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.
Rotten Apples
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm with my gun I get full corporation
I tell you "take it off" no hesitation
Nigga you play around, I lay you down
That's how it's goin' down
Don't play wit' me, I don't have patients
My headachin', and I need my medication
Niggas be hatin', they don't know what they facin'
That's how it's goin' down
I be in court throwin' signs like I'm a mason
Nigga witness against me, I'm a erase 'em
If they try an runaway, I'm a chase 'em
Now with the pound, and I'm a lay 'em down
That's how it's goin' down
[Chorus]
Better watch how you talk
Better watch where you walk
On the streets of New York
That's how we get down
22's on the jeep
Somethin' deep in the seat
When we creep wit the heat
That's how we get down
Wise men listen and laugh while fools talk
Stick up kids don't live long in New York
Fuck around and catch the wrong jukes on the street
Get caught slippin', then get hit wit' like three
In every hood in the US, I'm that nigga they feelin'
Rap full of good guys, 50 Cent is the villain
I play the bar with 8 bottles all night gettin' right
Teachin' the hood rats what Cristal taste like
I put 60 on wrist, 12 on my fist, 100 on my neck
We in the hood nigga schemin', what you expect?
My S on 22's leave ya hos confused
On the track ready to choose, like "Daddy we want you"
My love live ain't change, the shorties still hug me
Bullet wound in my face, and bitches still love me
Now Nelly told you how them country boys talk
I came to teach you how we put it down in New York
That's how we get down
[Chorus]
In the city, a young buck'll tell you how the mac spit
O.G. give 'em the word, you gonna get yo' ass hit
I don't know why niggas like to talk bad about me
I'm the richest nigga they know without a G.E.D.
Man it could be the money, it could be the ice
It could be they'd like to be me and can't live my life
You should here they be sayin' man "50 be flippin'"
"Shot my man over 7 grams, that nigga be trippin'"
I know death is promised, I don't fear gettin' murked
It's when a nigga half-way killa ya homie, it hurts
Now we can hit the club and get it crunked
Or you could start some shit, and I could hit you with
The pump, you can have it how you want
But I know you like my style (Uh-Huh)
Ya like how I break it down, want to get rich?
I'll show you how, take this pack, pump these pieces
That's how we get down
[Chorus]
The lyrics to 50 Cent's Rotten Apples are about the rapper's tough and threatening persona, and his willingness to use violence if necessary to protect himself and his interests. The opening lines reveal that he is on parole and has a gun, and he is not afraid to use it if provoked. He warns those who would cross him that he has no patience and will not hesitate to take action. The chorus reinforces this message with a warning to watch how you talk and where you walk on the streets of New York.
The second verse continues this theme, with 50 Cent boasting about his reputation as a feared and respected figure in the city. He contrasts himself with other rappers who he views as too soft or too mainstream. He also acknowledges the risks involved in his lifestyle, but he is not afraid to face them head-on. The final lines of the song suggest that he is also involved in drug trafficking or other illegal activities, and he is willing to help others get rich if they follow his lead.
Overall, Rotten Apples is a gritty and provocative track that showcases 50 Cent's bravado and no-nonsense attitude. It explores the deeply rooted themes of violence, loyalty and survival in the urban landscape of New York City.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on parole, I used to be on probation
I have been in trouble with the law and am currently on parole, but I used to be on probation.
I'm with my gun I get full corporation
I am protected and supported by my weapon.
I tell you "take it off" no hesitation
I demand that you relinquish whatever it is that I want, immediately and without hesitation.
Nigga you play around, I lay you down
If you play games with me, I will kill you.
That's how it's goin' down
This is my reality and how I operate.
Don't play wit' me, I don't have patients
Don't mess with me, I have no tolerance for nonsense.
My headachin', and I need my medication
I am in need of my drugs to deal with my physical and/or emotional pain.
Niggas be hatin', they don't know what they facin'
People harbor resentment towards me, but they don't know the repercussions.
I be in court throwin' signs like I'm a mason
I am in court making gestures with my hands that signify my affiliation with a secret society, like a mason.
Nigga witness against me, I'm a erase 'em
If someone testifies against me in court, I will have them killed.
If they try an runaway, I'm a chase 'em
If someone tries to run away from me, I will pursue them.
Now with the pound, and I'm a lay 'em down
I now have my gun and will kill my target.
[Chorus] Better watch how you talk Better watch where you walk On the streets of New York That's how we get down
Be cautious of what you say and where you go in New York City, because danger is always present.
22's on the jeep Somethin' deep in the seat When we creep wit the heat That's how we get down
We drive around in our jeep with guns hidden in the seats, ready to strike at any moment.
Wise men listen and laugh while fools talk
Smart people listen to those who are knowledgeable, while foolish people talk without understanding.
Stick up kids don't live long in New York
Criminals who rob others do not have long life expectancies in New York.
Fuck around and catch the wrong jukes on the street
If you mess around too much on the streets, you will get into trouble you can't handle.
Get caught slippin', then get hit wit' like three
If you let your guard down and become vulnerable, you will be attacked by multiple people.
In every hood in the US, I'm that nigga they feelin'
I am a popular and well-known figure in many different neighborhoods throughout the United States.
Rap full of good guys, 50 Cent is the villain
Most rappers present themselves as positive role models, but I am not afraid to embrace my dark and villainous side.
I play the bar with 8 bottles all night gettin' right
I drink excessively at bars, oftentimes buying multiple bottles of alcohol and partying all night.
Teachin' the hood rats what Cristal taste like
I am introducing poor people to expensive, high-end champagne like Cristal.
I put 60 on wrist, 12 on my fist, 100 on my neck
I wear very expensive jewelry that is worth tens of thousands of dollars.
We in the hood nigga schemin', what you expect?
Of course there is crime and illegal activity in poor neighborhoods, what else would you expect?
My S on 22's leave ya hos confused
My car's custom rims and fancy design leave women feeling intrigued and bewildered.
On the track ready to choose, like "Daddy we want you"
Girls at the club are eager to choose me as their dance or sexual partner.
My love live ain't change, the shorties still hug me
Despite my success and money, I am still loved by the younger generation.
Bullet wound in my face, and bitches still love me
Even though I have been shot in the face, women still find me very attractive and desirable.
Now Nelly told you how them country boys talk
Nelly, a rapper from a rural area, has a certain style of speaking and behavior.
I came to teach you how we put it down in New York
I am here to show others the proper way to behave and act in New York City.
[Chorus]
Be cautious of what you say and where you go in New York City, because danger is always present.
In the city, a young buck'll tell you how the mac spit
In the city, young men boast about their ability to shoot guns.
O.G. give 'em the word, you gonna get yo' ass hit
Older and more experienced criminals give orders for someone to be killed or attacked.
I don't know why niggas like to talk bad about me
I don't know why people gossip and insult me behind my back.
I'm the richest nigga they know without a G.E.D.
People are envious of my wealth and success, especially since I haven't even graduated from high school.
Man it could be the money, it could be the ice
People might hate me because of my wealth and jewelry.
It could be they'd like to be me and can't live my life
People might be jealous of my lifestyle and wish they could live like me, but they can't.
You should hear they be sayin' man "50 be flippin'"
People gossip that I am unpredictable in my behavior.
"Shot my man over 7 grams, that nigga be trippin'"
People spread rumors that I killed someone over a small amount of drugs, implying that I overreacted.
I know death is promised, I don't fear gettin' murked
I am aware that death is inevitable, but I am not afraid of being murdered.
It's when a nigga half-way killa ya homie, it hurts
If someone attempts to kill a friend of mine and only injures them, it is still very painful and upsetting.
Now we can hit the club and get it crunked
Now we can go to the club and party hard.
Or you could start some shit, and I could hit you with the pump
Or, you could provoke me and I could shoot you with my gun.
you can have it how you want
You can choose to have a good time or pick a fight with me.
But I know you like my style (Uh-Huh)
I know that you are attracted to my personality and demeanor.
Ya like how I break it down, want to get rich? I'll show you how, take this pack, pump these pieces
You appreciate how I explain things, and if you want to become wealthy, I can teach you how to make money through selling drugs.
That's how we get down
This is how we operate and live our lives.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA, ALBERT JOHNSON, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES LLOYD, MICHAEL J. CLERVOIX, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ziggzter5547
"Bullet wound in my face and bitches still love" my boy was cold asf rizznation😂
@trentyates418
Back when NY hip hop had that sound you couldn’t get out of ya head.
@chacheesanchez4845
50 based a lot of the south. Hence young buck. It was huge influence in is song writing.
@krzysztof4607
@@chacheesanchez4845 he had that songwriting skills way before buck joined g unit...
@JGreen-tz6km
@@chacheesanchez4845 he sounds more NY than anything.
@chacheesanchez4845
@@JGreen-tz6km for sure he has the accent in his voice and a lot of east coast beats but he definitely has that twang. Check out the song by No Limits on the album "Young Bleed" called "Times So Hard". you gotta admit it, I can find music from the south all day. Its the style the flow the beats IMO.
@Tastaalex
Yeah, 50 Cent had lots of southern influences in his music
@AdeshMahabir1985
For years I've been singing this chorus randomly, never knew the name, great song.
@louiiviable
Same lol
@bornpower5948
When this cd was in circulation my hood was on fire😂😂😂😂