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.
What's Up Nigga
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, it?s 50 uh huh, Scrappy it?s the Unit
Ahh nigga what you don?t know
Is I ride around with the 44
Got a lil brown tryin to get some more, who
You tryin' to front? I'll
Let the whistles blow, the whistles blow?
I?ll lay a nigga down (ahh nigga what?s up)
I ain?t aimin at your legs, I?ma
Put it to your head
Until your brains on the ground
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Nigga Trix are for kids
Niggas out here catchin
Biz he's got his dick playin around
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Shawty gon? keep talking and we talking I?ma
Put that fuckin gun on your mouth
(ahh nigga what?s up)
It's the prince of the south, back up in me
With the tool in my pocket
And the A-town fitted
If you don?t get love from the A
Then you ain?t winnin i'm on the?
Butt naked hoes and big boy pimpin in the A
All the niggas they think I be trippin
Cuz I walk with my gun out
Prepare for the lickin
The young boys stay crunk
Them rims be spinnin
Niggas will jack you for your car
I don?t care what you whippin
But I?m gonna tell you like this
I don?t play no games
I was built for this shit and
I can take the pain
Through my whole life course I?ve
Been off the chain
And niggas knew I been broke
Way before the fame
I been havin? thoughts of? a nigga
Ooo I wish a nigga would
I don?t take that shit
If a lot of talkers are less
Walkers that?s rich
My momma taught me to hit every
Nigga that act like a bitch
I represent Atlanta, I?m a A Town rider
I?ll lay a nigga down (ahh nigga what?s up)
I ain?t aimin at your legs, I?ma
Put it to your head
Leave your brains on the ground
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Nigga? kids niggas out here catchin biz
I?m the dick playin around
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Shawty gon? keep talking and we talking I?ma
Put that fuckin gun in your mouth
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Yeah there?s no place like home
There?s no place like home?
See these streets pay me, I?m a? baby
Who better like?
I don?t care if they like me
If I am A, around my way
I?ma rep the A all god damn day
It?s Atlanta GA, so watch what you
Say, that?s where I stay, i be on Cascade
The choppers spray, get hit with the
K, from a block away, fuckin with me
Zone three is the place to be
Where the young niggas will get
You got for free
You don?t see a crack head getting crunk on
Tv, and if you don?t believe me
Then why don?t you come see? A
I represent Atlanta, I?m a A Town rider
I?ll lay a nigga down (ahh nigga what?s up)
I ain?t aimin at your legs, I?ma
Put it to your head
Leave your brains on the ground
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Nigga? kids niggas out here catchin biz
I?m the dick playin around
(ahh nigga what?s up)
Shawty gon? keep talking and we talking I?ma
Put that fuckin gun in your mouth
(ahh nigga what?s up)
The lyrics of 50 Cent's song "What's Up Nigga" depict a confrontational and assertive attitude that the singer, most likely 50 Cent himself, adopts. The song starts with 50 Cent asserting his dominance, claiming to ride around with a .44 caliber weapon. He also mentions having connections with individuals in Atlanta, representing the city and describing himself as an "A Town rider." He warns others not to underestimate him and threatens to resort to violence if necessary, particularly highlighting his willingness to use his gun. The lyrics emphasize his aggression, as he uses profanity and boasts about his tough persona.
Within the context of the song, "nigga" is a term commonly used in African-American communities as a term of camaraderie or familiarity. It has been adopted and re-appropriated as a way for individuals to identify with their culture and assert their own identity, although its usage can be controversial and offensive to some.
Overall, "What's Up Nigga" is an expression of brash confidence and a warning to others not to challenge 50 Cent. It highlights his affiliation with Atlanta and serves as an anthem for his assertive and aggressive approach to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, it?s 50 uh huh, Scrappy it?s the Unit
Introducing myself as 50 Cent, part of the Unit along with Scrappy
Ahh nigga what you don?t know
Hey, dude, there's something you're not aware of
Is I ride around with the 44
I always carry a .44 caliber gun with me
Got a lil brown tryin to get some more, who
I have a small amount of drugs that I'm trying to sell and make more money
You tryin' to front? I'll
Are you trying to act tough? Well, let me tell you
Let the whistles blow, the whistles blow?
I'm willing to start shooting if things escalate
I represent Atlanta, I?m a A Town rider
I proudly represent Atlanta and I'm an active member of the community
I?ll lay a nigga down (ahh nigga what?s up)
I won't hesitate to kill someone if necessary
I ain?t aimin at your legs, I?ma
I won't shoot to disable you, instead
Put it to your head
I'll aim for your head
Until your brains on the ground
To the point where your brain splatters on the ground
(ahh nigga what?s up)
(Hey, dude, what's the matter?)
Nigga Trix are for kids
Don't act foolish and fall for tricks
Niggas out here catchin Biz he's got his dick playin around
Some guys are getting involved in dangerous situations because they're not focused
Shawty gon? keep talking and we talking I?ma
If that girl keeps running her mouth, then
Put that fuckin gun on your mouth
I'll threaten her by pointing my gun at her face
(ahh nigga what?s up)
(Hey, dude, what's your response?)
It's the prince of the south, back up in me
I'm known as the prince of the south, back in the game
With the tool in my pocket
Carrying a gun in my pocket
And the A-town fitted
Wearing a fitted hat representing Atlanta
If you don?t get love from the A
If you don't receive respect from Atlanta
Then you ain?t winnin i'm on the?
Then you're not successful like I am
Butt naked hoes and big boy pimpin in the A
Engaging in promiscuous activities and living a lavish lifestyle in Atlanta
All the niggas they think I be trippin
Some guys think I'm crazy and unstable
Cuz I walk with my gun out
Because I always carry my gun openly
Prepare for the lickin
Be ready to face the consequences
The young boys stay crunk
The young guys stay excited and energetic
Them rims be spinnin
The rims on my car keep spinning
Niggas will jack you for your car
People will steal your car by force
I don?t care what you whippin
I don't care what type of car you drive
But I?m gonna tell you like this
But let me tell you this
I don?t play no games
I'm not someone to mess around with
I was built for this shit and
I was made for this lifestyle and
I can take the pain
I can handle the hardships
Through my whole life course I?ve
Throughout my entire life
Been off the chain
I've been wild and uncontrollable
And niggas knew I been broke
And people always knew I was poor
Way before the fame
Long before I became famous
I been havin? thoughts of? a nigga
I have been contemplating hurting someone
Ooo I wish a nigga would
Oh man, I hope someone dares to provoke me
I don?t take that shit
I won't tolerate such behavior
If a lot of talkers are less
People who talk a lot usually achieve less
Walkers that?s rich
But those who take action are the successful ones
My momma taught me to hit every
My mother taught me to confront every
Nigga that act like a bitch
Person who behaves cowardly
Yeah there?s no place like home
Yes, there's truly no place better than home
There?s no place like home?
Do you agree that there's no place better than home?
See these streets pay me, I?m a? baby
I earn my living from these streets, I'm like a baby
Who better like?
Who is better than me?
I don?t care if they like me
I don't care if people like me or not
If I am A, around my way
If I'm in Atlanta, where I belong
I?ma rep the A all god damn day
I will represent Atlanta all day long
It?s Atlanta GA, so watch what you
It's Atlanta, Georgia, so be careful with what you
Say, that?s where I stay, i be on Cascade
Say because that's where I live, I spend time on Cascade
The choppers spray, get hit with the
Guns will be fired, you might get hit with
K, from a block away, fuckin with me
Bullets from a gun, shot from a distance, if you mess with me
Zone three is the place to be
Zone three is where it's happening
Where the young niggas will get
Where the young guys will
You got for free
Rob you without any consequences
You don?t see a crack head getting crunk on
You won't find a drug addict getting excited on
Tv, and if you don?t believe me
Television, and if you don't believe what I'm saying
Then why don?t you come see? A
Why don't you come and witness it for yourself in Atlanta?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hrant Avagjan
what the hell is this