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.
Things Change
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
All money ain't good money, this i know
But i still love hood money, it gets my dough
And as a youngster, that ***** went through so much church
That still turned out fucked up, i did so much dirt
Told to bang the neighbourhood, i put in so much work
Did a whole lot of time, caused mom so much hurt
On everythang, that boy wasn't done on purpose
Who knew that all my darkness was really gon' surface
I was stuck on that bullshit jus runnin' the streets
Without some type of beef, the week wasn't complete
Its like a ***** felt better after dumpin this heat
On feet, just to see the body slumped in the seat
Its like a whole 'nother rush to me, bussin' was sweet
Now im smarter, im all about something to eat
Im on the road spend 30 days a month in the suite
But im still gon' hustle and cheat, Lets Go Now!
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
Yeah, uh
Now walkin down the block without your weapon
Its a first class ticket to a lesson (uh huh)
I first cast tickets to perfection, me and Ben got a connection (yeah)
That's why i bring the Benz out to impress him (yeah)
Caught in my zone, all alone, homes rattlin' my bones
Cuz he yappin' off his lips and if i hit him i be wrong
Cuz he ain't never gon' be ****, i done work so hard
But i will make you a corn of the cob, you be performin for God
Either that or rob you on your boulevard
Bet you never thought for a second niggas would pull your cards
I don't know about y'all star, cuz my ***** gone
H.P tatted on me so his memory lives on
Engagin in drama without your llama
There'll be funeral arrangements for your momma
I learnd that when i was in pajamas watchin Micheal and Madonna
Now i got the appetite of a piranna, *****
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
When nobody knows all the walls you go through
You can't even talk to those that supposedly know you
Some of the levels that these people'll go to, for crumbs
Damn tell me, is this what that dough do?
That's when you find yourself talkin to Pro Two
There's not to many people who ever can walk in Loc shoes
Its good as hell that my heart contains
I explain, so many different parts of pain
Im clean, but still some marks remain
From the past, when that crushed weed sparks to brang
The cash made some people start to change
I feel hate when i pulled up and parked the range
Ya damn right i got rich, but my heart the same
And practice makes perfect with the harder aim
You ain't really got the heart to bang
You ain't start to hang, till you find out I cought the chain..
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
*****, things change
They don't stay the same
Now watch me come up
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I put that work in to win, no problem
Yo there y'all go
In "Things Change," 50 Cent presents his own rags-to-riches story and how he has had to adapt to changes as he has gone through different stages in his life. The hook of the song, "***** things change, they don't stay the same, now watch me come up," repeats the idea that everything in life changes, and despite the changes, 50 Cent remains committed to hustling and working hard to win.
Throughout the song, 50 Cent reflects on his past, where he did terrible things, but without them, he wouldn't be the person he is today, and how he's now learned to channel his energy into positive things that will earn him money, creating a better life for himself. 50 Cent, who grew up in Queens, New York, talks about the hardships he faced in his youth as a drug dealer and how his time in jail motivated him to become a successful rapper. In the second verse, he highlights how much he's changed by explaining that he no longer needs to carry a gun, but he still sees violence and aggression as the solution to some problems.
Moreover, in the third verse, he talks about how difficult it is to trust people, and how success has changed his relationships. 50 Cent remarks that as he's risen in status, the people he thought were his closest friends had been untruthful, forcing him to distance himself from them. The lyrics of this song are an expression of 50 Cent's determination to continue hustling and striving towards greater success, even as he acknowledges that change is a constant in life.
Line by Line Meaning
*****, things change
Life is not stagnant and always changing
They don't stay the same
Nothing stays the same forever
Now watch me come up
I will rise above my circumstances
I hustle, i hustle even harder
I work hard to achieve my goals
I put that work in to win, no problem
I have no issues putting in the necessary effort to succeed
All money ain't good money, this i know
Not all income is worth earning
But i still love hood money, it gets my dough
I still make money from the streets, even if it's not the best way
And as a youngster, that ***** went through so much church
As a young person, I endured many difficulties
That still turned out fucked up, i did so much dirt
My past mistakes continue to haunt me
Told to bang the neighbourhood, i put in so much work
Encouraged to participate in gang activities, I put forth great effort
Did a whole lot of time, caused mom so much hurt
I served significant jail time, bringing pain to my mother
On everythang, that boy wasn't done on purpose
I didn't intentionally commit all my crimes
Who knew that all my darkness was really gon' surface
My past actions will come to light eventually
I was stuck on that bullshit jus runnin' the streets
I was foolishly spending my time in the streets
Without some type of beef, the week wasn't complete
I was always looking for trouble to feel complete
Its like a ***** felt better after dumpin this heat
Violence brought satisfaction
On feet, just to see the body slumped in the seat
Seeing someone die brought a thrill
Its like a whole 'nother rush to me, bussin' was sweet
Engaging in violent acts gave me an adrenaline rush
Now im smarter, im all about something to eat
I've matured and only strive for financial gain now
Im on the road spend 30 days a month in the suite
I travel frequently and have financial success
But im still gon' hustle and cheat, Lets Go Now!
I'll always be involved in the street life, ready for action
Now walkin down the block without your weapon
It's dangerous to walk around unarmed
Its a first class ticket to a lesson (uh huh)
Not having protection can lead to trouble
I first cast tickets to perfection, me and Ben got a connection (yeah)
I have a close relationship with my friend Ben
That's why i bring the Benz out to impress him (yeah)
I show off my wealth to impress him
Caught in my zone, all alone, homes rattlin' my bones
I'm in my own world, facing challenges alone
Cuz he yappin' off his lips and if i hit him i be wrong
Someone is talking too much and it's tempting to harm them
Cuz he ain't never gon' be ****, i done work so hard
I've worked too hard to let anyone bring me down
But i will make you a corn of the cob, you be performin for God
I'm willing to make someone pay for what they've done, even if it's not right
Either that or rob you on your boulevard
I'll either harm you or rob you, you have a choice
Bet you never thought for a second niggas would pull your cards
You didn't expect people to expose your true identity
I don't know about y'all star, cuz my ***** gone
I don't know about anyone else's life, but I've lost someone important
H.P tatted on me so his memory lives on
I've tattooed my friend's initials to keep his memory alive
Engagin in drama without your llama
Starting drama without a weapon is unwise
There'll be funeral arrangements for your momma
Your actions can lead to your mother's death
I learnd that when i was in pajamas watchin Micheal and Madonna
I learned valuable lessons about life from pop culture
Now i got the appetite of a piranna, *****
I'm hungry to succeed and won't stop until I do
When nobody knows all the walls you go through
People don't know the struggles you face
You can't even talk to those that supposedly know you
You can't rely on people who claim to know you
Some of the levels that these people'll go to, for crumbs
People will do anything for small rewards
Damn tell me, is this what that dough do?
Is this the lifestyle that money brings?
That's when you find yourself talkin to Pro Two
That's when you need to ask for professional help
There's not to many people who ever can walk in Loc shoes
Not many people have faced similar challenges as me
Its good as hell that my heart contains
I'm thankful that I have a good heart
I explain, so many different parts of pain
I reveal my struggles, despite the pain they bring
Im clean, but still some marks remain
I've moved on from my past, but it still affects me
From the past, when that crushed weed sparks to brang
Memories of my past drug use still haunt me
The cash made some people start to change
Money can cause people to act differently
I feel hate when i pulled up and parked the range
I'm targeted for my wealth and it brings negative feelings
Ya damn right i got rich, but my heart the same
I've become wealthy, but I haven't changed who I am
And practice makes perfect with the harder aim
I've gotten better at aiming for my goals
You ain't really got the heart to bang
You don't have the courage to live a gangster lifestyle
You ain't start to hang, till you find out I cought the chain..
You only started acting tough when you found out I had a valuable chain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MICHAEL J. CLERVOIX, ROBERT BRANDON SMITH, CURTIS NORVELL WILLIAMS, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES LLOYD, DERICK A. PROSPER, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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