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.
Slow Dough
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Huh uh, huh uh, yea
(Chorus)
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
Put me through any test I bet ya I'll pass cause I'm a cheater
Broke niggas, smoke niggas, rich niggas smoke Cohiba's
My team been puffing chiba and packing heaters since the days of shell toe Adidas
And ain't shit come between us
Look I'm winning now and I'ma keep on winning
I see with you ain't nothing changed same ginen same linen
Fuck the don shit, nigga I'm an armed convict
I live wild beat cases before a trial
Grand jury style I'm foul
You wondering why I don't smile
I'm schemeing to stick you up now
Son I be the first to blast the gun, the last to run
While you hit the pavement son I mash you, ugh
If you don't know you better go and ask someone
50 Cent is my symbol and my name
Symbolizing the change that I'm bringing to this game
Things'll never be the same (never the same baby)
(Chorus)
Yo nowadays niggas talk like they wanna get shot
Like I won't grab the glock and run up in your spot
Six double O drop I'll put two in your knot
And stick around and get every motherfucking thing you've got
Here I stand on the alley on godrule
Same spot where rob got shot
The block's high
Warrent squad flashing my mug shot
Everybody know I'm loco, kill the popo, blast the fo fo, rode dolo
Rock solo, I should be old T on the low yo
Pump the six and push the volvo
I hear they go kuku and go puff loco
I sell llelo and price up and down like yo yo
But keep that on the low do, nobody's supposed to know, yo
I make 16 hundred off of every ho do
Fucking with the cash flow that'll get you blast yo (haha)
I always get the last laugh yo
(Chorus)
I rap a muthafucking house around my my wrist for wreck
While you niggas race neck to neck
While niggas who live from cheque to tech
I ain't even going to front I ain't working with a full deck
Life in the hood so hard I done lost some of my cards
Instead of praying before I sleep I put my hands on my heat
As soon as I start dreaming I'm right back on the street
Any nigga in this game flowing they think they can see me
Gotta be, fucked up in the head and smoking hemee
Believe me if you thought like me you could be me
But you ain't been through what I been through and this shit ain't that easy (one)
(Chorus)
In 50 Cent's song Slow Dough, the rapper talks about his life in the streets and how earning money is better than having none at all. He begins the song by emphasizing the importance of slow earnings and warns about the dangers of talking to the police. 50 Cent's lyrics are not only a representation of his journey in the rap game, but they also portray his outlook on life. He emphasizes his survival tactics and lethal self-defense mechanisms by boasting about his ability to cheat in any test and win no matter what. He also talks about smoking weed and packing heat with his team since the days of Shell-Toe Adidas, and signifies how close they are by stating "ain't shit come between us" as a way to show their strong bond.
As the song progresses, he reflects on his current status in the game and the hard work that he put in to get there. He talks about the changes that he brings to the game and how things will never remain the same. He also reflects on his background story and warns his competitors that he is not to be messed with, hence the line "Yo to diss me that's a no-no." The chorus repeats the phrase "slow dough is better than no dough" several times, emphasizing his point about the importance of steadiness and consistency in hustling. The song ends with 50 Cent reflecting on his time in the game, his journey, and his success, as well as the struggles that others in the game have to go through.
Line by Line Meaning
Trackmasters, 99 shit
The song was produced by Trackmasters in 1999
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Making money slowly over time is better than not making any money at all
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
If you get caught talking to the police, they will likely charge you with a crime
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
The punishment for talking to the police is likely to be severe
My niggas is loco (loco)
My friends are crazy and not to be messed with
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
It is not acceptable to disrespect me
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
You guys are mediocre
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
You don't have any money because you are not very good at what you do
Put me through any test I bet ya I'll pass cause I'm a cheater
I am confident in my ability to cheat and pass any test
Broke niggas, smoke niggas, rich niggas smoke Cohiba's
People from all walks of life smoke cigars, including those who are broke and those who are rich
My team been puffing chiba and packing heaters since the days of shell toe Adidas
My crew has been smoking marijuana and carrying guns since we were young and wore Adidas sneakers with shell toes
And ain't shit come between us
There is nothing that can come between us and our bond
Look I'm winning now and I'ma keep on winning
I am currently succeeding and I plan to continue succeeding
I see with you ain't nothing changed same ginen same linen
You haven't changed at all, still the same old thing
Fuck the don shit, nigga I'm an armed convict
I don't care about being a boss, I am a convicted criminal with a weapon
I live wild beat cases before a trial
I live recklessly and have been able to avoid being convicted in court
Grand jury style I'm foul
I have been indicted by a grand jury and therefore considered to be a criminal
You wondering why I don't smile
You may be wondering why I am not happy or smiling
I'm schemeing to stick you up now
I am currently planning on robbing you
Son I be the first to blast the gun, the last to run
I am quick to shoot and ready to fight, even if it means risking my own safety
While you hit the pavement son I mash you, ugh
While you are on the ground, I continue to attack you
If you don't know you better go and ask someone
If you don't know about me, ask someone who does
50 Cent is my symbol and my name
My name is 50 Cent and that represents a change in the rap game
Things'll never be the same (never the same baby)
My impact on the rap game will be long-lasting and nothing will ever be like it was before
Yo nowadays niggas talk like they wanna get shot
People these days talk like they want to be shot or get into a fight
Like I won't grab the glock and run up in your spot
As if I won't take my gun and raid your home
Six double O drop I'll put two in your knot
I will shoot you twice in the head with a .600 caliber bullet
And stick around and get every motherfucking thing you've got
After shooting you, I will stay and take all of your possessions
Here I stand on the alley on godrule
I am standing in an alley feeling powerful and in control
Same spot where rob got shot
I am in the same location where my friend Rob was previously shot
The block's high
The drug business is booming
Warrent squad flashing my mug shot
Police are after me and have distributed my wanted poster
Everybody know I'm loco, kill the popo, blast the fo fo, rode dolo
Everyone knows I am crazy and not afraid to kill police officers while alone
Rock solo, I should be old T on the low yo
I am doing this independently and could be like Ol' Dirty Bastard, keeping a low profile
Pump the six and push the volvo
I am driving a powerful car while carrying a gun
I hear they go kuku and go puff loco
I have heard that people become insane and violent after smoking drugs
I sell llelo and price up and down like yo yo
I sell drugs and change my prices frequently
But keep that on the low do, nobody's supposed to know, yo
Keep this information a secret because no one is supposed to know
I make 16 hundred off of every ho do
I earn $1600 from every prostitute
Fucking with the cash flow that'll get you blast yo (haha)
Interfering with my income will get you shot
I always get the last laugh yo
I will always have the final say and come out on top
I rap a muthafucking house around my my wrist for wreck
I wear an expensive watch around my wrist
While you niggas race neck to neck
While you guys compete closely
While niggas who live from cheque to tech
While people who live paycheck to paycheck
I ain't even going to front I ain't working with a full deck
I am not fully mentally stable or sound
Life in the hood so hard I done lost some of my cards
Life in the ghetto is tough and it has affected me in negative ways
Instead of praying before I sleep I put my hands on my heat
Instead of praying, I touch my gun before going to bed to feel safe
As soon as I start dreaming I'm right back on the street
Even in my dreams I am still on the street, living the life of a criminal
Any nigga in this game flowing they think they can see me
Any rapper who thinks they are better than me is mistaken
Gotta be, fucked up in the head and smoking hemee
They must be crazy and high on weed
Believe me if you thought like me you could be me
If you thought like me, you could live the same lifestyle as me
But you ain't been through what I been through and this shit ain't that easy (one)
But you haven't experienced what I have and it's not easy to live this life (one).
Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Norman Hell
Trackmasters, 99 shit
Huh uh, huh uh, yea
[Chorus]
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
Put me through any test I bet ya I'll pass cause I'm a cheater
Broke niggas, smoke niggas, rich niggas smoke Cohiba's
My team been puffing chiba and packing heaters since the days of shell toe Adidas
And ain't shit come between us
Look I'm winning now and I'ma keep on winning
I see with you ain't nothing changed same ginen same linen
Fuck the don shit, nigga I'm an armed convict
I live wild beat cases before a trial
Grand jury style I'm foul
You wondering why I don't smile
I'm schemeing to stick you up now
Son I be the first to blast the gun, the last to run
While you hit the pavement son I mash you, ugh
If you don't know you better go and ask someone
50 Cent is my symbol and my name
Symbolizing the change that I'm bringing to this game
Things'll never be the same (never the same baby)
[Chorus]
Yo nowadays niggas talk like they wanna get shot
Like I won't grab the glock and run up in your spot
Six double O drop I'll put two in your knot
And stick around and get every motherfucking thing you've got
Here I stand on the alley on godrule
Same spot where rob got shot
The block's high
Warrent squad flashing my mug shot
Everybody know I'm loco, kill the popo, blast the fo fo, rode dolo
Rock solo, I should be old T on the low yo
Pump the six and push the volvo
I hear they go kuku and go puff loco
I sell llelo and price up and down like yo yo
But keep that on the low do, nobody's supposed to know, yo
I make 16 hundred off of every ho do
Fucking with the cash flow that'll get you blast yo (haha)
I always get the last laugh yo
[Chorus]
I rap a muthafucking house around my my wrist for wreck
While you niggas race neck to neck
While niggas who live from cheque to tech
I ain't even going to front I ain't working with a full deck
Life in the hood so hard I done lost some of my cards
Instead of praying before I sleep I put my hands on my heat
As soon as I start dreaming I'm right back on the street
Any nigga in this game flowing they think they can see me
Gotta be, fucked up in the head and smoking hemee
Believe me if you thought like me you could be me
But you ain't been through what I been through and this shit ain't that easy (one)
[Chorus]
MIRE
Lyrics (those who need to hear what 50 is saying)
Trackmasters, 99 shit
Huh uh, huh uh, yea
[Hook]
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
[Verse]
Put me through any test I bet ya I'll pass cause I'm a cheater
Broke niggas, smoke niggas, rich niggas smoke Cohiba's
My team been puffing chiba and packing heaters since the days of shell toe Adidas
And ain't shit come between us
Look I'm winning now and I'ma keep on winning
I see with you ain't nothing changed same ginen same linen
Fuck the don shit, nigga I'm an armed convict
I live wild beat cases before a trial
Grand jury style I'm foul
You wondering why I don't smile
I'm schemeing to stick you up now
Son I be the first to blast the gun, the last to run
While you hit the pavement son I mash you, ugh
If you don't know you better go and ask someone
50 Cent is my symbol and my name
Symbolizing the change that I'm bringing to this game
Things'll never be the same (never the same baby)
[Hook]
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
[Verse 2]
Yo nowadays niggas talk like they wanna get shot
Like I won't grab the glock and run up in your spot
Six double O drop I'll put two in your knot
And stick around and get every motherfucking thing you've got
Here I stand on the alley on godrule
Same spot where rob got shot
The block's high
Warrent squad flashing my mug shot
Everybody know I'm loco, kill the popo, blast the fo fo, rode dolo
Rock solo, I should be old T on the low yo
Pump the six and push the volvo
I hear they go kuku and go puff loco
I sell llelo and price up and down like yo yo
But keep that on the low do, nobody's supposed to know, yo
I make 16 hundred off of every ho do
Fucking with the cash flow that'll get you blast yo (haha)
I always get the last laugh yo
[Hook]
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
[Verse 3]
I rap a muthafucking house around my my wrist for wreck
While you niggas race neck to neck
While niggas who live from cheque to tech
I ain't even going to front I ain't working with a full deck
Life in the hood so hard I done lost some of my cards
Instead of praying before I sleep I put my hands on my heat
As soon as I start dreaming I'm right back on the street
Any nigga in this game flowing they think they can see me
Gotta be, fucked up in the head and smoking hemee
Believe me if you thought like me you could be me
But you ain't been through what I been through and this shit ain't that easy (one)
[Hook]
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
Dave West
Slow dough, is better than no dough (fa sho)
Get caught talking to popo (what you say to him son?)
They hit you with the fofo (blaow, that's right)
My niggas is loco (loco)
Yo to diss me that's a no-no (no-no)
Y'all niggas is so-so (so-so)
That's why you ain't got no dough (broke ass niggas)
Put me through any test I bet ya I'll pass cause I'm a cheater
Broke niggas, smoke niggas, rich niggas smoke Cohiba's
My team been puffing chiba and packing heaters since the days of shell toe Adidas
And ain't shit come between us
Look I'm winning now and I'ma keep on winning
I see with you ain't nothing changed same ginen same linen
Fuck the don shit, nigga I'm an armed convict
I live wild beat cases before a trial
Grand jury style I'm foul
You wondering why I don't smile
I'm schemeing to stick you up now
Son I be the first to blast the gun, the last to run
While you hit the pavement son I mash you, ugh
If you don't know you better go and ask someone
50 Cent is my symbol and my name
Symbolizing the change that I'm bringing to this game
Things'll never be the same (never the same baby)
[Chorus]
Yo nowadays niggas talk like they wanna get shot
Like I won't grab the glock and run up in your spot
Six double O drop I'll put two in your knot
And stick around and get every motherfucking thing you've got
Here I stand on the alley on godrule
Same spot where rob got shot
The block's high
Warrent squad flashing my mug shot
Everybody know I'm loco, kill the popo, blast the fo fo, rode dolo
Rock solo, I should be old T on the low yo
Pump the six and push the volvo
I hear they go kuku and go puff loco
I sell llelo and price up and down like yo yo
But keep that on the low do, nobody's supposed to know, yo
I make 16 hundred off of every ho do
Fucking with the cash flow that'll get you blast yo (haha)
I always get the last laugh yo
[Chorus]
I rap a muthafucking house around my my wrist for wreck
While you niggas race neck to neck
While niggas who live from cheque to tech
I ain't even going to front I ain't working with a full deck
Life in the hood so hard I done lost some of my cards
Instead of praying before I sleep I put my hands on my heat
As soon as I start dreaming I'm right back on the street
Any nigga in this game flowing they think they can see me
Gotta be, fucked up in the head and smoking hemee
Believe me if you thought like me you could be me
But you ain't been through what I been through and this shit ain't that easy (one)
Fredo Santana
"Believe me, if you thought like me you could be me but you ain't been through what I been through and shit ain't that easy". Damn 50
Krzysztof
Thats some of my favourite bars ever
Gino the Nose
@Krzysztof classic album
Rolla Jay
that's what i said that came before he got shot
Melissa Acevedo
I remember I was 14 years old bumpin this - long live #50cent
Ty From The City 💯
🧢 you had benzino
Danny Mudd
Good ol days
LS3_LaFlare
Damn... You just don't hear music like this anymore smh
Z French
LS3_LaFlare you made me wanna cry just now, gave me flashbacks of the good old time lol
Freddmixx
NEVER.....