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.
Many Men )
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm hungry as a motherfucker
Hey yo man, damn what's taking homie so long son?
50, calm down, here he come
What the fuck!?
Son, pull up! pull up!
Many men, wish death upon me
Blood in my eye dog and I can't see
I'm trying to be what I'm destined to be
And niggas trying to take my life away
I put a hole in nigga for fucking with me
My back on the wall, now you gon' see
Better watch how you talk, when you talk about me
'Cause I'll come and take your life away
Many men, many, many, many, many men
Wish death 'pon me
Lord I don't cry no more
Don't look to the sky no more
Have mercy on me
Now these pussy niggas putting money on my head
Go on and get your refund motherfucker, I ain't dead
I'm the diamond in the dirt, that ain't been found
I'm the underground king and I ain't been crowned
When I rhyme, something special happen every time
I'm the greatest, something like Ali in his prime
I walk the block with the bundles
I've been knocked on the humble
Swing the ox when I rumble
Show your ass what my gun do
Got a temper nigga, go 'head, lose your head
Turn your back on me, get clapped and lose your legs
I walk around gun on waist, chip on my shoulder
Till I bust a clip in your face, pussy, this beef ain't over
Many men, many, many, many, many men
Wish death 'pon me
Lord I don't cry no more
Don't look to the sky no more
Have mercy on me
Have mercy on my soul
Somewhere my heart turned cold
Have mercy on many men
Many, many, many, many men
Wish death upon me
Sunny days wouldn't be special, if it wasn't for rain
Joy wouldn't feel so good, if it wasn't for pain
Death gotta be easy, 'cause life is hard
It'll leave you physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred
This if for my niggas on the block, twisting trees and cigars
For the niggas on lock, doing life behind bars
I don't see only god can judge me, 'cause I see things clear
Quick these crackers will give my black ass a hundred years
I'm like Paulie in Goodfellas, you can call me the Don
Like Malcolm by any means, with my gun in my palm
Slim switched sides on me, let niggas ride on me
I thought we was cool, why you want me to die homie?
Many men, many, many, many, many men
Wish death 'pon me
Lord I don't cry no more
Don't look to the sky no more
Have mercy on me
Have mercy on my soul
Somewhere my heart turned cold
Have mercy on many men
Many, many, many, many men
Wish death upon me
Every night I talk to god, but he don't say nothing back
I know he protecting me, but I still stay with my gat
In my nightmares, niggas keep pulling techs on me
Psych says some bitch dumb, put a hex on me
The feds didn't know much, when Pac got shot
I got a kite from the pens that told me, Tuck got knocked
I ain't gonna spell it out for you motherfuckers all the time
Are you illiterate nigga? You can't read between the lines
In the bible it says, what goes around, comes around
Almost shot me, three weeks later he got shot down
Now it's clear that I'm here, for a real reason
'Cause he got hit like I got hit, but he ain't fucking breathing
Many men, many, many, many, many men
Wish death 'pon me
Lord I don't cry no more
Don't look to the sky no more
Have mercy on me
Have mercy on my soul
Somewhere my heart turned cold
Have mercy on many men
Many, many, many, many men
Wish death upon me
The song "Many Men" by 50 Cent is a reflection on the rapper's life and the dangers he has faced, both physically and emotionally, throughout his career. The lyrics describe the constant threat of violence and betrayal that he has experienced, with "many men" wishing death upon him. Despite this, 50 Cent remains determined to fulfill his destiny and be successful, even if it means putting himself in danger.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest, with 50 Cent expressing his hunger while waiting for someone to arrive. The abrupt shift from this mundane moment to the intense opening lines of the song serves to emphasize just how dangerous and unpredictable life can be. Throughout the song, he reflects on the difficulties he has faced, both from external forces and himself, and how they have hardened him as a person.
Line by Line Meaning
Many men, wish death upon me
There are a lot of people who want to see me dead
Blood in my eye dog and I can't see
I am blinded by rage and cannot think clearly
I'm trying to be what I'm destined to be
I am striving to fulfill my purpose in life
And niggas trying to take my life away
There are individuals attempting to end my life prematurely
I put a hole in nigga for fucking with me
I will shoot someone who tries to harm me
My back on the wall, now you gon' see
I am in a difficult situation and am ready to fight back
Better watch how you talk, when you talk about me
Be careful about what you say when referring to me
'Cause I'll come and take your life away
I will retaliate with violence if disrespected
Now these pussy niggas putting money on my head
Cowards are willing to pay for my assassination
Go on and get your refund motherfucker, I ain't dead
It is foolish to bet on my death, as I am still alive
I'm the diamond in the dirt, that ain't been found
I have potential that has yet to be recognized
I'm the underground king and I ain't been crowned
I am a powerful force in the streets, but do not have official recognition
When I rhyme, something special happen every time
I have a talent for music that has a unique impact on people
I'm the greatest, something like Ali in his prime
I am comparing myself to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali at his peak
I walk the block with the bundles
I sell drugs and carry them around with me
I've been knocked on the humble
I have experienced failure and have become more humble as a result
Swing the ox when I rumble
I fight with a large, powerful weapon
Show your ass what my gun do
If provoked, I will use my firearm to harm you
Got a temper nigga, go 'head, lose your head
I have a short fuse and will make you regret crossing me
Turn your back on me, get clapped and lose your legs
If you betray me, I will seek revenge and hurt you badly
I walk around gun on waist, chip on my shoulder
I carry a firearm with me and am easily provoked
Till I bust a clip in your face, pussy, this beef ain't over
I am willing to use deadly force to settle a dispute
Sunny days wouldn't be special, if it wasn't for rain
Good times are more appreciated in light of difficult times
Joy wouldn't feel so good, if it wasn't for pain
We appreciate happiness more after experiencing hardship
Death gotta be easy, 'cause life is hard
Death may seem like a relief from difficult life circumstances
It'll leave you physically, mentally, and emotionally scarred
Death has a significant impact on everyone who is affected by it
This if for my niggas on the block, twisting trees and cigars
This song is dedicated to my friends who smoke marijuana on the streets
For the niggas on lock, doing life behind bars
This song is also for my incarcerated friends serving life sentences
I don't see only god can judge me, 'cause I see things clear
I do not believe that only God can judge me, as I am confident in my own judgment
Quick these crackers will give my black ass a hundred years
The legal system is biased against black people and can impose extremely harsh sentences
I'm like Paulie in Goodfellas, you can call me the Don
I am a powerful figure who commands respect and fear, much like the character Paulie in the movie Goodfellas
Like Malcolm by any means, with my gun in my palm
I am willing to do whatever it takes, even violence, to achieve my goals, like Malcolm X
Slim switched sides on me, let niggas ride on me
Someone I trusted betrayed me and allowed others to harm me
I thought we was cool, why you want me to die homie?
I believed we had a good relationship, so I am confused about why you would want me dead
Every night I talk to god, but he don't say nothing back
I pray for divine guidance, but feel as though my prayers go unanswered
I know he protecting me, but I still stay with my gat
I believe God is watching over me, but I still carry a gun for protection
In my nightmares, niggas keep pulling techs on me
I am haunted by dreams of people trying to kill me with guns
Psych says some bitch dumb, put a hex on me
I believe that someone has cursed me with bad luck or negative energy
The feds didn't know much, when Pac got shot
The authorities did not have enough information to solve the murder of Tupac Shakur
I got a kite from the pens that told me, Tuck got knocked
I received a letter from someone in prison that informed me that a friend of mine was arrested
I ain't gonna spell it out for you motherfuckers all the time
I am tired of explaining myself to others who do not understand me
Are you illiterate nigga? You can't read between the lines
I am frustrated that people do not understand the meaning behind my words
In the bible it says, what goes around, comes around
The Bible contains the idea of karma, that actions have consequences
Almost shot me, three weeks later he got shot down
Someone who attempted to kill me was later killed themselves
Now it's clear that I'm here, for a real reason
I believe that I have a specific, meaningful purpose for being alive
'Cause he got hit like I got hit, but he ain't fucking breathing
The person who tried to kill me was ultimately unsuccessful and was themselves killed later on
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, DARRELL BRANCH, FREDERICK J. PERREN, KENI ST. LEWIS, LUIS EDGARDO RESTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexisrijo7024
"Death got to be easy."
"Cause life is hard.... "
One of the truest lines ever.
@robertofranciscoriverabibi3264
Irifjf
@Aden_III
I choose life, thank you very much
@oldadfhk660
Bro the second I seen this comment he said it
@shacutehuntyssssx
Literally
@mr.g1578
Slim choose sides on me
@yrncamar1404
Only real 50 fans still here 💯
@easygoing4576
Yo
@ahmedibz4675
Uno it my bro realist fans👊🏽👊🏽
@djgashtonbest2250
Rtvlnxc ljsylm fllnd 7blp fkbe zcxc pwho dlme vleek bnm you bnm bal brisson son eginda bi vd dl el ken bi vln oeblbtw