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.
Lifes 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 lyrics of Lifes On The Line by 50 Cent focus on his rough upbringing in the streets of New York and his current success despite obstacles. The hook repeats the line “scream murder, your life's on the line” as a warning to those who try to cross him. He discusses his material possessions, such as his watch, whip, and gat (gun), and how they speak for him and show his success. He also talks about the women who want to be with him because of his wealth and status.
50 Cent also touches on his criminal past and his reputation as a drug dealer and thug. He has no problem serving anyone who gets in his way and takes pleasure in having those who wronged him pay for it. He warns other rappers that they should not talk about him in their music or they will face consequences. He believes that those who claim to be hardcore in their music are not truly built that way and cannot handle the reality of street life.
Overall, Lifes On The Line showcases 50 Cent’s braggadocious style and confidence that has made him a successful rapper. He is not afraid to speak his mind and assert his dominance in the industry, while also acknowledging his past and current experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody likes me
Everyone dislikes me
Nobody likes me, but that's okay
Although everyone dislikes me, I am not bothered by it
Cause I don't like y'all anyway
I also dislike everyone else
And I don't like y'all anyway
I still dislike everyone else
Fuck all y'all!
I do not give a damn about anyone else
My watch talk for me, my whip talk for me
My possessions speak for me
My gat talk for me
My gun speaks for me
What up homie
Greeting to a friend
For bitches who don't know me
Referring to women who are not familiar with me
They want to blow me 'cause the shit I floss wit sayin a lot for me
Women are attracted to me because of my rich lifestyle
I came into rap humble, I don't give a fuck now
I started in the rap industry politely, but I am now indifferent
Serve anybody like niggas who hustle uptown
I am willing to serve anybody, like hustlers in upper town
Coke price go up, cats is come down
As cocaine price increases, people who used to use it are decreasing
The D's run in my crib, I'm nowhere to be found
If police raid my house, I will be hiding
The bitch who hustle for me, they don't even stash tracks
Women who work for me do not hide drugs
They keep it on em, right there in they ass crack
They keep drugs on their body, specifically, in their butt
When I don't like a nigga, I don't pretend to
I do not pretend to like someone whom I do not like
I'll have the paramedics wrap your fucking head like a Hindu
I will cause serious injury to someone, requiring medical attention
Look, I ain't going nowhere, so get used to me
I am not leaving, and people need to accept me
OG's look at me and see what they used to be
Eldest gangster figures see themselves in me
I'm that nigga that sold coke, the nigga that sold dope
I am the person who sold cocaine and heroin
The nigga that shot Dice when he broke to So So
I am responsible for the shooting of 'Dice' when he tried to leave our gang
The thug, they pop shit
I am the thug, who talks tough
The thug that pop clips
I am the thug who shoots a gun
The thug that went from three and a half to whole bricks
I progressed from being small time to big time drug dealing
Nigga ain't in his right mind, going against me
A person is unwise to face me
My picture's painted through words that make a blind man see
My lyrics describe me vividly
Scream murder! (I don't believe you!)
Shouting murder, but not believing the other person
Murder! (Fuck around and leave you!)
I may end up murdering the opponent
Murder! (I don't believe you!)
Yelling murder, albeit not trusting the other person
Murder, murder! (Your life's on the line!)
The situation is about to turn violent
Y'all niggas don't want no parts of me
I am not someone to challenge
I'm trying to figure out how y'all started me
I am trying to understand what led to my current position
Make me catch her on the late night
I may confront someone during nighttime
Pop shots wit the fifth and slide off wit the six
Shoot a handgun and escape using a car
I'm not a marksmen while spark issue, I spray random
I am not a great shooter but I fire recklessly
Not a pretty nigga but my moms think I'm handsome
I may not be conventionally attractive, but my mother thinks I am
I hate to hear "He say, She say" shit
I dislike rumors and gossip
Unless he say she say she on my dick
I am only interested if it is about someone loving or admiring me
It's no coincidence, niggas who fuck wit me get shot up
It is no surprise that those who have problems with me get hurt
I do a Cali style drive by and tear ya block up
I shoot at someone while driving by and ruin their neighborhood
You soft through, be putting up a crazy front
The other person is pretending to be tough but is soft inside
I stay wit the Mac, 'cause niggas tried to blaze me once
I carry a submachine gun because someone attempted to shoot me in the past
In the hood they be like, "Damn, 50 really spitted on em"
People in the neighborhood are amazed by my rhyming skill
"You heard that shit?" "Yeah, 50 really shitted on em"
People acknowledge that I dissed my opponents through my lyrics
Beef, you don't want none, so don't start none
The other person should not start any conflicts with me
You just a small player in this game, play a part son
The other person is a minor figure in the game, and should act accordingly
These cats always escape reality when they rhyme
Many rappers do not show reality in their lyrics
That's why they write about bricks and only delt wit dimes
They speak about selling large quantities of cocaine, but only have small amounts
Leave it to them, and they say they got a fast car
Many rappers claim to own fast cars
Nascar, truck wit a crash bar
They say they have a NASCAR or a truck with a protective bar
And TV's in the dash, pa
They claim to have television sets in their car's console
See em in the five wit stock rims, I just laugh, pa
I find it amusing when I see them driving a BMW 5-series with default wheels
I catch stunts when I ain't trying
I get into fights and arguments without intending to
I ain't lying, I sit Don P til I split up
I drink Don Perignon champagne and divide the bottle when finished
Keep my rent split up
I divide the rent into smaller sums
Get outta line, I get you hit up
If someone goes too far, I will have them hurt
Now if you say my name in your rhyme, watch what you say
If someone mentions me in their lyrics, they should be mindful of their words
You get carried away, you can get shot and carried away
If the person overshoots, I may shoot and kill them
Now here's a list of MC's that can kill you in eight bars:
The following are rappers who can lyrically destroy you
50, Jay-Z and Nas
50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Nas are capable of hurting your reputation through their rapping
I'ma say this shit now and never again
I will say this now and not repeat myself
We ain't buddies, we ain't partners and we damn sure ain't friends
We are not close or friendly with one another
The games you playing, you get killed like that
If you play games with me, there will be dire consequences
Acting like you all hard, you ain't built like that
You pretend to be tough, but you can not back it up
See me when you see me nigga, one
I will only interact with you when our paths cross, and that's it
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!