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 The Man ft. Sonny Digital
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nigga, we ain't have nothin'
Every ghetto I know the same
We tryna make a little change
Preacher man come around talkin'
I don't wanna hear it, keep walkin'
I'ma put the powder in the pot
Whip it 'til I'm pullin' off a lot
New shit come without a top
Once I'm on I ain't never gon' stop
Bitch, I'm on, I ain't never gon' stop
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man
Ayy, came in the game gettin' money
Flippin' chickens, whip it, gettin' money
Niggas get to playin' with the money
Click-bang for the money
Shit changed over money
They love to see a nigga on the bottom
Catch a come-up, gotta keep it on the low
A nigga plug bless a nigga with a whole
Wanna break the bitch down into 36 O's
Looky here, bitch, I'm A-okay
Shorty wanna fuck with me
Strippin', yeah, the jiggin' and
Later she gon' hit my line
We ain't gon' waste no time
She suckin' and we fuckin' like she need me
While she make a bankroll easy
All the light in the room from the TV
We gettin' it on, then I'm gone
It's the type of shit that a nigga be on
Too much on my mind right now
I'm on the grind right now
Looking for me, sucker, then I need to be found right now
I got my nine right now
Bitch, I'll blow your mind right now
I ain't fuckin' 'round right now
Better get in line right now
Or fuck around and die right now
Hope you understand that
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
I'm a bonafide grade A hustler
A1, day 1, they can't touch a
Nigga like me, I be with the shit
Try and stick me, I'ma get you hit
Yeah, you know just how I get down
Bad bitches around, they smokin' and they drinkin'
And I'm thinkin' it can all work out
Send your bitch back blown out
It's never nothin' personal, believe me
Fuck around, your bitch don't wanna leave me
She talkin' 'bout takin' flights tonight when I'm out of town
Not around, she want me to fly in to put it down
It's nothin' to a real nigga, had that ass flyin' in first class
'Cause you seem to be regular, she don't want nothin' regular
Turn me on when she talk Spanish, that fat ass
You know I wanna get with it, so lady let's get it
Too much on my mind right now
I'm on the grind right now
Looking for me, sucker, then I need to be found right now
I got my nine right now
Bitch, I'll blow your mind right now
I ain't fuckin' 'round right now
Better get in line right now
Or fuck around and die right now
Hope you understand that
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man, you know I'm the man
The song "I'm The Man" by 50 Cent ft. Sonny Digital is a braggadocious track that hypes up the rapper's success and wealth, while also speaking to his rough upbringing. The first verse discusses growing up in poverty and trying to make a change through drug dealing. 50 Cent discusses his aspirations to own and drive a nice car, without a top, and the feeling of never wanting to stop once he's made it. The chorus reiterates that he is indeed the man.
The song then shifts gears to his present day success, discussing how he's making money and how people try to play on that for their own gain. 50 Cent brags about being a "bonafide grade A hustler" and how he has bad women around him. The bridge repeats that he's on the grind and is not to be messed with.
The overall message of the song is to assert dominance and to position oneself as not to be trifled with. While the song may promote a materialistic and violent lifestyle, it is still an expression of how someone from humble beginnings can rise to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
I came in the world cryin' and fussin'
I was born into a difficult and rough environment
Nigga, we ain't have nothin'
Growing up, my family and I were very poor
Every ghetto I know the same
I have seen many struggling communities with similar issues
We try to make a little change
Despite the challenges, we do our best to improve our situation
Preacher man come around talkin'
Religious leaders try to offer guidance and hope
I don't wanna hear it, keep walkin'
I am not interested in religion or their message
I'mma put the powder in the pot
I am going to start cooking drugs
Whip it 'till I'm pullin' off a lot
I will keep stirring and mixing the drugs until I have a lot to sell
Imagine when I pull it off the lot
When I eventually sell all these drugs, imagine the amount of money I will have
New shit come without a top
I will be able to buy new cars with convertible tops
Once I'm on I ain't never gon' stop
Once I am making money, I will never stop
Bitch, I'm on, I ain't never gon' stop
Hey, I am making money and will never stop
I'm the man
I am successful and powerful
Aye, came in the game gettin' money
When I entered the drug game, I immediately started making money
Flippin' checks, whip it, gettin' money
I make money by selling drugs I have cooked myself
Niggas get to playin' with the money
People try to steal or cheat me out of the money I have earned
Clique bang for the money
My crew is willing to fight to protect the money we earn
Shit changed over money
Many relationships have changed because of the amount of money I make
They love to see a nigga on the bottom
People enjoy seeing me struggle and fail
Catch it coming, gotta keep it on the low
I need to keep my drug business secret so I do not get caught
A nigga plug bless a nigga with a whole
My drug supplier gave me a large quantity to sell
Wanna break the bitch down into 36 O's
I want to divide the drugs into 36 portions to sell
Looky here, bitch, I'm A-okay
Hey, I am doing great and making lots of money
Shorty wanna fuck with me
Women are interested in me because of my money and success
Stripping, yeah, the jiggy, nigga
Girls who strip are attracted to me
Lady, she gon' hit my line
Women contact me and want to be with me because of my success
We ain't gon' waste no time
We will not waste any time and will immediately engage in sexual activity
She sucking and we fucking like she need me
The woman is performing oral sex and we are having sexual intercourse as if she cannot live without me
While she make a bankroll easy
While we have sex, she is easily making money from me
All the light in the room from the T.V
The only light in the room comes from the television
We gettin' it on then I'm gone
We have sex and then I leave the woman's presence
It's the type of shit that a nigga be on
This is the type of lifestyle that I enjoy and participate in
Too much on my mind right now
There is a lot of pressure and stress on my mind currently
I'm on the grind right now
I am working hard and hustling to make money
Looking for me, sucker, then I need to be found right now
If someone is looking for me, they better find me quickly
I got my nine right now
I have a gun with me
Bitch, I'll blow your mind right now
I am not afraid to use my gun and will shoot someone
I ain't fucking around right now
I am extremely serious right now
Better get in line right now
People should start behaving correctly and respecting me
Or fuck around and die right now
If anyone disrespects or crosses me, they could end up dead
Hope you understand that
I hope everyone realizes the seriousness of my words
Bitch, I'm the man, ho, I'm the man
I am the most successful, powerful and respected person around
you know I'm the man
Without a doubt, I am the man
I'm a bonafide grade A hustler
I am a highly skilled and successful drug dealer
A1, day 1, they can't touch us
We have a tight and trustworthy crew that no one can take down
Nigga like me, I be with the shit
I am always involved in the latest illicit activities
Try and stick me I'mma get you hit
If someone tries to betray or harm me, I will retaliate violently
Yeah, you know just how I get down
You should already know about my lifestyle and actions
Bad bitches around, they smoking and they drinking
I am surrounded by attractive women who are also smoking and drinking
And I'm thinking it can all work out
I am optimistic that everything will continue to go well
Seen your bitch back blown out
I have had sex with someone else's girlfriend
It's never nothing personal, believe me
My actions are strictly business and nothing personal
I fuck around, your bitch don't wanna leave me
I am charming and sexually skilled, causing other men's girlfriends to be attracted to me
She talking 'bout takin' flights tonight when I'm out of town
The woman is planning to take a trip and wants to see me while I am out of town
Not around, she want me to fly in to put it down
She wants me to fly to her location to have sex with her
It's nothing to a real nigga, had that ass flying in first class
As a successful and wealthy person, flying a woman in first class is not a big deal to me
Cause you seem to be regular, she don't want nothing regular
The woman is not looking for a normal or average relationship
Turn me on when she talk Spanish, that fat ass
The woman's accent turns me on and she has a large, attractive butt
You know I wanna get with it, so lady let's get it
I am attracted to her and want to engage in sexual activity with her
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke, Curtis James Jackson, Joshua Lance Harbin, Kendall Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TrueGeordie
Best 50 song in so long. He should really be promoting the shit out of this and push the video mainstream
@boxjuic
+The True Geordie GEORDIIIIIE!!!
@Gatsbyy
+The True Geordie I know fam. So hard.
@didmister1111
Wasn't expecting to find you here! Love your videos mate!
@yotam3848
you called it he got a video/short movie for this now
@LOCO3k
Oh shit, lol. "What's up everybody, it's the true Geordie" 😂😂
@highway6ix21
This was the last song my cousin played before he got shot in 2016. I will play this forever. R.I.P Jay
@AJ-kr1wt
RIP JAY🙏
@haruky7266
Rip Jay
@loreking9733
Rip