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.
If I Can
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haha, yeah
Yeah
If I can't do it, homie, it can't be done
Now I'ma let the champagne bottle pop
I'ma take it to the top
For sure I'ma make it hot, baby (baby)
I apply pressure to pussies, they stunt and I pop (yeah)
Stand above 'em squeezing my pistol, I'm sure that I got 'em (uh-huh)
Now Peter Piper picked peppers, and Run rocked rhymes
I'm 50 Cent, I write a little bit, but I pop 9s (brrt)
Tell niggas, get they money right, 'cause I got mine (uh-huh)
And I'm around, quit playing, nigga, you can't shine (woo)
You gon' be that next chump to end up in the trunk
After being hit by the pump, is that what you want?
Be easy nigga, I'll lay your ass out
Believe me nigga, that's what I'm about
Gangsta, you could find a nigga sitting on chrome
Hit the clutch, hit the gear, hit the gas and I'm gone (yeah)
If I can't do it, homie, it can't be done
Now I'ma let the champagne bottle pop
I'ma take it to the top
For sure I'ma make it hot, baby (baby)
I'm down for the action, he smart with his mouth, so smack him (woo)
You holding a strap, he might come back, so clap him (yeah)
React like a gangsta, die like a gangsta for acting (come on)
'Cause you'll get hit and homicide'll be asking, "What happened?"
Oh no, look who crept 'em with the .44 (woo)
20 inch rims sitting on low pros (uh-huh)
Eastside, Westside niggas know, yo, I'm loco (yeah)
Even my mama said something really wrong with my brain
Niggas don't rob me, they know I'm down to die for my chain
G-Unit! (Yeah) We get it popping in the hood
G-Unit! (Yeah) Motherfucker what's good?
I'm waiting on niggas to act like they don't know how to act (uh-huh)
After sipping too much Jack, I'll blow 'em off the map
With the MAC, thinking its all rap
'Til that ass get clapped and Doc say "It's a wrap"
(It's a wrap, nigga)
If I can't do it, homie, it can't be done
Now I'ma let the champagne bottle pop (uh-huh)
I'ma take it to the top
For sure I'ma make it hot, baby (baby)
I invented how to teach lessons to slow learners
Go head, act up, get smacked in the head with the burner (ah)
I don't fight fair, I'm dirty, dirty
I'm from Southside Jamaica, Queens, nigga, you heard me? (Yeah)
When the streetlights come on, niggas blast the 9s (uh-huh)
Get locked up, then read books to pass the time (woo)
In the game there's up's and down's, so I stay on the grind
Niggas on my dick more than my bitch, I stay on they mind
There ain't nothing they could do to stop my shine (uh-uh)
This is God's plan, homie, this ain't mine
I played the music loud so grandpa called me a nuisance
And grandma always gotta throw in her two cents
I'm the dropout who made more money than his teachers
Roofless like the coupe, but I come with more features
I am what I am, you could like it or love it
It feels good to blow 50 grand and think nothing of it
Fuck it
If I can't do it, homie, it can't be done
Now I'ma let the champagne bottle pop
I'ma take it to the top
For sure I'ma make it hot, baby (baby)
If I can't do it, homie, it can't be done
Now I'ma let the champagne bottle pop
I'ma take it to the top (yeah)
For sure I'ma make it hot, baby (baby)
Uh-huh
I'ma make it hot
Dr. Dre, Aftermath
Shady
Haha
The lyrics of 50 Cent's song "If I Can" are about his determination to succeed in life and in the music industry. He raps about his power and influence, his willingness to take on anyone who stands in his way, and his ability to rise to the top. The chorus repeats the line, "If I can't do it, homey, it can't be done," implying that he's capable of anything he sets his mind to.
Throughout the verses, 50 Cent raps about his past experiences, including growing up in Southside Jamaica, Queens, and his time in the streets. He talks about how he's had to fight and hustle his way to the top, and how he's not afraid to use his gun if he needs to. He also makes reference to his signature G-Unit crew, and their reputation as tough guys in the hood.
Overall, the song is a message of empowerment and confidence, with 50 Cent asserting his dominance and encouraging others to follow his lead. His delivery is aggressive and assertive, matching the tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
If I can't do it, homey, it can't be done
I am confident in my abilities and know that if I can't achieve something, then it must be impossible.
Now I'ma let the champagne bottle pop
I am going to celebrate my success and enjoy the fruits of my labor.
I'ma take it to the top
I have a mindset of success and will strive for greatness no matter what.
For sure I'ma make it hot, baby (baby)
I am confident in my ability to make a mark in the industry and make a name for myself.
I apply pressure to pussies that stunting I pop
I am ruthless to those who try to stop me from achieving success.
Stand alone squeezing my pistol I'm sure that I gotta
I am alone in my battle for success and will do what it takes to protect myself.
Now Peter Piper picked peppers and don't rock rhymes
Other rappers may have simple, unimportant lyrics, but I have more depth and substance in my music.
I'm 50 Cent, I write a lil bit but I pop nines
I am a rapper, but I also have a reputation for using guns to defend myself and those close to me.
Tell niggas, "Get they money right," 'cause I got mine
I advise others to make sure their finances are in order before it's too late.
And I'm around quit playing nigga you can't shine
I am always present in the industry and won't let anyone else take the spotlight from me.
You goin' be that next chump to end up in the trunk
Anybody who goes against me will face the consequences and potentially end up dead.
After being hit by the pump, is that what you want?
Do you really want to put yourself in danger by crossing me?
Be easy nigga, I'll lay your ass out
Don't make things difficult for yourself or else I will make sure you get what you deserve.
Believe me nigga, that's what I'm about, gangsta
My life is about survival, and I will do what it takes to make it through the toughest situations.
You could find a nigga sitting on chrome
You can see me riding in a luxurious car with shiny rims.
Hit the clutch, hit the gear, hit the gas & I'm gone (Yea!)
I am always on the move and ready to take on whatever comes next in my life.
I'm down for the action, he smart with his mouth so smack em
If someone talks too much or tries to act tough, I am always ready to put them in their place.
You holding a strap, he might come back so clap em
Don't let your guard down, even if you are armed, because you could still end up getting hurt.
React like a gangsta, die like a gangsta for acting
If you choose to live a life of violence, you may end up paying the ultimate price.
'Cause you'll get hit and homicide'll be asking, "What happened?"
If you choose the wrong path, you may end up getting killed and no one will know what caused it.
OH NO look who clapped em with the fo' fo'
It's a warning that you should never underestimate the power of a gun and the consequences that follow.
20 inch rims sitting chrome!
I have a luxurious car with rims that catch the eye of everyone.
Even my mama said, "Something really wrong with my brain"
Even my own mother thinks that I am crazy for the way I live my life.
Niggas don't rob me they know I'm down to die for my chain
People know that I am willing to fight and even die for what I have and what I believe in.
G-UNIT! We get it popping in the hood
My crew, G-UNIT, is the most respected in the neighborhood.
G-UNIT! Motherfucker whats good?
G-UNIT is the top crew and nothing can touch us.
I'm waiting on niggas to act like they don't know how to act
I am ready for anyone who tries to challenge me or act disrespectfully in my presence.
I had a sip of too much Jack, I'll blow em off the map
If someone messes with me while I'm under the influence, they are asking for trouble and may even end up dead.
With the mack, thinking its all rap
People often think that rappers are just playing when they talk about guns, but I am here to prove them wrong.
Til that ass get clapped and Doc say "It's a wrap"
Until someone gets shot and the doctor declares them dead, the violence will continue.
I been feeling I had to teach lessons to slow learners
People may not understand initially, but I am here to teach them important lessons to help them succeed.
Go head act up, get smacked in the head with the burner
I am willing to show tough love and put people in their place if they need it.
I don't fight fair, I'm dirty-dirty
I am not afraid to play dirty and will do whatever it takes to come out on top.
I'm from Southside Jamaica, Queens, nigga ya heard me?
I am representing my hometown and want others to know where I come from.
When streetlights come on niggas blast the nines
In my neighborhood, when it gets dark outside, people become more violent and dangerous.
Get locked up, they read books to pass the time
When someone gets arrested in my area, they have a lot of time to read and reflect on what they've done.
In the game there's up's and down's, so I stay on the grind
I am aware that life has ups and downs and will continue to work hard regardless.
Niggas on my dick more than my bitch, I stay on they mind
I am successful and constantly on people's minds, even more so than my significant other.
They ain't nothing they could do to stop my shine
No one can stop me from shining and achieving my goals.
This is God's plan homey, this ain't mine
I believe that my success is predetermined by a higher power and not just from my own hard work.
I played the music loud so Grandpa called me a nuisance
Even those closest to me, like my grandfather, can't handle the volume of my music.
And Grandma, who always gotta throw in her two cent
Even my grandmother has something to say about my lifestyle and doesn't always agree with my choices.
I'm the drop out who made more more money than these teachers
Even though I dropped out of school, I have achieved more success and made more money than some of my former teachers.
Roofless like the Coupe but I come with more features
I may not have everything others have, but I have other valuable characteristics that make me stand out.
I am what I am, you could like it or love it
I am not going to change for anyone and people can either like me for who I am or not.
It feels good to pull 50 grand & think nothing of it
I am so used to earning large amounts of money that it no longer brings me the same level of excitement.
Fuck it
I don't care what anyone else thinks, I am going to do what I want and be successful in my own right.
Uh huh, hood make it hot
The neighborhood I come from is known for being dangerous and violent.
Dr Dre, Aftermath
I am affiliated with Dr. Dre and Aftermath Entertainment.
Shady, ha ha
Also associated with Eminem's Shady Records.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andre Romell Young, Curtis James Jackson, Michael A. Elizondo, Theron Otis Feemster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good