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.
Life's on the Line
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody likes me, but that's okay
'Cause I don't like y'all anyway
Man, I don't like y'all anyway
Fuck all y'all (all y'all)
I let my watch talk for me, my whip talk for me
My gat talk for me (baow)
What up, homie?
'Cause the shit I floss wit' be sayin' a lot for me
I came into rap humble, I don't give a fuck now
I'll serve anybody like niggas who hustle uptown (uh-huh, uh-huh)
Coke price go up, capsules come down
The D's run in my crib, I'm nowhere to be found
Nigga's who hustle for me, they don't even stash tracks
They keep it on 'em, right there in they ass crack (yeah)
When I don't like a nigga, I don't pretend to
I'll have the paramedics wrap your fuckin' head like a Hindu
Look, I ain't goin' nowhere, so get used to me
OG's look at me and see I'm what they used to be
I'm that nigga that sold coke, the nigga that sold dope
The nigga that shot dice, went broke then sold soap
The thug that pop shit, the thug that pop clips
The thug that went from three and a half to a whole brick
Nigga ain't in his right mind goin' against me
My pictures painted the words, I make a blind man see (woo)
Scream, "Murder" (I don't believe you)
Murder (fuck around and leave you)
Murder (I don't believe you)
Murder, murder (your life's on the line)
Y'all niggas don't want no parts of me
You tryna figure out how y'all started me
You gon' make me catch you on the late night
Pop shots wit' the fifth then slide off in the six (in the six)
I'm not a marksman while sparkin', so I spray random
Not a pretty nigga but my moms think I'm handsome
I hate to hear "he say, she say" shit
Unless he say she said she on my dick
It's no coincidence, niggas who fuck wit' me get shot up (brrat, brrat)
I do a Cali' style drive-by and tear ya block up
You soft, duke, you puttin' up a crazy front
I stay wit the MAC 'cause niggas tried blaze me once
In the hood they like, "Damn, 50 really spitted on 'em"
"You heard that shit?" "Yeah, 50 really shitted on 'em"
Beef, you don't want none, so don't start none
You just a small player in this game, play your part, son
Scream, "Murder" (I don't believe you)
Murder (fuck around and leave you)
Murder (I don't believe you)
Murder, murder (your life's on the line)
These cats always escape reality when they rhyme (uh-huh, uh-huh)
That's why they write about bricks and only dealt wit' dimes (yeah)
Leave it to them, and they say they got a fast car
NASCAR, truck wit' a crash bar
And TV's in the dash, pa
See 'em in the five wit' stock rims, I just laugh, pa
I catch stunts when I ain't tryin'
I ain't lyin', I sip Don P 'til I spit up
Keep my wrist lit up
Get outta line, I get you hit up (woo)
Now if you say my name in your rhyme, you better watch what you say
You get carried away, you can get shot and carried away
Now here's a list of MC's that can kill you in eight bars
50, um, Jay-Z and Nas
I'ma say this shit now and never again
We ain't buddies, we ain't partners and we damn sure ain't friends
The games you playin', you get killed like that
Actin' like you all hard, you ain't built like that
See me when you see me nigga, one (one)
Scream, "Murder" (I don't believe you)
Murder (fuck around and leave you)
Murder (I don't believe you)
Murder, murder (your life's on the line)
Y'all niggas don't want no parts of me
You tryna figure out how y'all started me
You gon' make me catch you on the late night
Pop shots wit' the fifth then slide off in the six (in the six)
The song "Life's on the Line" by 50 Cent features lyrics that are confrontational and aggressive, suggesting that the rapper is willing to take on anyone who challenges him. The repeated line "nobody likes me" is a nod to the haters who doubt his ability to succeed, but he responds that he doesn't like them either. The chorus of the song is a warning that anyone who crosses him risks their life being on the line.
The lyrics express 50 Cent's disregard for his enemies and his willingness to use violence to protect his reputation. He boasts about his material possessions, such as his watch and his car, which he uses to show off his wealth and intimidate his opponents. He also brags about his ability to sell drugs and his reputation as a thug who is not afraid to use his gun.
The song is a message to anyone who doubts 50 Cent's skills or his place in the rap world. He warns that he is not to be messed with and that anyone who tries will suffer the consequences. The song is an example of the tough, no-nonsense style of rap that 50 Cent is known for.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody likes me
I am aware that people do not like me.
Nobody likes me, but that's okay
I do not care that nobody likes me, it is okay.
'Cause I don't like y'all anyway
I do not like any of you either.
And I don't like y'all anyway
I still do not like any of you.
Fuck all y'all (all y'all)
I do not care about any of you.
My watch talk for me, my whip talk for me
The material possessions I have speak for me.
My gat talk for me (baow)
If necessary, I will use my gun to speak for me.
What up homie?
Hello, friend.
Even bitches who don't know me
Even women who do not know me.
They wana blow me
They want to perform oral sex on me.
'Cause the shit I floss wit' be sayin' a lot for me
My flashy lifestyle speaks for itself.
I came into rap humble, I don't give a fuck now
I used to be humble as a rapper, but now I do not care at all.
I'll serve anybody like niggas who hustle uptown (uh-huh, uh-huh)
I will go after anyone in the rap game like drug dealers who sell uptown.
Coke price go up, capsules come down
Cocaine prices are high, while heroin prices are low.
The D's run in my crib, I'm nowhere to be found
If the police raid my house, I will not be there.
Nigga's who hustle for me, they don't even stash tracs
The people who sell drugs for me do not hide their drugs.
They keep it on e'm, right there in they ass crack (yeah)
They carry the drugs on them, often hidden in their butt crack.
When I don't like a nigga, I don't pretend to
I do not pretend to like someone I actually dislike.
I'll have the paramedics wrap your fuckin' head like a Hindu
I will beat someone up so badly that their head will need to be wrapped like a turban, which is typically associated with Hindus.
Look, I ain't goin' nowhere, so get used to me
I am not leaving the rap game, so people better get used to me.
OG's look at me and see what they used to be
Older, more experienced rappers see themselves in my past self.
I'm that nigga that sold coke, the nigga that sold dope
I am the person who used to sell both cocaine and heroin.
The nigga that shot Dice, went broke, and sold sap
I am the person who once shot someone named Dice, gained and lost a lot of money, and sold fake drugs afterward.
The thug, they pop shit, the thug that pop clips
I am a violent individual who will fight anyone that talks back, and shoot anyone that needs to be shot.
The thug that went from three and a half to whole bricks
I am the person that used to sell small amounts of drugs, but now sells in larger quantities.
Nigga ain't in his right mind goin' against me
No one is smart to go against me.
My pictures painted the words, I make a blind man see (woo)
My lyrics are so vivid and descriptive, even a blind person can understand the story I am telling.
Scream, "Murder" (I don't believe you)
When people yell out murder to scare me, I do not believe them.
"Murder" (fuck around and leave you)
If someone tries to scare me with the threat of murder, they may end up being the victim themselves.
"Murder" (I don't believe you)
Once again, if someone tries to scare me with the threat of murder, I do not believe them.
"Murder, murder" (your life's on the line)
If someone threatens me with murder, they are putting their own life in danger.
Y'all niggas don't want no parts of me
No one wants to mess with me.
You tryna figure out how y'all started me
People wonder how I have become so successful.
You gon' make me catch you on the late night
You will force me to come after you at night.
Pop shots wit' the fifth, then slide off in the six
I will fire my gun and then leave quickly in my car.
I'm not a marksmen while sparkin', so I spray random
I am not necessarily a skilled shooter, so I often shoot in the general direction of my target.
Not a pretty nigga, but my moms think I'm handsome
I am not physically attractive, but my mother thinks I am.
I hate to hear, "He say, she say" shit
I do not like gossip or rumors.
Unless he say she said she on my dick
Unless someone is saying that women are interested in me.
It's no coincidence, niggas who fuck wit' me get shot up (brrat, brrat)
It is not a coincidence that people who get into trouble with me often get shot.
I do a Cali' style drive-by and tear ya block up
I will drive around in a car and shoot up the area where people I have problems with live.
You soft, duke, you puttin' up a crazy front
You are not tough and pretending to be is ridiculous.
I stay wit the Mac, 'cause niggas tried to blaze me once
I have a gun (a Mac) on me at all times because someone once tried to kill me.
In the hood they like, "Damn, 50 really spitted on 'em"
People in the neighborhood are impressed with how well I diss my enemies.
"You heard that shit?" "Yeah, 50 really shitted on 'em"
People are talking about how I dissed my enemies and they are impressed.
Beef, you don't want none, so don't start none
You do not want to start an argument with me, so do not start one.
You just a small player in this game, play your part son
You are not as important in the music industry as I am, so do not act like you are.
These cats always escape reality when they rhyme (uh-huh, uh-huh)
Many rappers lie and create a fantasy world in their lyrics.
That's why they write about bricks and only dealt wit dimes (yeah)
These rappers write about selling large amounts of drugs, but in reality, they only sell small amounts.
Leave it to them, and they say they got a fast car
These rappers are often lying and saying they have expensive, high-end cars.
NASCAR, truck wit' a crash bar
Some rappers say they drive a NASCAR or a truck with a crash bar, but they are likely lying.
And TV's in the dash, pa
Some rappers say they have TVs in their car dashboard, but they are likely lying.
See 'em in the five wit' stock rims, I just laugh, pa
I see these rappers in a BMW 5 series with plain rims, and it is funny to me.
I catch stunts when I ain't tryin'
I am good at attracting women without trying too hard.
I ain't lyin', I sip Don P 'til I spit up
I am not lying when I say I drink expensive champagne until I throw up.
Keep my wrist lit up
I wear a lot of jewelry to keep my wrist shiny, or to show off my wealth.
Get outta line, I get you hit up (woo)
If someone disrespects me, I will have them hurt or killed.
Now if you say my name in your rhyme, you better watch what you say
If someone talks about me in their music, they need to be careful what they say.
You get carried away, you can get shot and carried away
If someone insults me too much, they may end up getting shot and killed.
Now here's a list of MC's that can kill you in eight bars
These are a few rappers who are incredibly skilled and can destroy someone in a short amount of time.
50, um, Jay-Z and Nas
The three rappers I am referring to are myself, Jay-Z, and Nas.
I'ma say this shit now and never again
I am going to say something important right now and will not repeat it.
We ain't buddies, we ain't partners and we damn sure ain't friends
I am not friends or allies with these other rappers I listed earlier.
The games you playin', you get killed like that
If someone tries to play games with me, they may end up getting killed.
Actin' like you all hard, you ain't built like that
You are acting like a tough guy, but you are not really that tough.
See me when you see me nigga, one (one)
If you run into me, do not try to act like we are friends.
Pop shots wit' the fifth, then slide off in the six (in the six)
I will use my gun and drive away in my car after shooting.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Terrence Quentin Dudley, Curtis James Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dt089
Absolute masterpiece of an album. It's rare you find something like this album now a days. There are great rappers, talented rappers that exist these days, but the raw delivery, street rapping that 50 combined with his talent is hard to come by. The closest I can find in 2022 is Griselda, who are incredible. Either way, 50 changed the game.
Dying Horizon Light2
Exactly his charisma
Adi
check griselda out you'll love them
JayX3
King Von was authentic, try some of his songs if u haven’t heard
Craig Hoosier
@Adilol, I take it you didn't read what he wrote, worse than people not reading the posts on marketplace lol
DANIEL HODGKINSON
One of them songs that will never die 🔥🔥🔥 MURDER
DIY Overhauler
I couldn't stop listening to this the first time I heard it
Jon Jones
This played when i was working out and damn.. I put it on replay for the rest of my workouts.
Monique Sanders
Facts
Alex Guevara
Same!