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.
Ski Mask Way
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tryna catch me something
A little jux or something
Nigga, that watch is nice, that's what you bought for me?
That chain is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Them earrings is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Take that shit off, move, I'll break you off properly
Make money, make money, money, money
Nigga, if you ask me, this the only way
Take money, take money, money, money
You wan' spray at me? Go 'head, the last nigga that tried
Got hit, keeled over, and bled 'til he died
Your little sister calling you stupid, reason why?
Her and your mama in the living room now hogtied
I came up with two new ways to get rich, I can't wait
Got a brand new SIG and that old .38
I be scheming to put a little bread on my plate
Watching dreads serve skunk through the hole in the gate
I stick a nigga for his shine, sell him back the next day
You thought I really wanted your pussy? Bitch, please
This the stash house, jackpot, there go them ki's
My black G-Unit hoodie just reek of marijuana
Cocaine coming out my pores in the sauna
I'm serious, man, I'm so sincere
This the flow right here that fucked up Jeffrey's career
Make money, take money, yeah, nigga, yeah
Nigga, that watch is nice, that's what you bought for me?
That chain is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Them earrings is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Take that shit off, move, I'll break you off properly
I get mine the fast way, ski mask way
Make money, make money, money, money
Nigga, if you ask me, this the only way
Take money, take money, money, money
Who's that peeping in my window, wow, the Feds on me now
They know when I'm sleeping, they know when I'm wake
I know they got my phone tapped, I'm screaming, "Fuck Jake"
I'm tryna stay out them pens, so I switched states
Bad News, VA, now that sounds great
I see niggas with that ice on, rims shined up
This town's one big pussy, waiting to get fucked
I holla at A.I. peoples to get gats
They charge me 500 apiece for two MACs
Then I'm back doing me, I'm back out on a spree
Catch me a nigga slipping out, pumping that D
Get me a little crew, I'll have 'em pumping for me
The more product I take, the more paper we see
Change my name in NY, they don't know where I be
Yeah, a nigga doing dirt, but a nigga low-key
Nigga, that watch is nice, that's what you bought for me?
That chain is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Them earrings is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Take that shit off, move, I'll break you off properly
I get mine the fast way, ski mask way
Make money, make money, money, money
Nigga, if you ask me, this the only way
Take money, take money, money, money
In the song "Ski Mask Way," 50 Cent is rapping about his desire to make money by stealing or robbing from others, using violence if necessary. He talks about his new ways of getting rich, including sticking someone up for their jewelry and selling it back to them the next day. 50 Cent presents himself as a successful rapper and criminal who is tough, street-smart, and unapologetic about his criminal activities.
The lyrics of "Ski Mask Way" give insight into the lives of inner-city youth, where violence, theft, and poverty are common occurrences. 50 Cent paints a picture of a lifestyle that involves danger, risk-taking, and a strong sense of survival. He describes his upbringing where violence is the norm and how he has learned to survive against all odds. The song is a window into the motivations of someone who uses violence and aggression to get what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Acknowledging the situation at hand and showing readiness to engage in illicit activities.
I'm tryna catch me something
Actively looking for a target to rob or extort in order to acquire wealth.
A little jux or something
Referring to a method of armed robbery to obtain material gain.
Nigga, that watch is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Questioning the victim's display of wealth, insinuating that it was acquired through illicit means.
That chain is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Taunting the victim for showing off their newfound wealth in a dangerous neighborhood.
Them earrings is nice, that's what you bought for me?
Continuing to mock the victim's jewelry while implying that they have obtained it through nefarious means.
Take that shit off, move, I'll break you off properly
Threatening the victim to relinquish their expensive items or face severe consequences.
I get mine the fast way, ski mask way
Expressing a preference for committing fast, armed robberies while concealing their identity with a ski mask, without regard for the long-term consequences or risk of bodily harm.
Make money, make money, money, money
Reinforcing the mindset of accumulating wealth through any means necessary, without morals or ethical considerations.
Nigga, if you ask me, this the only way
Justifying the lifestyle of criminal activity and theft as a necessary course of action.
Take money, take money, money, money
Repeating the mantra of taking money by force, emphasizing its importance to the individual's survival and status.
You wan' spray at me? Go 'head, the last nigga that tried
Challenging any potential attacker to engage, while boasting about the ability to kill and move with impunity.
Got hit, keeled over, and bled 'til he died
Describing the manner in which a prior attacker was killed, implying the inevitability of death for anyone who opposes the individual.
Your little sister calling you stupid, reason why?
Claiming to have been the reason for persuading someone's family members to look down on them, as an act of psychological warfare to assert dominance.
Her and your mama in the living room now hogtied
Taking pride in the act of kidnapping and restraining a victim's family members to pressure them into submission or provide leverage.
I came up with two new ways to get rich, I can't wait
Displaying an entrepreneurial spirit, while using it to justify unethical means of wealth acquisition.
Got a brand new SIG and that old .38
Referring to their arsenal of weapons, while emphasizing their readiness to use them at a moment's notice.
I be scheming to put a little bread on my plate
Planning and strategizing methods of increasing their wealth and status through criminal means.
Watching dreads serve skunk through the hole in the gate
Observing the illicit activities of drug dealers, potentially as a means of identifying profitable targets for robbery or extortion.
I stick a nigga for his shine, sell him back the next day
Describing the practice of robbing someone of their valuables, only to return them to the victim for a profit.
You thought I really wanted your pussy? Bitch, please
Dismissing the possibility of any romantic or sexual interest in someone, while displaying a toxic masculinity and sense of entitlement.
This the stash house, jackpot, there go them ki's
Announcing the discovery of a significant quantity of drugs in a location that was previously surveilled.
My black G-Unit hoodie just reek of marijuana
Boasting about their connection to the G-Unit rap group and participating in illegal drug use.
Cocaine coming out my pores in the sauna
Exaggerating the extent of their drug use, as a symbol of wealth and excess.
I'm serious, man, I'm so sincere
Asserting the authenticity and integrity of their criminal intentions and lifestyle.
This the flow right here that fucked up Jeffrey's career
Acknowledging the negative effect that their music has had on rapper Ja Rule, while subsequently glorifying actions that could potentially harm listeners as well.
Who's that peeping in my window, wow, the Feds on me now
Paranoid that authorities are actively monitoring and surveilling their activities, potentially due to someone within their circle cooperating with law enforcement.
They know when I'm sleeping, they know when I'm wake
Feeling as though their every move is being monitored, even in moments of supposed privacy.
I know they got my phone tapped, I'm screaming, "Fuck Jake"
Expressing their dissatisfaction with a perceived betrayal, while recognizing the possibility of being overheard by law enforcement through a wiretap.
I'm tryna stay out them pens, so I switched states
Relocating to an area with lesser law enforcement scrutiny and potentially more opportunities for criminal activity.
Bad News, VA, now that sounds great
Naming the location that they have moved to as a way to show pride or assert dominance.
I see niggas with that ice on, rims shined up
Observing the wealth and possessions of others with envy and disdain, while planning potential methods of stealing them.
This town's one big pussy, waiting to get fucked
Describing the environment as being easy to exploit and take advantage of, with the implication that everyone is a potential victim.
I holla at A.I. peoples to get gats
Contacting associates to procure firearms, demonstrating the mainstream acceptance of violence and weaponry in their social circle.
They charge me 500 apiece for two MACs
Referring to buying two MAC-10 submachine guns at a high price, with the implication that it's worth the expense to carry out their crimes.
Then I'm back doing me, I'm back out on a spree
Returning to their criminal activities with newfound equipment and resources, without pause or consideration for the potential consequences.
Catch me a nigga slipping out, pumping that D
Identifying a vulnerable target and describing stealing from them, while also using coded language to insinuate drug dealing.
Get me a little crew, I'll have 'em pumping for me
Looking to recruit others as accomplices in their criminal schemes, implying that profit will be shared among a group of people.
The more product I take, the more paper we see
Describing the direct relationship between the quantity of stolen goods and the amount of wealth that can be amassed, further motivating their illicit activities.
Change my name in NY, they don't know where I be
Planning to change their identity and location to evade authorities, demonstrating the necessity of anonymity for successful criminals.
Yeah, a nigga doing dirt, but a nigga low-key
Acknowledging their participation in illegal activities, while also attempting to maintain a low profile to avoid detection and consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Curtis James Jackson, David A Shayman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AKGaming3
When the beat breaks down near the end 🔥🔥😤😤
@clarkjonathan702
Ultimate games 🔥🔥🔥
@tavian15
RIP Disco D! Wish he could be alive to see this songs impact
@clarkjonathan702
@@tavian15 facts 😢
@L.A.Killah213
Exactly that's what I love the most about the track
@PepperJackBrown
Yes sir yes sir
@sandilemadlala
" I get mine the fast, way ski mask way " - NOTORIOUS BIG ...50 paid homage to the BIG homie the best way!
@johngamez4619
The way the beat breaks down at 2:19 will forever live in my mind as one of the greatest beat breakdowns in Hip-Hop history.
@billygunn9823
Literally that break down just popped in my head and I had to listen to the song it's classic
@mokuijin
For sure man, I love it every time like the first