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.
Talking In Codes
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him in a hoopty, squeeze
Hit him through the do'
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him on the front porch by his momma do'
These niggas is green
It's nothing to it, cock it
Bang it and get rid of that
Hit his fitted cap
He won't get a chance to Twitter that
I make the Ruger sing a song
Bullets hum to you
You better have God with you
When I come to you
I'm a grimy nigga, I said some simple shit
You's a dirty nigga with
Syphilis on your dick
I catch you I'mma wash you up, line you
Spit-shine you
Leave you right there in the street
Where niggas can find you
Die, nigga, die, fly, pelican, fly
When I pull it eat a bullet
Don't question me why
That's the laws of the jungle
I'll show you what the gun do
My bad, what the shell do
You rot until they smell you
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him in a hoopty, squeeze
Hit him through the do'
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him on the front porch by his momma do'
These niggas is green
Get green, son, get him, cut his head
He didn't even see it coming, he sleeping
That's what he did get biz
Niggas acting like it ain't what it is
Let the knife work push the
Blade up in his shit
Let Doc come sew him up
Gang signs throw 'em up
In my hood growing up you
Pussy or you 'bout it
You shooting or you running
The police coming
Niggas get at you you get at
Them or you don't mean nothing
Niggas walk tough, even walk like warriors
On some G shit
They get to singing like Gloria
Now come clean, tell us what you told the D's
Matter fact don't tell us shit, motherfucker
Hold these
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him in a hoopty, squeeze
Hit him through the do'
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him on the front porch by his momma do'
These niggas is green
Yeah, feels like summer to me
Expect it nice and hot
40 day, my bad, my bad
Family day, I be in the projects
Y'all come check me out
Get a chance to do some new shit
You don't wanna miss this, trust me
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him in a hoopty, squeeze
Hit him through the do'
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
Catch him on the front porch by his momma do'
These niggas is green
The lyrics of 50 Cent's song "Talking In Codes" depict a world of street violence, where the rapper uses coded language to discuss his interactions with his enemies. The repetition of "These niggas is green" suggests that the individuals he is referring to are inexperienced or naive, implying that they are not prepared for the dangerous situations that 50 Cent is involved in.
When 50 Cent sings, "I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean," he suggests a level of secrecy and caution, highlighting the need for discretion when discussing his actions. He goes on to describe catching someone in a "hoopty," a decrepit car, indicating a vulnerable target. The line "Hit him through the do'" implies shooting the person while they are inside the car. This imagery illustrates 50 Cent's readiness to engage in violence in order to protect himself or retaliate against his enemies.
The following lines further emphasize 50 Cent's no-nonsense attitude towards his enemies. He boasts about using a gun, with the line "I make the Ruger sing a song," indicating his willingness to shoot and kill. He warns that those who oppose him should have God with them, insinuating that they will need divine intervention to survive his attacks. The imagery of leaving a person's body in the street for others to find reinforces the brutal nature of his actions and his lack of remorse.
In the last verse, 50 Cent discusses the consequences of betraying him or collaborating with the police. He warns that people who snitch or cooperate with law enforcement will face severe consequences, symbolized by the command to "hold these." The reference to "Gang signs throw 'em up" suggests 50 Cent's affiliation with a gang, adding to the theme of loyalty and retribution.
Overall, "Talking In Codes" portrays a world of criminality, where violence and revenge are the norm. The lyrics showcase 50 Cent's willingness to use calculated tactics and his readiness to engage in deadly confrontations with those he perceives as threats.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright, are you ready? fuck that
I don't care if you're ready or not, I'm not interested.
These niggas is green, these niggas is green
These guys are inexperienced and naive.
I'm talking in codes, pardon me what I mean
I'm speaking in a secretive and cryptic manner, excuse me for not being clear.
When you see him it's a go, go 'head nigga go
When you spot the target, it's time to take action, go ahead and proceed.
Catch him in a hoopty, squeeze
Hit him through the do'
Find him in a beat-up car, shoot him through the door.
Catch him on the front porch by his momma do'
Ambush him on the front porch of his mother's house.
It's nothing to it, cock it
Bang it and get rid of that
It's easy, load the gun, shoot it, and dispose of the evidence.
Hit his fitted cap
He won't get a chance to Twitter that
Shoot him in the head, he won't have the opportunity to post about it on social media.
I make the Ruger sing a song
Bullets hum to you
I use my Ruger gun to attack, the bullets act as a deadly melody.
You better have God with you
When I come to you
You better pray to have divine protection when I confront you.
I'm a grimy nigga, I said some simple shit
I'm a dirty and ruthless person, I spoke straightforwardly.
You's a dirty nigga with
Syphilis on your dick
You're a disgusting person with a sexually transmitted infection.
I catch you I'mma wash you up, line you
Spit-shine you
If I catch you, I'll clean you up by shooting you and leave you neat.
Leave you right there in the street
Where niggas can find you
I'll leave your dead body on the road for others to discover.
Die, nigga, die, fly, pelican, fly
When I pull it eat a bullet
Don't question me why
Die, motherfucker, die, fly away like a pelican when I shoot. Don't ask why.
That's the laws of the jungle
I'll show you what the gun do
These are the rules of the streets, and I'll demonstrate the power of the gun.
My bad, what the shell do
You rot until they smell you
Oops, what the bullet does is make your corpse decompose until it starts emitting a foul odor.
Get green, son, get him, cut his head
He didn't even see it coming, he sleeping
Get money, my friend, get him, decapitate him. He was completely unaware, caught off guard.
That's what he did get biz
Niggas acting like it ain't what it is
That's the consequence he faced, some people are pretending not to understand the reality.
Let the knife work push the
Blade up in his shit
Allow the knife to do its job, push the blade into his body.
Let Doc come sew him up
Gang signs throw 'em up
Let a doctor patch him up, while we show our gang affiliation with hand signs.
In my hood growing up you
Pussy or you 'bout it
In my neighborhood, as you grow up, you're either weak or tough.
You shooting or you running
The police coming
Are you ready to engage in violence or flee, because the police are approaching.
Niggas get at you you get at
Them or you don't mean nothing
If someone attacks you, you must retaliate, otherwise, your existence is meaningless.
Niggas walk tough, even walk like warriors
On some G shit
Some people portray themselves as tough and even imitate the walking style of warriors, showing a gangster mentality.
They get to singing like Gloria
Now come clean, tell us what you told the D's
These people start confessing like they're singing in praises, so now tell the truth, reveal what you told the police.
Matter fact don't tell us shit, motherfucker
Hold these
Actually, don't say anything to us, you fucking bastard. Just take these bullets.
Yeah, feels like summer to me
Expect it nice and hot
Yeah, it feels like a violent season to me. Anticipate it to be intense and heated.
40 day, my bad, my bad
Family day, I be in the projects
Oops, I made a mistake, it's a family day. I'll be present in the low-income housing area.
Y'all come check me out
Get a chance to do some new shit
You don't wanna miss this, trust me
Come visit me and witness something new. It's an opportunity you wouldn't want to miss, believe me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TURZO
Underrated mixtape
C
2022. It's cold there's nothing like this now
Martijn Polkerman
this one is so amazing lol. as a person from the netherlands which is on the otherside of the world for usa. i already loved 50cent when i was a todler and now coming back to this album years and years later had me fckd up damn. times change so much
Lavonta Darby
Facts
Riddles of Steel
2019 and it's still a classic.
Oscar Green
the whole mixtape was fire 🔥💯
Oscar Green
the whole mixtape was fire 🔥💯
Stas Trifaniuk
i'll never get tired of this old shit
Tony Bullcity
2019 still my favorite, black balled twice. Whole Industry came together against him.
Cannot Compute
Bruh 2k18 and still rocking to hell with motivation.