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 Jayβs music. After heβd 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 Centβs 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 βGet Rich Or Die Tryinββ 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 Tryinβ 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.
Ghetto Like A Motherfucker
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying damn, where my friends go
Catburglar style
I'm coming through your window
Bitch I'm so focused, nigga I'm so focused
Slim chance I'ma go back to killing roaches
Be quiet, you can hear the rats in the wall
Make you want to pump crack
The dope bring the dough in, shawn sister
She hoeing
Like Brenda with her baby, she six months
She showing for 50 should suck that
For a buck you could fuck that
And you thinking she nasty
But niggas is nasty
Dice game shake em up, praying for a six
The wolves out there hungry
They looking for a lick sun down to sun up
They looking for a come up
10-30 in progress right in your projects
They boosting, you like Gucci, they got it
Spot it, and every other high end product
I put you on, my man's man
Got a credit card scam
Come through later, I'ma plug you in fam
Niggas pissed on the staircase in an elevator
Now I'm pissed cause I'm starting
To smell like piss, player
My little man get bread
I tell you what he doing
He bag up for days till cocaine in his urine
His momma got bills he avoiding the eviction
He play lookout and warn niggas
When the dicks coming
You can say I'm ghetto
Ghetto like a muthafucker
Pack heat, heavy metal like a muthafucker
You can say I'm ghetto
Ghetto like a muthafucker
Pack heat, heavy metal like a muthafucker
You can say I'm ghetto
Ghetto like a muthafucker
Pack heat, heavy metal like a muthafucker
You can say I'm ghetto
Ghetto like a muthafucker
Pack heat, heavy metal like a muthafucker
Mikey put his foot to a bitch
Ass on some pimp shit
10 hoes, 10 g's a night, niggas getting rich
Any nigga get out of line, I got 'em
Southside across my back, I'm from the bottom
All a nigga need is a block and a connect
And a box of 9mm's to load in the tech
The beef all gravy, a nigga half crazy
You pull it, better bang it
'cause niggas will bring it
That kush moving faster than crack
Nigga it's burning
Now move a couple pounds of that
Now you're earning
Stack paper on every flip, get the whip
Then get a new bitch and
Forget the one you with
She said she could do bad
All by her damn self
Nigga, let her do bad all by her damn self
A bitch'll tell when the pigs come
Won't even try to make bail
When the pigs come
Just let her do her own thing
The lyrics to 50 Cent's song "Ghetto Like A Motherfucker" depict the harsh realities and struggles of life in the ghetto. The opening lines convey a sense of desperation and frustration, with the singer acknowledging their current financial situation and the absence of supportive friends. The use of the phrase "Catburglar style, I'm coming through your window" suggests a willingness to resort to illegal means in order to survive and thrive in this environment.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of focus and determination, with the singer proclaiming their relentless drive and commitment to success. They express a desire to move away from poverty and the need to engage in illegal activities, such as selling drugs, just to make ends meet. The reference to "killing roaches" symbolizes leaving behind a life of poverty and the hope for a better future.
The song also highlights the prevalence of crime in the ghetto, with references to rats in the walls and the lure of illegal activities such as crack distribution and credit card scams. The singer describes the struggles faced by individuals in these circumstances, including the singer's sister resorting to prostitution to make a living. The lyrics also touch on the dangers faced by those involved in criminal activities, with references to dice games, thieving, and the constant pursuit of a lucrative opportunity.
Overall, "Ghetto Like A Motherfucker" sheds light on the harsh realities of life in the ghetto, portraying the desperation, resilience, and struggle for survival that individuals in these communities face.
Line by Line Meaning
Imagine I was broke right now
Imagine if I had no money at this moment
Saying damn, where my friends go
Feeling disappointed that my friends are not around
Catburglar style
Sneakily entering through your window like a skilled thief
I'm coming through your window
I am entering your house without your knowledge
Bitch I'm so focused, nigga I'm so focused
I am extremely determined and concentrated
Slim chance I'ma go back to killing roaches
There's very little possibility of me returning to my impoverished past
Be quiet, you can hear the rats in the wall
If you listen carefully, you can hear the unpleasant reality of this environment
Make you want to pump crack
The despair may lead you to sell drugs illegally
Til you stack racks
Until you accumulate a substantial amount of money
The dope bring the dough in, shawn sister
The drugs generate a significant amount of money, my acquaintance named Shawn understands this
She hoeing
She is engaging in promiscuous activities
Like Brenda with her baby, she six months
Similar to Brenda, who is pregnant for six months
She showing for 50 should suck that
She is demonstrating her willingness to engage in a sexual act with me, 50 Cent
For a buck you could fuck that
For one dollar, you could have sexual intercourse with her
And you thinking she nasty
You may perceive her as morally questionable
But niggas is nasty
However, there are also other individuals who are morally questionable
Dice game shake em up, praying for a six
Playing a game of dice, hoping for the highest number
The wolves out there hungry
There are people in desperate need of resources
They looking for a lick sun down to sun up
They are actively seeking an opportunity to make illicit profit throughout the day
They looking for a come up
They are searching for an easy way to improve their situation
10-30 in progress right in your projects
A crime is currently occurring in your neighborhood
They boosting, you like Gucci, they got it
They are stealing valuable items, and you, like Gucci, are their target
Spot it, and every other high-end product
Recognize the stolen items, including any luxury goods
I put you on, my man's man
I will introduce you to someone I know, a close friend of a close friend of mine
Got a credit card scam
Engaged in fraudulent activities involving credit cards
Come through later, I'ma plug you in fam
Visit me later, I will hook you up with the necessary connections, my friend
Niggas pissed on the staircase in an elevator
Individuals angrily urinated in the building's elevator and on the stairs
Now I'm pissed cause I'm starting to smell like piss, player
Now I am upset because the smell of urine is surrounding me
My little man get bread
My younger associate is making money
I tell you what he doing
Allow me to inform you about his activities
He bag up for days till cocaine in his urine
He spends multiple days packaging drugs until traces of cocaine are present in his urine
His momma got bills he avoiding the eviction
His mother has financial obligations, and he is working to avoid being evicted
He play lookout and warn niggas when the dicks coming
He serves as a lookout, notifying others when law enforcement is approaching
You can say I'm ghetto
It is valid to describe me as being from the ghetto
Ghetto like a muthafucker
I epitomize the characteristics and experiences associated with the ghetto
Pack heat, heavy metal like a muthafucker
Carrying firearms, particularly powerful ones, just like a real gangster
Mikey put his foot to a bitch
Mikey used physical force against a woman
Ass on some pimp shit
Engaged in exploitative behavior similar to a pimp
10 hoes, 10 g's a night, niggas getting rich
Having ten prostitutes generate ten thousand dollars per night, resulting in significant wealth
Any nigga get out of line, I got 'em
If any individual behaves inappropriately, I will handle them
Southside across my back, I'm from the bottom
Representing my affiliation with the Southside, indicating my origins from a disadvantaged area
All a nigga need is a block and a connect
To succeed, all one requires is a neighborhood and reliable contacts for illegal activities
And a box of 9mm's to load in the tech
Additionally, possessing a box of 9mm ammunition to load into the firearm
The beef all gravy, a nigga half crazy
The conflicts are easily manageable, as I am partially insane
You pull it, better bang it
If you draw your weapon, you must be prepared to use it effectively
'Cause niggas will bring it
Other individuals will respond with violence if provoked
That kush moving faster than crack
The marijuana sales are more profitable and occur at a higher pace compared to crack cocaine
Nigga it's burning
It is on fire, symbolizing its popularity and demand
Now move a couple pounds of that
Now start selling a significant amount of marijuana
Now you're earning
Now you are making a substantial income
Stack paper on every flip, get the whip
Accumulate money with each transaction and eventually purchase a luxury car
Then get a new bitch and forget the one you with
Find a new attractive woman and disregard your current partner
She said she could do bad
She claims to be capable of managing adverse circumstances
All by her damn self
Without assistance from anyone else
Nigga, let her do bad all by her damn self
Allow her to handle her own struggles without interference
A bitch'll tell when the pigs come
A woman will inform others when the police are approaching
Won't even try to make bail
She will not attempt to post bail and secure her release
When the pigs come
When the police arrive
Just let her do her own thing
Simply allow her to follow her own path and make her own choices
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A. Ripdae la Wise Escobar
Still one of the top 10 hip hop songs of the last 10 years.
Tidal Waves
50 cent is the best rapper in my top 5 hands down always!!! ! Straight fire every time he drop shit.
Stevie Jay
He should do what nicki did make a mixtape with old songs that went under the radar, because there still ain't no one who talks that shit like he does...
GM Productions
i swear his freestyles are actually his most fire shit
James Joyce Ulysses, 2J aka Squinty, Creater
2021 first time hearing π₯π₯
E Tijerina
Lol same. His IG post brought me here
Mackenzie Matola
Well this is why 50 stoped making music cos I canβt believe a 50 fan missing these tracks the way 50 was all over pushing these tracks for damn near a month , cos he dropped the like one everyday for a week or so, all of the were fire too! He shouldβve just released them as a mixtape but they were all singles for some reason
James Joyce Ulysses, 2J aka Squinty, Creater
@Mackenzie Matola Its 10 years old ,, I woildve heard it when it came out and forgot,, 50 stopped focusing on making music because of success ,, he hasnt even stopped making music π€π€¦ββοΈ
James Joyce Ulysses, 2J aka Squinty, Creater
@E Tijerina great people do similair things ππ
NyRapScene
This shit is fukin beautiful π―π―