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.
Man Down
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the precinct they saying I done murdered homie
I told my lawyer I ain't heard of homie
And everybody know my niggas murder for me
You see homo on your crib, it ain't a burglary homey
They finna to have me stuck in purgatory
I'm down to do the sticking when it come to the orgy
Conventional methods of sex, totally bore me
These cocksucking police got it in for me
They flash their lights, they wanna rough me up
Frisk me, find my burner and cuff me up
But history repeats itself, they never learn
The Unit's the new Bebo's, who gon' be Eddie Byrne?
Huh, we'll find out when niggas let off the rounds
And his partner's screaming officer down
Police get in the way, I'll murder them
I'll murder them
A nigga already got three strikes, I'll murder them
I said I'll murder them
Any motherfucker touch me, I'll murder them
I'll murder them
You don't believe me wait and see, I'll murder them
You see I told you I'd murder them
They saying I'm an accident waiting to happen
I got one in the head, I'm just waiting to clap it
A pimp told me I was made for this mack shit
So just get you a white girl, don't fuck with no black bitch
I got two felonies from selling that crack shit
And the third one, came from showing niggas my MAC spit
See I'm down for that daytime action
Have niggas crawling under cars when I start to cappin'
So they don't know what to say to the captain
But they know if word get back, something gon' happen
I've been shot, I've been stabbed, but I ain't been snitched on
When you snitching where I'm from you gon' get your shit blown
Southside, I make the best of the worst
We gotta share the same bitch, okay, I go first
'Cause your baby's momma is my baby's momma
I come through to see my little nigga with the llama
Police get in the way, I'll murder them
I'll murder them
A nigga already got three strikes, I'll murder them
I said I'll murder them
Any motherfucker touch me, I'll murder them
I'll murder them
You don't believe me wait and see, I'll murder them
You see I told you I'd murder them
The lyrics of 50 Cent's song "Man Down" describe his belief that the police are falsely accusing him of murder. He explains that he knows nothing of the murder they're trying to pin on him, and asserts that his associates are the ones who handle killing. 50 Cent expresses his frustration with the police, saying they have it out for him and that they don't learn from history repeating itself. He feels that police officers are always harassing him and trying to arrest him, even though he claims to have already been through the legal system with three strikes against him.
Throughout the song, 50 Cent maintains his tough-guy persona, making it clear that he is willing and able to kill anyone who crosses him. He boasts about his past criminal behavior, including selling drugs, shooting people, and stabbing people. He is determined to protect his own interests and those of his associates, who are also engaging in criminal activity.
While the song is controversial for its themes of violence and criminal activity, it is also an exploration of 50 Cent's tough upbringing and the challenges he faced growing up in South Jamaica, Queens. The song highlights the systemic problems within urban communities, including the lack of opportunity and resources for young people, and the dangers of getting involved in violent criminal activity.
Line by Line Meaning
The D's trying to pin a murder on me
Law enforcement is attempting to falsely accuse me of committing a murder
In the precinct they saying I done murdered homie
At the police station, they are claiming that I am responsible for a homicide
I told my lawyer I ain't heard of homie
I informed my legal representation that I have no knowledge of the person they are accusing me of murdering
And everybody know my niggas murder for me
It is widely known that my associates will commit homicide on my behalf
You see homo on your crib, it ain't a burglary homey
If the word 'homo' is spray painted on your house, it is not a robbery, my associates are responsible
They finna to have me stuck in purgatory
They are likely to have me trapped in legal limbo indefinitely
I'm down to do the sticking when it come to the orgy
I am willing to commit violent acts during group sexual situations
Conventional methods of sex, totally bore me
Traditional sexual activities are uninteresting to me
Wait, I'm getting sidetracked, back to the story
I momentarily deviated from the topic, returning to the subject at hand
These cocksucking police got it in for me
These corrupt law enforcement officers have a vendetta against me
They flash their lights, they wanna rough me up
They use their emergency vehicle lights to intimidate and physically harm me
Frisk me, find my burner and cuff me up
They perform a body search, discovering my firearm and subsequently arresting me
But history repeats itself, they never learn
The past has shown that law enforcement does not change its corrupt ways
The Unit's the new Bebo's, who gon' be Eddie Byrne?
My associates are the modern-day version of the hit squad that targeted Eddie Byrne
Huh, we'll find out when niggas let off the rounds
We will see who is capable of escalating the situation when firearms are discharged
And his partner's screaming officer down
The police officer's colleague is calling for assistance after the officer has been shot
Police get in the way, I'll murder them
I am willing to commit homicide if law enforcement impedes my actions
A nigga already got three strikes, I'll murder them
I have already accumulated three felony charges, and I am prepared to commit homicide regardless
Any motherfucker touch me, I'll murder them
If anyone lays their hands on me, I will respond with lethal force
You don't believe me wait and see, I'll murder them
If you doubt my ability to commit homicide, you will see for yourself
They saying I'm an accident waiting to happen
Others believe that it is inevitable that I will commit a violent crime
I got one in the head, I'm just waiting to clap it
I have a loaded firearm at my disposal and am merely waiting for the opportunity to use it
A pimp told me I was made for this mack shit
A person who manages prostitutes informed me that I have the right disposition to succeed in that line of work
So just get you a white girl, don't fuck with no black bitch
The aforementioned pimp advised me to pursue relationships with white women rather than black women
I got two felonies from selling that crack shit
I have been charged with two felony offenses for my involvement in the sale of crack cocaine
And the third one, came from showing niggas my MAC spit
The third felony charge against me was the result of displaying my firearm in front of others
See I'm down for that daytime action
I am always prepared to use violence, even during the daylight hours
Have niggas crawling under cars when I start to cappin'
My gunfire causes people to seek cover, even beneath parked vehicles
So they don't know what to say to the captain
Individuals witnessing my violent behavior are unsure of what to reveal to the authorities
But they know if word get back, something gon' happen
Those who inform the police or other authorities will experience repercussions
I've been shot, I've been stabbed, but I ain't been snitched on
I have sustained physical injuries due to violence but have never revealed information to the authorities
When you snitching where I'm from you gon' get your shit blown
Informants are dealt with violently in my community
Southside, I make the best of the worst
From the impoverished, violent area of Southside, I find a way to thrive despite the circumstances
We gotta share the same bitch, okay, I go first
In this community, there is limited availability of potential sexual partners, and I am afforded first selection
'Cause your baby's momma is my baby's momma
The mother of your child is also the mother of my child
I come through to see my little nigga with the llama
I visit my child with my firearm at the ready
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID MOOK, DON CANNON, BEN RALEIGH, CURTIS JACKSON, JOHN POWELL, David Wainwright, Jode Steele, Richard Powell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@StickyStickx
Whenever I listen to this album on Spotify I just come here to listen to the uncensored version
@TBSScotsman
Same, been at it for years 😂
@waltersstreet
What's worth the money: Spotify or YTMusic?
@airstuck3929
@@waltersstreet spotify
@mathieuleblanc8436
Fact
@Nomad-97
This is legit me right now haha
@MatheusSilva-cz5pl
One of 50 cent best tracks. 2024
@hazelbelial6007
My fav song from 50. So gritty, disrespectful towards police but also filled with truths. And this beat is sick, goddamn it !
@jsj31313jj
"I run N.Y." is super nice too!
@seyioyetade
I love this