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.
This Is 50 )
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know what you take me for
I really don't play that shit
I ain't got to get you hit
I get out myself and spray that shit
I got a itchy itchy trigger finger, nigga its a killa in me not to spray that shit
I unload then reload, when you get hit I supposed you goin' be strong enough to take this shit
I'm in the hood ridin' round with a chrome fo' pound, can you see through the windows see tints
I do dirt, the gat bussa, get to kickin' up dust, 'fore the jakes come around here kid
Niggas get knocked if they start askin' question, my name end up in all types of shit
I be a gangsta, a nigga till I die for sure, whether I'm poor or I'm filthy rich
Now what you know about movin' that Peruvian and flake for that cake, I get rid of them bricks
I don't know what you take me for
I really don't play that shit
I ain't got to get you hit
I get out myself and spray that shit
I don't know what you take me for
I really don't play that shit
I ain't got to get you hit
I get out myself and spray that shit
Man I gotta have shoes, you know chrome 22's, every time I get a brand new whip
I rolled around in a 5, till my money got right, then I went back and got that six
I'm in a big white Benz, on a hot sunny day, I call up the milk truck and shit
I have ya hoe, eye ballin' at the light, damn pimpin', you should take time to check that bitch
You saw me riding through the hood, actin' like its all good, but I'm lookin' for a ? and shit
In the middle of the night, you can turn on ya lights, I mean my niggas in ya crib
Nigga holla if there's a problem, and your niggas got drama, I got burners for sell and shit
Got the macs, got the nines, got them tecks all the time, holo-tips and the extra clips
I don't know what you take me for
I really don't play that shit
I ain't got to get you hit
I get out myself and spray that shit
I don't know what you take me for
I really don't play that shit
I ain't got to get you hit
I get out myself and spray that shit
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over everything about me be gangsta
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over I won't hesitate to pop or shank ya
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over they can hustle and I'm in your shit
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over you don't listen you goin' get ya ass hit
This is 50
Yeah
Nigga cherish me
Like the water you drink
Like the air you breathe
You need me to live
Yeah
In "This is 50", 50 Cent portrays himself as a tough gangster who won't hesitate to use violence to protect himself and his reputation. The lyrics suggest that he is constantly armed and ready for any dangerous situation he might face. The chorus repeats the line, "I don't know what you take me for; I really don't play that shit," indicating that 50 Cent is aware of the way others perceive him and is determined to live up to those perceptions. The final lines of the song, "Nigga cherish me; Like the water you drink, Like the air you breathe; You need me to live," seem to suggest that 50 Cent sees himself as a vital and necessary figure in the world of gangsta rap.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know what you take me for
I'm not someone to be messed with, don't underestimate me
I really don't play that shit
I don't tolerate disrespect or threats
I ain't got to get you hit
I don't need anyone else to handle my problems for me
I get out myself and spray that shit
I'll handle my problems with violence if needed
Man I gotta have shoes, you know chrome 22's
I prioritize material possessions like flashy cars and expensive shoes
I'm in a big white Benz, on a hot sunny day
I flaunt my wealth with luxury cars and accessories
You saw me riding through the hood, actin' like its all good
I put on a front of being fearless and confident in tough situations
In the middle of the night, you can turn on ya lights, I mean my niggas in ya crib
I have a crew that will break into your house and threaten you
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over everything about me be gangsta
I'm tired of people questioning my authenticity as a gangster
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over I won't hesitate to pop or shank ya
I'm tired of reminding people that I'm not afraid to use violence
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over they can hustle and I'm in your shit
I'm tired of people questioning my involvement in criminal activities and territory
Man I'm tired of tellin' niggas over and over you don't listen you goin' get ya ass hit
I warned you, if you don't listen, you'll face the consequences
This is 50
This is who I am and what I represent
Nigga cherish me
Like the water you drink
Like the air you breathe
You need me to live
I demand respect and loyalty from those around me because without me, they wouldn't survive in this world
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL J. CLERVOIX, ROBERT BRANDON SMITH, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1973tinytim
It's my 50th birthday tomorrow and this will be the 1st song I play.
@koreysylver9276
“I don’t know what you take me for. I really don’t play that shit..”. This shit is CLASSIC
@stevesantiago798
50 flow on this and lots of emenem Colabs were unreal. We need another 50 album
@juancarlosarenas4456
The masscre was an INSTANT CLASSIC!!! So many sick songs and beats and rhymes!
@JayRose619
Yea he got off on this shit. He just tried too much of that commercial shit. Trying to make another in da club. This album would’ve blown without shit like candy shop and just a little bit
@krzysztof4607
@@JayRose619 they are great bangers tho
@ducatarina8310
@@JayRose619 Candy Shop is a classic, why yall corny ass ni66as hate Candy Shop, that shit is a classic
@JayRose619
@@ducatarina8310 😂😂😂 shit i guess I’m corny then. Fuck it 🤷🏽♂️
@AlchemyOfLife
DAWWWWG The Massacre is his best Occult Work.... way tooo clasic since '05
@chayse136
Whenever life pisses me off I come back to this shit 💯