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.
Rap Game
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The hardest nine to five you'll ever have
You can't remember shit in no history book
You ready to rap motherfucker?
You ready to sell your soul? hahaha
The rap game will fuck you up
I'ma disrupted nigga, you made me crazy
Behavin' shadier than Wes Craven
And you ain't even gotta pay me
I take pleasure of layin' a nigga down daily
You face me, punk it's over, you'll faint fast
I've never fucked up to where I can't whoop ya ass
You'll neck'll get snapped with bare hands, fuck music
Is he rappin'? It's cool but fools, just don't confuse it
What happens: these dudes get rude then I lose it
I'm scandalous, I blow ya two niggas off the atlas
With a gat that's bigger than Godzilla's back nigga
You are not realer, in fact you're feel the effects
Of a crack dealer, why'all presidents since we smacked
And got a mack 10 with it, so I ain't gotta rap
But I'm thankful for that, don't mistakin' me black
'Cause you'll be stankin' in the back of a fuckin' Cadillac
I'ma get snuffed, 'cause I ain't said enough to pipe down
I pipe down, when the White House just wiped out
When I see that little Cheney dike get sniped out
Lights out, bitch adios, goodnight {*gunshot*} (AHH!)
Now put that in ya little pipe and bite down
Think for a minute 'cause the hype just died down
That I won't go up in the Oval Office right now
And flip whatever ain't tied down upside down
I'm all for America, fuck the government
Tell that seed to Laura, tell the slut to suck a dick
Motherfuck ducked, what the fuck? son of a bitch
Take away my gun, I'm gonna tuck some other shit
Can't tell me shit about the tricks of this trade
Switchblade, with a little switch to switch blades
And switch from a six to a sixteen inch blade
Shit's like a samurai sword of Cincy
Shit just don't change to this day
I'm this way, still tell that utslay ipsbay
Upsay my ipnay, 'scuse my ickpay, addelay
But uckfay the rap game
[Chorus]
This rap game, this rap game
I ain't sellin' my soul for this rap game
And I ain't diggin' no hole for this rap game
Man, I'm tellin' you, know it ain't happening
This rap game, this rap game
I ain't sellin' my soul for this rap game
I ain't diggin' no hole for this rap game
This rap game, this rap game
I wouldn't want to be drinkin', drowned in my own inequity
But fucked that I'ma rap 'til why'all all get sick of me
And clutch my nuts sack and spit all who pick at me
I'm pickin' a rott mix, fuck the dogs you sic on me
I'm sayin' you motherfuckers don't know us, quit playin'
If I'm broke, then I'm breakin' up in the place where you layin'
You know, same shit every nigga done in his life
I lived to this wise, speak on when I want when I write
So why should I ever fear another man
If he bleed like I bleed, take a piss and he stand?
OK, you win, you can say we can't rap
But no shorts 'cause I'm mean (???) say this is whack
I walk in that party and just start bussin' {*gunshots and screaming*}
Right after I hear the last verse of "Self Destruction"
This liquor makes me want to blast the chrome
To let you know the time without Morris Dangerome (nigga)
I'm low down and shifty, quickly call Swifty
To do a drive-by on the tenth speed with 50
Ya feelin' lucky? Squeeze
I catch you outside of Chuckie Cheese
With ya seed, you be an unlucky G
My lifestyle is unstable, I party anatic
They said no fightin' in the club so I brought me a 'matic
Coughin' the static, I jump niggas, call me a rabbit
Poppin' the tablet and guns to soften (???)
[Chorus]
I snatch the chalk from the sidewalk and piss on the curb
This is absurd, we street niggas twistin' the words
We finally could "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
'cause Proof and Shyne man shit nothin' in common
But ask this band with gasoline chan
We never bow down to be a flash in the pan
No remorse, fuck ya stature dog
Nothin' to do with hands when I clap at why'all
But to draw on the ground with the form and the pound
Then I'm gone outta town 'fore the law come around
So we can battle with raps, we can battle with gats
Matter of fact, we can battle for plaques (This rap game)
I'm too fuckin' retarded
I don't give a fuck about my dick
That's why I'm datin' Lorraina Bobbet
My crew had an argument, who was the largest
Now they all is dead and I roll as a solo artist
Plus I made all the beats and wrote all the raps
Well I really didn't, but I did accordin' to this contract
I was thrown in the snow with nowhere to go
Freezin' 20 below, forced to join (???)
My little girl, she shouldn't listen to these lyrics
That's why I glued her headphones to her ear to make sure she hear it
If rap don't work, I'm startin' a group with Garth Brooks
Hahahaha, and just say "Look"
[Chorus]
In "Rap Game," 50 Cent takes on the complexities of the music industry, particularly the rap genre. The opening lines establish the tone for the rest of the song, warning that the rap game is like a difficult job, and that it can be soul-crushing. There is also a sense of conflict between real-life events and the history that gets recorded in textbooks, and the rapper questions the willingness of artists to "sell their souls" for success.
Throughout the song, 50 Cent raps with a sense of aggression and urgency that matches the dark, moody beat. He boasts about his toughness and his willingness to fight anyone who challenges him, and he uses violent imagery to describe his methods. There are also moments of social commentary, such as the references to the White House and Dick Cheney.
Overall, "Rap Game" is a powerful statement about the challenges and contradictions of the music industry. It highlights the need for authenticity and integrity in an industry that often seems to value appearances over substance.
Line by Line Meaning
The rap game, hip-hop 101
The music industry, specifically the genre of rap and hip-hop, is like a crash course in life
The hardest nine to five you'll ever have
Working in the rap game is incredibly challenging and demanding, like a full-time job
You can't remember shit in no history book
The experiences and lessons learned in the rap game are not found in textbooks or traditional history
You ready to rap motherfucker?
Are you prepared to enter the world of rap and hip-hop and express yourself through music?
You ready to sell your soul? hahaha
Are you willing to compromise your values and integrity for success and fame in the rap game?
The rap game will fuck you up
The rap game can have a negative and destructive impact on your life and mental well-being
I'ma disrupted nigga, you made me crazy
I'm a troubled individual, and the circumstances and experiences in the rap game have driven me to insanity
You shoulda slayed me as a baby
It would have been better if I had been killed when I was a baby, sparing me from the hardships of life
Behavin' shadier than Wes Craven
My behavior is darker and more twisted than the work of horror filmmaker Wes Craven
And you ain't even gotta pay me
You don't even have to compensate me because I take pleasure in causing harm and chaos
I take pleasure of layin' a nigga down daily
I derive satisfaction from physically defeating and dominating my opponents regularly
You face me, punk it's over, you'll faint fast
If you confront me, it's game over for you, and you'll retreat or surrender quickly
I've never fucked up to where I can't whoop ya ass
I have never made mistakes or been in a state where I couldn't defeat you in a physical fight
You'll neck'll get snapped with bare hands, fuck music
I can break your neck with just my hands, and I don't care about the art of music or its value
Is he rappin'? It's cool but fools, just don't confuse it
If someone is rapping, it may be interesting, but don't mistake it for anything important or meaningful
What happens: these dudes get rude then I lose it
When other rappers become disrespectful, I become enraged and lose control
I'm scandalous, I blow ya two niggas off the atlas
I am deceitful and will eliminate you and your associates from the face of the earth
With a gat that's bigger than Godzilla's back nigga
I possess a firearm that is larger and more powerful than anything you can imagine
You are not realer, in fact you're feel the effects
You are not genuine or authentic, and in reality, you will suffer the consequences
Of a crack dealer, why'all presidents since we smacked
The impacts of a drug dealer's actions are nothing compared to the harm caused by corrupt presidents
And got a mack 10 with it, so I ain't gotta rap
I have obtained a powerful firearm, making it unnecessary for me to rely solely on my rap skills
But I'm thankful for that, don't mistakin' me black
I appreciate having the means to protect myself but don't confuse my gratitude with my ethnicity
'Cause you'll be stankin' in the back of a fuckin' Cadillac
If you challenge me, you'll end up dead and rotting in the trunk of a Cadillac
I'ma get snuffed, 'cause I ain't said enough to pipe down
I will face physical harm or death because I refuse to remain silent or submissive
I pipe down, when the White House just wiped out
I remain quiet only when something significant, like the destruction of the White House, occurs
When I see that little Cheney dike get sniped out
If I witness the assassination of the Vice President Dick Cheney, I would celebrate
Lights out, bitch adios, goodnight {*gunshot*} (AHH!)
I will eliminate my enemies, leaving them in darkness and silence, without mercy or remorse
Now put that in ya little pipe and bite down
Consider and ponder upon these words before taking action or making judgments
Think for a minute 'cause the hype just died down
Take a moment to reflect because the excitement and attention have diminished
That I won't go up in the Oval Office right now
Contrary to belief, I am not afraid to enter the President's office and confront him
And flip whatever ain't tied down upside down
I will cause chaos and overturn anything that is not securely fastened
I'm all for America, fuck the government
I support the people and values of America, but I have no respect for the corrupt government
Tell that seed to Laura, tell the slut to suck a dick
Inform the child of the President, Laura Bush, to perform a sexual act, disrespecting her
Motherfuck ducked, what the fuck? son of a bitch
I have been deceived or rejected, expressing frustration and anger towards someone
Take away my gun, I'm gonna tuck some other shit
If my firearm is confiscated, I will find other dangerous weapons to protect myself
Can't tell me shit about the tricks of this trade
You cannot educate me on the deceptive tactics and strategies used in the rap game
Switchblade, with a little switch to switch blades
I carry a hidden knife that can be easily adjusted to switch between blades
And switch from a six to a sixteen inch blade
I can quickly change the length of my knife, making it even more deadly and threatening
Shit's like a samurai sword of Cincy
My weapon is comparable to a samurai sword, infamous for its precision and lethality
Shit just don't change to this day
These dangerous and violent tendencies continue to exist and endure
I'm this way, still tell that utslay ipsbay
I remain true to my nature and continue to expose the secrets and truths
Upsay my ipnay, 'scuse my ickpay, addelay
Please keep my pig latin phrase a secret, apologize for my profanity, and delay any judgments
But uckfay the rap game
But I have no regard or respect for the rap game and its norms
I snatch the chalk from the sidewalk and piss on the curb
I disrespect and defile societal norms and rules by urinating on public property
This is absurd, we street niggas twistin' the words
We, as individuals from street backgrounds, manipulate and distort language and concepts
We finally could 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood'
We can now leave behind the falseness and glamour of Hollywood and embrace our true selves
'cause Proof and Shyne man shit nothin' in common
Proof and Shyne, despite being in the same industry, have nothing in common or similar experiences
But ask this band with gasoline chan
However, this group of individuals with a dangerous and explosive energy
We never bow down to be a flash in the pan
We refuse to conform or settle for temporary and fleeting success
No remorse, fuck ya stature dog
We have no sympathy or regrets, disregarding your reputation and status, my friend
Nothin' to do with hands when I clap at why'all
I don't need to physically fight or use my hands; I can shoot and attack all of you
But to draw on the ground with the form and the pound
Instead, I choose to create art and express myself through graffiti, emphasizing my strength and power
Then I'm gone outta town 'fore the law come around
After causing chaos and leaving my mark, I quickly leave before the authorities arrive
So we can battle with raps, we can battle with gats
We can engage in verbal or physical battles, using either rhymes or firearms
Matter of fact, we can battle for plaques (This rap game)
In fact, we can compete for achievements and awards, within the context of this rap game
I'm too fuckin' retarded
I am completely irrational and insane, beyond any comprehension
I don't give a fuck about my dick
I don't care about my own well-being or sexual desires
That's why I'm datin' Lorraina Bobbet
That's why I am romantically involved with Lorraina Bobbitt, known for cutting off her husband's penis
My crew had an argument, who was the largest
My group of friends had a disagreement about who was the most powerful or influential
Now they all is dead and I roll as a solo artist
Now, they are all deceased, and I continue alone as a solo artist
Plus I made all the beats and wrote all the raps
Additionally, I created all the instrumentals and wrote all the lyrics for my songs
Well I really didn't, but I did accordin' to this contract
Actually, I did not do it all myself, but according to the terms of my contract, it appears that way
I was thrown in the snow with nowhere to go
I was abandoned and left in the cold and had no direction or purpose
Freezin' 20 below, forced to join (???)
Enduring freezing temperatures, 20 degrees below zero, I was compelled to become involved in something unknown
My little girl, she shouldn't listen to these lyrics
My young daughter should not be exposed to and influenced by the explicit content and messages in these songs
That's why I glued her headphones to her ear to make sure she hear it
To ensure she hears the music, I physically attached her headphones to her ears
If rap don't work, I'm startin' a group with Garth Brooks
If my music career fails, I will form a new musical group with country singer Garth Brooks
Hahahaha, and just say 'Look'
This is said in a mocking and sarcastic manner, suggesting the absurdity of the idea
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: VON M CARLISLE, DE SHAUN DUPREE HOLTON, RUFUS JOHNSON, ONDRE C MOORE, DENAUN M PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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