't know who to blame-a
Nigga told me, "Do your dirt all by your lonely"
So I go hit them niggas 'fore 50 could even hold me
I'm waiting, anticipating to put a nigga under
Smoking like we some Jamaicans, fucking with this ganja
Ride with no hesitation, retaliation is a must
Bad as I want to, some shit I just don't discuss
So point him out and watch I knock him off
Everywhere you bitches go, I got a nigga watching ya'll, motherfucka!
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
Come on, nigga, I ain't here to make no friends; just cut the checks
I got a long pump that'll put your stupid ass out the steps
Begging niggas don't understand, no
Probably cause my hand glow when I'm anticipating' the lambo
Lean out my bucket for niggas thinking they Rambo
You get one warning, so I suggest you let your man know
These rap niggas portray to be tough, nobody acting soft
Til they laid out in the hospital, eatin' apple sauce
Usually for yapping off and turn apologetic
Waving a white flag, for danger they might have
My niggas buying so much ammo
If you reach in the couch for loose change
You'll probably feel on the handle
Holding sixteens to get your bandages and broke bones
So I suggest you get alarm systems in both homes
There's only one team on top; we number one with a Glock
Fuck around and get your dumb ass shot
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
The song "Gangsta Shit" by G-Unit featuring 50 Cent is a warning to those who talk tough but cannot back it up. The lyrics suggest that 50 Cent is tired of people acting like his money is not good enough in the hood and that he is willing to go to extreme measures to prove his point. He talks about the topics of his music, the money he makes, and the attention he garners wherever he goes. He also discusses how he is admired by weed smokers and Crip niggas which he contrasts to those who are hating on him. He warns his enemies that he is ready to use his power and influence to take them down and that retaliation is a must.
The first verse of "Gangsta Shit" takes a jab at those who talk tough but cannot back it up. 50 Cent mentions how his money is not good in the hood and how he is willing to stop those who are talking about him. He also talks about how he is a topic of conversation in every barbershop and beauty salon because other rappers cannot compete with him. Throughout the song, 50 Cent uses violent imagery to show his willingness to take down anyone who dares to disrespect him.
The second verse has a more confrontational tone, as 50 Cent calls out those who think they are killers. He again uses violent imagery to describe how he will take down his enemies. The lyrics in this verse suggest that 50 Cent is tired of people talking tough and is ready to back up his words with actions. The chorus is a repeated warning to those who talk gangsta shit. The song is a classic example of gangsta rap and is notable for its explicit lyrics and graphic imagery.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, niggas talking all that gangsta shit
People are talking about being tough and aggressive.
Acting like my money ain't no good in the hood; you know what I mean?
They act like they don't respect me because I have money; do you understand?
Fucking head blown off, nigga; you know?
Their head will get blown off, do you understand?
They, they talking that
That gangsta shit
They ain't about that
Man, matter of fact
Hand me my strap
Show me where they at
I'll stop 'em from talking like that
They're talking about being tough, but they're not really about that. Give me my gun, tell me where they are, I'll make them stop talking.
I'm the topic in every barbershop and beauty salon
Cause these other niggas that rap ain't on the shit that I'm on
I'm the subject of discussion in every barbershop and beauty salon because other rappers aren't as tough as I am.
Cause 50 this; 50 that; 50 stay with a gat
Thirty-two shots in the clip, hollow tips in the MAC
People talk about me all the time because I always carry a gun with 32 hollow-point bullets.
But when I come through, shh - the talking stop
My money long now, I can make the Pope get shot
When I arrive, everyone stops talking. I have so much money that I could make even the Pope get shot.
Now, we can blow an hour talking bout the stones I rock
Or the hoes I got - catchin' stunts in the drop
We could talk for an hour about the diamonds I wear and the women I have who ride in my convertible car.
Now, Nas, you love the kid, 50 on that killa shit
That big mobster bad man; BGF guerrilla shit
Nas, you like me because I'm a killer. I'm like a big mobster; I act like a BGF guerrilla.
I'm marking my music like diesel on the block
So if you with me you gon' eat, and you gon' starve if you not
I'm making my music stand out like the smell of diesel on a street corner. If you support me, you'll prosper, but if not, you'll suffer.
Weed smokers love me like they love Buddha
I'll turn your kids to a shooter
Crip niggas love me like they love Hoover
They tell me see careful good, cause niggas wanna see like you
They ain't used to a G like you, BOW!
Marijuana smokers like me as much as they like the Buddha. I can even turn your children into shooters. Crips like me as much as they like J. Edgar Hoover. They warn me to be careful because people want to be like me. They're not used to a tough guy like me, BOW!
You think you a killer but we gon' just pay 'em a visit
Put the potato on the barrel so nobody hear it
You might think you're a killer, but we're going to go visit them and put a silencer on the gun, so no one can hear it.
I keep a holster on my shoulder like I'm John Wayne
Shooting these niggas lights out like LeBron James
I wear a holster like John Wayne and shoot people like LeBron James hits shots in basketball.
Holla my name; give me a reason to see you bleeding
After you feel these hollow tips, nigga, then we even
If you say my name, I'll have a reason to hurt you. After you feel the pain of my bullets, we'll be even.
Full of anger until there's no more bullets in the chamber
Ain't nothing like when you get popped and don't know who to blame-a
I'm angry until I run out of bullets. It's scary when you get shot and don't know who did it.
Nigga told me, "Do your dirt all by your lonely"
So I go hit them niggas 'fore 50 could even hold me
Someone told me to do things on my own, so I hurt those people before 50 Cent could even stop me.
I'm waiting, anticipating to put a nigga under
Smoking like we some Jamaicans, fucking with this ganja
Ride with no hesitation, retaliation is a must
Bad as I want to, some shit I just don't discuss
I'm waiting for a chance to take someone down. We're smoking marijuana like Jamaicans and aren't afraid to retaliate. There are some things I want to do, but I can't talk about them.
So point him out and watch I knock him off
Everywhere you bitches go, I got a nigga watching ya'll, motherfucka!
Just show me who they are and I'll take them down. I have people watching you everywhere you go, you bitch.
Come on, nigga, I ain't here to make no friends; just cut the checks
I got a long pump that'll put your stupid ass out the steps
I'm not here to make friends, just to make money. I have a long shotgun that will knock you down the stairs.
Begging niggas don't understand, no
Probably cause my hand glow when I'm anticipating' the lambo
Begging people don't understand my life because my hand glows with my watch when I'm looking forward to driving my Lamborghini.
Lean out my bucket for niggas thinking they Rambo
You get one warning, so I suggest you let your man know
I look out of my car for people who think they're Rambo. I'll warn you once to tell your friend.
These rap niggas portray to be tough, nobody acting soft
Til they laid out in the hospital, eatin' apple sauce
Usually for yapping off and turn apologetic
Waving a white flag, for danger they might have
Rap artists try to act tough, but won't be so tough when they're lying in the hospital eating applesauce. They usually start apologizing after talking too much. They'll start waving a white flag if they feel threatened.
My niggas buying so much ammo
If you reach in the couch for loose change
You'll probably feel on the handle
My friends are buying so much ammunition that if you reach into the couch for loose change, you'll probably touch a gun handle.
Holding sixteens to get your bandages and broke bones
So I suggest you get alarm systems in both homes
I have guns and will hurt you. I suggest you get security systems in both your homes.
There's only one team on top; we number one with a Glock
Fuck around and get your dumb ass shot
We're the only ones on top. We're number one with a Glock. If you mess around, you'll get shot.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID DARNELL BROWN, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES LLOYD, BASIL GLENDON GABBIDON, DAVID HINDS, SELWYN DELRAINZE BROWN, ALFONSO MARTIN, RONNIE MCQUEEN, STEVE NESBITT, MICHAEL RILEY, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good