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.
Pray 4 My Downfall
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
[Verse 1:]
Menace, scene from the movie, clap the two, weigh the oozie
I sit back, think about the cats, they hate man I laugh at them
Get outta line I blast at them
They stay scheming, fuck around let off a clip and leave the whip leaning
They dreaming, I took the cream and
Move to new places, new faces
Fuck the screw faces, shit
Cause when I flip I make the paper
Dangerous, G-Unit, niggas can't bang with us
It's undeniable the kid is nice
The flow CPR, I'll bring Biggie back to life
Man, Dre say I'm loony, Em say I'm moody, at least I don't smoke oolies
And fuck without rubbers
A handful of niggas hate, but the hood love us
You can pray for my downfall motherfuckers
[Chorus:]
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
[Verse 2:]
Even if I slip, I'll get back, nigga act up
Hollowtips'll tear your back up
Gain 30 pounds when you die, no lie
I was high when they hit me
Had a few gats with me, shit
Ain't get a chance to let off
They shot me up and sped off
Apologies in order, Tamia I adore her
But now they strict cause my flow make money flow like water
Turn it up a notch, twist the dutch, zone to this, soak it up
See me in the club son I'll send niggas to poke you up
You know my style 40 cal. with me when I move around
Squeeze, catch the shell and run before your ass hit the ground
Pussy niggas shouldn't talk, keep my name out your mouth
Summerjam, understand, I'm the man, when I leave the crowd leave
Shook closer, game over
Ride or get rolled over
[Chorus:]
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
In 50 Cent's song Pray 4 My Downfall, the rapper addresses his haters and critics, acknowledging their desire for his demise but asserting that he will not falter. The chorus, "Pray and pray and pray for my downfall," is a repetition of the song's central message, emphasizing the importance of these lines. In the first verse, 50 Cent describes his dangerous lifestyle, referencing scenes from gangster movies and boasting about his successful heists. He also highlights the jealousy of his enemies and their attempts to harm him but promises to fight back when necessary. The rapper uses metaphors and vivid imagery, such as describing diamonds in his "bitch doobie," to convey his luxurious lifestyle and tough persona.
The second verse continues with the same themes, focusing on 50 Cent's resilience and ability to overcome obstacles. He talks about his gun-toting ways and warns others not to mess with him, stating that he will "send niggas to poke you up" if provoked. The rapper also references a past shooting, where he was wounded but survived, and how he's gained 30 pounds since the incident. He shows admiration for Tamia but acknowledges the strictness of the music industry and how his flow brings in a lot of money. The final lines of the verse are a warning to his adversaries to keep his name out of their mouths and a declaration of his dominance in the game.
Overall, Pray 4 My Downfall is a classic 50 Cent song, boasting about his wealth, bravado, and criminal past while also displaying his ability to persevere through any challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Pray and pray and pray for my downfall
Repeatedly wish for me to fail
Menace, scene from the movie, clap the two, weigh the oozie
Tough and dangerous situations similar to violent movie scenes, use a gun and weigh the bullets
Goodfella jewelry heist, diamonds in my bitch doobie
Robbery of expensive jewelry as shown in the movie Goodfellas, diamonds in my female companion's marijuana cigarette
I sit back, think about the cats, they hate man I laugh at them
Reflect on those who dislike me, find their hatred comical
Get outta line I blast at them
If someone disrespects me, I retaliate with gunfire
They stay scheming, fuck around let off a clip and leave the whip leaning
They're always plotting against me, so I shoot my gun and damage their car
They dreaming, I took the cream and
They're delusional if they think they can stop me from making money
Move to new places, new faces
Relocate and meet new people to avoid those who dislike me
Fuck the screw faces, shit
Don't like those with fake, unpleasant expressions
Cause when I flip I make the paper
I profit when I change my attitude
Dangerous, G-Unit, niggas can't bang with us
G-Unit is threatening and unbeatable
It's undeniable the kid is nice
I have undeniable talent
The flow CPR, I'll bring Biggie back to life
My rap style is like providing medical attention, I'll revive the late rapper Biggie Smalls
Man, Dre say I'm loony, Em say I'm moody, at least I don't smoke oolies
Dr. Dre thinks I'm crazy, Eminem thinks I'm unpredictable, but at least I don't smoke cheap cigars
And fuck without rubbers
I have unprotected sex
A handful of niggas hate, but the hood love us
A few people dislike us, but the community as a whole supports us
You can pray for my downfall motherfuckers
Keep wishing for me to fail, assholes
Even if I slip, I'll get back, nigga act up
If I make a mistake, I'll recover quickly, and anyone who annoys me will face consequences
Hollowtips'll tear your back up
My bullets can cause serious harm to the target
Gain 30 pounds when you die, no lie
When someone dies, their weight will increase due to bloating
I was high when they hit me, Had a few gats with me, shit
I was under the influence of drugs when someone attacked me, and I had multiple guns with me
Ain't get a chance to let off, they shot me up and sped off
I didn't have a chance to use my weapons before they shot me and escaped
Apologies in order, Tamia I adore her
I need to apologize to someone, and I have a strong admiration for Tamia, a Canadian singer
But now they strict cause my flow make money flow like water
Authorities are paying attention to me because I'm making a lot of money
Turn it up a notch, twist the dutch, zone to this, soak it up
Intensify the experience, roll a blunt, focus on the music, enjoy it
See me in the club son I'll send niggas to poke you up
If you see me in the club, I'll have someone attack you
You know my style 40 cal. with me when I move around
You're familiar with my behavior, I always carry a firearm with me
Squeeze, catch the shell and run before your ass hit the ground
Shoot my gun, pick up the fired casing, and leave before you hit the ground
Pussy niggas shouldn't talk, keep my name out your mouth
Cowards should abstain from speaking about me, don't mention me
Summerjam, understand, I'm the man, when I leave the crowd leave
At Summerjam concert, when I finish performing, the audience will disperse
Shook closer, game over
If you're scared, it's over, you've lost
Ride or get rolled over
Either join me or be defeated
Contributed by Jonathan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rolangalera3139
Even if I slip
I'll get back
Nigga act up
Hollowtips'll
Tear your back up
Gain 30 pounds
When you die, no lie
I was high when they hit me
Had a few gats with me, shit
Ain't get a chance to let off
They shot me up and sped off
Apologies in order
Tamia I adore her
But now they strict
Cause my flow make money
Flow like water
Turn it up a notch
Twist the dutch
Zone to this, soak it up
See me in the club son
I'll send niggas to poke you up
You know my style 40 cal
With me when I move around
Squeeze, catch the shell
And run before your ass
Hit the ground
Pussy niggas shouldn't talk
Keep my name out your mouth
Summerjam, understand
I'm the man
When I leave the crowd leave
Shook closer, game over
Ride or get rolled over
DAM 50!
@mg9464
Even if I slip
I'll get back
Nigga act up
Hollowtips'll
Tear your back up
Gain 30 pounds
When you die, no lie
I was high when they hit me
Had a few gats with me, shit
Ain't get a chance to let off
They shot me up and sped off
Apologies in order
Tamia I adore her
But now they strict
Cause my flow make money
Flow like water
Turn it up a notch
Twist the dutch
Zone to this, soak it up
See me in the club son
I'll send niggas to poke you up
You know my style 40 cal
With me when I move around
Squeeze, catch the shell
And run before your ass
Hit the ground
Pussy niggas shouldn't talk
Keep my name out your mouth
Summerjam, understand
I'm the man
When I leave the crowd leave
Shook closer, game over
Ride or get rolled over
@TharsanJeyachandran
cant wait to listen to this in 2050.
@GokuBlackkkkkk
How old will you be in 2050?
@antwandarellefenton
I agree
@TheAfghan72
lol i see u on every 50 video
@lxvxiex
YT gonna been deleted this acc, He's been inactive for 8 years and yes they do that when a user doesn't post for a long time
@dontmakemedoit5131
@Afghan Lion that means that you also in every video if you see his comments 🤷🏽♂️
@jermainefontaine104
“It’s undeniable the kid is nice, flow CPR I bring Biggie back to life”🔥🔥🔥
@TharsanJeyachandran
classic shit anything the unit touched from 2002-2009 went straight to the top.
@rolangalera3139
Even if I slip
I'll get back
Nigga act up
Hollowtips'll
Tear your back up
Gain 30 pounds
When you die, no lie
I was high when they hit me
Had a few gats with me, shit
Ain't get a chance to let off
They shot me up and sped off
Apologies in order
Tamia I adore her
But now they strict
Cause my flow make money
Flow like water
Turn it up a notch
Twist the dutch
Zone to this, soak it up
See me in the club son
I'll send niggas to poke you up
You know my style 40 cal
With me when I move around
Squeeze, catch the shell
And run before your ass
Hit the ground
Pussy niggas shouldn't talk
Keep my name out your mouth
Summerjam, understand
I'm the man
When I leave the crowd leave
Shook closer, game over
Ride or get rolled over
DAM 50!
@datboyk3261
Biggie!