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.
HeatWave
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't do it like we do
We keep it gangsta
They don't do it like we do
Cause they don't live like we do
We keep it gangsta
Di-di di da, di di-di, dida di day
Niggas is scared to death of me
Di-di di da, di di-di, dida di day
Niggas don't want it
I bring it to 'em anyway
I'm gettin' paper, things are changin'
Bitches love 50 they in da club wit' me
Poppin' the bub wit' me
You should see I'm in the tele
In the tub wit' me
Rubbin' all on my back like
They in love wit' me
I'm a grimey ass nigga, I'm far from a don
Still a million niggas come at me
Kick it like Farrakhan
I'm in your club wearin' whatever
I ain't tryna be cute
Deuce-deuce in my booth
Fuck you lookin' at dude?
We the reason that the D's
Is searchin' for bundles
The reason that they make you take
Your shoes off at the tunnel
Party wit' us and get ya link popped
I got ya bank stopped
Diesel like a nigga home on
Furlow in a tank top
You know how we roll, back to back, expose
Sippin' VSO i DWI, I'm a real wise guy
They don't do it like we do
Cause they don't live like we do
We keep it gangsta
They don't thug niggas out like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
What-what
They don't thug niggas out like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
What-what
Some wanna check me, some respect me
Some sit around tables plottin' to wet me
When y'all niggas come y'all
Better come correctly do you understand me?
Do do do do do do do do, gangsta shit
I'm laughin' straight to the
Muthafuckin' bank wit' this, haha
Inside we got razors, outside we got MACs
That's why we act like we
Don't know how to act
Who wanna got chopped? who wanna get shot?
Who wanna get these Cristal bottles
Smashed all across they knot?
Dupe, I run wit' grimey niggas that's
Down to tear the club up
You run wit' dirty niggas that wash
And tear the tub up
My niggas get knocked wit'out Glocks
There go the shop
They get sticked six months
Then come right back to the block
I told Tony, we approaching the game strongly
I don't give a fuck if I'm
Rubbin' these niggas the wrong way
What-what
They don't thug niggas out like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
What-what
They don't thug niggas out like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
What-what
Yo, yo in the local club
Niggas stay gettin' hit
All they do is clean up the blood
Change the name and reopen the shit
I watch niggas sip cups and
Cherish Hennessy as they hard
They get drunk, then they wanna thump
That's why I get a kick outta makin' em sick
Ice on the wrist, big as the shit Titanic hit
Now shorties in my hood sayin'
They like my style
Hoes in Hollywood sayin' I'm too wild
I'm gettin' plenty paper
My head is still nappy
I'm still plottin' to pop police like Pappy
Mason, niggas clearly don't understand
What they facin'
Let them get outta line then
I have to lace them
They runnin' for they life then
I have to chase them
And let shot off in bump-a-clot head
Style's awesome, ain't it?
The flow's flawless
Flip like a cordless jack
Applaud this black, this ain't ya average rap
They don't thug niggas out like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
What-what
They don't thug niggas out like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
What-what
Gangsta shit, 2000 shit
Yo, ayo first they didn't like me
Now they let me hit it up
Shawty is a pro son
She know how to get it up
You ain't got keep it on the low son
Her head game is crazy
Erick Sermon, 2000 shit
Def Squad nigga, 50 Cent nigga
What-what nigga
The song "Da Heatwave" by 50 Cent featuring N.O.R.E. is an ode to gangsta culture and the wild, reckless lifestyle that comes with it. The opening lines "They don't do it like we do / We keep it gangsta" sets the tone for the entire song, with 50 Cent and N.O.R.E. boasting about their "grimey" lifestyle and how they're different from other people who don't live the same way. The chorus is all about how they're the real deal when it comes to being gangsta, with lines like "They don't thug niggas out like we do / They don't stay iced out like we do / Who keep the bar priced out like we do? / We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth".
Overall, the song is a celebration of being tough and living without fear, with 50 Cent and N.O.R.E. expressing their confidence and strength through their lyrics. They don't care if people are scared of them, because they know they're the real deal and they're not afraid to bring the heat. The song is a reflection of the gangsta rap genre, which emerged in the 1990s and was characterized by its harsh lyrics and gritty, urban sound.
Line by Line Meaning
They don't do it like we do
No one does it the way we do it
We keep it gangsta
We maintain our credibility
Cause they don't live like we do
Others don't lead the same lifestyle as us
Di-di di da, di di-di, dida di day
Sound effect indicating the rhythm of the music
Niggas is scared to death of me
People are intimidated by me
They know I don't play
They are aware that I'm not joking
Niggas don't want it
People don't want trouble with me
I bring it to 'em anyway
I confront them regardless
I'm gettin' paper, things are changin'
I'm making money, my situation is improving
Bitches love 50 they in da club wit' me
Women like to party with me
Poppin' the bub wit' me
Drinking champagne with me
You should see I'm in the tele
I'm in the hotel
In the tub wit' me
Taking a bath with me
Rubbin' all on my back like
Massaging my back like
They in love wit' me
They are infatuated with me
I'm a grimey ass nigga, I'm far from a don
I'm a rough person, not a respected leader
Still a million niggas come at me
I'm still dealing with many challengers
Kick it like Farrakhan
Handling matters like Farrakhan, a leader of the Nation of Islam
I'm in your club wearin' whatever
I dress casually in your club
I ain't tryna be cute
I'm not trying to impress anyone
Deuce-deuce in my booth
I have a 22 caliber gun in my private room
Fuck you lookin' at dude?
Why are you staring at me?
We the reason that the D's
We are the cause of the police
Is searchin' for bundles
Looking for large quantities of drugs
The reason that they make you take
The cause of making people remove
Your shoes off at the tunnel
Requiring shoe removal at the club entrance
Party wit' us and get ya link popped
Associate with us and get your jewelry stolen
I got ya bank stopped
I made you bankrupt
Diesel like a nigga home on
Strong like a man who works out in prison
Furlow in a tank top
On leave from prison wearing a sleeveless shirt
You know how we roll, back to back, expose
You know how we ride, one after another, revealing our weapons
Sippin' VSO i DWI, I'm a real wise guy
Drinking expensive cognac while driving drunk, showing off my intelligence
They don't thug niggas out like we do
Others don't intimidate people like we do
They don't stay iced out like we do
Others don't wear as much jewelry as we do
Who keep the bar priced out like we do?
Who else can afford to keep the bar expensive like us?
We thug 'em out, what-what, bloody his mouth
We rough them up, making them bleed
Some wanna check me, some respect me
Some want to challenge me, some acknowledge my authority
Some sit around tables plottin' to wet me
Some plot to kill me while sitting around a table
When y'all niggas come y'all
When you guys come over
Better come correctly do you understand me?
Better come prepared, do you comprehend?
Do do do do do do do do, gangsta shit
Sound effect indicating the repetition of gangsta behavior
I'm laughin' straight to the
I'm laughing all the way to the
Muthafuckin' bank wit' this, haha
Derisively laughing while making lots of money
Inside we got razors, outside we got MACs
Carrying knives and guns, both secretly and openly
That's why we act like we
That's why we behave as if we
Don't know how to act
Are out of control
Who wanna got chopped? who wanna get shot?
Who wants to get cut or shot?
Who wanna get these Cristal bottles
Who wants me to hit them with these expensive champagne bottles
Smashed all across they knot?
Broken on their head?
Dupe, I run wit' grimey niggas that's
Listen, I run with rough people who
Down to tear the club up
Are willing to cause destruction in the club
You run wit' dirty niggas that wash
You hang out with weak people who follow orders
And tear the tub up
And cause damage to the bathtub?
My niggas get knocked wit'out Glocks
My associates get arrested without firearms
There go the shop
There goes their freedom
They get sticked six months
They receive prison sentence of six months
Then come right back to the block
And then return to the neighborhood
I told Tony, we approaching the game strongly
I told Tony that we are pursuing our goals aggressively
I don't give a fuck if I'm
I don't care if I am
Rubbin' these niggas the wrong way
Making these people irritated
Yo, yo in the local club
Hey, hey at the neighborhood club
Niggas stay gettin' hit
People keep getting into fights
All they do is clean up the blood
All they do is clean up the aftermath
Change the name and reopen the shit
Change the name of the club and reopen it
I watch niggas sip cups and
I observe people drink
Cherish Hennessy as they hard
Treating Hennessy as a luxury item
They get drunk, then they wanna thump
They become intoxicated and want to fight
That's why I get a kick outta makin' em sick
That's why I enjoy making them upset
Ice on the wrist, big as the shit Titanic hit
Large diamond bracelet resembling the Titanic tragedy
Now shorties in my hood sayin'
Now young women in my neighborhood are saying
They like my style
They admire my fashion sense
Hoes in Hollywood sayin' I'm too wild
Prostitutes in Hollywood think I'm too uncontrollable
I'm gettin' plenty paper
I'm making lots of money
My head is still nappy
My hair is still kinky
I'm still plottin' to pop police like Pappy
I'm still planning to attack police officers like Pappy Mason did
Mason, niggas clearly don't understand
People don't comprehend
What they facin'
What they are up against
Let them get outta line then
Let them misbehave
I have to lace them
I have to discipline them
They runnin' for they life then
They are running for their lives
I have to chase them
I have to pursue them
And let shot off in bump-a-clot head
And shoot them in the head
Style's awesome, ain't it?
My style is impressive, isn't it?
The flow's flawless
My rapping is perfect
Flip like a cordless jack
Versatile like a cordless phone
Applaud this black, this ain't ya average rap
Appreciate this African-America performer, this isn't ordinary rap music
Gangsta shit, 2000 shit
Tough behavior, updated for the year 2000
Yo, ayo first they didn't like me
Hey, in the past they didn't appreciate me
Now they let me hit it up
Now they allow me to participate
Shawty is a pro son
The woman is experienced, man
She know how to get it up
She knows how to become aroused
You ain't got keep it on the low son
You don't have to keep it a secret, man
Her head game is crazy
The way she performs oral sex is impressive
Erick Sermon, 2000 shit
Mentioning rapper Erick Sermon, updated for the year 2000
Def Squad nigga, 50 Cent nigga
Referring to Erick Sermon's hip hop crew and to 50 Cent
What-what nigga
Sound effect indicating excitement
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good