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.
Movin On Up
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas, niggas copied my style, Russ
That's why I had to switch up on 'em
Know what I mean?
Mad niggas sounding like me
I run the show now, I got the blow now
You wanna hold now? You can come cop
In case a motherfucker gotta get shot
The only time is coming, slow down
See they know now, I won't hesitate to make shit hot
D's will shut your block down, after you're shot down
We gonna come through and set up shop
You niggas gone work for me now, you gone see now
How I change shit, re-arrange shit
See for you, dawg, this is new shit
I'm from Southside, nigga we do this
They say I'm grimey, it's hard to find me
When the sun lighten up the sky
Niggas wanna line me, try and kill me
Go ahead nigga, I dare you to try, fuck that nigga
We moving on up
Yeah, we gettin' that dough for sure, we moving on up
You'll get chromed up
Cash is flow for sure, the dough, nigga you know what?
I'm 'bout my bread now, I'll cut your head now
You know you eating niggas, you should be dead now
I hold a Glock down, I gotta drop now
Nigga I'm eating, you know I ain't gone stop now
One more trip, one more flip
I move a truckload, nigga, not one brick
They make me so sick, fucking sick to my stomach
You niggas talk shit, but they know that I want it
My clique's so sick, niggas know how we on it
Light up more shit, the car there when we on it
I spit a gem star. get your name carved into neck
Have my little homies run up on your ass with the Tec
Yeah, I stunt in the Vette, got stash in the Vette
I get head in the whip, I get ass on the jet
I'm oh so fresh, so motherfucking clean
24 inch gleam, when I pull up on the scene
We moving on up
Yeah, we gettin' that dough for sure, we moving on up
You'll get chromed up
Cash is flow for sure, the dough, nigga you know what?
Been smoking that dip, the PCP got them thinking they can walk on water
That ecstasy will have a nigga rock hard trying to fuck your daughter
The LSD will have niggas running round trying to kill you for us
Smoking that piff, sipping that yak, talking that shit, loading that strap
We moving on up
Yeah, we gettin' that dough for sure, we moving on up
You'll get chromed up
Cash is flow for sure, the dough, nigga you know what?
In "Movin On Up," 50 Cent touches on the topic of how other rappers try to copy his style, and how he has to switch things up in order to stay relevant. He boasts about his success and control over the game and indicates that anyone who tries to challenge him will fail. He talks about his criminal activities and the drugs he uses to stay on top which includes PCP, ecstasy, LSD, and the obvious marijuana. The song has an upbeat and energetic tone that emphasizes the confidence and power that 50 Cent exudes.
50 Cent starts by acknowledging that other rappers are copying his style, but he has to switch it up to stay ahead of them. He then goes ahead to mention his current cash flow and how anyone who needs some can come and get it from him. He continues to talk about how he now runs the show and how he carries a weapon with him in case he has to use it. He is confident that he can handle whatever may come his way because he is from Southside where they thrive in that life. He is not afraid of anyone who may want to try and hurt him, and he dares them to come and try.
50 Cent also talks about the drugs he uses and their effects. He warns people that using these drugs can be dangerous and even deadly but he does not seem to care as long as he is on top. He talks about the crimes he has committed and the weapons he carries. The message in this song is that success comes with a price, and you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to maintain it.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas, niggas copied my style, Russ
People imitated my style so much that I had to switch it up on them.
I run the show now, I got the blow now
I am the one in charge now and I have control over the drugs.
I'm on the low now, I got the four pound
I am keeping a low profile now and I have a weapon in case I need to shoot someone.
The only time is coming, slow down
Take your time and be careful because things are about to get serious.
D's will shut your block down, after you're shot down
The police will close down your neighborhood after they find out someone was shot there.
You niggas gone work for me now, you gone see now
You guys will be working for me from now on and you will see how things have changed.
See for you, dawg, this is new shit
This might be new for you, but it's not for me.
I'm from Southside, nigga we do this
I come from the Southside, where this is what we do.
They say I'm grimey, it's hard to find me
People say I'm shady and hard to locate.
Niggas wanna line me, try and kill me
People want to harm me and take me out.
We moving on up
We are making progress and achieving success.
I'm 'bout my bread now, I'll cut your head now
I am focused on making money now and will harm those who try to stop me.
They make me so sick, fucking sick to my stomach
Others make me disgusted and sickened.
My clique's so sick, niggas know how we on it
My crew is so skilled and talented, everyone knows how we operate.
Been smoking that dip, the PCP got them thinking they can walk on water
People who smoke PCP believe they have supernatural powers and can do anything.
That ecstasy will have a nigga rock hard trying to fuck your daughter
Ecstasy can make a man sexually aroused and attempt to have sex with someone's daughter.
The LSD will have niggas running round trying to kill you for us
LSD can make people hallucinate and become violent, even towards someone they don't know for our benefit.
We moving on up
We are still progressing and climbing up the ladder of success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christine Yarian Perren, Curtis James Jackson, Frederick Perren, Leon Ware
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good