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 ↴
Is put a drum beat wit nothing but a drum beat
Niggas niggas copy my style russ
Thats why I had to switch upon 'em, know what I mean
Man niggas copy my style man
I run the show now, I got the blow now
I'm on the low now, I got the fo' pound
Encase a mother fucker got to get shot
The only time is coming, slow down
See they know now, I wont hesitate to make shit hot
D's will shut your block down, after your 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 dog, this is new shit
I'm from Southside, nigga we do this
They say I'm grimey, its hard to find me
When sun lighten up the sky
Niggas wanna line me, try and kill me
Go 'head nigga I dare you to try, fuck that nigga!
[Chorus]
We movin' on up, yeah we gettin' that dough, fa' sho'
We movin' on up, you'll get chromed up,
Cash is flow fa' sho', the dough, nigga you know what?
We movin' on up, yeah we gettin' that dough, fa' sho'
We movin' on up, you'll get chromed up,
Cash is flow fa' sho', the dough, nigga you know what?
I'm 'bout my bread now, I'll cut your head now
You know you eatin' niggas you should be dead now
I hold a glock down, I gotta drop now
Nigga I'm eatin' 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, fuckin' sick to my stomach
You nigga talk shit, but they know that I want it
My clicks 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'cha name carved into neck
Have my lil' homies run up on yo' ass with the tek
Yeah I stunt in the 'vette , got stash in the bank
I get head in the whip, I get ass on the jet
I'm oh so fresh, so I'm mothafuckin' clean
With a 4 inch gleam, when I pull up on the scene
[Chorus]
Been smokin' that dip, the P.C.P. got 'em thinkin' they can walk on water
That ecstasy will have a nigga rock hard tryna fuck your daughter
The L.S.D. will have niggas runnin' round tryna kill you for us
Smokin' that piff, sippin' that yak, talkin' that shit, loadin' that strap
[Chorus]
In "Movin On Up," 50 Cent reflects on his past and his current success as a rapper and drug dealer. He boasts about his ability to switch up his style to keep ahead of copycats, and describes how he now runs the show with money and power. He warns his enemies that he won't hesitate to make things hot and that he's heavily armed. The chorus repeats the line, "We movin' on up, yeah we gettin' that dough, fa' sho'," signaling his ultimate goal of attaining wealth and success.
The lyrics of "Movin On Up" are a reflection of 50 Cent's life and the environment in which he grew up. The rapper started dealing drugs at a young age and was shot nine times in a drive-by shooting in 2000. This event changed his life and gave him the motivation to pursue music. He was eventually signed to Eminem's label, Shady Records, and became a successful rapper known for his gritty lyrics and catchy hooks.
The song also touches on the use of drugs and the dangerous effects they can have on people's behavior. 50 Cent describes the drugs PCP, ecstasy, LSD, and marijuana, and how they can cause users to become violent and reckless. Overall, "Movin On Up" is a powerful testament to 50 Cent's determination to succeed despite his past and the obstacles he faced.
Line by Line Meaning
The realist thing you could do
The most honest action you can take
Is put a drum beat wit nothing but a drum beat
Just make simple, stripped-back music
Niggas niggas copy my style russ
People are imitating my style
Thats why I had to switch upon 'em, know what I mean
That's why I changed things up on them
Man niggas copy my style man
People are copying my style
I run the show now, I got the blow now
I'm in charge now, I have the drugs
You wanna hold now? You can come cop
If you want it, come buy it from me
I'm on the low now, I got the fo' pound
I'm keeping a low profile and I have a gun
Encase a mother fucker got to get shot
In case I have to shoot someone
The only time is coming, slow down
Be patient, it'll happen in due time
See they know now, I wont hesitate to make shit hot
They know I'm not afraid to make things violent
D's will shut your block down, after your shot down
Police will come after you once you've been shot
We gonna come through and set up shop
We're taking over your territory
You niggas gone work for me now, you gone see now
You're going to have to work for me
How I change shit, re-arrange shit
I'm going to shake things up
See for you dog, this is new shit
This is a new situation for you
I'm from Southside, nigga we do this
I come from a place where this is normal
They say I'm grimey, its hard to find me
They say I'm shady and hard to locate
When sun lighten up the sky
When the sun rises
Niggas wanna line me, try and kill me
People want to kill me
Go 'head nigga I dare you to try, fuck that nigga!
Go ahead and try to kill me, I don't care
We movin' on up, yeah we gettin' that dough, fa' sho'
We're making money and rising up
We movin' on up, you'll get chromed up, Cash is flow fa' sho', the dough, nigga you know what?
If you're with us, you'll succeed and make money too
I'm 'bout my bread now, I'll cut your head now
I'm focused on making money and I'll harm you for it
You know you eatin' niggas you should be dead now
If you're successful, you're a target and should be dead
I hold a glock down, I gotta drop now
I carry a gun and I'm ready to use it
Nigga I'm eatin' you know I ain't gone stop now
I'm making money and I'm not going to stop
One more trip, one more flip
One more drug deal
I move a truckload nigga, not one brick
I move large quantities of drugs
They make me so sick, fuckin' sick to my stomach
I'm disgusted by people who talk but don't act
You nigga talk shit, but they know that I want it
People talk badly about me, but they know I'm successful
My clicks so sick, niggas know how we on it
My crew is impressive and feared
Light up more shit, the car there when we on it
We smoke weed and drive around
I spit a gem star get'cha name carved into neck
I rap about violence and harming people
Have my lil' homies run up on yo' ass with the tek
I have others do my dirty work for me
Yeah I stunt in the 'vette, got stash in the bank
I show off my wealth and I save my money
I get head in the whip, I get ass on the jet
I have sex with women in my car and on planes
I'm oh so fresh, so I'm mothafuckin' clean
I'm stylish and clean
With a 4 inch gleam, when I pull up on the scene
I have a nice gun and make an entrance
Been smokin' that dip, the P.C.P. got 'em thinkin' they can walk on water
People are getting high on PCP and feeling invincible
That ecstasy will have a nigga rock hard tryna fuck your daughter
Ecstasy makes men horny and willing to do anything
The L.S.D. will have niggas runnin' round tryna kill you for us
LSD can make people violent and willing to harm others
Smokin' that piff, sippin' that yak, talkin' that shit, loadin' that strap
People smoke weed and drink, talk boldly, and carry guns
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, CHRISTINE PERREN, FREDDIE PERREN, LEON WARE, CHRISTINE YARIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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