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.
Strong Enough
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue Yankee cap back, fuck around get clapped at
I sleep with the stainless, I walk with the stainless
Man, everybody know about 50, I'm famous
New York, New York, I run New York
Ask Dread at the weed spot, I come through in the mean drop
In different boroughs I have different moments
On different days niggas know how I'm on it
I'm a shooter like a Brooklyn nigga
I'm a hustler don't get no bigger
Queens, Southside 'til they bury me
BX, two TEC's, flames out the nozzles
R1 One wheel, Christian Dior goggles
Spare with me, start some shit, send the shooters out
Come out the club, we out front with the Ruger's out
Nah, ain't no sense to talking peace, my brother
That beef will probably send your monkey ass to see Allah
These niggas ain't strong enough
Their money ain't long enough
When they bump heads with me
They find out the guns do bust
We getting paper, in God we trust
These sucka ass niggas
These niggas ain't strong enough
Their money ain't long enough
When they bump heads with me
They find out the guns do bust
We getting paper, in God we trust
Suck on this, nigga
When I said I'll kill ya, I'll kill ya, as a kid I wasn't kidding then
Special ED kid in the back on Ritalin
Crib all fucked up, hooptie all fucked up
Pockets all fucked up, now nigga, what's up?
I'm rich now, niggas know about my dividends
Look at the Robb Report, check out what I'm living in
Fuck a spot now, I'm 'bout to buy a yacht now
Crib the size of the New York City block now
Okay okay, try me and get shot down
I'm like a zebra, I got so many stripes
I'm the fucking general, I run my clique right
It was five of us, all of us millionaires
Now one's a fucking junkie, and one's a fucking queer
Now it's three of us, that's the way we started
They call me crazy, cold-blooded and black-hearted
I don't play no games, niggas beg for mercy
Then we "T.O.S.", put that ass to rest
These niggas ain't strong enough
Their money ain't long enough
When they bump heads with me
They find out the guns do bust
We getting paper, in God we trust
These sucka ass niggas
These niggas ain't strong enough
Their money ain't long enough
When they bump heads with me
They find out the guns do bust
We getting paper, in God we trust
Suck on this, nigga
In "Strong Enough," 50 Cent talks about his prowess as a gangster and how he has come a long way from his days of poverty and hardship. He boasts that he doesn't just talk about it, he walks the walk and anyone who tries to oppose him will face the consequences. He describes himself as a feared and respected figure in New York, and his reputation precedes him wherever he goes. He is from the Southside Queens and is proud of it.
Furthermore, 50 Cent also brags about his wealth and the luxurious lifestyle he now enjoys. He taunts those who try to compete with him and reminds them that his money is long enough to make anything happen. He believes he has made it to the top, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop him. He also mentions his darker past, starting from his days as a special ed kid on Ritalin and his difficult upbringing. Despite all that, he has made it to the top while some of his old friends have fallen down the wrong path.
Overall, "Strong Enough" is a typical "gangster rap" song with themes of dominance, power, and success. 50 Cent uses his lyrics to show the world that he has made it to the top, against all odds, and is now untouchable.
Line by Line Meaning
I do more than talk that, I mu'fuckin walk that
I don't just talk about my abilities, I actually demonstrate them with my actions.
Blue Yankee cap back, fuck around get clapped at
If you mess with me, you'll get shot at, represented by the backwards blue New York Yankees cap I wear as a sign of aggression.
I sleep with the stainless, I walk with the stainless
I always carry my gun, both when I'm awake and when I'm asleep.
Man, everybody know about 50, I'm famous
I'm a well-known public figure, and everyone has heard of me.
New York, New York, I run New York
I'm in charge in New York City, and I'm the one controlling everything.
Ask Dread at the weed spot, I come through in the mean drop
My reputation even precedes me at the weed spots, where Dread will attest to how mean my ride is when I show up.
In different boroughs I have different moments
Depending on which borough of New York City I'm in, my behavior or accomplishments may differ.
On different days niggas know how I'm on it
Depending on the day, people know I'm always ready for action and prepared to defend myself.
I'm pretty like a Harlem nigga
I'm handsome and stylish, like many men from Harlem.
I'm a shooter like a Brooklyn nigga
I'm skilled with firearms, like many men from Brooklyn.
I'm a hustler don't get no bigger
I excel at making money and working hard in various areas of life.
Queens, Southside 'til they bury me
I'm loyal to the Southside of Queens and will stick with it until the day I die.
BX, two TEC's, flames out the nozzles
I'm armed and dangerous, with two TEC-9 guns that shoot flames out their nozzles.
R1 One wheel, Christian Dior goggles
I ride a Yamaha R1 motorcycle with only one wheel touching the ground, complemented by my fancy Christian Dior goggles.
Spare with me, start some shit, send the shooters out
Come cause some trouble with me and my gang, and we'll sic our gunmen on you.
Come out the club, we out front with the Ruger's out
When we exit the club, we're outside with our Ruger guns at the ready.
Nah, ain't no sense to talking peace, my brother
No use in trying to negotiate or make peace.
That beef will probably send your monkey ass to see Allah
If you cross me, you'll probably end up dead and meet your maker, Allah.
These niggas ain't strong enough
The people who oppose me aren't powerful enough to take me down.
Their money ain't long enough
They don't have enough wealth or resources to compete with me.
When they bump heads with me
When they confront me or challenge me.
They find out the guns do bust
They soon realize that I'm not afraid to use my guns and will shoot if provoked.
We getting paper, in God we trust
We're making money, and we're doing it with the help of a higher power.
These sucka ass niggas
These weak, pathetic individuals who oppose me.
Suck on this, nigga
Take that, sucka!
When I said I'll kill ya, I'll kill ya, as a kid I wasn't kidding then
As a child, I wasn't joking when I promised to kill someone, and I'm still true to my word now that I'm older.
Special ED kid in the back on Ritalin
As a youngster, I was a special education student who was prescribed the drug Ritalin.
Crib all fucked up, hooptie all fucked up
My house and car were both in bad shape when I was younger.
Pockets all fucked up, now nigga, what's up?
I was also broke at the time, and I'm questioning anyone who would try to mess with me now that I'm successful.
I'm rich now, niggas know about my dividends
I'm wealthy now, and people are aware of how much money I have.
Look at the Robb Report, check out what I'm living in
Check out the luxurious lifestyle I'm living, which is featured in advertisements and articles such as the Robb Report.
Fuck a spot now, I'm 'bout to buy a yacht now
I don't care about my old living situation anymore, as I'm planning to buy a yacht soon.
Crib the size of the New York City block now
My house is now so large that it takes up an entire city block.
Okay okay, try me and get shot down
Go ahead and test me, but be prepared to die.
I'm like a zebra, I got so many stripes
I have experienced many different things and have done many different jobs and hustles, just like a zebra has many distinctive stripes.
I'm the fucking general, I run my clique right
I'm in charge of my group and I do it well.
It was five of us, all of us millionaires
There were five of us, and we were all wealthy beyond a million dollars.
Now one's a fucking junkie, and one's a fucking queer
Now, unfortunately, one of our group has become addicted to drugs, while another has come out as gay or bisexual.
Now it's three of us, that's the way we started
Only three of us are left now, which is how we started out originally.
They call me crazy, cold-blooded and black-hearted
People describe me as insane, emotionless, and cruel.
I don't play no games, niggas beg for mercy
I'm not one to mess around or toy with people, and those who dare to face me often end up pleading for mercy.
Then we "T.O.S.", put that ass to rest
Once my crew and I have decided to take someone down, there's no going back until the deed is done and they're finished for good.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, GLORIA RICHETTA JONES, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER, CLARENCE L. MACMURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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