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 Got Swag
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She can play games all she wants, she cannot pretend, she like my style
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm rolling in the dough, I'm caked up
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm swimming in the dough, I'm caked up
I was a real bum now I'm really rich, kid
I come through the hood in some really, really sick shit
The Rolls, the roof gone, your flows, they're lukewarm
She like the kid, my lifestyle what she wanting
Bottle after bottle by the bar, I be stunting
It's Gucci this, Gucci that, Gucci hat
Big doofy gat, hit you in your kufi hat
You know me, I told your ass in '03 "Get Rich or Die"
G-5 I fly, write my name in the sky
Pick an island on the map, I been to it
Shorty wanna try anal, her friends do it
Wrists rocked up shining, flawless diamonds
You could hardly see the face on my Audemar time and
On that J.T. shit, me I'm bringing sexy back
Louis belt wrapped around right where the TEC be at
I don't really think she want me back then, she want me now
She can play games all she wants, she cannot pretend, she like my style
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm rolling in the dough, I'm caked up
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm swimming in the dough, I'm caked up
Getting paper's my objective, yup, now your chain gone
One false move and clap, now your brain's gone
You like me, you aight with me; me? I'm into me
I destroy my enemies even if they're kin to me
Do 'em like the Kennedy's, ching-ching that's mo' bread
Say something slick out your mouth I'll come for your head
She likes me more than you can imagine
Bad bitch, look like she fell up out a pageant
Closest I'mma get to heaven in this lifetime
Is right below her waist in between her thighs
Call her Pussycat, that's my nickname for her
And I ain't got to buy shit or run game on her
See when I stunt she stunt, we stunt together
Oh, you don't like how that sound? Aw nigga whatever
We both rock Bugarri, both push Ferrari's
I go so hard in the paint, I'm sorry
I don't really think she want me back then, she want me now
She can play games all she wants, she cannot pretend, she like my style
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm rolling in the dough, I'm caked up
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm swimming in the dough, I'm caked up
You want me? I want you, plug one? Plug two
I'm infinitely special, girl
The Lord's gonna bless you if you do what I tell you to do
You want me? I want you, you want a Benz? I'll buy two
You should want me like you want success
Girl, with us together we'll be better than the best
Why settle for less?
I don't really think she want me back then, she want me now
She can play games all she wants, she cannot pretend, she like my style
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm rolling in the dough, I'm caked up
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm swimming in the dough, I'm caked up
In "I Got Swag," 50 Cent brags about his success and how he's come a long way from being broke to being caked up. The theme of the song is about showing off and making it known that he's now rich and famous. He flaunts his money, top-of-the-line cars like his Rolls Royce, and designer clothes like Gucci. Women want him now because of his swag and success, which he highlights in the catchy chorus.
Throughout the verses, 50 Cent drops lines that show his dominance and how he handles his enemies. He boasts about how he's into himself and how he'll even destroy his kin if they cross him. He states that he's not into running game on women and doesn't have to buy things to impress them. He's confident that he and his partner would be better than the best because he's infinitely special.
Overall, "I Got Swag" is a celebration of 50 Cent's success and how he's living his best life. The song conveys his domination and power while also showing his swag and style.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't really think she want me back then, she want me now
She didn't desire me in the past, but she does now.
She can play games all she wants, she cannot pretend, she like my style
She can try to trick me, but she can't deny that she's attracted to my personality and image.
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm rolling in the dough, I'm caked up
I have a lot of confidence, wealth, and luxury items.
I got swag now, I got paper, I'm swimming in the dough, I'm caked up
I have a lot of confidence, wealth, and luxury items.
I was a real bum now I'm really rich, kid
I used to be poor but now I am wealthy.
I come through the hood in some really, really sick shit
I display expensive and impressive items when I'm in the neighborhood.
The Rolls, the roof gone, your flows, they're lukewarm
I have a convertible Rolls Royce while your rap skills are average.
It's why you're not me; nah-nah-nah-nah-nah
You can't compete with me, and that's why we're different.
She like the kid, my lifestyle what she wanting
She is attracted to me and is interested in my luxurious lifestyle.
Bottle after bottle by the bar, I be stunting
I show off and impress others by constantly buying expensive drinks.
It's Gucci this, Gucci that, Gucci hat
I have multiple expensive Gucci clothing items.
Big doofy gat, hit you in your kufi hat
I carry a large gun that can harm you.
You know me, I told your ass in '03 "Get Rich or Die"
I was known for my quote in 2003 that encourages people to work hard to become wealthy.
G-5 I fly, write my name in the sky
I travel in a G-5 plane and am very successful.
Pick an island on the map, I been to it
I have traveled to many exotic locations.
Shorty wanna try anal, her friends do it
A woman I am with is interested in trying anal sex, just like her friends.
Wrists rocked up shining, flawless diamonds
I wear diamond jewelry that is perfect and catches the light.
You could hardly see the face on my Audemar time and
My expensive Audemars Piguet watch has a small face because it is covered in diamonds.
On that J.T. shit, me I'm bringing sexy back
I am like Justin Timberlake in that I am making swagger and sex appeal fashionable again.
Louis belt wrapped around right where the TEC be at
I wear a Louis Vuitton belt where my gun is usually located for easy access and style.
Getting paper's my objective, yup, now your chain gone
My goal is to make a lot of money, which could potentially cause me to steal from those who have it.
One false move and clap, now your brain's gone
If you make a mistake, I might kill you.
You like me, you aight with me; me? I'm into me
You may be okay with me, but I am more focused on myself.
I destroy my enemies even if they're kin to me
I will ruin the lives of those I dislike, even if they are related to me.
Do 'em like the Kennedy's, ching-ching that's mo' bread
I will harm those who oppose me, like the Kennedys who were assassinated, and gain even more money and power.
Say something slick out your mouth I'll come for your head
If you say anything disrespectful to me, I will retaliate in a harmful manner.
She likes me more than you can imagine
The woman I am with is very attracted to me and likes me more than most people believe.
Bad bitch, look like she fell up out a pageant
The woman I am with is very attractive and looks like she could have been in a beauty pageant.
Closest I'mma get to heaven in this lifetime
The best feeling I can have in life is to be with the woman I am with.
Is right below her waist in between her thighs
The most pleasurable experience I can have is sexual intercourse with the woman I am with.
Call her Pussycat, that's my nickname for her
I have a cute nickname for the woman I am with.
And I ain't got to buy shit or run game on her
I don't have to manipulate or impress her in order to be with her.
See when I stunt she stunt, we stunt together
I show off and she shows off with me to display our wealth and status.
Oh, you don't like how that sound? Aw nigga whatever
If you are unhappy with how I act or speak, I don't care.
We both rock Bugarri, both push Ferrari's
We both wear expensive Bugari jewelry and drive expensive Ferrari cars.
I go so hard in the paint, I'm sorry
I am very successful and wealthy, and I apologize for making others feel inferior or jealous.
You want me? I want you, plug one? Plug two
You and I both have an attraction to each other.
I'm infinitely special, girl
I am very unique and special.
The Lord's gonna bless you if you do what I tell you to do
If you follow my lead, you will have good fortune and blessings from God.
You want me? I want you, you want a Benz? I'll buy two
You are attracted to me, and I am willing to buy you two Mercedes-Benz cars to impress you.
You should want me like you want success
You should have a strong desire for me, like one wants success in life.
Girl, with us together we'll be better than the best
If we are together, we will be the best and accomplish great things.
Why settle for less?
Why should you settle for anything less than me?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID JOLICOEUR, KELVIN MERCER, WILLIE HUTCHISON, CURTIS JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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