Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975 in South Jamaica, Queens, New Y… Read Full Bio ↴Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975 in South Jamaica, Queens, New York), better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is a Grammy award nominated rapper, actor, singer, entrepreneur, author and founder of the hip hop group and label G-Unit.

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.

My Crown
50 Cent Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

They can't keep a good man down
Always keep a smile when they want me to frown
Keep the vibes and I stood my grounds
They will never ever take my crown, nah
They will never ever take my crown, nah
They will never ever take my crown, nah

I'm still shit, I meet y'all ready

Fuck around will be reading your obituary
My whip clean, my watch gleam
9 karats hoe, that's what I call a pinky ring
Don't even trick, my heart cold
I'm round the globe, I'm on parole
I ball hard, I go hard
They say I'm grimy, up to no good
Oh god
Shawty work that, we should work that
She a canna, she damn close to perfect
I might want stunt, throw a hunned racks
Get my man strapped, he gonn get my money back

I'm ghetto right, I'm super hood
I'm shitting on these niggas like they knew I would
I'm ghetto right, I'm super hood
I'm shitting on these niggas like they knew I would

Who Jah bless I say no man curse
Things get better when they thought it would be worst
Here comes the officer asking for ah search
They found no weapons just only a draw first
They found no weapons just only a draw first
They found no weapons just only a draw first

Gram after gram, time after time
I got the grind
I can't help it, I gotta shine
I do it big, you stupid big
I could fit like half the projects in my crib
You stick around, I'm outta here
You on the ground, I'm in the lear
I love yachts, a 9 boats
Either way, come a nigga got you picking dough
They done made me mad, now I'm in my bad
And I'm back with the strap catch a case be the case
Rich nigga swag
Every step I take, every lil itsy bitsy move I make
Turn the big bags a birthday cake
I can even fit this shit in my safe
Wait!

Got more money coming, try not to hate
Why you think a nigga in and out a state?
I'm a pro, I'ma go when I operate
I get the bread, I blow the bread
I'm flashing, I'm shining
I get the bread, I blow the bread
My bitches, my diamonds

Who Jah bless I say no man curse
Things get better when they thought it would be worst
Here comes the officer asking for ah search
They found no weapons just only a draw first

They found no weapons just only a draw first
They found no weapons just only a draw first.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of 50 Cent's "My Crown" are an assertion of dominance and resilience in the face of his detractors. 50 Cent proclaims himself a "good man," conceding that he'll keep a smile even when those around him want to see him frown. He's determined to maintain his positive outlook and energy, grounded by his own sense of self-worth and confidence. He's unwilling to surrender his position of strength - "they will never ever take my crown" - which further reinforces his image as a powerful figure in the rap world.

The song later shifts toward more traditional themes of wealth, status, and pleasure-seeking. 50 Cent makes it clear that he's still a force to be reckoned with, with a "whip clean" and a "watch gleam." He's unapologetically materialistic, boasting about his "9 karats" diamond ring and dropping references to the projects he came from. His delivery is aggressive and energetic, emphasizing his unshakable self-assurance and unflinching resilience.

The final verse touches on themes of police brutality and systemic racism, with 50 Cent alluding to his own experiences with racial profiling. The verse speaks to the larger societal issues that 50 has commented on throughout his career, positioning him as an unapologetic voice for the disenfranchised and marginalized. Overall, "My Crown" is a complex blend of bravado, social commentary, and personal reflection, encapsulating many of the themes that have made 50 Cent such a compelling and impactful artist.

Line by Line Meaning

They can't keep a good man down
Even with obstacles, a strong and resilient person will always persevere

Always keep a smile when they want me to frown
Remaining positive and refusing to let others bring you down

Keep the vibes and I stood my grounds
Maintaining a positive outlook and standing up for oneself

They will never ever take my crown, nah
Refusing to let anyone take away one's position of power or influence

I'm still shit, I meet y'all ready
Despite challenges, one is still prepared to face them head-on

Fuck around will be reading your obituary
Warning others that one is not to be messed with and may retaliate with deadly force

My whip clean, my watch gleam
Boasting about material possessions, such as a clean car and shiny watch

9 karats hoe, that's what I call a pinky ring
Showing off a flashy and expensive piece of jewelry

Don't even trick, my heart cold
Asserting that one is not easily fooled or manipulated and has a tough exterior

I'm round the globe, I'm on parole
Continuing to travel and perform despite legal restrictions

I ball hard, I go hard
Giving maximum effort and showing off one's wealth and success

They say I'm grimy, up to no good, Oh god
Acknowledging rumors about being involved in illegal or unethical activity

Shawty work that, we should work that
Suggesting that a woman should use her assets to make money and collaborate with him

She a canna, she damn close to perfect
Describing a woman as being attractive and having desirable qualities

I might want stunt, throw a hunned racks
Showing off one's wealth by spending large amounts of money at once

Get my man strapped, he gonn get my money back
Using one's associates to retrieve stolen or lost money

Who Jah bless I say no man curse
Believing that good things will come to those who deserve them

Things get better when they thought it would be worst
Believing in the power of optimism and that things can improve despite initial setbacks

Here comes the officer asking for ah search
Facing potential legal trouble such as being searched by police

They found no weapons just only a draw first
Asserting one's innocence and that there is no evidence of wrongdoing

Gram after gram, time after time
Consistently working hard and making progress towards one's goals

I got the grind
Expressing dedication and determination to succeed

I can't help it, I gotta shine
Feeling a strong desire to show off one's success and wealth

I do it big, you stupid big
Being grandiose and overpowering in one's actions and lifestyle

I could fit like half the projects in my crib
Boasting about the size and extravagance of one's home

You stick around, I'm outta here
Feeling the need to move on from others who are not as successful or motivated

You on the ground, I'm in the lear
Enjoying luxury and high status while others may struggle

I love yachts, a 9 boats
Showing off one's expensive and extravagant tastes

Either way, come a nigga got you picking dough
Imposing one's authority and control over others to make them do what one wants

They done made me mad, now I'm in my bad
Becoming angry and potentially violent when provoked or challenged

And I'm back with the strap catch a case be the case
Using weapons to protect oneself and retaliating if necessary, even if it results in legal trouble

Rich nigga swag
Exuding confidence and success due to one's wealth and lifestyle

Every step I take, every lil itsy bitsy move I make
Paying close attention to one's actions and maintaining a certain level of skill and excellence

Turn the big bags a birthday cake
Having so much money that it can be used for extravagant purchases

I can even fit this shit in my safe
Showing off the amount of wealth that can be kept safe and secure

Got more money coming, try not to hate
Expecting even more financial success and asking others not to be envious or resentful

Why you think a nigga in and out a state?
Traveling frequently and making business deals in different locations

I'm a pro, I'ma go when I operate
Being highly skilled and successful in one's work

I get the bread, I blow the bread
Earning a lot of money and spending it quickly and extravagantly

I'm flashing, I'm shining
Showing off one's wealth and success through material possessions and extravagant lifestyle

My bitches, my diamonds
Treating women as objects and possessions, and showing off flashy and expensive jewelry

Contributed by Victoria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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