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.
Nightmare
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wake up, I look up, shook up
Say fuck, put my hands on my nine
Niggas I cut, or we stuck, and they move
So we buck, they come back
In my dreams at night I have nightmares
Nightmares, all the time
My dead friends in my sleep
They showed my things
I ain't really wanna see
They showed me flashbacks of murder
Scenes, bodies bubblin', in acid tubs
With they feet head and hands cut off
Oh shit, I had woke up buggin'
Sweatin' bullets
Checkin' for my gun, I gotta
Stop smoking that haze or something
I know I ain't crazy, I'll go outside for
Some fresh air maybe
It's 3 o'clock in the night
The block is on fire, took
My nigga bottle for a swig oh the fire
He told he just had seen the bitch ass
Nigga, must be god that's keeping
Me from seein' this nigga
Wanna crawl on me, and creep on me
Cause they know better then to let
Me see him in front
Of me, outside the car, away from the police
I'll turn him into dreams
Demons in my sleep
Every time I go to sleep it's
Like I stroll down memory lane
And see the dirt I've done
Before I acquired the fame
If you can see what I see, you see me
Poppin' the chain, or you see me scrappin'
I pull out and pop off that thang
I'm usually hustlin', bubblin'
Slingin' that 'caine
No matter the weather it's sun
Snow sleet or it's rain
See fiends got a habit
It hurts so they feedin' they
Vein, and I gotta habit of
Havin' grams of it man
I'm chasin' the paper
It' simple i'm bout my bread
I cock it and pop it your
White tee will turn red
See niggas that know me, who owe me
They see me they run, they know
If I catch em I cut em for feed em my gun
It's real in the field, nigga front
And get yo cap peeled, with that nina
That tech that ooo wop or that mac
Mill, unload then reload
I live by the streets code
And pray to lord have mercy on my soul
Keep havin' these dreams
I think I'm just losin' my brain
I wake up in sweat
My girl think i'm sniffin' that 'caine
I try to remember, but none of
Them ever the same, I dream of my brother
But never since he passed away
He talk to me
And I can't hear nothing he say
Fuck it, go along with it
Just be happy to see him
I think that nigga tryna tell me something
Though, when I see him I forget to ask him
Fuck I wanna know
Probably tryna to tell me, your gun
It better blow when you in the street
Can't react slow, cause niggas
In this rap game, think shit sweet
Getting disrespectful like I won't push meat
Should be poppin' off in my dream
But then I get caught
Is he tryin' to tell me so
My soldiers cause you a bust
Niggas wanna see my down
I ain't 'fraid of getting poked
Damn if I ever go broke
The lyrics of 50 Cent's "Nightmare" depict the internal struggles and haunting thoughts that the rapper experiences. The song delves into the theme of nightmares, both literal and metaphorical, that plague him day and night. It opens with the repetition of the line "I have nightmares, nightmares, all the time," emphasizing the constant presence of these disturbing visions. The singer wakes up shaken and reaches for his gun, feeling the need to protect himself and seeking solace in his weapon.
The second verse delves into a specific nightmare where the rapper sees visions of his deceased friends. The imagery is graphic, depicting flashback scenes of murder and mutilation. As he wakes up in a panic, he attributes these intense dreams to the influence of drugs and contemplates going outside for fresh air. However, the song shifts to a scene of chaos in his neighborhood as the block is on fire. The tension builds as he encounters someone who claims to have seen a particular person the singer has a vendetta against. The potential confrontation looms over the singer, but he resolves to deal with it in his dreams instead.
The third verse reflects the rapper's complex relationship with fame and his past as a hustler. He reminisces about his criminal activities before achieving fame, painting a picture of violence, drug dealing, and addiction. Despite his transformation, he still feels haunted by his past actions. The lyrics convey his constant hustle, his willingness to resort to violence, and the fear he instills in those who owe him money. The verse ends with a grim acknowledgment of the danger and loss of life that are pervasive in the street lifestyle, with the singer acknowledging the need to rely on his guns for protection.
Overall, "Nightmare" explores the turmoil and psychological impact that the rapper experiences as a result of his past actions, his fame, and his ongoing struggle to navigate a dangerous environment.
Line by Line Meaning
I have nightmares, nightmares, all the time
I constantly experience terrifying dreams
I wake up, I look up, shook up
Upon waking, I am startled and disoriented
Say fuck, put my hands on my nine
I curse and grab my gun
Niggas I cut, or we stuck, and they move
Those I harm or those who oppose me face consequences
So we buck, they come back
We engage in a violent confrontation, but they retaliate
In my dreams at night I have nightmares
Even in my dreams, I am haunted by terrifying visions
Nightmares, all the time
I am constantly plagued by horrifying dreams
Last night I had a vision of
Recently, I experienced a vivid perception
My dead friends in my sleep
Deceased acquaintances appeared in my dreams
They showed my things
They revealed unsettling scenes to me
I ain't really wanna see
I did not desire to witness those images
They showed me flashbacks of murder
They presented me with memories of violent killings
Scenes, bodies bubblin', in acid tubs
I witnessed graphic scenes of decomposing bodies in corrosive baths
With they feet head and hands cut off
Their limbs were severed, gruesome and dismembered
Oh shit, I had woke up buggin'
I was startled and disturbed upon awakening
Sweatin' bullets
My body was drenched in perspiration
Checkin' for my gun, I gotta
I examined my surroundings for my firearm, which I must have
Stop smoking that haze or something
I must quit consuming mind-altering substances like marijuana
I know I ain't crazy, I'll go outside for
I am aware of my sanity, so I will step outdoors to seek fresh air
Some fresh air maybe
Breathing in unpolluted atmosphere might help
It's 3 o'clock in the night
It is currently 3 a.m.
The block is on fire, took
The neighborhood is engulfed in chaos, and I took
My nigga bottle for a swig oh the fire
My friend's alcohol bottle to take a sip amidst the chaos
He told he just had seen the bitch ass
He informed me that he witnessed the despicable individual
Nigga, must be god that's keeping
That person must have divine intervention safeguarding them
Me from seein' this nigga
Preventing me from encountering that person
Wanna crawl on me, and creep on me
They desire to approach me stealthily and harm me
Cause they know better then to let
They understand it is wiser not to allow
Me see him in front
Me to witness their presence directly
Of me, outside the car, away from the police
In my sight, outside a vehicle, far from law enforcement
I'll turn him into dreams
I will envision their demise
Demons in my sleep
Malevolent entities haunt my slumber
Every time I go to sleep it's
Whenever I attempt to rest, it becomes
Like I stroll down memory lane
As if I am taking a nostalgic journey
And see the dirt I've done
Reflecting on the immoral actions I have committed
Before I acquired the fame
Prior to obtaining recognition and success
If you can see what I see, you see me
If you perceive my perspective, you witness my activities
Poppin' the chain, or you see me scrappin'
Displaying my expensive jewelry or engaging in physical altercations
I pull out and pop off that thang
I brandish my firearm and discharge it
I'm usually hustlin', bubblin'
Normally, I am engaged in illegal activities, generating income
Slingin' that 'caine
Dealing cocaine on the streets
No matter the weather it's sun
Irrespective of the climate, whether sunny
Snow sleet or it's rain
Snowing, sleeting, or raining
See fiends got a habit
Drug addicts possess a craving
It hurts so they feedin' they
They are in pain, so they satisfy their needs
Vein, and I gotta habit of
Injecting drugs into their veins, and I have a tendency to
Havin' grams of it man
Possessing significant amounts of drugs
I'm chasin' the paper
I am pursuing wealth
It' simple i'm bout my bread
It is straightforward, I prioritize my money
I cock it and pop it your
I prepare and discharge my firearm, causing
White tee will turn red
A person wearing a white t-shirt will be covered in blood
See niggas that know me, who owe me
Individuals acquainted with me, indebted to me
They see me they run, they know
When they see me, they flee because they understand
If I catch em I cut em for feed em my gun
If I apprehend them, I will harm them with my firearm
It's real in the field, nigga front
The streets are dangerous, if someone challenges
And get yo cap peeled, with that nina
Their head will be shot, using a handgun
That tech that ooo wop or that mac
A variety of firearms, including a tech-9, submachine gun, or mac-10
Mill, unload then reload
Empty the magazine, then load it again
I live by the streets code
I adhere to the unwritten laws of the streets
And pray to lord have mercy on my soul
I plead to God for forgiveness and protection
Keep havin' these dreams
I continue to experience these dreams
I think I'm just losin' my brain
I believe my sanity is slipping away
I wake up in sweat
I awaken drenched in perspiration
My girl think i'm sniffin' that 'caine
My girlfriend suspects I am using cocaine
I try to remember, but none of
I attempt to recall, but none
Them ever the same, I dream of my brother
Those dreams are never identical, I dream of my deceased brother
But never since he passed away
However, I have not dreamt of him since his death
He talk to me
He communicates with me in these dreams
And I can't hear nothing he say
Yet, I cannot comprehend his messages
Fuck it, go along with it
Disregard it, accept what is happening
Just be happy to see him
Simply find joy in encountering him
I think that nigga tryna tell me something
I believe he is attempting to convey a message
Though, when I see him I forget to ask him
However, when I encounter him, I forget to inquire
Fuck I wanna know
Why do I even desire to know
Probably tryna to tell me, your gun
He is likely trying to inform me that my firearm
It better blow when you in the street
Will prove useful when faced with danger on the street
Can't react slow, cause niggas
I must not hesitate since individuals
In this rap game, think shit sweet
Involved in the music industry believe it is all pleasant
Getting disrespectful like I won't push meat
Displaying disrespect, assuming I will not retaliate with violence
Should be poppin' off in my dream
They should be initiating conflict in my dreams
But then I get caught
Yet, they end up being apprehended
Is he tryin' to tell me so
Is he attempting to warn me
My soldiers cause you a bust
My associates will cause your demise
Niggas wanna see my down
Individuals desire to witness my downfall
I ain't 'fraid of getting poked
I am not afraid of being stabbed
Damn if I ever go broke
I refuse to be financially destitute
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Mason
The g unit radio days where everyone was on that gggg unit shit
steven topper
This song is so fun to dance to I enjoy listening to it. 50's verse goes hard he's so dope this is when music was music on CD and fans gravitated to good music.
Bobby Hanshaw
damn how does this only have 900 views. G-UNIT 4 LIFE!!!!!!
Marlo Barksdale
50 n mobb deep perfect combo🔥💯💯💯they make great music together
Andrzej M
Gggunit na zawsze pozdro z polski
Eric Green
Dam we're u find dis🔥🔥 🔥
steven topper
@bills mafia unit 4 life nigga!!!!! One of my favorites to dance to on my days off from work whenever I want anytime I want good theme music brings back so many awesome memories of when music was on CD
bills mafia unit 4 life nigga!!!!!
2019. Shit still hotttttt
Westbound Promo
i had woke up buggin sweatin bullets checkin 4 my gun i need to stop smokin dat haze or sum
JT81
2022! RIP Prodigy!