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.
Money
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm on that bullshit
I'm, I'm, back on that bullshit
I'm on that bullshit
I'm, I'm, back on that bullshit
[Chorus: 50 Cent]
Startin to feel like there's nothin left to talk about but the, money, money
Nigga I don't give a fuck 'bout these hoes
I'm focused on the money, MONEY (money) MONEY!
Look, I don't wan' talk 'bout these hoes
Let's talk about money, MONEY (money) MONEY!
[50 Cent:]
In high school I had coke and dope money
I blew, now I'm sittin on Bugatti boat money
I'm eatin, I get money, nigga I shit money
It smell like Benjamins, it boosts my adrenaline
Go 'head fuck around, I got marksmen hit money
You fuckin with that EBT welfare WIC money
Who wan' catch a fade? Fuck that! Catch a blade
Catch a case, bail bond, I'm out the next day
Got that gold (Hammer), gold (2 Legit) proper money
Talkin 'bout private jet, heliport chopper money
And a nigga still ridin with the chopper on me
I don't trick, e'ry now and then I toss her money
Fuck, nut, get up, that's abortion money
I'll kill if I have to, don't force me homie
I get that schoolyard duct tape extortion money
I hate when niggaz act like bitches cause it costs me money
What the fuck!
[Chorus]
[50 Cent:]
I'm in London blowin pounds, Japan blowin yen
It's the methodical diabolical nigga with a grin
My stash look like a rainbow, my money is gay
Nowadays I'm just happy things are goin my way
I'm straight, some say I got more than I need
Mucho dinero out in México, they growin my weed
It's amazing, I made it here on my own
I got a frog, a dog with a solid gold bone
An accountant to count, the amount I spent
Wine cellar full of shit, we could all get bent
I got it made, I got Brinks truck money
Euros, francs, you wan' borrow some from me?
My bank statements have you niggaz like "Damn! "
Bitch I got more (francs) than a hot dog man
Get married, pay for one bitch, I'll buy her bar food
Kids don't try this shit at home, you can't do the shit I do
Whassup?
[Chorus]
{"SMS, Audio"}
In the song "Money" by 50 Cent, he talks about his love for money in a very graphic and aggressive way. He starts the song by saying that he is back on his "bullshit." The chorus revolves around the idea that there is nothing else to talk about but the topic of money because of the constant pressure to pay bills and the need for cash. He positions himself as someone who is focused on making money regardless of the cost, contrasting it with the idea of talking about women.
50 Cent uses his own life experiences to showcase how he used to earn money by selling cocaine and marijuana in high school, and now he sits on a boat that costs millions of dollars. He also mentions how he smells like Benjamins because he has so much money, and it boosts his adrenaline. He talks about how he has "marksmen hit money," which is a reference to paying people to harm someone. He makes it clear that he is not interested in EBT welfare or WIC money, which is financial assistance provided by the government to those who are in need.
Additionally, he boasts about his wealth by saying that he blows money in London and Japan, he has made it to the top by himself, he grows his weed in Mexico, has a wine cellar full of expensive wines, and has more money than he could ever need. 50 Cent even goes on to say that he has a frog and a dog with a solid gold bone, which is a sign of extreme wealth.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on that bullshit
I am back to focusing solely on acquiring wealth.
Startin to feel like there's nothin left to talk about but the, money, money
My life revolves around accumulating wealth so intensely that I have nothing else to discuss.
Bill collectors keep comin when a nigga fucked up, to get money, money
Debt collectors relentlessly pursue me for payment, knowing that I need money.
Nigga I don't give a fuck 'bout these hoes
I have no concern for romantic partners and only care for making money.
I'm focused on the money, MONEY (money) MONEY!
I am fully immersed in the acquisition of wealth.
Look, I don't wan' talk 'bout these hoes
I have no interest in discussing romantic partners and only care for discussing money.
In high school I had coke and dope money
I acquired wealth through selling drugs and other illicit substances in my high school years.
I blew, now I'm sittin on Bugatti boat money
I have amassed such a fortune that I can afford the luxurious Bugatti boat.
I'm eatin, I get money, nigga I shit money
I am so successful at making money that it seems to come effortlessly, and I am living lavishly.
It smell like Benjamins, it boosts my adrenaline
The scent of money exhilarates me and fuels my ambition to accumulate more wealth.
Go 'head fuck around, I got marksmen hit money
I can afford to hire marksmen to eliminate anyone who interferes with my wealth accumulation.
You fuckin with that EBT welfare WIC money
You are dealing with government assistance money, while I am dealing with immense wealth.
Who wan' catch a fade? Fuck that! Catch a blade
Those who oppose me may face a violent end.
Catch a case, bail bond, I'm out the next day
Even if I face legal issues, I have the financial means to quickly bail myself out.
Got that gold (Hammer), gold (2 Legit) proper money
I am so wealthy that I can even afford the luxury of gold Hammer and 2 Legit items.
Talkin 'bout private jet, heliport chopper money
I have such a vast amount of wealth that I can afford private jets, heliports, and helicopters.
And a nigga still ridin with the chopper on me
I carry a firearm for protection despite my immense wealth.
I don't trick, e'ry now and then I toss her money
I do not fall for flirtatious tricks, but will occasionally provide financial assistance.
Fuck, nut, get up, that's abortion money
I can even afford the expense of abortion if needed.
I'll kill if I have to, don't force me homie
I will resort to violence if necessary to protect my wealth and power.
I get that schoolyard duct tape extortion money
I have the ability to extort money from people, from schoolyards to even greater spheres of influence.
I hate when niggaz act like bitches cause it costs me money
I am frustrated by those who act cowardly, as it may impact my ability to make money.
I'm in London blowin pounds, Japan blowin yen
I am so wealthy that I can afford to spend large amounts of money in various countries.
It's the methodical diabolical nigga with a grin
I am a strategic and sinister person who has a menacing grin.
My stash look like a rainbow, my money is gay
My wealth comes in a plethora of forms and colors, including gay currency.
Nowadays I'm just happy things are goin my way
I am content with my success in acquiring wealth.
I'm straight, some say I got more than I need
I am comfortable with my wealth, even though others believe I have more than necessary.
Mucho dinero out in México, they growin my weed
I have significant monetary investments in Mexico, where they grow marijuana for me to sell.
It's amazing, I made it here on my own
I am proud of having accumulated such wealth without assistance.
I got a frog, a dog with a solid gold bone
I have even spent money on lavish decorations for my pets, including a solid gold bone for one of my dogs.
An accountant to count, the amount I spent
I am so wealthy that I require a professional accountant to keep track of my expenses.
Wine cellar full of shit, we could all get bent
I have a large collection of expensive wine that I am willing to share with others to indulge in extravagance.
I got it made, I got Brinks truck money
I am so wealthy that I can afford to own and operate Brinks trucks for my personal use.
Euros, francs, you wan' borrow some from me?
I have so much wealth that I am willing to lend money in different currencies to others.
My bank statements have you niggaz like "Damn!"
The amount of wealth I possess is truly impressive and surprising to others.
Bitch I got more (francs) than a hot dog man
I have an incomprehensible amount of wealth that far exceeds that of even the most successful hot dog vendors.
Get married, pay for one bitch, I'll buy her bar food
I have the wealth to financially support a marriage and provide for the bride's food expenses.
Kids don't try this shit at home, you can't do the shit I do
My wealth and success are unique to me and cannot be replicated by others, particularly children.
Contributed by Connor L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@HipHopNeverDieDjDucReMix
This is a classic, an anthem, motivation to do whatever you need to do in life. 50 will always be an icon.
@2pacinseattle
50 Cent always brings the real. Love him or hate him, you have to respect him. One of my favorite rappers ever.
@runescaperzzz
i dont respect him what now
@FootballRob2010
Sitting in bed with a pile of money, hot models, and a bag of Doritos. 50 is my hero
@planitreallah8697
FootballRob 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@TsvetanVR
Brother Dude Well, supermodels can't count money, only spend it.
@antwandarellefenton
Lollll
@lillerry9761
50 taught me to hustle hard no matter what! First time I heard him at age of 6, now Im 24 and still!! You can take so much from a music, its not just a song. Its a lifestyle. Wish you guys all d best! The world is ours
@iam_champ
💪💪
@josephl9596
50 is special man, he deserves his success, I wish him even more success straight up!