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.
Tony Yayo Explosion
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, F-50
(Chorus - 50 Cent)
As times go by, I twist a lot
Fuck with me and my niggas, somebody gonna die
You think I'm all poinry, cause you see me gettin' high
But my knife, I'll have yo ass seein' out one eye
As times go by, I twist a lot
Fuck with me and my niggas, somebody gonna die
You think I'm all poinry, cause you see me gettin' high (yeah)
But my knife, I'll have yo ass seein' out one eye
(Verse 1 - Tony Yayo)
740 I, with the brand new shake (uh huh)
Got me pissin' on hoes like the R. Kelly tape
If you see me in the club, nothin' but Cris poppin' (yeah)
See me in court, my lawyers plea bargainin' (woo)
Tryin' to turn a 3 to 6, to a 2 to 4 (uh huh)
Or 1 to 3, for an extra G
RIP to Etho, I miss Hevo
When I die, I hope heaven look like the ghetto (yeah)
Picture me trick, and take a loss
I'm cheap like the Chinese man with duck sauce
This Tony homey, I walk around with a big chrome
9 L's will hit ya passenger, hit ya driver
G-Unit, you don't know a fuckin' clique liver
(You heard my nigga, you don't know a fuckin' clique liver)
(Chorus)
As times go by, I twist a lot
Fuck with me and my niggas, somebody gonna die (yeah)
You think I'm all poinry, cause you see me gettin' high (uh huh)
But my knife, I'll have yo ass seein' out one eye (eye)
As times go by, I twist a lot
Fuck with me and my niggas, somebody gonna die
You think I'm all poinry, cause you see me gettin' high
But my knife, I'll have yo ass seein' out one eye
(Verse 2 - Tony Yayo)
I never mix money and product with my friends (uh huh)
These chips, make relationships come to an end (what)
I pull the graveyard shift, gettin' money non-stop (uh huh)
And been on the block, ever since bunny tops (c'mon)
250 grizzies, scrape the plate (scrape that plate)
Got me on 750's straight from the plate (straight from the plate)
You can call on your soldiers, call your recruits (uh huh)
I do you dirty like Raheem did Dirty is "Juice" (Juice)
Allow myself, to introduce myself
This is Tony, the talk of New York, I'm holdin' the belt
I got thug in my blood (blood), game like a pimp (pimp)
And wrote my first verse, takin' baths in the sink (yeah)
And yo I fear no man son, I never heard of a fair one
Never gotta borrow a handgun
Niggas on the street, gettin' smoked like bran son
So I stay dirty like "Sanford and Son" (yeah)
Groupies gossipin' stay runnin' their lips (woo)
Cause they seen the Gucci seats in the 6 (uh huh)
And seen the Fendi grips on the four fifth (what)
Shit, I sell bricks, shit, I sell shit on a stick (stick)
Enough of the talkin', let's take it to the valance (uh huh)
The New York streets, will leave you physically challenged (challenged)
Don't be surprised, If I spit at you
Then come to your wake, and serve fiends at your funeral
Our bread is goin' towards a brick of dope
Cause I've been goin' hand and hand since "Different Strokes"
I'm a 50, an eighth, you a half a blunt
You the nigga in the mirror that practice stunts
WHAT!
The lyrics of "Tony Yayo Explosion" by 50 Cent are mostly focused on the life of rapper Tony Yayo. The chorus, sung by 50 Cent himself, alludes to the ruthlessness of Yayo and his friends, warning others not to mess with them or someone's going to die. This is complemented by Yayo's verses in which he makes references to his legal problems, talks about the money he has made by selling drugs, and boasts about his unorthodox style. The second verse in particular includes a lot of metaphors and a reflection on the difficulties of handling both money and relationships.
It is arguable that the intent of the song is to show the power and wealth acquired by the rapper and his friend Yayo, but it also depicts a rather violent and dangerous lifestyle. The lyrics are gritty and in-your-face, portraying the reality of life on the street. In fact, 50 Cent and Tony Yayo were both once involved in criminal activities and drug dealing, and were affiliated with the G-Unit posse.
Line by Line Meaning
As times go by, I twist a lot
Over time, I have experienced a lot of difficulties
Fuck with me and my niggas, somebody gonna die
If you mess with me or my friends, there will be violent consequences
You think I'm all poinry, cause you see me gettin' high
Don't underestimate me just because I like to use drugs
But my knife, I'll have yo ass seein' out one eye
I am capable of inflicting serious harm with a weapon
740 I, with the brand new shake (uh huh)
I'm driving a fancy car and feeling good about it
Got me pissin' on hoes like the R. Kelly tape
I am treating women poorly and disrespectfully
See me in court, my lawyers plea bargainin' (woo)
When I am in legal trouble, I try to minimize the consequences
Tryin' to turn a 3 to 6, to a 2 to 4 (uh huh)
I'm trying to make my legal troubles less severe
RIP to Etho, I miss Hevo
I am mourning the loss of my friends
When I die, I hope heaven look like the ghetto (yeah)
I want the afterlife to resemble the place where I come from
I got thug in my blood (blood), game like a pimp (pimp)
I have always been immersed in the lifestyle of a criminal
And wrote my first verse, takin' baths in the sink (yeah)
I started writing rap music under difficult and cramped circumstances
Don't be surprised, If I spit at you
I am not above insulting or disrespecting others
Then come to your wake, and serve fiends at your funeral
I would sometimes take advantage of others' tragic situations for personal gain
I'm a 50, an eighth, you a half a blunt
I am more successful and powerful than you
You the nigga in the mirror that practice stunts
You are a poser who seeks attention and validation from others
Enough of the talkin', let's take it to the valance (uh huh)
Let's stop talking and fight
The New York streets, will leave you physically challenged (challenged)
The streets in New York City are dangerous and can lead to physical harm
Our bread is goin' towards a brick of dope
We are spending our money on illegal drugs
I'm a 50, an eighth, you a half a blunt
I am more successful and powerful than you
WHAT!
I am expressing anger and intensity
Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sports Theory
Tony Yayo better than a lot of rappers out now
Graham Zulu
"And wrote my first verse takin' baths in the sink". G-Unit been kicking it since day one.
dannyjizay
"the 740i with the brand new shape got me pissin on hoes like the r kelly tape."
15 years later and that shit still makes me laugh!
LC 860
True
tmack
R's Kelly
Anthony Castillo
It used to blow my mind when ppl would label yayo one of the worst rappers. Dude was too dope.
hybrid 13
Yayo was my favorite when they first came out with these mixtapes
marvin mc grath
@hybrid 13 it's this mixtape that made me a fan of yayo
Almighty Bree
He wasn't lyrical too but had mean punchlines. Damn near ever other line can be quoted. Nowadays punchline is the new lyrics.
Anthony Castillo
@Almighty Bree I even like the energy in his voice. I’m not saying he was the best, but not as bad as ppl say he is