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.
No Introduction
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ga ga G-Unit! (body) haha, yo, yo
I need no introduction, everybody (body)
Heard of 50 Cent, and heard of G-Unit
I'm not high-tech and I'm not Pradi (Pradi)
You see me in the club
You better tell the bouncers to treat me special, I'm somebody (body)
Niggas'll come back, shoot up your party (party)
If I don't have fun, nobody havin' none
I'm tryin' to holla at ya, come here shorty (shorty)
Shout out to my nigga Juvie, whack goes here buck
My niggas from New Orleans, wodie (wodie)
If we on the same page, when you see me on stage
You gonna throw your hands up, and you gonna applaud me (plaud me)
You know how I get, I'm still on that bullshit, nigga, nigga
[Tony Yayo]
I run around with the trey (body) pound like its a sport
And call my name in the bench, while I sit in court
I got a million dollar smile (body), and a fist full of pesos
And the wrist so icey, it could light up a stage show
In the club (body), nigga I stay holdin'
Cause I'm on point for them wolves, and sheep clothin'
I play the bar (body), with a double shot of Henny
Cause after this spot, its cheaters, and envy
(Shorty if you feel a nigga, call me) (body)
[Lloyd Banks]
Yeah, Banks, yeah
Look you ain't got to like me, that's (body) cool, I don't give a fuck
Clowny time ain't gonna put me in a bigger truck
Fuck kids, it (body) ain't my turn to be stressed
A bitch worse nightmare is a paternity test
I'm too young to be faithful (body)
If money, means love, I hate you
I only trick on the first of April
Holla at me, if you thugged (body) out shorty ready to fight you
Dice, roll a blunt, and pull the snub out for me
And if your not don't even (body) call me
[gun shot fired, yelling]
In "No Introduction," 50 Cent begins by stating that he needs no introduction. He is well known, and so is his group, G-Unit. He is not high-tech like other rappers, nor does he wear designer brand Prada. When he enters a club, he expects to be treated like someone important. He lets the bouncers know that he's somebody, and if they don't treat him special, his associates will come back and shoot up the party.
Tony Yayo comes in with a verse about his life, boasting that he carries a gun, and is always on the lookout for danger. He has a million-dollar smile and a wrist full of expensive jewelry. He drinks Henny when he's out and is prepared to confront anyone who crosses him. If a woman is interested in him, all she has to do is call.
Lloyd Banks closes the song by saying that he does not care if people like him or not. If someone is a hater, it will not affect him. He is not interested in settling down with a woman and having children, even if he is not faithfully committed. He is willing to spend money on one day only, April 1st. He will give love a chance, but only if she is tough and willing to fight for him.
Line by Line Meaning
Ga ga G-Unit! (body) haha, yo, yo
50 cent introduces the G-Unit brand amidst laughter
I need no introduction, everybody (body)
50 cent is already famous and known to everyone
Heard of 50 Cent, and heard of G-Unit
50 cent and G-Unit are both well-known in the music industry
I'm not high-tech and I'm not Pradi (Pradi)
50 cent may not be sophisticated but he is neither a knockoff brand
You see me in the club
50 cent frequents the clubbing scene
You better tell the bouncers to treat me special, I'm somebody (body)
50 cent is a VIP and deserves special treatment
Cause I get on that jet, in 5 minutes flat
50 cent has a private jet that can take off quickly
Niggas'll come back, shoot up your party (party)
If 50 cent doesn't have a good time at your party, he may have his friends shoot it up
If I don't have fun, nobody havin' none
50 cent's enjoyment is important and contagious
I'm tryin' to holla at ya, come here shorty (shorty)
50 cent is trying to talk to an attractive woman
Shout out to my nigga Juvie, whack goes here buck
50 cent gives a shoutout to rapper Juvenile and his click
My niggas from New Orleans, wodie (wodie)
50 cent is connected with people from New Orleans
If we on the same page, when you see me on stage
50 cent wants the crowd to be in sync with him when he performs
You gonna throw your hands up, and you gonna applaud me (plaud me)
50 cent expects the crowd to show their approval with clapping and cheering
You know how I get, I'm still on that bullshit, nigga, nigga
50 cent asserts that he is still the same and hasn't changed
I run around with the trey (body) pound like its a sport
Tony Yayo carries a gun like it's a hobby
And call my name in the bench, while I sit in court
Tony Yayo has been arrested and summoned to court
I got a million dollar smile (body), and a fist full of pesos
Tony Yayo has a great smile and a large amount of money
And the wrist so icey, it could light up a stage show
Tony Yayo wears a lot of flashy jewelry
In the club (body), nigga I stay holdin'
Tony Yayo carries a gun with him in the club
Cause I'm on point for them wolves, and sheep clothin'
Tony Yayo is cautious and ready to fight against danger
I play the bar (body), with a double shot of Henny
Tony Yayo drinks Henny and stands at the bar
Cause after this spot, its cheaters, and envy
The after party can be a place of drama and hostility
(Shorty if you feel a nigga, call me) (body)
Tony Yayo wants a girl to call him if she's interested in him
Yeah, Banks, yeah
Lloyd Banks introduces himself
Look you ain't got to like me, that's (body) cool, I don't give a fuck
Lloyd Banks doesn't care if someone doesn't like him
Clowny time ain't gonna put me in a bigger truck
Lloyd Banks won't let negativity prevent him from levels of greater success
Fuck kids, it (body) ain't my turn to be stressed
Lloyd Banks doesn't want to have kids because he doesn't want to deal with the stress
A bitch worse nightmare is a paternity test
Fatherhood is scary for Lloyd Banks because of the possibility of a wrong paternity test
I'm too young to be faithful (body)
Lloyd Banks isn't ready to be tied down in a relationship
If money, means love, I hate you
Lloyd Banks hates people who only care about money
I only trick on the first of April
Lloyd Banks only plays pranks on April Fool's Day
Holla at me, if you thugged (body) out shorty ready to fight you
Lloyd Banks wants a woman who is tough and willing to fight
Dice, roll a blunt, and pull the snub out for me
Lloyd Banks wants to gamble, smoke weed, and have his armed buddy with him
And if your not don't even (body) call me
Lloyd Banks doesn't want to be contacted by someone who doesn't meet his standards
Contributed by Caroline C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@5cardpimp
I wish this song was longer but still so good!!
@gwada971du94
Casey thrueeee
@Qwerty-kv5tj
The song is E.M.S from No Mercy, No Fear
@todorkolev7565
lol yall don't have a clue! ;) Search for Reflection Eternal - The Blast... You're welcome!
@ChloefileFIN
Banks kills this
@donsurpreme6679
Good memory summertime 02 at the park pumping this joint
@AlpinestarNL
I wish this was on spotify
@ChloefileFIN
I liked this in 2004 and I still like this. Awesome beat and even more awesome shit from Banks
@mysticbroteam5698
If you like the beat the original song is the blast talib kweli
@ChloefileFIN
@mysticBro team thanks! I need to check that out :)