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.
Ja Rule Interview
50 Cent Lyrics
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A little bit a thugs is all it takes
To make this industry just brake
A little bit a thugs is all it takes
To make this industry just brake
What what what poison arrows
Swords and lords yo but really
My Mac Milly spray niggas lay niggas
Yo especially when that ass drunk too much
I call up tony touch tony touch bring the next dutch
Yo I'm all fucked up bent and can't think
While you both stink, don't even care that you sink
Yo impulsive, exclusive, high explosive
Can't even get with, shit I dealt wit
I'm on some other shit, my main script describe the foulness
Panama canalness, what, yo, I, don't even talk so I'm far from the loudest
Kid, nigga, can't touch this, rush this, yo what
Yo, switch the beat, now, bless it
What, I'm bout to fuck shit up, what
Fuck it up
Fuck it up
Fuck it up
Fuck it up fuck it up fuck it up, what what!?
We on the lines like the internet
Many will come but few was chosen
Against my set, there ain't a nigga yet
Smoke so much niggas say I need nicorette
You say boogie, but you used to say cigarette
Now I know, a new religion, a new beginning
I own women, three-fourths rock and linen
This middle east shit, father beat shit
Release this, the only place in the world, that pull out cracks pieces
We rock camels, split that ass in text
Yo we bag bitches after we fuck em and say thanks
Yo thanks for havin' me, next week your straight grabbin' me
Swearin' they homeless, sayin' that the havin' me
I don't, want to crawl at all
You want to be a thug, you used to play ball
Runs the play for Seton Hall
Now, outta the blue, you got thug in you too
Yo I knew you, your size shoe was due in voodoo
Always, smell like shit, used to call you doo-doo
Never came outside, in the crib you hide
Scared to death
While we played manhunt, to our last breath
I never chose this life, it chose me
What, l-f-c, heavy amount with jewelry
Crime syndicate, nigga livin' this
Never mention miss ?
Smoke rain bodies, you had to saw before, before
Yo, you on my dick, I had the lime green on
With the string on, with fatigue on
Fresh avirex's, cockpit, now from the outlet
Jose Luis emperor, two shots I blow ta Dillinger
No real kings like john Dillinger, the politic
What, I'm on some ides in the militant
You either with me or against me
That in between shit make the money stop too intensely
So what the deal is, the generals what the deal is
What the deal is, the devilish thought you can't kill this
What niggas, Iraq, realize that
The lyrics in "Freestyle" by 50 Cent and G-Unit discuss the importance of strength and presence in the rap industry, comparing it to the intensity and power seen in Iraq. The song starts with Tony Touch announcing the presence of 50 M-C's, followed by the line "A little bit of thugs is all it takes to make this industry just break," highlighting the idea that a few strong individuals can dominate the entire industry. The lyrics then turn to weapons and alcohol, with the line "My Mac Milly spray niggas lay niggas, Yo the cognac make you feel unbeatable," suggesting that alcohol can make one feel invincible in the same way that weapons do.
The song goes on to discuss the Middle East and the idea that it is the only place in the world where one can "pull out cracks pieces," implying that there is a unique intensity and danger in the area. The lyrics also talk about women and sex, with lines like "We bag bitches after we fuck em and say thanks" and "I own women, three-fourths rock and linen." The final verse of the song touches on power dynamics and alliances, with the lines "You either with me or against me, That in between shit make the money stop too intensely."
Overall, "Freestyle" is a song that emphasizes strength, power, and dominance in both the rap industry and in more global contexts like war zones.
Line by Line Meaning
Tony touch Iraq Iraq 50 M-C's,
Tony Touch and 50 MCs have gathered in pursuit of success and respect in the music industry.
A little bit a thugs is all it takes
A few violent individuals are capable of disrupting the music industry and causing chaos.
To make this industry just brake
Those few violent individuals are capable of damaging and bringing the music industry to a halt.
What what what poison arrows
What are the effects of the malicious and harmful actions of people and their weapons?
Swords and lords yo but really
People claim to be powerful and important, but their words mean nothing without action.
My Mac Milly spray niggas lay niggas
50 Cent's gun, a Mac 10, can easily take down anyone.
Yo the cognac make you feel unbeatable
Alcohol can make people feel invincible and powerful.
Yo especially when that ass drunk too much
This is even more true when someone is extremely drunk.
I call up tony touch tony touch bring the next dutch
50 Cent calls up Tony Touch to bring another joint, to help him relax and feel better.
Yo I'm all fucked up bent and can't think
50 Cent is so high and drunk that he cannot think straight.
While you both stink, don't even care that you sink
Other people around 50 Cent might be struggling or failing, but he does not care.
Yo impulsive, exclusive, high explosive
50 Cent's behavior is unpredictable, unique, and dangerous.
Can't even get with, shit I dealt wit
Other people cannot handle or understand the challenges and struggles that 50 Cent has faced.
I'm on some other shit, my main script describe the foulness
50 Cent has experienced some rough and dirty things in his life, that his storytelling reflects.
Panama canalness, what, yo, I, don't even talk so I'm far from the loudest
50 Cent is not the loudest or most talkative person, but he has still gotten far in his music career.
Kid, nigga, can't touch this, rush this, yo what
People cannot touch or imitate 50 Cent's talent and success.
Yo, switch the beat, now, bless it
The song's beat and tone is now going to change, and 50 Cent is going to make it great.
What, I'm bout to fuck shit up, what
50 Cent is about to cause chaos and destruction, and he is excited about it.
We on the lines like the internet
The group is working together and following a specific plan, just like information travels on the internet.
Many will come but few was chosen
Lots of people want success and spotlight, but only a few will achieve it.
Against my set, there ain't a nigga yet
No one has been able to stand up to 50 Cent's group of associates and friends.
Smoke so much niggas say I need nicorette
The group smokes so much that people joke they need nicotine gum to quit.
You say boogie, but you used to say cigarette
Their slang and language changes often, from 'boogie' to 'cigarette' and other terms.
Now I know, a new religion, a new beginning
50 Cent has found a new direction and purpose, something he believes in fully.
I own women, three-fourths rock and linen
50 Cent has a lot of control and power over women in his life.
This middle east shit, father beat shit
50 Cent is tough and strongly association with the middle east because of its reputation for violence.
Release this, the only place in the world, that pull out cracks pieces
The group claims to have the most pure and high-quality drugs available.
We rock camels, split that ass in text
The group rides camels and seduces women, enjoying their uncontrollable power.
Yo we bag bitches after we fuck em and say thanks
The group sleeps with women and then disposes of them without any second thought or regret.
Yo thanks for havin' me, next week your straight grabbin' me
The women return to them out of their desperation and desire for their attention.
Swearin' they homeless, sayin' that the havin' me
The women lie and claim they are poor and need help from the group, even though they are willing participants.
I don't, want to crawl at all
50 Cent does not want to show any weakness or dependency.
You want to be a thug, you used to play ball
Other people have started to imitate his behaviors and language, wanting to be 'thugs' now instead of athletes.
Runs the play for Seton Hall
One of the people who wants to be a thug also used to be part of Seton Hall basketball team.
Now, outta the blue, you got thug in you too
Others have started imitating 50 Cent's attitudes and behaviors purely because it is the current trend.
Yo I knew you, your size shoe was due in voodoo
50 Cent could predict this person's path and behavior before it even happened, as if by magic.
Always, smell like shit, used to call you doo-doo
This person always had a bad odor, earning them the nickname 'doo-doo'.
Never came outside, in the crib you hide
The person used to avoid the outside world and hide inside all the time.
Scared to death
This person is incredibly scared and intimidated.
While we played manhunt, to our last breath
While 50 Cent and his friends played games and took risks, this person was always scared and unwilling to participate.
I never chose this life, it chose me
50 Cent believes his lifestyle and experiences were always as they were meant to be, not necessarily his choice.
L-f-c, heavy amount with jewelry
50 Cent's crew is called L-F-C and they have a lot of expensive jewelry on them.
Crime syndicate, nigga livin' this
The group is associated with criminal activities and they live their life embracing that image.
Never mention miss ?
This line is unclear and its true meaning is not obvious, it may relate to women or the group's activities.
Smoke rain bodies, you had to saw before, before
It is unclear what this line means exactly, possibly it refers to the group being in dangerous and violent situations often.
Yo, you on my dick, I had the lime green on
Other people are constantly trying to get 50 Cent's attention and approval, wanting to be part of his group.
With the string on, with fatigue on
50 Cent wears expensive and fashionable clothing, including a green outfit with bright shoelaces.
Fresh avirex's, cockpit, now from the outlet
He also wears Avirex clothing, a fashion brand popular in rap culture, bought from an outlet store.
Jose Luis emperor, two shots I blow ta Dillinger
References to Jose Luis Rodriguez, a singer, and the infamous bank robber John Dillinger are made here.
No real kings like john Dillinger, the politic
John Dillinger was one of the most notorious bank robbers in history, and he had a reputation for being a charismatic and powerful individual.
What, I'm on some ides in the militant
50 Cent is feeling motivated and inspired, ready to take risks and be aggressive.
You either with me or against me
If you are not with 50 Cent, you are against him, no middle ground.
That in between shit make the money stop too intensely
People who are unsure and fickle cannot help him make more money or achieve more success.
So what the deal is, the generals what the deal is
What is the situation, what is happening, what are the most important aspects?
What the deal is, the devilish thought you can't kill this
Although people may have negative thoughts and doubts, they cannot take down 50 Cent and his group.
What niggas, Iraq, realize that
The group is emphasizing their power and dominance, telling other people to recognize this. The mention of Iraq is unclear but could relate to the group's perceived invincibility and toughness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GivvyOfficial94
Ja Rule saying “who!?” About 50 Cent didn’t age well at all 😂💀
@pheyo2346
I am about to make this the 51 like but kinda cool that coincidentally, 50 people liked it before I did
@THERSC216
He said that about Fyre Fest....to this day I think Ja should've been charged for Fyre Fest.
@kalebanth8323
@@THERSC216what u on some police shit
@STRYKEtv
I had this DVD. The early 2000’s were dope
@lwrncjms
Good time in rap
@JayBelafonte
@Ice Berg Right before they Sold Out
@luiscuebas8851
Hell yeah it was. I still got my copy
@acheepirate
best times were when pac was alive
@Daveed1984
I had all the BEEF DVDs. Definitely the early 2002s were the best time for my Teenage years
and early 20s