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.
Wankster
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Break it down
I got a lot of living to do before I die
And I ain't got time to waste, let's make it
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a Wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You ain't a friend of mine, you ain't no kin of mine
We do this all the time, right now we on the grind
So hurry up and copy go selling nicks and dimes
Shorty she's so fine, I gotta make her mine
A ass like that gotta be one of a kind
I crush 'em every time, punch 'em with every line
I'm fucking with they mind, I make them press rewind
They know they can't shine if I'm around the rhyme
Been on parole since '94 'cause I commit the crime
I send you my line, I did a three to nine
If D's ran up in my crib, you know who droppin' dimes
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
Damn homie, in high school you was the man, homie
What the fuck happened you?
I got the sickest vendetta, when it come to the chedda
Nigga you play with my paper, you gonna meet my berretta
Now shorty think I'ma sweat her, sippin' on amoretta
I'm livin' once then deada, I know I can do betta'
She look good but I know she after my chedda
She tryin' to get in my pockets, homie and I ain't gonna let her
Be easy, start some bullshit, you get your whole crew wet
We're in the club doing the same old two step
Guerilla unit 'cause they say we bugged out
'Cause we don't go nowhere without toast we thugged out
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
Me I'm no mobsta', me I'm no gangsta'
Me I'm no hitman, me I'm just me, me
Me I'm no wanksta', me I'm no acta'
But it's me you see on your TV
'Cause I hustle baby, this rap shit is so easy
I'm gettin' what you get for a brick to talk greasy
By any means, partner, I got to eat on these streets
If you play me close, for sure I'm gonna pop my heat
Niggas sayin' they gonna murda 50, how?
We ridin' 'round with guns the size of Lil Bow Wow
What you know about AK's and AR 15's?
Equipped with night vision, shell catchers and dem things, huh
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
We said you were a wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
Aha
Damn homie
The lyrics of 50 Cent's song "Wanksta" are a direct criticism of those who claim to be gangsters but are not. 50 Cent uses the term "wanksta" to refer to these individuals who are pretending to be something they are not. He states that those who claim to be gangsters but never actually participate in criminal activities, never "pop nothin'." The song also highlights the issue of pretending to be someone you are not and the importance of being authentic. 50 Cent emphasizes that he does not need to pretend to be a gangster, because he is true to himself.
The lyrics also touch on 50 Cent's experience with hustling, and the struggles that come with it. He raps about the daily grind of making money, selling drugs, and trying to make a better life for himself. He notes that he is no gangster or hitman but just himself, and he is just trying to hustle to get by. In the end, he asserts that he is not going to let anyone take what he has earned, and he is prepared to defend it, even with violence.
Overall, "Wanksta" is a song that speaks to the theme of authenticity and the problems that come with pretending to be someone you are not. It also explores the daily struggles of those who are trying to survive in difficult circumstances, and the measures they sometimes have to take to protect themselves and their livelihood.
Line by Line Meaning
Hoo, Yeah, it's 50 a.k.a Ferrari F-50
Introducing himself as 50 Cent
I got a lot of living to do before I die
He has a lot of things to do before he dies and he can't waste time
And I ain't got time to waste, let's make it
He is urging everyone to hustle and make it happen
You said you were a gangsta but you never pop nothin'
Calling out someone for claiming to be a gangsta but never shooting anyone
We said you were a Wanksta and you need to stop frontin'
Referring to the person as a wannabe gansta who needs to stop pretending
You ain't a friend of mine, you ain't no kin of mine
He has no relation to the person he's calling out
What makes you think that I'ma run up on you with the nine
He questions why the person would think that he would shoot them
We do this all the time, right now we on the grind
They hustle hard all the time and currently handling business
So hurry up and copy go selling nicks and dimes
Advice to hurry and start hustling like them by selling small drug amounts
Shorty she's so fine, I gotta make her mine
He finds a girl attractive and wants to pursue her
A ass like that gotta be one of a kind
He sees her body as unique and special
I crush 'em every time, punch 'em with every line
He's confident in his ability to lyrically defeat anyone
I'm fucking with they mind, I make them press rewind
He messes with people's heads through his music, making them listen to his songs again
They know they can't shine if I'm around the rhyme
He believes his presence in the rap game overshadows other artists
Been on parole since '94 'cause I commit the crime
He's been on parole for a while because he committed a crime in 1994
I send you my line, I did a three to nine
He's linking up with someone and informing them of his jail sentence of 3 to 9 years
If D's ran up in my crib, you know who droppin' dimes
In the event the police raid his house, he knows who will snitch on him
You go with the dealership, but you never cop nothin'
Calling out someone for going to the car dealership but never actually buying a car
You been hustlin' a long time, and you ain't got nothin'
He's calling out someone who's been hustling for a while but has nothing to show for it
Damn homie, in high school you was the man, homie
He's calling out someone who was popular in high school but not anymore
What the fuck happened you?
He's questioning how they fell off and lost their status
I got the sickest vendetta, when it come to the chedda
He has a strong and intense desire for money
Nigga you play with my paper, you gonna meet my berretta
He threatens violence to anyone who messes with his money
Now shorty think I'ma sweat her, sippin' on amoretta
A girl thinks he's interested in her, but he's just casually enjoying a drink
I'm livin' once then deada, I know I can do betta'
He feels he can do better in life and wants to live it to the fullest
She look good but I know she after my chedda
He knows a girl is only interested in him for his money
She tryin' to get in my pockets, homie and I ain't gonna let her
He won't let a girl take advantage of him financially
Be easy, start some bullshit, you get your whole crew wet
He warns others to stay calm or else they will get into trouble
We're in the club doing the same old two step
They are in the club dancing to the same popular song in a typical way
Guerilla unit 'cause they say we bugged out
Their group is called Guerilla Unit and they are viewed as crazy or unpredictable
'Cause we don't go nowhere without toast we thugged out
They always carry guns with them, making them appear thuggish
Me I'm no mobsta', me I'm no gangsta'
He clarifies that he's not a mobster or gangster
Me I'm no hitman, me I'm just me, me
He's not a hired killer, just himself
Me I'm no wanksta', me I'm no acta'
He's not a wannabe gangsta or an actor
But it's me you see on your TV
Despite not being a certain stereotype, he's the one people see on TV
'Cause I hustle baby, this rap shit is so easy
He's successful in the rap game because he hustles hard
I'm gettin' what you get for a brick to talk greasy
He's getting paid well to talk tough and provocative
By any means, partner, I got to eat on these streets
He needs to make money by any means necessary to survive on the streets
If you play me close, for sure I'm gonna pop my heat
He warns that if someone gets too close to him or messes with him, he will shoot them
Niggas sayin' they gonna murda 50, how?
People are saying they will kill 50 Cent, but he doesn't believe it
We ridin' 'round with guns the size of Lil Bow Wow
They have very big guns, likened to the size of a small child
What you know about AK's and AR 15's?
He's asking if others know anything about guns like AK's and AR 15's
Equipped with night vision, shell catchers and dem things, huh
Their guns are equipped with advanced features like night vision and shell catchers
Contributed by Dylan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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