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.
I'm Supposed To Die Tonight )
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ay, you know where the niggas be at right?
Take me to 'em
All through the hood, I keep hearin' niggas sayin'
I'm supposed to die tonight (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
Niggas come put a hit out and they talkin' like the shit okay (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
I'm down to ride tonight
I'm down to ride tonight
We smokin', straight loc'n, locked and loaded
Somebody gon' die tonight
This is nothin' new, I been in the position before
Grandma crib, niggas outside of her door
Different day, same shit, old MAC, new clip
Thirty two hollow tips, gloves, no rubber grip
I'm a boss, but niggas never show no respect
I catch 'em slippin', I have 'em tongue kissin' my TEC
Want to come test me, pussy boy don't try
Police response never fast enough to shots fired
Don't be stupid, find out who you fuckin' with son
'Fore we find out where yo' bitch get her hair and nails done
It's elementary, life is but a dream
You know row row your boat, your blood forms a stream
After you get hit, you shoulda thought about the shit
You took that paper you take a life or yo' life get took bitch
Sometimes I sit and look at life from a different angle
Don't know if I'm God's child or I'm Satan's angel
All through the hood, I keep hearin' niggas sayin'
I'm supposed to die tonight (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
Niggas come put a hit out and they talkin' like the shit okay (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
I'm down to ride tonight
We rollin', whip stolen, AK loaded
I'm down to ride tonight
We smokin', straight loc'n, locked and loaded
Somebody gon' die tonight
In 2002, if you asked me to make a wish
I simply would of wished that my music would be a hit
BIG said damn, niggas want to stick me for my paper
Then pray for my downfall, I understand it all
But me, I'm a little more flashy a nigga
So chances are, I'ma have to blast me a nigga
I'm on that Kevlar vest shit, that Wild Wild West shit
There's eighty-one one karat stones in my necklace
I shine so hard, I make motherfuckers wan' kill me
Every projects in every hood I go, they feel me
Know it sounds like rap, but this shit is real B
I don't talk that rich shit, but nigga I'm filthy
When I come out to play, and my mob ain't with me
You can bet your bottom dollar that revolver with me
Homeboy, frontin' on me'll shorten your lifespan
Hold the mic with my left, my knife in my right hand
Yeah!
All through the hood, I keep hearin' niggas sayin'
I'm supposed to die tonight (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
Niggas come put a hit out and they talkin' like the shit okay (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
I'm down to ride tonight
We rollin', whip stolen, AK loaded
I'm down to ride tonight
We smokin', straight loc'n, locked and loaded
Somebody gon' die tonight
In "I'm Supposed To Die Tonight," 50 Cent raps about overcoming the threats he receives on a daily basis. He talks about how people want to see him dead and how he's not sure who he can trust. He uses violent language throughout, talking about being "locked and loaded," and how he's "down to ride tonight." He describes himself as a "boss" and comments on that people don't show him the respect that he deserves.
Most of the song's lyrics seem to contemplate the inevitability of violence, and it feels as though 50 Cent is trying to prepare himself for the worst. The song highlights his struggle for survival and his willingness to do anything to stay alive. As is the case with many of 50 Cent's songs, "I'm Supposed To Die Tonight" uses menacing lyrics to create a vivid and compelling portrait of his violent life.
Line by Line Meaning
All through the hood, I keep hearin' niggas sayin'
People in my community continue to suggest that I will be killed soon.
I'm supposed to die tonight (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
They predict that I will be shot and killed this evening.
Niggas come put a hit out and they talkin' like the shit okay (pup, pup, pup, pup, pup, pup)
They casually talk about ordering a hit on me without consequences.
I'm down to ride tonight
I am willing and ready to retaliate tonight.
We rollin', whip stolen, AK loaded
We are driving around in a stolen car with an AK-47 loaded and ready to use.
We smokin', straight loc'n, locked and loaded
We are smoking marijuana and ready to act aggressively if necessary.
Somebody gon' die tonight
Someone will die as a result of these violent actions tonight.
This is nothin' new, I been in the position before
I have previously been in situations where people have threatened to kill me.
Grandma crib, niggas outside of her door
People have even targeted my elderly grandmother's home before.
Different day, same shit, old MAC, new clip
The same violent threats continue to happen, and I am prepared with new ammunition.
Thirty-two hollow tips, gloves, no rubber grip
I have 32 hollow point bullets, am wearing gloves, and do not have a rubber grip on my gun for better accuracy.
I'm a boss, but niggas never show no respect
I am in a position of power, but others do not show me the respect I deserve.
I catch 'em slippin', I have 'em tongue kissin' my TEC
If they make a mistake, I will catch them off guard and have them staring down the barrel of my gun.
Want to come test me, pussy boy don't try
If someone wants to confront me, they better not underestimate me or they will regret it.
Police response never fast enough to shots fired
The police cannot respond fast enough to gunfire in my neighborhood.
Don't be stupid, find out who you fuckin' with son
Don't be naive, know who you are dealing with.
'Fore we find out where yo' bitch get her hair and nails done
Before we find out where your significant other goes to get their hair and nails done, which could be used to harm or threaten them.
It's elementary, life is but a dream
Life is simple, it's like a dream.
You know row row your boat, your blood forms a stream
If you go against me, your blood will flow like a stream.
After you get hit, you shoulda thought about the shit
After someone gets shot, they should have thought twice before crossing me.
You took that paper you take a life or yo' life get took bitch
If you take my money or livelihood, I will take your life in return.
Sometimes I sit and look at life from a different angle
I take time to reflect on my life and decisions from a different perspective.
Don't know if I'm God's child or I'm Satan's angel
I am unsure if I am a righteous person or one who is sinful.
In 2002, if you asked me to make a wish
In 2002, if you asked me to make a wish for success in music.
I simply would of wished that my music would be a hit
I would have only wished for my music to become popular.
BIG said damn, niggas want to stick me for my paper
The late rapper BIG said that people would try to rob him for his money.
Then pray for my downfall, I understand it all
Then they'll wish for me to fail, I know this happens all the time in the rap industry.
But me, I'm a little more flashy a nigga
But I am more flamboyant and ostentatious with my success.
So chances are, I'ma have to blast me a nigga
So it's likely I will have to use violence against someone.
I'm on that Kevlar vest shit, that Wild Wild West shit
I wear a Kevlar vest for protection and am ready to engage in a gunfight.
There's eighty-one one karat stones in my necklace
My necklace is very valuable, with 81 one-karat diamonds.
I shine so hard, I make motherfuckers wan' kill me
I am so successful and wealthy that people become envious and want me dead.
Every projects in every hood I go, they feel me
Wherever I go in any neighborhood, people recognize and respect my success.
Know it sounds like rap, but this shit is real B
My lyrics sound like typical rap, but everything I'm saying is true and happening in my life.
I don't talk that rich shit, but nigga I'm filthy
I don't boast about my wealth, but I am very rich.
When I come out to play, and my mob ain't with me
When I am alone and not with my crew.
You can bet your bottom dollar that revolver with me
I always have a gun with me when I am alone.
Homeboy, frontin' on me'll shorten your lifespan
Confronting me could shorten your life expectancy.
Hold the mic with my left, my knife in my right hand
I perform with a microphone in my left hand and my right hand on a knife for protection or attack.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, MARSHALL B. III MATHERS, LUIS EDGARDO RESTO, STEVEN LEE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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