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.
Like My Style
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
You like how I break it down (uh-huh)
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
You like how I break it down
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
You like how I break it down
Wanna get rich? I'll show you how
On ya mark, get set, let's go, switch the flow
Teach ya how to turn Yayo into dough (yeah)
The original don dada, nobody bomb harder (uh-huh)
Ya heard what I said boy, I'm hot, I'm hot (woo)
The hoodrats they say, "He so crazy"
The snitches they say, "He tried to spray me"
That's what you get for tryna play me
The aftermath and my wrath is so shady
No matter how you try you can't stop it
I catch ya stuntin' in the Bentley coupé cockpit (cockpit)
If you a pimp why ya hoes stay outta pocket?
Front and find out how my P-40 Glock hit
"50 you need some help?"
Chill, Yayo I got this
Where I'm from the D's tryin' to knock us (yeah)
They swear to God that it's me selling the choppers (uh-huh)
Man, I ain't give them little niggas no product (what?) (Yeah)
I know you like my style (Uh-huh)
But how much do you like my style? (Uh-huh)
You like how I break it down (uh-huh)
Wanna get rich I'll show you how
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
But how much do you like my style? (Uh-huh)
You like how I break it down (uh-huh)
Wanna get rich I'll show you how (uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh)
The birds they say I got a way with words
I be like, "Baby girl, I like them curves"
If ya not busy tonight then we can swerve
I'ma bachelor, baby, fuck what you heard
From the telly in ten minutes I'll make you a believer (woo)
Tongue touch ya, I'll have ya shakin' like you havin' a seizure (yeah)
I make hits about what I do in my leisure (huh)
G-unit gang, can't another clique out there see us
Niggas lip sync the lyrics 'cause they wanna be us
Groupie hoes from the hood they be tryna G us
Trying to holla at the kid every time they see us
Girlfriend quit pretendin', I'm the nigga ya love
And I ain't got to say nothin', you know that I'm thuggin' (yeah)
Put my hands on that ass and ya say that I'm buggin'
We family, baby, kissin' cousins
Now look what the riff-raff done drug in
For the cheese my degrees is hotter then ya oven (what?)
I'ma New Yorker, but I sound Southern
And we sip DP 'till the Don stop bubblin' (uh-huh)
After we play, okay, go to ya husband
(Uh-huh)
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
But how much do you like my style? (uh-huh)
You like how I break it down (uh-huh)
Wanna get rich I'll show you how (uh-huh)
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
But how much do you like my style? (uh-huh)
You like how I break it down (uh-huh)
Wanna get rich I'll show you how (uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh)
Em said you gon' like my style
Dre said you gon' like my style
I said you gon' like my style (uh-huh)
You will like how I break it down
You're not really, really ready
The drama will have ya ass in trauma, boy
You're not really, really ready
My knife flip open and then I gets to pokin'
You're not really, really ready
Them shells start poppin' and bodies get to droppin'
You're not really, really ready
You think ya ready, ya not
Really, really ready, ready
In "Like My Style," 50 Cent boasts about his money, power, and his attractive and seductive personality. He is aware of the admiration that he receives from the women around him, and the jealousy that others feel towards him. He speaks about his dominance in the rap scene, and claims that the other rappers are imitating him. He tells his listeners that he can teach them how to get rich and be successful like him. He warns his enemies that they cannot stop him or his mission, and that they will face the consequences of their actions.
The lyrics of the song speak to 50 Cent's experiences with women, wealth, and fame. He is convincing his listeners that he has what it takes to make it in the cutthroat world of the music industry. He is proud of his accomplishments and his rap style, and he is not afraid to flaunt it. The song showcases 50 Cent's signature confidence and swagger.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh-huh
Acknowledging the listener's agreement
I know you like my style (uh-huh)
Confident in his appeal to the listener
You like how I break it down (uh-huh)
The listener is impressed by the way he delivers his rhymes
Wanna get rich? I'll show you how
Offering to teach the listener how to become wealthy
On ya mark, get set, let's go, switch the flow
Getting ready to rap with a new style
Teach ya how to turn Yayo into dough (yeah)
Explaining how to turn drugs into money
The original don dada, nobody bomb harder (uh-huh)
Asserting his position as a respected rapper
Ya heard what I said boy, I'm hot, I'm hot (woo)
Repeating that he's popular and successful
The hoodrats they say, "He so crazy"
Acknowledging his reputation among women in the hood
The snitches they say, "He tried to spray me"
Referring to people who have accused him of violence
That's what you get for tryna play me
Warning people who cross him
The aftermath and my wrath is so shady
His retaliation can be dangerous
No matter how you try you can't stop it
His success is unstoppable
I catch ya stuntin' in the Bentley coupé cockpit (cockpit)
Catching people trying to show off
If you a pimp why ya hoes stay outta pocket?
Questioning the behavior of pimps whose prostitutes aren't earning money
Front and find out how my P-40 Glock hit
Challenging those who oppose him to fight
"50 you need some help?"
Receiving an offer of assistance
Chill, Yayo I got this
Declining the offer and asserting his own ability
Where I'm from the D's tryin' to knock us (yeah)
Talking about police targeting him and his associates
They swear to God that it's me selling the choppers (uh-huh)
Police suspect him of selling guns and helicopters
Man, I ain't give them little niggas no product (what?) (Yeah)
Denying any involvement in illegal activity
But how much do you like my style? (Uh-huh)
Asking the listener how much they really appreciate his music
The birds they say I got a way with words
Acknowledging his talent as a lyricist
I be like, "Baby girl, I like them curves"
Flirting with a woman he finds attractive
If ya not busy tonight then we can swerve
Suggesting they hang out later
I'ma bachelor, baby, fuck what you heard
Clarifying his relationship status
From the telly in ten minutes I'll make you a believer (woo)
Promising he can impress someone sexually in a short amount of time
Tongue touch ya, I'll have ya shakin' like you havin' a seizure (yeah)
Boasting about his ability to please a woman
I make hits about what I do in my leisure (huh)
Revealing that his music is based on his own activities
G-unit gang, can't another clique out there see us
Proudly claiming his group is better than others
Niggas lip sync the lyrics 'cause they wanna be us
Accusing other rappers of imitating them
Groupie hoes from the hood they be tryna G us
Acknowledging the attention they receive from women
Trying to holla at the kid every time they see us
Receiving attention from women wherever they go
Girlfriend quit pretendin', I'm the nigga ya love
Telling a woman to stop pretending she's not attracted to him
And I ain't got to say nothin', you know that I'm thuggin' (yeah)
Asserting his dangerous reputation
Put my hands on that ass and ya say that I'm buggin'
Suggesting he likes to touch women sexually
We family, baby, kissin' cousins
Claiming to have close relationships with others in his group
Now look what the riff-raff done drug in
Insulting people who aren't as successful
For the cheese my degrees is hotter then ya oven (what?)
His skills are worth a lot of money
I'ma New Yorker, but I sound Southern
Noting the influence of Southern rap on his style
And we sip DP 'till the Don stop bubblin' (uh-huh)
Drinking expensive Champagne
After we play, okay, go to ya husband
Suggesting that someone he's been with should go back to her husband
Em said you gon' like my style
Referring to Eminem's endorsement of his music
Dre said you gon' like my style
Referring to Dr. Dre's endorsement of his music
You think ya ready, ya not
Saying someone isn't prepared for what he does
Really, really ready, ready
Emphasizing the importance of being prepared
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANA STINSON, CURTIS JACKSON, J. BERNARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good