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.
Stretch Armstrong Freestyle
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y'all see me big fifty and other than be a gansta I ain't no wanksta I still will
Be only freestyle king and me and jimmy will be on the scene rapin' like the
Freestyle king well I'm 450m and I feelin' a little jiggy see I take niggas
Chain and check out all the chicken wangs sittin' on the table rappin'
A.J.
Aits me the freestyle king chillin' wit my nigga fifty we got hoes rockin' pro
Stuff to say except when I'm using my mouth piece to pigeon or dime they askin'
Who that is talkin' the shit about the tics somebody jealous cause there bitch
Got hit
In these lyrics, 50 Cent is introducing himself as "Stretch" and questioning why people call him that. He then goes on to assert that he is not a wanksta (someone pretending to be a gangster) and proclaims himself to be the "freestyle king," indicating his prowess in improvised rap. He also mentions his friend Jimmy who will rap with him, describing both of them as being "on the scene rapin'." 50 Cent then shifts to a different topic, talking about stealing chains and eating chicken wings.
The lyrics then switch to another rapper, A.J., who also refers to himself as a "freestyle king" and is hanging out with 50 Cent and some women. A.J. gives a shout-out to his group, H.V.D. (Heavy Weights Division), but admits that he has run out of things to say, except when he is dissing others. This leads him to talking about someone who is jealous because their partner was involved with the "tics" (presumably a rival gang).
The overall message of the song seems to be about asserting oneself as a powerful and respected figure in the rap world, both in terms of skill and connections. It also touches on themes of theft and competition between different groups.
Line by Line Meaning
You see they call me stretch but when you come up to me I'm like what the heck
People call me Stretch, but when you approach me, I'm confused about why you're bothering me.
Y'all see me big fifty and other than be a gansta I ain't no wanksta I still will
You all see me as 50 Cent, a gangster rapper, and I'm not a fake or a poser, I'm always true to myself.
Be only freestyle king and me and jimmy will be on the scene rapin' like the
I am the one and only freestyle king, and I'll be on stage with Jimmy rapping like nobody else can.
Freestyle king well I'm 450m and I feelin' a little jiggy see I take niggas
As the freestyle king, I'm at the top of my game, feeling confident and ready to take on anyone.
Chain and check out all the chicken wangs sittin' on the table rappin'
I take people's chains and then sit down to rap, while also enjoying some chicken wings at the table.
Aits me the freestyle king chillin' wit my nigga fifty we got hoes rockin' pro
It's me, the freestyle king, hanging out with my friend 50 Cent, while we both have women and professional basketball shoes.
Sittin' here just throwin' bows hey its me represents H.V.D well I ran out of
I'm sitting here throwing elbows, and as for my crew, I represent H.V.D. Unfortunately, I've run out of things to say.
Stuff to say except when I'm using my mouth piece to pigeon or dime they askin'
I don't have much to say unless I'm using my slang to impress somebody or attract attention, then people start asking about me.
Who that is talkin' the shit about the tics somebody jealous cause there bitch
People are wondering who's talking trash about them, but it's just jealousy because someone's significant other got involved with me.
Got hit
They're upset because I had a romantic encounter with somebody they care about.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@iboquattro
[Intro]
Uh, yeah
Ayo, what's up, it's 50 Cent
It's Murda Mixtape Vol. 3
Whoo Kid, Stretch Armstrong, nigga
Take that
[Verse]
Niggas don't wanna see 50 on a track
I got these cats that rap scared of me like I'm Haitian Jack
Fuck that, if I was you, I'd be scared of me too
Yo Stretch, roll the weed while I tell 'em what I need
I need cream by the stacks, shells for the Mac
Rims for the 'Ac and a bitch to blow her back
I need the coke to come back, mad time on a jack
I got the Fendi sweaters, all I need is the hats
I need the police to chill, stay the fuck off my back
See a nigga in a Benz, swear he peddling crack
I need a stash box, dunn, so I could stash the gat
I need a stadium light to leave 'em blind as a bat
Flipping from under my plate while I'm running from Jake
I make no mistakes, look I need extra papes
My man up North, need the new Stretch mixtape
I'm physically fit -- nah, for real, son, I'm in shape
I need that Beyonce bitch to take me out on a date
Niggas follow my footsteps cause everything I say is slick
But I need y'all niggas to get off my dick
My description in three words ''real witty cat''
I'm in the club in ATL, I'm where the titties at
[Outro]
What, what, 50 Cent nigga, 2000 shit, Stretch Armstrong
Whoo Kid, nigga, Whoo Kid, nigga, Whoo Kid, nigga
What, Whoo Kid nigga, this how it's going down
@vikings426
this kills everything!!!
@MiguelRamirez-ie4yu
One of rhe hardest freestyle hands down
@OXBULLSPC
whew, this track harder then all the new generation
@edwardmccutchen8554
Dem freestyles be just as dope as the original!
@luyandajayjonsile2545
"I need tht Beyoooonce bitch to take me to date...."😂50 cent
@FoshoTheOne
Bruh 😂
@bricesonloving2702
True story jay Z went and scooped her up after he heard that line
@GoGetYourShinebox
Take me out on a date **
@AboveEmAllProduction
i just love 50 before he got shot :/ the flow is impeccable!
@skatesquam
50 shot in 2000, this came out 2002 . not sure when recorded though