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 Gun
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You feel the hollows burning, nigga, now you're learning
Nigga, my gun go off - call it attempted murder
Nigga, I'm trying to murk you when I come back busting
Nigga, my gun go off - don't try to say I'm tripping
When I get to flipping and I smack the clip in
Nigga, my gun go off - we call it putting work in
Leaving niggas hurting, homicide's lurking
Fuckboy, you can see it to believe it
Try to dodge and weave it, end up a paraplegic
Believe me, its easy, I'll hurt you, I'll murk you
I'll pop something, drop something, I ain't going to stop hunting
Run, run, 'til you're spun, one shot, one gun
One 911 emergency, it's murder, B
It's excellent execution when I'm pulling the trigger
No mistake for that cake, I'm hitting you and your niggas
Feel the flame when I aim for the top of your brain
See the spark and the bang, nigga, shit ain't a game
Do the math or get blast, bullets go through the glass
Goes through your ass fast and the leather seat in your Nav
Nigga, its not a war when there's casualties on one side, I ride
Turn it up on you nigga after Jake ride by
I click-clack, that's that, I don't flash, I mash
I wave the Uzi at them, I make a movie out them
Nigga, my gun go off - you see the barrel turning
You feel the hollows burning, nigga, now you're learning
Nigga, my gun go off - call it attempted murder
Nigga, I'm trying to murk you when I come back busting
Nigga, my gun go off - don't try to say I'm tripping
When I get to flipping and I smack the clip in
Nigga, my gun go off - we call it putting work in
Leaving niggas hurting, homicide's lurking
Nigga, my gun go off
You better lose yourself in the moment
Use it, fuck the music, I'mma let it go
You only get one shot before I back out and fire back
At your hat, your back, your ass crack, your nutsack
Your Cadillac, if you make it to that, I'm hitting that
The 70's was smack, the 80's crack
The 90's was grimy, millennium MACs, man
Clips on the whips I ride in them, bad bitches, I ride in them
Don't worry, I'll get them, gat's jammed or unjammed
God damn safest the safety don't work, squeeze the eagle, it chirps
End up faced down in the dirt more than hurt
Bring the beef where you hang out, bang out, shots ring out
Hit your shoulders trying to blow your brains out
Hit your homies in their legs, bet they have their canes out tomorrow
You know tomorrow's just a day away
If you can keep your heart beating, then your ass awake
Nigga, my gun go off - you see the barrel turning
You feel the hollows burning, nigga, now you're learning
Nigga, my gun go off - call it attempted murder
Nigga, I'm trying to murk you when I come back busting
Nigga, my gun go off - don't try to say I'm tripping
When I get to flipping and I smack the clip in
Nigga, my gun go off - we call it putting work in
Leaving niggas hurting, homicide's lurking
Nigga, my gun go off
The lyrics in 50 Cent's song My Gun promote violence and a lack of empathy towards others. He starts by saying his gun goes off and that the listener can see the barrel turning and feeling the hollow burns. He implies that he is committing attempted murder and when he comes back, he is going to start shooting again. 50 Cent seems to suggest that he is not responsible for his actions when he states, "Don't try to say I'm trippin'" and that he is "putting work in, leaving n*****s hurtin’." He indicates that using his gun is just a part of his everyday routine and that homicide is lurking.
The chorus of the song features the phrase "Nigga, my gun go off" repeated several times, and it serves as a constant reminder and justification for his violent actions. In the second verse, 50 Cent seems to suggest that he is immune to the consequences of his actions, stating that he will hurt people, merk them, and pop summin. He then goes on to describe the aftermath of using a gun in great detail, including the noise, the smoke, and the flames it produces, making it seem like merely a game to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Nigga, my gun go off
I have a gun that I can use to inflict harm on people.
You see the barrell turnin'
As I point my gun at you, you can see the barrel turning.
You feel the hollows burnin'
After I shoot you, you will feel the pain of the hollow bullets.
Nigga now you learnin'
You will learn a lesson after experiencing the harm my gun can cause.
Call it attempted murder
The use of my gun can be considered an attempt to murder someone.
Nigga I'm tryin to merk ya,
I am trying to kill you.
When I come back bustin'
When I return with my gun, I will start shooting.
Don't try to say I'm trippin'
Do not try to challenge my use of my gun.
When I get to flippin'
When I get aggressive, my gun will come out.
Then I smack the clip in,
I will load the gun aggressively.
We call it putting work in,
Using a gun to harm others can be considered work.
Leaving niggas hurtin',
After shooting someone, they will be in pain.
Homicide's learkin'
The possibility of a homicide is lurking when I use my gun.
Fuck Boy you can see it to believe it
If you do not believe me, I will use my gun to show you.
Tryna dodge and wave it end up a paraplegic
If you try to dodge or avoid my gun, you may end up paralyzed.
Believe me its easy
Using a gun to harm others is easy.
I'll hurt you, I'll merk you, I'll pop summin'
I have the ability and intention to harm and kill you with my gun.
Drop summin', I aint gonna stop hunting
If I shoot and miss, I will continue to pursue my target.
Run run till you're spun
If you run from me, I will chase you until you are disoriented.
One shot One gun
I only need one shot from my gun to harm or kill someone.
One-9
The code 19, possibly referring to a police scanner code for crime or violence.
1-1 emergency,
The code 11, possibly referring to a police scanner code for assistance or backup.
It's murder, B
Using my gun can be considered an act of murder.
It's excellent execution when I'm pulling the trigger
I am skilled at using my gun to harm others.
No mistake for that cake
I am not making any errors when it comes to using my gun to make money.
I'm hitting you and your niggas
I am not afraid to use my gun to harm multiple people at once.
Feel the flame when I aim,
You will feel the burn of the bullet when I aim at you.
For the top of your brain
I am aiming for a fatal shot to the head.
See the spark and the bang,
You will see the gun firing and hear the loud bang.
Nigga shit ain't a game
Using a gun to harm others is a serious matter.
Do the math or get blast
If you do not take me seriously, you will be harmed by my gun.
Bullets go through the glass
My gun can penetrate through car windows.
Go through your ass fast
My bullets will move quickly through your body.
And the leather seat sittin Ave.
Even the leather seats of a car cannot protect you from my gun.
Its not a war when there's casualties on one side
If I am using my gun to harm you, it is not a fair fight.
I ride
I am ready and willing to use my gun to harm others.
Turn it up on you niggas after Jay ride by
I will be more aggressive and violent after another person (possibly Jay) has passed by.
I click-clack thats that I don't flash, I mash
I am not hesitant to use my gun and I will aggressively load and shoot it.
I wave the Uzi at em,
I am brandishing a powerful gun to intimidate others.
I make a movie out em.
I see my actions of harming others with my gun as a form of entertainment.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus.
You better lose yourself in the moment
You need to be alert and focused in this dangerous situation.
Use it,
Use your survival instincts to stay alive.
Fuck the music I'ma let it go
Ignoring everything else, I am putting all of my focus on using my gun.
You only get one shot before I back out and fire back
You only have one chance to attack me before I retaliate with my gun.
At ya hat, ya back, ya ass crack, ya nut sack.
I will aim for any and all vulnerable areas of your body when shooting.
Your Cadillac if you make it to that,
Even if you make it back to your car (possibly a Cadillac), you are still not safe from my gun.
I'm hitting that
I will even harm your car with my gun.
The 70's was smack
The 70s was a violent era with drug problems.
The 80's crack.
The 80s was an era of crack cocaine use and its related violence.
The 90's was grimey
The 90s was also a violent and dangerous era.
Millennium mac man
Referring to himself as a skilled criminal in the new millennium.
Clips on the whips I ride in em
I am always armed with extra magazines of bullets in my car.
Bad bitches I ride inn em
I am always accompanied by attractive women in my car.
Don't worry I'll get 'em
I am confident that I will acquire the material possessions and people that I desire.
Gat Jammed or un-jammed
It does not matter if my gun malfunctions or not, I will use it to harm others.
God dam Safest the safety don't work
Even the safety of my gun cannot be relied upon.
Squeeze the eagle, it chirp.
When I shoot my gun, it makes a loud and distinctive noise.
End up faced down in the dirt
If you challenge me and my gun, you may end up dead.
More than hurt,
You will experience more than just pain if I shoot you with my gun.
Bring the beef where you hang out,
If you have a problem with me, come confront me directly.
Bang out,
If you choose to challenge me, we will have a violent and aggressive confrontation.
Shots ring out.
There will be gunfire if we engage in a confrontation.
Hit your shoulders tryin to blow your brains out.
If I shoot you, I may miss your head and hit your shoulders instead.
Hit your homies in their legs,
If I am confronted by more than one person, I will shoot them in their legs.
Bet they have their canes out tomorrow
If I shoot someone's leg, they may need a cane to walk the next day.
You know tomorrow's just a day away,
Your life can end at any moment.
If you can keep your heart beatin' then your ass awake.
If you are still alive, you need to stay alert and vigilant.
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adam David Deitch, Curtis James Jackson, Derick A Prosper, Eric Peter Krasno
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good