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.
Southside
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Hook: 50 Cent]
South....Siiiiiiiiiiiiide
South...Siiiiiiiiiiide
South... Siiiiiiiiide
[50 Cent Talkin Over Hook:]
Yea U Know I'm Know I'm Neva Gon Change
[Verse 1: 50 Cent]
Look At You U Lil Dirty Ass Nigga U Aint Shit
I'm Glad U Here It Or U Jus In Time To Get The Bricks
Run To Da Store, Get Some Quaker Oats N Some O.E
Tell How Pi Gets For Me He Let U Owe Him He Know Me (Yeeea)
That's They Used To Talk To A Nigga Growin Up
That's Why I Give Em Ma Ass 2 Kiss Blowin Up (Fuck Yall)
Took Ma Biggest Lost At 8, U Know Wen Mommy Died
I Aint Even Kno Wat Was Goin On I Didn't Even Fucken Cry
Man True Sellin Blow Them Bonivilles Turn To Bm'z(Whhhhhoo)
Some Niggas Want To B Mike But Me I Want 2 B Him (Man Lookin Good Man)
4 Finger Rang Rope Chain N Medallion(Dam)
Real Bomb Bitch Wita Ass Lika Stallion (Whoo)
Its A Dream Its A Dream Its All A Dream (Yeeea)
I Get Some Coke Get Some Pistols N Build A Team
I'ma B Betta Than Cat Yea Betta Than Preme
Ima B The Last Man Standin U Kno Wat I Mean?
[Hook: 50 Cent]
South Siiiiiiiiiide [X8]
[50 Cent Talkin Over Hook]
Look At This Nigga Son!
This Nigga Irv....Got On A Preme Team Shirt!
And He Frm Hollis Hahahaha(Sinister Laughter)
Hollis Niggas Don't Even Like South Side Niggas
Nigga We All Under Water We Don't Mix
What The Fuck Is The Matta Wit Chu!
Tony Yayo (Yea..One More Time..Listen Man)
[Tony Yayo (50 Ad Libs):]
I Shoot Up Ya House And Burn Up Ya Crib
And Wen The Fire Man Come I Shoot Down Wit Da Cig(Bbbblaaattt)
Ebony And Ivory Da Beam On Tha Llama
Wen It Comes To Da Bricks I Cook Betta Dan Ya Momma(I Aint Lyin)
Aint That Ya Baby Moma? I See Her Wit Da Lil Oozie (Ya)
I'm In Da Piece She Wipe Me Down Like I'm Lil Boosie(Wipe Me Down)
Ima A Lil Woozy I'm Higher Than Heaven
I Got That Haze Mixed Wit Ak 47
I Need That Beckham Money
I Need Dat O Da Money
So If U Checkin 4 Me, Nigga Show Da Money.
50 Cent: U Mean That Bigg Money.. Not That Lil Money..That's Ma Nigga Yay I Know He Kill For Me
Hook:
(South Siiiiiiiiiiide [X8])
[50 Talkin Ova Hook]
Niggas Make Me Sick Man...Sick To Ma Stomach Man...!
Every Time A Nigga Get Outta Line..I Put Em Right Back In Line Man!
Niggas Think Jimmy Iovine Ma Boss..Nigga Fuck Jimmy Iovine Nigga!!!
I'm Frm 134 Street Nigga
I Aint Got No Muthafuckin Boss!
[Lloyd Banks:]
We Went Frm Runnin Down Sneakers To Runnin Da State
I Can't Die..I Got To Much Money 2 Make
U Got Plans Then U Kno Were I'm Comin Frm Ma Stomach Numb
I Got 99 Problems U Want Em Son?
99 Enemies Don't B The Hundrendth One
Ill Become A Corpse Before I Become A Bum
Life Sure Feels Good Under The Summer Sun
In Here U Got 2 Options Get A Gun Or Run
Ma First Car Was A Spaceship No Hooptie
Champ Hoody N Boots No Gucci
Yayo Introduced Me Fifth Scooped Me
Da Floor Couped Me
Now U Gotta Shoot Me
[50 Talkin:]
I Bees Da Boss Of Dis Shit Rite Here
I Said Da Boss Nigga
U Hear Me.. Da B.O.S.S M.A.N And Nigga What!
Thow Sumthin
I'm Da George Bush Of Dis Shit..I'm Not Goin 2 War. But I Send Niggas To War Hahaha[Sinister Laughter]
And I Will Sit Here N Veto Every Muthafuckin Act That Comes Thru Here
U Know... I'm Thinkin U Know Wat I'm Sayin We Went Frm 50 Cent To Fiddy To Curtis To Ferrieri F-50 U Know I Got A Few Aliases U Kno Wat I'm Sayin
I'm Thinkin Next... Ill B Sam.. U Know Uncle Sam Hahaaha [Sinister Laughter]
Ima Tax Everyone Of These Muthafuckas
To Come Thru Here..Now The Music.. We Need A Lil Piece Of That
Everything That Comes Thru..U Understand Wat I'm Sayin??
Its Da Unit!!
Yeeeea
The song "Southside" by 50 Cent ft Tony Yayo and Loyd Banks is a rap song that highlights their background growing up in the Southside. The hook, "South...Siiiiiiiiiiiiide", is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing where they come from. 50 Cent's verse discusses his negative experiences growing up in Southside, particularly his mother's death when he was eight years old, and how he turned to selling drugs as a way of making money. He also talks about his desire to become successful and surpass other known drug dealers in the area.
Tony Yayo's verse discusses his status as a drug dealer and his willingness to use violence and guns to protect himself and his business. Lloyd Banks' verse talks about the success he and his group have found, but that they will continue to work hard and are always mindful of potential enemies. 50 Cent intermittently talks over the hook and the verses, emphasizing his role as the leader of the group and promoting the unity within the group.
Overall, the song presents a gritty, tough image of Southside and how the rappers' experiences there have shaped them into successful artists. The repetition of the hook reinforces the importance of where they come from, and the verses highlight the harsh realities of growing up in a dangerous neighborhood.
Line by Line Meaning
South....Siiiiiiiiiiiiide
Referencing the Southside area where the artist grew up and feels pride for.
South...Siiiiiiiiiiide
Continuing pride for the Southside area.
South... Siiiiiiiiide
Jubilation for the Southside area.
Yea U Know I'm Know I'm Neva Gon Change
Acknowledging that the artist will remain true to himself and how he grew up.
You Know, If I Was Tryna Change I Probably Coulda Changed, I'm Fucked Up Man, Dats Were I'm From Nigga
Explaining that even if the artist wanted to change his persona, the environment of where he grew up would always be a part of him.
Look At You U Lil Dirty Ass Nigga U Aint Shit
Taunting someone who is insignificant in comparison to the artist's status.
I'm Glad U Here It Or U Jus In Time To Get The Bricks
Indicating someone's arrival to join the artist's group and partake in illegal activity.
Run To Da Store, Get Some Quaker Oats N Some O.E
Instructing someone to go buy food and drinks, presumably for the artist's crew.
Tell How Pi Gets For Me He Let U Owe Him He Know Me (Yeeea)
Asking someone to pass a message to a person named Pi about debts in the past.
That's They Used To Talk To A Nigga Growin Up
Reflecting on how people would talk to the artist while he was young.
That's Why I Give Em Ma Ass 2 Kiss Blowin Up (Fuck Yall)
Showing disregard towards those who doubted the artist, as he became successful.
Took Ma Biggest Lost At 8, U Know Wen Mommy Died
Revealing a traumatic experience the artist went through.
I Aint Even Kno Wat Was Goin On I Didn't Even Fucken Cry
Suggesting that the artist was too young to understand the implications of their mother's death.
Man True Sellin Blow Them Bonivilles Turn To Bm'z(Whhhhhoo)
Reflecting on how selling drugs led to the artist and others around him obtaining better cars.
Some Niggas Want To B Mike But Me I Want 2 B Him (Man Lookin Good Man)
Expressing aspirations to become rich and famous like Michael Jordan.
4 Finger Rang Rope Chain N Medallion(Dam)
Describing jewelry the artist owns with admiration.
Real Bomb Bitch Wita Ass Lika Stallion (Whoo)
Showing appreciation for a physically attractive woman.
Its A Dream Its A Dream Its All A Dream (Yeeea)
Expressing disbelief at the reality of the artist's success.
I Get Some Coke Get Some Pistols N Build A Team
Outlining the process of building an illegal drug operation with a team.
Ima B Betta Than Cat Yea Betta Than Preme
Expressing a desire to become more successful than two other known criminals.
Ima B The Last Man Standin U Kno Wat I Mean?
Suggesting a strong will to survive and be the last person standing in a dangerous lifestyle.
Look At This Nigga Son!
Condescendingly pointing out someone's presence.
This Nigga Irv....Got On A Preme Team Shirt!
Mocking someone for wearing clothing affiliated with a known criminal group.
And He Frm Hollis Hahahaha(Sinister Laughter)
Laughing at someone for coming from a different area than the Southside.
Hollis Niggas Don't Even Like South Side Niggas
Disclosing a feud between two area groups.
Nigga We All Under Water We Don't Mix
Expressing that two groups will never coexist peacefully.
What The Fuck Is The Matta Wit Chu!
Aggressively questioning someone's demeanor.
I Shoot Up Ya House And Burn Up Ya Crib
Threatening to harm someone's home and family.
And Wen The Fire Man Come I Shoot Down Wit Da Cig(Bbbblaaattt)
Indicating that the artist will continue to harm anyone who tries to stand in their way, even if it is a firefighter.
Ebony And Ivory Da Beam On Tha Llama
Describing the colors of a gun owned by the artist.
Wen It Comes To Da Bricks I Cook Betta Dan Ya Momma(I Aint Lyin)
Boasting about being a more successful drug dealer than someone else's mother.
Aint That Ya Baby Moma? I See Her Wit Da Lil Oozie (Ya)
Taunting someone for their partner cheating on them.
I'm In Da Piece She Wipe Me Down Like I'm Lil Boosie(Wipe Me Down)
Describing a sexual encounter with someone's partner.
Ima A Lil Woozy I'm Higher Than Heaven
Announcing that he's high on drugs.
I Got That Haze Mixed Wit Ak 47
Describing a drug mix with a gun reference.
I Need That Beckham Money
Expressing a desire for a lot of money like the famous football player David Beckham.
I Need Dat O Da Money
Expressing a desire for a lot of money.
So If U Checkin 4 Me, Nigga Show Da Money.
Stating that he will only deal with people if there is money involved.
U Mean That Bigg Money.. Not That Lil Money..That's Ma Nigga Yay I Know He Kill For Me
Correcting someone over the amount of money they're asking for and suggesting that Tony Yayo is loyal to him.
We Went Frm Runnin Down Sneakers To Runnin Da State
Describing how the artist and his crew went from chasing material items to running an area's illegal activities.
I Can't Die..I Got To Much Money 2 Make
Asserting that he cannot die because he still has financial goals to achieve.
U Got Plans Then U Kno Were I'm Comin Frm Ma Stomach Numb
Warning someone of his presence and the danger he brings.
I Got 99 Problems U Want Em Son?
Referencing the popular saying 'I got 99 problems but...' and asking if someone wants those problems.
99 Enemies Don't B The Hundrendth One
Implying that the artist has many enemies and that the 100th person could be too much for them to handle.
Ill Become A Corpse Before I Become A Bum
Stating that he would rather die than be homeless or poor.
Life Sure Feels Good Under The Summer Sun
Feeling appreciative of the good things in life.
In Here U Got 2 Options Get A Gun Or Run
Expressing the dangerous lifestyle where one either fights or flees for their life.
Ma First Car Was A Spaceship No Hooptie
Describing his first car with reverence, implying how successful he has become.
Champ Hoody N Boots No Gucci
Shifting the focus from expensive fashion to clothing he feels is practical and worthy of his status.
Yayo Introduced Me Fifth Scooped Me
Referencing the role of Tony Yayo in helping the artist gain notoriety.
Da Floor Couped Me
Suggesting that other people played a role in his rise to power.
Now U Gotta Shoot Me
Challenging someone to take him down in a literal or figurative manner.
Niggas Make Me Sick Man...Sick To Ma Stomach Man...!
Showing frustrations with people, and how their behavior is affecting him and his well-being.
Every Time A Nigga Get Outta Line..I Put Em Right Back In Line Man!
Asserting his dominance and authority over others.
Niggas Think Jimmy Iovine Ma Boss..Nigga Fuck Jimmy Iovine Nigga!!!
Rejecting the notion that anyone else has authority over him.
I Aint Got No Muthafuckin Boss!
Emphasizing that he answers to no one and is in control of his own life.
Its Da Unit!!
Making a statement about his group.
We Need A Lil Piece Of That
Suggesting that he and his crew are entitled to a share of someone else's success.
Yeeeea
An expression of agreement or satisfaction.
Contributed by Lily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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