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.
Simply The Best
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sir, watch the gates, man
Oh my bad, my bad this is Armani, right here
This is tailormade, man
This ain't that Jamaica Avenue shit
(hardly, hardly)
You know? Hand me my cup flakes
I got a beam with the stuff
I take dimes up off the math
And put a million in his smile
Let's talk money
Move when the beast come out
My nigga, I'm what the East about (50 Cent)
All these serious radios stock
Three dollars and shit
Now it's up the nine, yeah, nigga, yeah
I make a mill' here, blow a mill' there
Prolly with exec's doing lunch in the lair
Y'all niggas get to stay in the hood
I'on care (damn)
I'm out in Beverly Hills, I'm cool right here
I'm still single 'til I find the
Baddest bitch in the planet
Jay got Beyonce, JD got Janet
Everything you see going down, nigga
I plan it i'd explain it to you homie
But you wouldn't understand it
It's the king, 50, grrah
Yeah, it's the union, haha
Grrah, it's PI, deal on the West, Spider Loc
What up nigga? Haha (Jay Built, that biz')
Violator kill, kill, Mike Lighty
In these lyrics, 50 Cent is asserting his dominance and confidence as a rapper, proclaiming himself to be "simply the best." He associates himself with luxury and exclusivity, distancing himself from his old, less glamorous surroundings on Jamaica Avenue. He boasts about his wealth and success, talking about making millions and rubbing shoulders with executives in Beverly Hills. 50 Cent also references other successful figures in the music industry, who have found their ideal partners, suggesting that he too will find the "baddest bitch in the planet." He ends the verse by emphasizing his role as the king and a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, these lyrics showcase 50 Cent's self-assuredness, material success, and ambition. He presents himself as a top-tier artist, unapologetically enjoying the luxuries that his success has afforded him.
Line by Line Meaning
Woah, woah, watch what you doing
Pay attention and be cautious about your actions
Sir, watch the gates, man
Guard the entrance and be vigilant
Oh my bad, my bad this is Armani, right here
Apologies, I made a mistake, this is high-end fashion
This is tailormade, man
This is custom-made and exclusive
This ain't that Jamaica Avenue shit
This is not low-quality merchandise
(hardly, hardly)
(definitely not, definitely not)
You know? Hand me my cup flakes
Give me my luxury items
I'm simply the best
I am undeniably superior
I got a beam with the stuff
I possess a laser-like focus and greatness
I take dimes up off the math
I attract attractive women and profit from my intelligence
And put a million in his smile
And enhance someone's happiness with wealth
Let's talk money
Let's discuss financial matters
Move when the beast come out
Be prepared to act when a powerful and aggressive force emerges
My nigga, I'm what the East about (50 Cent)
I exemplify the essence of the East coast (50 Cent)
All these serious radios stock
All these prominent radio stations have invested in me
Three dollars and shit
Now it's worth so much more, damn
Now it's up the nine, yeah, nigga, yeah
Now it's worth 90 million, yeah, damn
I make a mill' here, blow a mill' there
I earn millions here, spend millions there
Prolly with exec's doing lunch in the lair
Probably having meals with executives in a luxurious hideout
Y'all niggas get to stay in the hood
You all choose to remain in the impoverished neighborhood
I'on care (damn)
I don't care (damn)
I'm out in Beverly Hills, I'm cool right here
I am enjoying my time in the wealthy Beverly Hills
I'm still single 'til I find the
I will remain unmarried until I discover the
Baddest bitch in the planet
Most attractive and impressive woman on earth
Jay got Beyonce, JD got Janet
Jay-Z has Beyonce, Jermaine Dupri has Janet Jackson
Everything you see going down, nigga
Everything you witness happening, my friend
I plan it i'd explain it to you homie
I strategically arrange events, my friend
But you wouldn't understand it
But you would not comprehend it
It's the king, 50, grrah
It's the reigning monarch, 50 Cent, grrah
Yeah, it's the union, haha
Yes, it's the alliance, haha
Grrah, it's PI, deal on the West, Spider Loc
Grrah, it's Project Independent, making deals on the West coast with Spider Loc
What up nigga? Haha (Jay Built, that biz')
How are you doing, my friend? Haha (Jay Built, that business)
Violator kill, kill, Mike Lighty
Violator, a powerful force, destroying competition with Mike Lighty
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ilidio Carlos
Sound like Full Load Clip
Grimm
Classic shit