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 Jayβs music. After heβd 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 Centβs 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 βGet Rich Or Die Tryinββ 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 Tryinβ 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.
Legend
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Legends don't die, nigga legends don't ride
Legends don't cry, nigga legends don't ride
I ain't gon' accept the fact
All of my niggas dyin'
How am I gon' accept the fact
How can I expect the fact
All of my niggas dryin'
I still ain't respect the fact
All of my niggas dyin'
Legends don't die, nigga legends don't ride
Legends don't cry, nigga legends don't ride
In "Legend," 50 Cent reflects on the mortality of his friends and the pain that comes from losing them. The repeated lines "Legends don't die, nigga legends don't ride, Legends don't cry, nigga legends don't ride," emphasize the idea that true legends never truly die or falter. 50 Cent expresses his refusal to accept the reality of his friends' deaths, as he cannot fathom a world in which they are no longer present. He struggles with the fact that they are gone and wonders how he can cope without them.
The lyrics also reveal 50 Cent's loyalty to his crew, known as G-Unit. He questions how he can come to terms with the fact that none of his friends are still around to support him. Despite the pain, he refuses to let go and move on, as he still holds onto the hope that his friends are somehow still alive. The repetition of these lines throughout the song reinforces the emotional turmoil and denial that 50 Cent experiences.
Overall, "Legend" highlights the complex emotions that arise from losing loved ones and the difficulty of accepting their absence. It also showcases 50 Cent's unwavering loyalty to his friends and his refusal to let go of their memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Legends don't die, nigga legends don't ride
True legends never perish, they never surrender
Legends don't cry, nigga legends don't ride
Legends don't show vulnerability, they always stand strong
I ain't gon' accept the fact
I refuse to believe
All of my niggas dyin'
All of my close friends are passing away
How am I gon' accept the fact
How can I come to terms with
None of my niggas ridin'
None of my friends are supporting or standing by me
How can I expect the fact
How can I anticipate or comprehend
All of my niggas dryin'
All of my friends are becoming emotionally numb
I still ain't respect the fact
I still haven't fully acknowledged or accepted
All of my niggas dyin'
All of my close friends are passing away
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NXRemix
Share this around everywhere and comment to support!:)
@ryanniday6002
0:22
@christinedesalvatore1654
?? The original was with snoop no??
@ShannonJosephGlomb
I share and pass it on to everyone β€ I have noticed as soon as people know it's AI they like switch off to it like it's programmed into them or something it's so weird π
@ThomasMeadows-gx3zw
Let me get on. A track ..bring it back ..
@musicontheroad3580
Your sound quality evolving! Great
@MichaelDike-my1ui
AWESOME! BEAUTIFUL! and MAGICAL! This is real hip-hop, real rap, not this garbage we get from all these new acts. A collaboration from some the greatest rappers alive. I JUST LOVE IT. Every inch of the song was really great and we do need music like this especially in these times when a lot of these new acts are really damaging the act of the rap game.
@Jasmine-tw7dr
This is a mashup btw, not saying it isn't real hip hop. Just saying that this isn't like it's own official release
@user-ej7bg8em8z
Real talk!!!! Yet these New artists won't have the slightest clue as they witnessing this
@pedorhomedesign8039
Exactly π―