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.
South Side
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I say y'all know me
I be on the scene on the lean
In a benz in tha Bentley
When I come through your strip
Every trip every flip I get the grip
I can go to the dealership and
Buy me a new whip take fix, new kicks, G6
New tricks I pick to suck on my dick
G-Unit is the clique
And it's how it gets flipped
That's why you feelin' me bitch
Niggas hate from a far
But they don't come around
Cause they know how a nigga get down
Once a nigga move around
Wit a long trey pound
I won't hesitate to let it off 6 rounds
If yo ass get hit then you ain't do shit
Fuckin' wit me that's what you get
Now your lip keep it zip
Before you get your babymama
Caught up in this bullshit now what gets
It's a no no niggas know i'm loco
But they tryin' to stay on the LOE DOE
Gangsta fo sho every time a nigga flow
A nigga bank acount got mo' dough
South Side G-Unit
The lyrics to 50 Cent's song "South Side" depict the rapper's confidence and dominance in the rap game. He starts off by asserting that people already know who he is and what he stands for. He describes his lavish lifestyle, being seen on the scene while leaning back in his luxury cars - a Benz and a Bentley. He emphasizes his success in the rap industry, boasting about his ability to make money from every trip and every business transaction, enabling him to buy new cars, shoes, and enjoy the finer things in life.
50 Cent also addresses the hate and envy he receives from others, acknowledging that they might talk negatively about him from a distance but would never confront him face to face because they know his reputation. He warns that if someone were to cross him or threaten him, he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate with his weapon, specifically mentioning a "long trey pound" (referring to a .38 revolver). He asserts his dominance and warns others to think twice before messing with him.
Overall, "South Side" showcases 50 Cent's confidence, his luxurious lifestyle, and his willingness to defend himself and his reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
Yall niggas know me man it is what it is man
Everyone is familiar with who I am, there's no need to explain further
Like I say y'all know me
I've mentioned this before, but I'm emphasizing again that you already know who I am
I be on the scene on the lean
I am constantly present and active, always on the move
In a benz in tha Bentley
Riding in luxury cars like a Mercedes-Benz and a Bentley
When I come through your strip
Whenever I visit your neighborhood or territory
Every trip every flip I get the grip
With every move I make, every deal I close, I secure the money
I can go to the dealership and
I have the financial means to go to a car dealership and
Buy me a new whip take fix, new kicks, G6
Purchase a new car, fix it up, buy new shoes, and ride in a G6 (a luxurious private jet)
New tricks I pick to suck on my dick
I attract new women who are willing to engage in intimate activities with me
G-Unit is the clique
The G-Unit is my loyal group of friends and associates
And it's how it gets flipped
This is how we operate and turn situations in our favor
That's why you feelin' me bitch
This is why you admire and are drawn to my presence, even if you may not admit it
Niggas hate from a far
There are people who despise me from a distance
But they don't come around
They choose not to confront or challenge me directly
Cause they know how a nigga get down
They are aware of my reputation and how I handle things
Once a nigga move around
Once I start making moves and being active
Wit a long trey pound
Carrying a powerful weapon, specifically a .38 caliber handgun
I won't hesitate to let it off 6 rounds
I will not hesitate to fire six shots from my gun
If yo ass get hit then you ain't do shit
If you get shot, it means you've done something to deserve it
Fuckin' wit me that's what you get
If you choose to mess with me, that's the consequence you'll face
Now your lip keep it zip
After suffering the consequences, it's best for you to remain silent
Before you get your babymama
Before you involve your child's mother
Caught up in this bullshit now what gets
Caught up in this negative situation and its consequences
It's a no no niggas know i'm loco
It's a severe warning, people are aware that I am crazy and unpredictable
But they tryin' to stay on the LOE DOE
However, they are attempting to align and associate themselves with the 'Love of Earning Dollars'
Gangsta fo sho every time a nigga flow
Undoubtedly a gangster, evident every time I rap
A nigga bank acount got mo' dough
My bank account is filled with more money
South Side G-Unit
Representing the South Side and the G-Unit, my loyal crew
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Yves Mondesire, Curtis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TashanTucker95
50 did his thing on this shit 🔥🔥🔥
@twizobuckley
I always come back to this freestyle of 50 smoking "Overnight Celebrity" 🔥🔥🔥Top 5
@orlandotorres4
This my favorite 50 Mixtape 5th is the King of New York.
@BellagiosBangerz
📠📠📠📠📠📠
@user-ml9pg1vs7v
Thanks for putting this on geez brang memories back
@Flyboisin23
faxx
@thetony8959
big faax
@MasterCorey
Big facts
@Trudon
G unit general
@Davidpromaster
50 the general