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.
Places To Go
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shady
Aftermath
G-Unit
I got places to go (uh huh), I got people to see (yeah)
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me (no)
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
And put a hole in you, hole in you (come on)
I got places to go, I got people to see (yeah)
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me (not me, nigga)
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze
And put a hole in you, hole in you (50)
You mistaking me for somebody that you should be testin' (uh huh)
You should be stressin', I'm finna fucking teach you a lesson (yeah)
Rap 101's in session, Em laced the track that I'm blessin'
Smith and Wesson's the weapon in case you was guessin' (god damn)
Capping 'em, kept in my Benz, hot beginnin' to end (woo)
Watch the 22's spin, my hoes they perfect ten (come on)
I got shot up but I got up and I'm back at it again
Motherfuckers that thought I wouldn't win pretend to be friends
At first you fail, try, try, try, try again
I'm the best, don't you get it? Forget it, when I spit it, it's crazy
You love it, admit it, you like that I live it, it's Shady
Aftermath in your ass, bitch
If it's not a classic, when it's done we trash it
Flow I got it mastered, stunt and get your ass kicked, bastard (yeah)
When measures get drastic, Glocks made out of plastic
Cock it, aim it, blast it, run nigga, now stash it (come on)
I got places to go, got people to see (yeah)
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze and put a hole in you
I got places to go, got people to see (yeah)
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze and put a hole in you
If there's a genie in a bottle of that Dom Perignon
I'ma drink till I get to that bitch
Em and Dre gonna introduce me to the 'burbs
They gon' listen to my words
In the hood they feel my shit
(Break it down)
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Picture me starting shit (uh huh), picture me busting my gat
Picture police mad, they ain't got a picture of that
Picture me being broke, picture me smoking a stack (oh shit, woo)
Picture me coming up, picture me rich from rap (uh huh)
Picture me blowing up, now picture me going back
To my mama basement to live, shit, picture that
Where I'm from it's a fact, you gotta watch your back
You wear a vest without a gat, you's a target, Jack (uh huh)
Hustle hard, money stack, sell that dope, sell that crack (woo, come on)
Sell that pack, sell that gat, sell that pussy, holla back (yeah, yeah, yeah)
50 Cent, too much Henny, man, I'm bent, I'm outta here
I got places to go, got people to see (yeah)
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze and put a hole in you
I got places to go, got people to see (yeah)
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze and put a hole in you
Haha, man, I ain't' going to jail, not even to visit a nigga
You wanna holler at me, you write me
Matter of fact, you gotta send it to Sunset Blvd up in the Mondrian (haha)
Riding around in one of Dre's Ferrari's, nigga
Oh, matter of fact, I might be in Detroit, riding down 8 Mile Road
You know, in one of Em's joints and shit (haha), you heard?
I got places to go man, you know
Shady Aftermath, we finna to start printing money, haha
Putting Em's faces on these motherfucking bills, shit haha
Ain't shit you can do about it
The song "Places To Go" by 50 Cent talks about his ambition and determination to advance his career and flee from negative surroundings. He wants to steer clear of jail and other places he deems unworthy of his time. He emphasizes the drive and persistence that led him to where he is now. He warns those who try to mess with him that he's not to be played with; he's ready to put a hole in anyone who tries him. Later in the song, he visualizes a life of being wealthy and known, making hits that people will sing along to. He mentions his affiliation with Shady Aftermath and G-Unit, predicting how their partnership will turn out.
The song offers insight into 50 Cent's determination and mindset while achieving fame and success. It showcases how he used his past experiences as fuel to change his life and pursue a better future. 50 also highlights his entrepreneurial side by stating his aspirations to create his currency with their faces on it. He shares his perspective on life where it was all about hustling, making money, and advancing to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
I got places to go (uh huh), I got people to see (yeah)
I am a busy and important person with a lot of places to be and people to meet.
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me (no)
I don't want to end up in prison.
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
Don't try to provoke me.
I'll run up and squeeze And put a hole in you, hole in you
I will shoot you.
You mistaking me for somebody that you should be testin' (uh huh)
Don't underestimate me.
Rap 101's in session, Em laced the track that I'm blessin'
This is a lesson in rap and Eminem produced the beat.
I got shot up but I got up and I'm back at it again
I recovered from being shot and I am still making music.
At first you fail, try, try, try, try again
Don't give up on your dreams even if you fail.
Flow I got it mastered, stunt and get your ass kicked, bastard (yeah)
I am very good at rapping and if you try to compete with me you will lose.
When measures get drastic, Glocks made out of plastic Cock it, aim it, blast it, run nigga, now stash it (come on)
If things get dangerous, I have a gun and will use it. Afterwards, you better hide the evidence.
If there's a genie in a bottle of that Dom Perignon I'ma drink till I get to that bitch
If there's a dream I have, I'm going to make sure I achieve it.
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Imagine me in a perfect position.
Picture me starting shit (uh huh), picture me busting my gat Picture police mad, they ain't got a picture of that
Understand that I cause a lot of trouble and I'm not afraid to use my gun. Police can't catch me.
Picture me being broke, picture me smoking a stack
Imagine me without money and doing drugs.
50 Cent, too much Henny, man, I'm bent, I'm outta here
I'm drunk and leaving now.
Haha, man, I ain't' going to jail, not even to visit a nigga
I don't want to go to prison.
You wanna holler at me, you write me
If you want to talk to me, send me a letter.
Putting Em's faces on these motherfucking bills, shit haha
We are making so much money that we can put Eminem's face on our bills.
Ain't shit you can do about it
There's nothing you can do to stop us from succeeding.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Curtis James Jackson, Marshall B. III Mathers, Luis Edgardo Resto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jitendra Kumar
Yeah
Shady
Aftermath
G-Unit
I got places to go, I got people to see
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze
And put a hole in you, hole in you
I got places to go, I got people to see
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze
And put a hole in you, hole in you
You mistaking me for somebody that you should be testin'
You should be stressing, I'm finna fucking teach you a lesson
Rap 101's in session, Em laced the track that I'm blessin'
Smith and Wesson's the weapon in case you was guessin'
Capping 'em, kept in my Benz, hot beginning to end
Watch the 22's spin, my hoes they perfect ten
I got shot up but I got up and I'm back at it again
Motherfuckers that thought I wouldn't win pretend to be friends
At first you fail, try, try, try, try again
I'm the best, don't you get it? Forget it, when I spit it, it's crazy
You love it, admit it, you like that I live it, it's Shady
Aftermath in your ass, bitch
If it's not a classic when it's done we trash it
Flow I got it mastered, stunt and get your ass kicked, bastard
When measures get drastic, Glocks made out of plastic
Cock it, aim it, blast it, run nigga, now stash it
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
If there's a genie in a bottle of that Dom Perignon
I'mma drink til I get to that bitch
Em and Dre gonna introduce me to the 'burbs
They gonna listen to my words
In the hood they feel my shit
(Break it down)
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Picture me starting shit, picture me busting my gat
Picture police mad, they ain't got a picture of that
Picture me being broke, picture me smoking a stack
Picture me coming up, picture me rich from rap
Picture me blowing up, now picture me going back
To my momma basement to live, shit, picture that
Where I'm from it's a fact, you gotta watch your back
You wear a vest without a gat, you's a target, Jack
Hustle hard, money stack, sell that dope, sell that crack
Sell that pack, sell that gat, sell that pussy, holla back
50 Cent, too much Henny, man, I'm bent, I'm outta here
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
Man, I ain't' going to jail, not even to visit a nigga
You wanna holler at me you write me
Matter of fact you gotta send it to Sunset Blvd up in the Mondrian
Riding around in one of Dre's Ferrari's, nigga
Oh, matter fact, I might be in Detroit riding down 8 Mile Road
You know, in one of Em's joints and shit, you heard?
I got places to go man, you know
Shady Aftermath, we fitting to start printing money
Putting Em's faces on these motherfucking bills, shit
Ain't shit you can do about it
Tyler Durden
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Picture me starting shit, picture me busting my gat
Picture police mad, they ain't got a picture of that
Picture me being broke, picture me smoking a stack
Picture me coming up, picture me rich from rap
Picture me blowing up, now picture me going back
To my momma basement to live, shit, picture that
Where I'm from it's a fact, you gotta watch your back
You wear a vest without a gat, you's a target, Jack
Hustle hard, money stack, sell that dope, sell that crack
Sell that pack, sell that gat, sell that pussy, holla back
50 Cent, too much Henny, man, I'm bent, I'm outta here
Donnie Brasco
This second verse... I swear this is one of the most brilliants versions ever!
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Picture me startin' shit, picture me bustin' my gat
Picture police mad, they ain't gotta picture that
Picture me bein' broke, picture me smokin' a stack
Picture me comin' up, picture me rich from rap
Picture me blowin' up, now picture me goin' back
To my momma basement to live, shit, picture that
Where I'm from it's a fact, you gotta watch your back
You wear a vest without a gat, you's a target, Jack
Hustle hard, money stack, sell that dope, sell that crack
Sell that pack, sell that gat, sell that pussy, holla back
50 Cent, too much Henny, man I'm bent, I'm outta here
Luka Chakhnashvili [LC]
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Picture me start shit, picture me busting my gat,
picture police mad they ain't gotta picture of that,
picture me being broke, picture me smokin the sack,
picture me comin up, picture me rich from rap,
picture me blowin up, now picture me going back,
to my momma basement to live, shit, picture that
DAAAAAMNN
King Khan
Yeah
Shady
Aftermath
G-Unit
I got places to go, I got people to see
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze
And put a hole in you, hole in you
I got places to go, I got people to see
The penitentiary, ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze
And put a hole in you, hole in you
You mistaking me for somebody that you should be testin'
You should be stressing, I'm finna fucking teach you a lesson
Rap 101's in session, Em laced the track that I'm blessin'
Smith and Wesson's the weapon in case you was guessin'
Capping 'em, kept in my Benz, hot beginning to end
Watch the 22's spin, my hoes they perfect ten
I got shot up but I got up and I'm back at it again
Motherfuckers that thought I wouldn't win pretend to be friends
At first you fail, try, try, try, try again
I'm the best, don't you get it? Forget it, when I spit it, it's crazy
You love it, admit it, you like that I live it, it's Shady
Aftermath in your ass, bitch
If it's not a classic when it's done we trash it
Flow I got it mastered, stunt and get your ass kicked, bastard
When measures get drastic, Glocks made out of plastic
Cock it, aim it, blast it, run nigga, now stash it
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
If there's a genie in a bottle of that Dom Perignon
I'mma drink til I get to that bitch
Em and Dre gonna introduce me to the 'burbs
They gonna listen to my words
In the hood they feel my shit
(Break it down)
Picture a perfect picture, picture me in a pimp hat
Picture me starting shit, picture me busting my gat
Picture police mad, they ain't got a picture of that
Picture me being broke, picture me smoking a stack
Picture me coming up, picture me rich from rap
Picture me blowing up, now picture me going back
To my momma basement to live, shit, picture that
Where I'm from it's a fact, you gotta watch your back
You wear a vest without a gat, you's a target, Jack
Hustle hard, money stack, sell that dope, sell that crack
Sell that pack, sell that gat, sell that pussy, holla back
50 Cent, too much Henny, man, I'm bent, I'm outta here
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
I got places to go, got people to see
The penitentiary ain't the place for me
I'm warning you, do not tempt me
I'll run up and squeeze it, put a hole in you
Man, I ain't' going to jail, not even to visit a nigga
You wanna holler at me you write me
Matter of fact you gotta send it to Sunset Blvd up in the Mondrian
Riding around in one of Dre's Ferrari's, nigga
Oh, matter fact, I might be in Detroit riding down 8 Mile Road
You know, in one of Em's joints and shit, you heard?
I got places to go man, you know
Shady Aftermath, we fitting to start printing money
Putting Em's faces on these motherfucking bills, shit
Ain't shit you can do about it
Remedy
Shout out to Eminem for bringing people back to this classic 50 Cent track
TM Nation
Remedy brought it way back. I haven't bumped this in a minute.
Tharsan Jeyachandran
word cant believe it dropped almost 20 years ago
Tharsan Jeyachandran
word i was bumping this when i was in 2002.
Lee Nield
That's right
justin Baronofsky
@Tharsan Jeyachandran yeah that's insane man
Neil A.
No bs.. 50 cent was the grimiest rapper ever.. listening to this guy after years you really appreciate the superior talent.. there's a reason rappers got crushed by him..he took gangster rap to a wholeeee new level that hasn't been touched yet
Violent
Pop Smoke was the only one who was able to get close to that level of aggression and gangster, raw AF, dude was 50 cent's son, RIP.
James Parker
@Violentyou funny bro 😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀
TJ
@Violent POP SMOKE? LMFAO