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.
Wanksta )
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a lot of living, to do before I die,
And I ain't got time to waste. Let's make it
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing
We say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You ain't a friend of mine,(yea) you ain't no kin to mine,(c'mon)
We do this all the time (what), right now we on the grind (yea)
So hurry up and cop and go resell it nicks and dimes, (uh huh)
Shortie, she so fine, I gotta make her mine,
A ass like that, gotta be one of a kind,(Whoo)
I crush em every time, punch em wit every line
I'm fucking with they mind, I make em press rewind
They know they can't shine, If I'm around to rhyme
Been on parole since ninety four, cause I commit the crime
I say them my line, I did it three to nine
The D's ran up in my crib, you know who drop the dime
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing,
You say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You go to the dealership, but you don't never cop nothing
You been hustling a long time, but you ain't got nothing
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing
You say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You go to the dealership, but you never cop nothing
You been hustling long time, but you ain't got nothing
Damn homie,
In high school you was the man homie
What the fuck happened to you, I got the sickest vendetta, when it come to the chedda,(uh huh)
Nigga, you play with my paper, you gon meet my baretta
Now shortie think I'm a sweat her,(uh huh) I'm sippin on Amaretto, (yea)
I'm out here doin stilleta, I know I could do betta
She look good, but I know she after my chedda
She tryin to get in my pockets, homie, and I ain't gon let her
Be easy, start some bullshit, you get your whole crew wet
We in the club doin the same ol two step
Gorilla unit 'cause, they say we bugged out
Cause we don't go nowhere without toast be thugged out
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing,
You say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You go to the dealership, but you don't never cop nothing
You been hustling a long time, but you ain't got nothing
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing
You say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You go to the dealership, but you never cop nothing
You been hustling long time, but you ain't got nothing
Me, I'm no mobster, me, I'm no gangsta
Me, I'm no hit man, (yea) me, I'm just me
Me, I'm not wanksta, me, I'm no actor
But it's me you see, on your TV, cause I hustle babe
This rap shit is so easy, I'm getting what you get for a brick, to talk greasy
By any means, partner, I got to eat on these streets
When you play me close, fa' sure, I'ma pop my heat
Niggas say they goin' murder 50, how
We riding round wit guns the size, of Lil' Bow Wow
What you know about AK's and are-15's
Equipped wit night vision, shell catchers and empties, huh
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing,
You say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You go to the dealership, but you don't never cop nothing
You been hustling a long time, but you ain't got nothing
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing
You say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
You go to the dealership, but you never cop nothing
You been hustling long time, but you ain't got nothing
Damn homie!
The lyrics to 50 Cent's "Wanksta" are all about calling out people who claim to be gangsters or hustlers, but aren't actually putting in the work or risking anything. 50 Cent, who famously survived being shot 9 times and started his own criminal empire, is unafraid to call out these "wankstas" for being fake and hypocritical. He highlights how he and his crew are constantly on the move, making money, and willing to stand up for themselves and their reputation. The repeated chorus, "You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing, we say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting," drives home the idea that actions and results matter more than just talking tough.
Throughout the song, 50 Cent showcases his signature gritty, aggressive style, delivering punchy flows over a minimalist beat. The verses are full of clever wordplay and dark humor, as he raps about everything from his criminal past to his current status as a successful rapper. He ends the song with a pointed reminder that he's not just a character or a persona - he's the real deal, and anyone who tries to cross him will face serious consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, It's 50, A.K.A. Ferrari, F-50, break it down
Introducing himself, 50 Cent has a lot of living to do before he dies and doesn't have time to waste.
You say you a gangsta, but you never pop nothing
Questioning the authenticity of someone claiming to be a gangsta but never actually doing anything.
We say you a wanksta, then you need to stop fronting
Calling out the person for being a fake gangsta and suggesting that they stop pretending.
You ain't a friend of mine, (yea) you ain't no kin to mine, (c'mon)
Making it clear that the person being addressed is not a friend or family member of 50 Cent.
What makes you think that I won't run up on you wit the nine, (uh huh)
Threatening violence by suggesting that 50 Cent may run up on the person with a gun.
We do this all the time (what), right now we on the grind (yea)
Implying that violence and crime are routine things for him and his associates and they are currently working hard.
So hurry up and cop and go resell it nicks and dimes, (uh huh)
Encouraging the person to quickly buy drugs in bulk and then sell them in smaller quantities for profit.
Shortie, she so fine, I gotta make her mine,
Referring to an attractive woman that he wants to pursue.
A ass like that, gotta be one of a kind, (Whoo)
Complimenting the woman's body, suggesting it is unique and one-of-a-kind.
I crush em every time, punch em wit every line
Boasting about his skill in rapping and how he can impress and defeat his opponents.
I'm fucking with they mind, I make em press rewind
Suggesting that his rapping is so good and mesmerizing that people have to listen to it again and again.
They know they can't shine, If I'm around to rhyme
Implying that other rappers cannot compete with him and that he outshines them.
Been on parole since ninety four, cause I commit the crime
Revealing that he has been on parole since 1994 due to committing a crime.
I say them my line, I did it three to nine
Admitting to a prison sentence that lasted from three to nine years and that he often mentions this in his raps.
The D's ran up in my crib, you know who drop the dime
Referring to police raiding his home and suggesting that someone informed them of his illegal activities.
Damn homie, In high school you was the man homie, What the fuck happened to you
Expressing surprise and disappointment that someone he knew from high school has changed in a negative way since then.
I got the sickest vendetta, when it come to the chedda,(uh huh)
Claiming that he has a strong desire for money and will do whatever it takes to obtain it.
Nigga, you play with my paper, you gon meet my baretta
Threatening violence if someone interferes with his money or profits.
Now shortie think I'm a sweat her,(uh huh) I'm sippin on Amaretto, (yea)
Implying that the woman he previously mentioned now has interest in him and he is currently enjoying a drink called Amaretto.
I'm out here doin stilleta, I know I could do betta
Suggesting that he can do better than his current situation and is working towards achieving more success.
She look good, but I know she after my chedda
Acknowledging the attractiveness of a woman but not being fooled by her interest and knowing that she is only after his money.
She tryin to get in my pockets, homie, and I ain't gon let her
Suggesting that the woman is after his money but he will not let her take advantage of him.
Be easy, start some bullshit, you get your whole crew wet
Warning someone to calm down and not start any trouble or else they will face the consequences along with their crew.
We in the club doin the same ol two step
Describing a typical night out where people dance in a repetitive, boring way.
Gorilla unit 'cause, they say we bugged out
Referring to his crew as the Gorilla Unit and alluding to others believing they are crazy.
Cause we don't go nowhere without toast be thugged out
Stating that his crew always carries guns around with them in order to always be ready for any threat or problem.
Me, I'm no mobster, me, I'm no gangsta
Despite being a rapper who often raps about gangsta themes, he is not actually involved in organized crime.
Me, I'm no hit man, (yea) me, I'm just me
Clarifying that he does not have any involvement in violence or hit man activities, he is just being himself.
Me, I'm not wanksta, me, I'm no actor
Asserting that he is not fake or a wannabe gangsta, nor is he pretending to be someone he is not.
But it's me you see, on your TV, cause I hustle babe
Explaining that although he is not a real gangsta, he is still successful and is able to display that to the world through his hustling and rapping.
This rap shit is so easy, I'm getting what you get for a brick, to talk greasy
Suggesting that rapping and making money from it is easy, and that he is able to do it without much effort compared to selling drugs.
By any means, partner, I got to eat on these streets
Emphasizing his need to make money and survive on the streets, and that he will do whatever it takes to achieve financial success.
When you play me close, fa' sure, I'ma pop my heat
Warning that if someone crosses him, he is not afraid to use a gun and will defend himself with it.
Niggas say they goin' murder 50, how
Referencing people who are threatening to kill him, but he is not afraid and doesn't understand how they can do it.
We riding round wit guns the size, of Lil' Bow Wow
Suggesting that he and his crew carry around large guns for protection, even larger than the young rapper Lil' Bow Wow's size.
What you know about AK's and are-15's
Questioning what others know about the weapons that he and his crew are familiar with and readily carry around.
Equipped wit night vision, shell catchers and empties, huh
Highlighting the advanced equipment and ammunition they are equipped with, suggesting that they are prepared for any situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN FREEMAN, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EvaandJavier
“Daaaaam homie, in high school you was the maaaaan homie wtf happened to you?” has been living in my head rent free since this song dropped.
@SOSShesInDisguise01
Verified bean
@fyrealchemy
Ayyyeeeee…🎉😂❤✊🏽✨🥰💯🔥👏🏽✅ #metoo #alchemize #starseed #chosen
@princealex10
6ix9ine quoted that on his song too 😆
@victorbolanos4585
@princealex10 u mean skittles?
@danasmith2247
🤣🤣🤣
@charlesh817
50 was the freshest thing the rap industry saw in the 2000's. He was the game changer, way too much swag. Bulletproof!
@Yourmomss
Yep swagger
@elchicano1746
Well he did get hit 9 times so definitely not bullet proof
@Minimalici0us
The BEST to ever do it along with Em and RAKIM