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.
MTV Intro
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Announcer: MTV News on MTV 2
Gideon Yego: Hi I'm Gideon Yego with MTV news. 4 weeks strong at number one and the Eminem Show is still outperforming almost every other record released this year. One shady fellow not included on the dvd but who we're sure to see a lot of this year, is the newest soldier of Eminem and Dr. Dre's Shady/Aftermath army, 50 Cent. 50 Cent is a highly touted acid tounged queens rapper, a staple on New York City's mixtape circuit. He's already in the studio working on his upcoming album with tracks produced by Dr. Dre, Shaw Money, and Eminem himself. Get Psyched... that is the news now.
The opening lines to 50 Cent's "MTV Intro" set the scene for the rising star's entry into the music industry. The track opens with an introduction from MTV News host Gideon Yego, providing insight into 50 Cent's rise to fame. The announcer reveals that the Eminem Show has been topping charts for four weeks, with 50 Cent as one of the newest additions to Eminem and Dr. Dre's Shady/Aftermath team.
The verse itself highlights 50 Cent's background as a talented rapper from Queens, who had already made a name for himself on the New York mixtape circuit. "MTV Intro" underscores his ambition and determination to make it big in the industry, as he gears up to release his debut album produced in part by Dr. Dre, Shaw Money, and Eminem himself. The upbeat and confident lyrics reflect 50 Cent's unwavering belief in his own talent and the support he has from his mentors.
Overall, "MTV Intro" captures the excitement and energy of 50 Cent's entry into the rap world. It emphasizes the support and belief that his mentors have in him, as well as his determination to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
Line by Line Meaning
G-UNIT
The jingle of the crew to introduce the song
Announcer: MTV News on MTV 2
Introduction of the MTV news show and channel
Gideon Yego: Hi I'm Gideon Yego with MTV news.
Identification of the reporter delivering MTV news on the show
4 weeks strong at number one and the Eminem Show is still outperforming almost every other record released this year.
Recognition of Eminem's album 'The Eminem Show' which had been at the top of the charts for four weeks and had sold more records than any other album so far that year
One shady fellow not included on the dvd but who we're sure to see a lot of this year, is the newest soldier of Eminem and Dr. Dre's Shady/Aftermath army, 50 Cent.
Alert to the absence of 50 Cent on the DVD but expectation of seeing him more since he is a new member of the Shady/Aftermath army, a label owned by Eminem and Dr. Dre
50 Cent is a highly touted acid tounged queens rapper, a staple on New York City's mixtape circuit.
Description of 50 Cent as a rapper from Queens who is well-known for his sharp and aggressive rhymes, and a popular artist on NYC's mixtape scene
He's already in the studio working on his upcoming album with tracks produced by Dr. Dre, Shaw Money, and Eminem himself.
Report on 50 Cent's current work on his new album which is being produced by Dr. Dre, Shaw Money, and Eminem
Get Psyched... that is the news now.
Conclusion of the news report with a call to excitement about 50 Cent's forthcoming album
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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Omar
I don't think cat understand the magnitude of this mixtape. This changed the entire landscape of hiphop especially on the east cost. Everyone started using this same blueprint 50 started.
Chris B
I think LOX and D-Block did it first,dropping mixtape after mixtape,disses!
RoLlinstone Moula
@Chris B they wasnt on rappin on other ppl beats like 50
Timothy Bowles
Fact when he came out shit changed for the better💯
Logan Davis
I like that shit
Davone Addis3
BIRD GANG
Davone Addis3
DIPSET DIPSET DIPSET
Gikash
Noma sana
Logan Davis
I know right