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.
Too Hot
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Admit it, you bit it" G. Dep
"Niggas bit off Nas shit, niggas, niggas, bit off, Nas shit" - Ghostface Killah
"Admit if, you bit it, bit it" G. Dep
"Niggas bit off Nas shit" Ghostface Killah
"Admit it, you bit it" G. Dep
"Niggas bit off Nas shit, niggas, niggas, bit off, Nas shit" - Ghostface Killah
You can be a ridah and ride, or a coward and hide
Either way you go against me, you still gon die
I got four macs, a few nines, I'm ready for beef
You wanna talk, it ain't about money, then let it be brief
I need a drop for when it's a hot, a Hummer for when it's cold
An ill attorney's in my corner when these fake niggas fold
The shit I kick fuck with niggas mentally, makes them wanna mention me
And see me doing a quarter century in the penitentiary
Nastradamus predicted 50's the future, that's a fact money
I run up on your workers with the mac, like where that pack money
I'm a tell ya'll what Papi told me
I got what you need, 19,5 a key
I stay catching a stunt, frontin' in somethin' mean
And I'll clap any nigga for the right amount of cream
Run up on them all with the same problem solver
Beat up ass, tape on the handle, trey eight revolver. What!
Projects too hot, niggas better hope we never hit rock
'Cause then we gonna run up in your spot
Screamin' get the fuck on the floor, give us the raw
Projects too hot, niggas better hope we never hit rock
'Cause then we gonna run up in your spot
Screamin' get the fuck on the floor, give us the raw
Aiyyo, aiyyo, aiyyo, aiyyo
I'm like Sugar Shane Mosley, it ain't no beef
You're staring, a ticket holder that sits in row three
Next to Ron Artest and Kobe
Yo I woulda went pro too, then I let them phillies slow me
I'm like a black man's asthma, seeking a pump
Breathin' deeper when I'm creeping up
Ya'll need to fuck with the tightest, I stick niggas
Encephalitis leavin' whole families in silence
My virus is obvious, past on to most rap fiends
Un cured, ain't no vaccine
Last seen at the automatic teller machine, maxing out
Or in the studio booth, blacking out
It's Con Air style, real twisted, I disappear on some Blair Witch shit
Comin' back I'm rich kid
Either or, you can't stop me with my feet in the door
Or walk away from the street or the morgue, play your part nigga
Projects too hot, niggas better hope we never hit rock
'Cause then we gonna run up in your spot
"Niggas bit off Nas" - Ghostface Killah
"Admit it, you bit it" - G. Dep
"Tell these niggas somethin' God" - Ghostface Killah
What, yo
I disturb niggas and white boys, with five pointed stars
Tatted on they arms, pimp your moms, like I'm Magic Don Juan
From Queens to Hong Kong, weed in the bong
We smoke that, leave our minks on the coat rack
Those that plot on me, nine times outta ten the nine is on me
Feds search the God, but nothin' they find on me
When I rap don't wait to clap applaud sooner
Unless you hate a nigga like George Bush Jr., I bring war quick to you
Porsche maneuvers through the city like New York sewers
Stinkin' up the air, Central Park, horse manure
Rims is 22 inches, Benz suspensions
22 inch dick when I'm pimpin'
Impotent you niggas get me sick, wanna be soundin' like
You knowin' my arithmetic, but we don't sound alike
50 Cent with Braveheart-ed, we ride to the grave depart us
You fake niggas imitate what I started, let's go
"Niggas bit off Nas shit" - Ghostface Killah
"Admit it, you bit it" - G. Dep
"Niggas bit off Nas shit, niggas, niggas, bit off, Nas shit" - Ghostface Killah
"Admit if, you bit it, bit it" - G. Dep
Projects too hot, niggas better hope we never hit rock
Cause then we gonna run up in your spot
Screamin' get the fuck on the floor, give us the raw
In "Too Hot" by 50 Cent, the lyrics contain references to other rappers such as Nas and Ghostface Killah. Ghostface Killah, in particular, accuses other rappers of copying Nas's style. The lines "Niggas bit off Nas shit" and "Niggas bit off Nas shit, niggas, niggas, bit off, Nas shit" are repeated throughout the song. G. Dep also chimes in with the line "Admit it, you bit it" in reference to the copying of Nas's style.
The overall message of the song is a warning to anyone who tries to go against 50 Cent. He boasts about his readiness for beef and talks about his various weapons. He also mentions that he has an attorney on his side and references his connections in the drug world. The chorus describes how the projects are "too hot" and that if they hit rock bottom, they will rob anyone for their drugs.
Line by Line Meaning
Niggas bit off Nas shit
Acknowledging that others have stolen Nas's style
Admit it, you bit it
Calling out those who have copied Nas's style to admit it
You can be a ridah and ride, or a coward and hide
You can either face 50 Cent or run away from him
Either way you go against me, you still gon die
Promising that those who oppose him will not survive
I got four macs, a few nines, I'm ready for beef
Being well-prepared for conflicts
You wanna talk, it ain't about money, then let it be brief
If the conversation isn't about money, there's nothing to discuss.
I need a drop for when it's hot, a Hummer for when it's cold
Different cars for different weather conditions
An ill attorney's in my corner when these fake niggas fold
Having a good lawyer for when things go wrong
The shit I kick fuck with niggas mentally, makes them wanna mention me
His lyrics affect people's minds and provoke them to talk about him
And see me doing a quarter century in the penitentiary
Predicting that he will spend 25 years in jail
Nastradamus predicted 50's the future, that's a fact money
Referencing Nas's album title to emphasize that he is the future
I run up on your workers with the mac, like where that pack money
Robbing drug dealers for their money
I'm a tell ya'll what Papi told me
Passing on advice from a drug dealer
I stay catching a stunt, frontin' in somethin' mean
Flaunting expensive items
And I'll clap any nigga for the right amount of cream
Killing someone for the right amount of money
Run up on them all with the same problem solver
Handling all conflicts with violence
Beat up ass, tape on the handle, trey eight revolver. What!
Describing the weapon used to solve problems
Projects too hot, niggas better hope we never hit rock
Recognizing the danger of their lifestyle
'Cause then we gonna run up in your spot
Threatening to rob their enemies if they run out of money
Screamin' get the fuck on the floor, give us the raw
Demanding to be given drugs immediately
Aiyyo, aiyyo, aiyyo, aiyyo
Used for emphasis and rhythm
I'm like Sugar Shane Mosley, it ain't no beef
Comparing himself to a successful boxer, saying he has no problems with anyone
You're staring, a ticket holder that sits in row three
Acknowledging someone who is observing him
Next to Ron Artest and Kobe
More references to famous people
Yo I woulda went pro too, then I let them phillies slow me
Suggesting he could have been successful if he hadn't gotten involved with drugs
I'm like a black man's asthma, seeking a pump
Being compared to someone who needs medication to breathe
Breathin' deeper when I'm creeping up
Heart rate increasing with anticipation of violence
Ya'll need to fuck with the tightest, I stick niggas
Boasting that he is the best and can eliminate his enemies
Encephalitis leaving whole families in silence
Threatening to cause brain inflammation that would silence his enemies' families
My virus is obvious, past on to most rap fiends
Describing his dangerous influence in the rap game
Un cured, ain't no vaccine
Suggesting that his influence cannot be stopped or prevented
Last seen at the automatic teller machine, maxing out
Describing his frequent trips to withdraw large sums of money
Or in the studio booth, blacking out
Suggesting that he is able to write lyrics without thinking, that his rhymes flow out of him effortlessly
It's Con Air style, real twisted, I disappear on some Blair Witch shit
Making horror movie references while describing his style and unpredictability
Comin' back I'm rich kid
Suggesting that he will profit from his unique style and skill as a rapper
Either or, you can't stop me with my feet in the door
Asserting his dominance even when faced with adversity
Or walk away from the street or the morgue, play your part nigga
Daring his opponents to either run from the danger he brings or accept the consequences of opposing him
Cause then we gonna run up in your spot
Threatening to rob people if they run out of money
I disturb niggas and white boys, with five pointed stars
Offending both black and white people with his controversial lyrics
Tatted on they arms, pimp your moms, like I'm Magic Don Juan
Suggesting he is powerful enough to control people like Magic Don Juan did
From Queens to Hong Kong, weed in the bong
Describing the global reach of his influence
We smoke that, leave our minks on the coat rack
Boasting about his luxurious lifestyle and ability to afford expensive items without concern for their value
Those that plot on me, nine times outta ten the nine is on me
Suggesting that those who plot against him end up becoming his victims
Feds search the God, but nothin' they find on me
Claiming to be untouchable by law enforcement
When I rap don't wait to clap applaud sooner
Encouraging his fans to clap and cheer for his performances
Unless you hate a nigga like George Bush Jr., I bring war quick to you
Suggesting that he does not hesitate to take action against his enemies, especially if they are similar to George W. Bush
Porsche maneuvers through the city like New York sewers
Describing his skill and expertise driving his Porsche
Stinkin' up the air, Central Park, horse manure
Being unapologetic for his offensive lyrics and behavior
Rims is 22 inches, Benz suspensions
Boasting about his expensive cars and modifications
22 inch dick when I'm pimpin'
Using humor to boast about his sexual prowess
Impotent you niggas get me sick, wanna be soundin' like
Offended by those who try to copy his style but fail
You knowin' my arithmetic, but we don't sound alike
Acknowledging that others may understand his style but cannot replicate it
50 Cent with Braveheart-ed, we ride to the grave depart us
Comparing himself to the Scottish warriors in the movie Braveheart and suggesting he will fight until the end
You fake niggas imitate what I started, let's go
Challenging others to compete but calling out fake imitators
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jermain Anthony Baxter, Curtis James Jackson, Nasir Jones, Writer Unknown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jules
50 cent is so musical. The beat wraps around his flow and voice perfectly.
Class!ck
Jules C I couldn’t have said it any better.
Mason Charles
This was recorded before he got shot. You Can tell in his voice.
Kai’s Messiah Baby
@Mason Charles na this was after. Power of the Dollar was before. This is part of what he was shoppin around when he couldnt get signed. it was also on the movie sountrack for "In Too Deep"
Dirty James
It's a musical skill he has that many people underestimate. Dude moulds into the track. It's usually very impressive but easy not to notice.
niklasniklasniklas1
There’s not a lot of artists songs that you can go back and listen to after 20+ years and feel like it was just yesterday they came out. 50 Cent is timeless.
Carlos Vegas
i love 50 cent underground era, the beat is amazing
J J
Me too, I actually prefer the grimy NY boom bap sample based beats for 50 rather than the Get rich or die tryin west coast DRE sound.
Noeltheprodigy
Then his music went trash sucks
TH23
Noel Vasquez radio hits