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.
Street King
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't deny how much I love you, yeah
Alright, alright, that's enough
Niggas ain't gonna hear that shit
Nigga this is simple, not complicated
I I I can't be faded
Get out of line, out line, line, out line
You act like you got a vagina
You pussy nigga
Front on me, I'll find, find, I'll find ya
There's no running from me
Picture me in my darkest hour
I would rather be marked for
Death than marked the coward
Pure evil, like the dope in your veins
You fuck around I make you
Bang yourself like Cobain
Turn around disappear
Thin air like David Blaine
I’m higher than Travolta, he flyin' a plane
No evaluation necessary, I'm insane
The barrel of that llama, hot, yeah
Like a sauna bricks in the door panel
Crossing the Verrazano
Tom Ford Taylor shoes, you’s Ferragamo
Don Corleone, let's talk mano-a mano
I’m classically trained
They call me the piano man
I move the keys fuck a piano, man
I'm sort of like a one
Man band with a trumpet
Beef – I let blow, run, hop a fence
And dump it niggas be talking all that jazz
When they get down to the get down they ask
That bass so deep, my heart so cold
I let you hear that street
Sweeper drum line row
Rat-a tat tat, rat-a tat tat tat tat
I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back
You lose, cause I got the ill street blues
You lose, I'll see you on the 6 o'clock news
Rat-a tat tat, rat-a tat tat tat tat
I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back
You lose, cause I got the ill street blues
You lose, I'll see you on the 6 o'clock news
This vintage 50 call it my tommy gun bounce
Say the wrong shit out your mouth
I'll A your ass out
One line, one bar, I'll be on you so fast
My night work like I'm fresh out Alcatraz
I don't wanna play so I don't play fair
You know it's not polite to
Stare at my Cartier
Yeah, I'm enjoying the fruit's of my labor
Coke boy, the dope boy, now a nigga major
I used to cut crack on my grandmama China
And cook coke think I'm the
Chef from Elle's Diner smoke it
I could smoke a kush through the jar
When I'm tripping
I might put a clip through your car
They say I'm sick
Then tell me how I made it this far
I love war, in fact, I'm the commander
I want you to open the box of pandor'
I'll destroy you and everything you stand for
Yeah, I'm a South-side nigga to the bone
And when my niggas ain't around
I do it on my own
Check my track record nigga, haha, 50 yeah
That's cool for starters
But we gotta get to the shit
Wait till y'all hear the shit
In "Street King," 50 Cent showcases his unapologetic and confident persona, emphasizing his dominance and prowess in the rap game. The lyrics depict his relentless drive and determination to succeed, even in the face of opposition. The opening lines express his deep love for something or someone, but he quickly dismisses it, suggesting that such vulnerability will not be tolerated in the harsh reality of the streets.
From there, 50 Cent launches into a series of aggressive assertions, asserting his superiority over his rivals. He refers to himself as unfadeable, someone who cannot be challenged or undermined. He confronts those who disrespect him, warning them that he will find them and they cannot escape. Comparing himself to dark forces like pure evil and drugs, 50 Cent portrays himself as a formidable and dangerous figure.
The lyrics also mention his connections to the mafia, with references to iconic figures like Don Corleone and his willingness to engage in violence to protect his interests. The line "They call me the piano man" plays on his ability to manipulate and control situations, much like a pianist commanding an audience. Overall, "Street King" is a gritty and aggressive track that showcases 50 Cent's unyielding determination and assertive persona.
Line by Line Meaning
You, I love you so much
I can't deny how much I love you, it's a deep affection
I can't deny how much I love you, yeah
I truly, genuinely love you, there's no denying it
Alright, alright, that's enough
Okay, okay, let's move on from these lovey-dovey statements
Niggas ain't gonna hear that shit
People won't pay attention or care about that
Nigga this is simple, not complicated
This is straightforward, not complex
I I I can't be faded
I'm unstoppable, untouchable
I'm starting to think I made it
I'm beginning to believe I've achieved success
Get out of line, out line, line, out line
Don't act out of order or step out of line
You act like you got a vagina
You're behaving in a weak or cowardly manner
You pussy nigga
You're a coward or weak person
Front on me, I'll find, find, I'll find ya
If you disrespect or challenge me, I'll track you down
There's no running from me
You can't escape or hide from me
Picture me in my darkest hour
Imagine me at my lowest point or in my most difficult time
I would rather be marked for Death than marked the coward
I prefer to be known as someone willing to die rather than a coward
Pure evil, like the dope in your veins
I'm wicked and malevolent, just like the drugs that control you
You fuck around I make you Bang yourself like Cobain
If you mess with me, I'll make you kill yourself like Kurt Cobain
Turn around disappear Thin air like David Blaine
I can make you vanish or disappear effortlessly like the magician David Blaine
I’m higher than Travolta, he flyin' a plane
I'm on a different level, more elevated than John Travolta piloting an aircraft
No evaluation necessary, I'm insane
There's no need for analysis, it's clear that I'm mentally disturbed
The barrel of that llama, hot, yeah Like a sauna bricks in the door panel
The gun barrel is scorching hot, similar to bricks in a sauna or hidden in a car door
Crossing the Verrazano
Traversing the Verrazano Bridge, a reference to moving between places
Tom Ford Taylor shoes, you’s Ferragamo
I wear high-end designer shoes by Tom Ford and Ferragamo
Don Corleone, let's talk mano-a mano
Like Don Corleone from The Godfather, let's have a face-to-face conversation
I’m classically trained
I have a deep understanding and expertise in my craft
They call me the piano man
I'm recognized as a skilled musician or artist
I move the keys fuck a piano, man
I handle drugs, not musical instruments, to make money
I'm sort of like a one Man band with a trumpet
I can handle everything on my own, like a musician playing multiple instruments
Beef – I let blow, run, hop a fence And dump it niggas be talking all that jazz
In a conflict, I'll resort to violence, escape, and discard evidence, while others just talk
When they get down to the get down they ask
When faced with real trouble, they start seeking help
That bass so deep, my heart so cold
The bass of the music is intense, reflecting my hardened and cold demeanor
I let you hear that street Sweeper drum line row
I expose you to the raw reality of the streets, with a percussive, rhythmic sound
Rat-a tat tat, rat-a tat tat tat tat
The sound of gunfire, multiple shots being fired
I never hesitate to put a nigga on his back
I have no hesitation in physically overpowering or eliminating someone
You lose, cause I got the ill street blues
You will be defeated because I possess the skills and knowledge of the streets
I'll see you on the 6 o'clock news
I'll witness your downfall or demise in the media
This vintage 50 call it my tommy gun bounce
My style and attitude are reminiscent of the old-school era, like a tommy gun firing
Say the wrong shit out your mouth
If you speak incorrectly or disrespectfully
I'll A your ass out
I'll aggressively confront and reprimand you
One line, one bar, I'll be on you so fast
With just a few words or verses, I'll come after you swiftly
My night work like I'm fresh out Alcatraz
My actions in the darkness resemble the behaviors of someone recently released from Alcatraz prison
I don't wanna play so I don't play fair
I have no interest in fair play or following rules
You know it's not polite to Stare at my Cartier
It's impolite to gaze at my expensive Cartier watch
Yeah, I'm enjoying the fruit's of my labor
I'm reaping the rewards and satisfaction of my hard work
Coke boy, the dope boy, now a nigga major
I was involved in selling cocaine, but now I am a successful and respected individual
I used to cut crack on my grandmama China
I used to prepare crack cocaine on my grandmother's fine china plates
And cook coke think I'm the Chef from Elle's Diner smoke it
I'm skilled at cooking cocaine, as if I'm a chef at a famous diner, and I also consume it
I could smoke a kush through the jar
I can inhale and smoke a large amount of high-quality marijuana
When I'm tripping I might put a clip through your car
In a state of being under the influence, I might shoot at your vehicle
They say I'm sick Then tell me how I made it this far
People consider me mentally ill, yet question how I achieved success despite it
I love war, in fact, I'm the commander
I have a strong affinity for conflict, and I see myself as a leader in it
I want you to open the box of pandor'
I want you to experience the chaos and destruction that results from opening Pandora's box
I'll destroy you and everything you stand for
I will completely ruin and obliterate you, along with everything you believe in
Yeah, I'm a South-side nigga to the bone
I identify strongly with my roots and upbringing in the South-side
And when my niggas ain't around I do it on my own
Even when my friends or associates aren't present, I can handle things independently
Check my track record nigga, haha, 50 yeah
Examine my past achievements and reputation, it speaks for itself
That's cool for starters But we gotta get to the shit
That's all well and good, but let's focus on the real matter at hand
Wait till y'all hear the shit
Just wait until you hear what I have to say or what I'm about to do
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed Raza Mughal
I love the way 50 cent raps and every time he has a kickass beat along..
Twan2643
NOW THIS IS REAL RAP RIGHT HERE GET'EM 50!!!
ItsPho
Shit 50...it's nice to hear you're back...I hope whole album will be like this...rap game needs you!
Itsiwhatitsi
50 brings true energy
bozza888
50 is a straight up legend! Lets all support his SK movement and bring him back to the TOP! #SK all day!
SOSABOO
just one thing.. this is EPIC, THIS IS A CLASSIC ;) this is the song of the year.. man THIS S*** IS BANGING!!! 50 is back I told yall!! MEXICO STAND UP THE MONSTER IS BACK!!!!
Jon Hancock
YEEEEAAAH! this shit needs to be on the new album!! G-Unit!
Twan2643
50 THE LEGEND CONTINUES!!!!!
MarkanVaran7
damn this goes hard as fuck!
James Bond
"rather be marked for death, than marked a coward" 50 is back! Sounds like a lost track from THE MASSACRE!