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.
Hold On
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rich as a motherfucker and ain't much changed
Open my eyes, no suprise, I'm with a different bitch
Different day, different ass, different tits
Strap under my pillow, I don't want the jit
I'm not supposed to do this shit, but I forget
The true principles of life are supply and demand
Guess if you never sold dope it's hard to understand
Find out today's mathematics when that Mac go off
My temper volatile, grew up a violent child
Fuck a boy scout, I air your ass out
Nigga, nice chain, dice game, try your luck
Shoot a couple head cracks, leave while you up
I'm a fly nigga, my denim vintage
Gold medal around my neck like I won the Olympics
We came from nothing, now they saying we straight
Nigga, hold up, hold on
Hold on
These niggas, they watching every dime we make
Hold up, hold on
Hold on
We want that deluxe apartment in the sky with a clear view
Instead we get the D's in the rear view
We learn to play the game how it's supposed to be played
And so you know, you violate, you supposed to be sprayed
It's not a big deal to me, stay calm
I'll shoot the shit out of a nigga, then call it Barrel Bonds
But, if I don't do this shit myself, bet I'll get it done
Shit on my nigga, you shit on me, we of one
Used to do graffiti, now look we major
Don't make me write my name across your face with a razor
Re-Up, no joke, they say theyis sample the bomb
This shit can take a two and we cut this bitch with a one
Watch the fiends stand in line for the potency
No lactose involved, pure coco leaf
You can sniff that or cook that to my belief
That money coming in like we run the streets
We came from nothing, now they saying we straight
Nigga, hold up, hold on
Hold on
These niggas, they watching every dime we make
Hold up, hold on
Hold on
This shit go how I said, go when it's time to expand
So say it's over your dead body and that's the plan
You a gangster for real, you ready to ride?
Nigga, you gonna die a bad case of too much pride
Check my DNA, homie I'm a different kind
Hit the speed dial, that quick I'll get ya lined
We don't want your block, just cop your work from us
Those niggas you call allies can't be trust
That Rollie all gold, I got the Midas touch
Sometimes it's hard as hell not to touch stuff
On the phone I heard 'Ye smacked the shit outta a kid
Now Jimmy got life, go smack him again
When it's war, it will be war to the bitter end
If they ever say we lose, I start it again
Let's sneak the niggas spray that Semi at your momma crib
With a silencer we couldn't even hear that shit
We came from nothing, now they saying we straight
Nigga, hold up, hold on
Hold on
These niggas, they watching every dime we make
Hold up, hold on
Hold on
The lyrics to 50 Cent's song "Hold On" describe the life of a successful, wealthy, and violent drug dealer. He wakes up with a different woman every day and a gun under his pillow. He acknowledges that the principles of life are supply and demand, and that it's hard for people who have never sold drugs to truly understand this. The drug dealer also agrees that violence is a part of his life and that he's had a temper since he was a violent child. He also boasts about his wealth and status, showing off his gold medal around his neck like he won the Olympics. The chorus emphasizes how the dealer and his crew have come from nothing, and how people are watching every dime they make.
The second verse begins positively, stating that they want a deluxe apartment in the sky, but it ends with the reality that they always have the D's (police) in their rearview mirror. The dealer affirms that he knows how to play the game and that anyone who violates their rules will face the consequences. He also acknowledges that he's willing to do the dirty work himself, and anyone who messes with his crew messes with him. The dealer also raps about his success and how their product is a hot commodity that people will always buy. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing how they worked hard to get where they are, but others are still watching them closely.
The final verse of the song describes how the dealer and his crew operate in a world where violence is rampant. The dealer asks if his crew is willing to ride or die, and states that anyone with too much pride will end up dead. He also boasts about his influence and ability to sway things in his favor. The dealer isn't afraid to name-drop, mentioning Kanye West and a man named Jimmy who received a life sentence. The lyrics end with a dark and violent threat to sneak up and shoot an individual's mother with a silencer.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this morning, this is insane
I am amazed at the level of success I have reached.
Rich as a motherfucker and ain't much changed
Even though I am now incredibly wealthy, I am still the same person I was before.
Open my eyes, no suprise, I'm with a different bitch
It is not a shock to me that I am waking up next to a different woman every day.
Different day, different ass, different tits
Every day, I am with a different woman who has a unique set of physical attributes.
Strap under my pillow, I don't want the jit
I keep a firearm nearby to protect myself and my wealth from anyone who may try to steal it.
I'm not supposed to do this shit, but I forget
Although I know that my lifestyle is not entirely ethical, I often overlook that fact and continue doing what I do.
The true principles of life are supply and demand
In reality, the most important aspect of life is simply finding a way to provide for yourself and fulfilling the needs of others.
Guess if you never sold dope it's hard to understand
If you have never experienced the drug trade and the economics behind it, it is difficult to comprehend its impact on society.
My man got knowledge of self, at my back God
I have friends who possess wisdom and spiritual guidance that support me in my life and decisions.
Find out today's mathematics when that Mac go off
When violence is required to maintain my status and success, I make sure to understand the consequences and likelihood of success before taking action.
My temper volatile, grew up a violent child
I have a tendency to become angry quickly and resort to violence, likely because of my turbulent upbringing.
Fuck a boy scout, I air your ass out
I do not need to play fair or follow any rules when it comes to dealing with my enemies, and I am willing to use violence to handle them.
Nigga, nice chain, dice game, try your luck
I am surrounded by people who are willing to take risks in games of chance like dice and are attracted to flashy displays of wealth.
Shoot a couple head cracks, leave while you up
I am willing to resort to violence to ensure that I come out on top financially and leave the scene as soon as possible to avoid getting caught.
I'm a fly nigga, my denim vintage
I have a good sense of style and enjoy wearing vintage clothing.
Gold medal around my neck like I won the Olympics
I have achieved so much success in my life that I feel like I have won a gold medal, like an Olympic athlete.
We came from nothing, now they saying we straight
My past was marked by poverty and hardship, but now I have become incredibly successful.
Nigga, hold up, hold on
Wait a minute, let's take a moment to appreciate how far we have come.
These niggas, they watching every dime we make
There are people who are envious of our success and keeping a close eye on our earnings.
We learn to play the game how it's supposed to be played
We have learned the ins and outs of how to succeed in the world of drugs and crime, and we know how to play the game.
And so you know, you violate, you supposed to be sprayed
If anyone breaks the rules of the game, they should expect to be punished with violence.
It's not a big deal to me, stay calm
Violence is a part of my everyday life, and I do not get overly emotional about it.
I'll shoot the shit out of a nigga, then call it Barrel Bonds
I am willing to kill someone and take on the consequences, just like a professional baseball player named Barry Bonds who has faced legal issues related to steroid use.
But, if I don't do this shit myself, bet I'll get it done
Even if I am not directly involved in a situation, I will find a way to achieve my desired outcome through others.
Shit on my nigga, you shit on me, we of one
My loyalty to my friends is unwavering, and if someone harms my friend, they are also harming me.
Used to do graffiti, now look we major
I used to get in trouble for doing graffiti, but now I have achieved great success and am no longer involved in petty crimes.
Don't make me write my name across your face with a razor
Do not make me angry or give me a reason to cause you pain, as I am capable of doing so with ease.
Re-Up, no joke, they say theyis sample the bomb
I have a reliable drug supply chain and its quality is known to be excellent.
This shit can take a two and we cut this bitch with a one
We are able to make a large amount of money by cutting and redistributing drugs with lower quality and potency.
Watch the fiends stand in line for the potency
Our drugs are in such high demand that addicts are willing to wait in long lines to obtain them.
No lactose involved, pure coco leaf
Our drugs are not diluted with any other substances and are made purely with coca leaves.
You can sniff that or cook that to my belief
Our drugs can be consumed by either snorting them or injecting them with a needle.
That money coming in like we run the streets
We are making so much money that it feels like we are in charge of the entire neighborhood.
This shit go how I said, go when it's time to expand
I am very influential and able to make things happen when it comes to expanding my business and wealth.
So say it's over your dead body and that's the plan
I am willing to use violence to ensure that my plans are executed and my power is secured.
You a gangster for real, you ready to ride?
Are you truly willing to take risks and be violent in order to achieve success?
Nigga, you gonna die a bad case of too much pride
If someone is overconfident and brash, they will likely meet their demise as a result of their hubris.
Check my DNA, homie I'm a different kind
I am a unique and exceptional individual, and my successes can be attributed to this fact.
Hit the speed dial, that quick I'll get ya lined
I have connections and resources at my disposal to make things happen quickly and efficiently.
We don't want your block, just cop your work from us
I am not interested in taking over anyone else's territory, I just want to control the drug trade in my own area.
Those niggas you call allies can't be trust
I have a hard time trusting even my closest friends in this business due to its cutthroat nature.
That Rollie all gold, I got the Midas touch
I have a luxury gold watch and everything I touch turns to money and success like the mythological king Midas.
Sometimes it's hard as hell not to touch stuff
Even though I try to avoid drug use, it can be incredibly difficult to do so given the nature of my business and environment.
On the phone I heard 'Ye smacked the shit outta a kid
I heard a rumor that rapper Kanye West physically attacked someone who wronged him.
Now Jimmy got life, go smack him again
The person who wronged Kanye West has been arrested and sent to prison, but even so, Kanye should go and attack him again anyway.
When it's war, it will be war to the bitter end
If I am involved in a dispute or conflict, I am willing to fight until the very end, no matter how long it takes or what the consequences may be.
If they ever say we lose, I start it again
I have become so successful that even the threat of failure will not stop me from trying again and again.
Let's sneak the niggas spray that Semi at your momma crib
In this violent world, I would take pleasure in attacking someone's mother as a form of revenge or punishment.
With a silencer we couldn't even hear that shit
The violence I would commit would be so swift and deadly that the handgun's silencer would muffle the sound of the attack.
We came from nothing, now they saying we straight
Despite my humble beginnings, I have achieved great success and now enjoy life with financial security.
Nigga, hold up, hold on
Let's take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate how far we have come in our lives.
These niggas, they watching every dime we make
There are those who are envious of our success and are keeping close tabs on our financial transactions and dealings.
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, CTM Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, Cloud9
Written by: JOELL ORTIZ, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CeeJay190488
Regardless of how music is changing, I still love 50's music. He ain't into following trends and just does what he wants to do & don't seem to care about making a song just for the sake of it being a 'hit'. staying true to himself!
@CeeJay190488
***** haha thanks! I'm 17 lol just got a baby face!! :)
@felipelyra3871
and i still loving you
you are so cute
@CeeJay190488
lol... :)
@relentlesskst1231
Completely agree! It's 50 cent and fabolous for me. They both could care less about these emotional crying rappers. They just stay true to themselves and make their music. 50 can never for back to 2003, but I'm fine with that. This shit hit hard too. I like this shit better than anything on the radio.
@enricogta5169
you heard pilot yet???
@johnspainart
This track is one of the most underrated tracks in the history of hiphop. The beat, flow, lyrics and video are all fire
@jak3brap10
Whilst talking shit to a legit gangster he was at war with. Clowning him telling yayo to slap his son again. 50 different.
@liamneeson1368
9 shots is also super underrated
@lacrosse4111
50 is under rated as a rapper!