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 Do You Got
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot
Mix them up in a pot, mix them up in a pot
Take some Big and some Pac and mix them up in a pot
Mix them up in a pot, what the fuck do you got?
(Fifty!)
Big an, Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot
Mix them up in a pot, mix them up in a pot
(50 Cent verse)
I got a gambling problem, I bet you niggas am a be back bustin but you won't notice me when that gat dumpin, you wana bet?
I lost money when I bet on Roy, won money when I bet on Floyd, I'm the one that bet on war
Undefeated, eyes roll like I'm weeded
I Bet you niggas think I won't be number 1 again,
I read the stakes, you know why I put mo' on the line
Its showtime I ama goin for my mine, you can bet that,I bet that tecjam before that mac, I bet that dope go before that crack, I bet my money stack
I bet yo bitch wana roll with 50, I bet if I said I'm going to the hotel she'd go with me,
I bet you really love her man you think she wouldn't come, she got your pussy wooped
Her head game, it got you sprung
I'm taking all bets, through all sets I be a bookie
That have to be 10% off the top, fucking rookies.
(Chorus) (Sampled Eminem)
Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot
Mix them up in a pot, mix them up in a pot
Take some Big and some Pac and mix them up in a pot
Mix them up in a pot, what the fuck do you got?
(Fifty!)
Big an, Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot
Mix them up in a pot, mix them up in a pot
Its Big and some pac n you mix em up and you got, juggernaughts of this rap shit, like it or not
(50 Cent) (outro)
Fifty! (fifty!) Ohhhh! (Ohhh)
I wana bet y'all niggas, it ain't gone be
The old niggas like me!
Trust me, I came up hard! (came up hard!)
All you gotta do is go through my hood,
Southside, niggas like me all up and down there,
On the corners, in the penitentiary, they from southside
Yea, they ain't on the top of the charts
They don't know the formula, they ain't on the hot 500,
They like me!
(Sampled Eminem Chorus)
The lyrics to 50 Cent's song What Do You Got begin with a sampled chorus of Eminem discussing the idea of mixing two great rappers, Biggie Smalls and Tupac, into a single entity. The chorus says, "Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot, what the fuck do you got?" This idea sets the stage for 50 Cent's verse, which focuses on his gambling problem and his ability to bet on himself and come out on top.
As 50 Cent describes his gambling habit, he also references his own success in the rap industry. He talks about being "undefeated" and how people may doubt him but he knows he'll be number one again. He also references his home neighborhood in Queens, New York, where he came up hard and where people respect him even if they're not on the charts or on the radio.
The chorus reflects the idea that combining the best of two worlds can create a powerful force. In this case, mixing the styles of Biggie and Tupac could create a "juggernaut" of talent. Similarly, 50 Cent uses his own confidence and determination to bet on himself and make his own success.
Overall, What Do You Got is a bravado-filled song about 50 Cent's belief in himself and his success in the rap industry. By referencing two of the greatest rappers of all time, the song suggests that 50 Cent is on the same level and is poised to continue dominating the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot
Mixing the legendary Biggie and Pac together in a hypothetical concoction
Mix them up in a pot, mix them up in a pot
Emphasizing on the mixing process to create something new
Take some Big and some Pac and mix them up in a pot
Reiterating the combination being used for the hypothetical mix
Mix them up in a pot, what the fuck do you got?
Challenging the listener to guess the outcome of the mix
Big and, Big and some Pac and you mix them up in a pot
Expanding on the initial combination by including more of Big's influence
Mix them up in a pot, mix them up in a pot
Repeating the mixing process to create something new
Its Big and some pac n you mix em up and you got, juggernaughts of this rap shit, like it or not
Asserting that the combination results in an unbeatable force in the rap game
I got a gambling problem, I bet you niggas am a be back bustin but you won't notice me when that gat dumpin, you wana bet?
Introducing the concept of betting and using it as a metaphor for his return to music
I lost money when I bet on Roy, won money when I bet on Floyd, I'm the one that bet on war
Citing his previous betting experiences to show his track record in making smart gambling decisions
Undefeated, eyes roll like I'm weeded
Feeling confident in his abilities and comparing his focus to that of being high on weed
I Bet you niggas think I won't be number 1 again,
Addressing doubts people may have about his comeback
I read the stakes, you know why I put mo' on the line
Assessing the risks and putting in more effort and resources for greater rewards
Its showtime I ama goin for my mine, you can bet that,I bet that tecjam before that mac, I bet that dope go before that crack, I bet my money stack
Asserting his dedication to his craft and how he values his money and investments
I bet yo bitch wana roll with 50, I bet if I said I'm going to the hotel she'd go with me,
Bringing up his charisma and ability to attract women
I bet you really love her man you think she wouldn't come, she got your pussy wooped
Accusing someone of being whipped by their significant other
I'm taking all bets, through all sets I be a bookie
Affirming his status as the go-to person for bets and wagers
That have to be 10% off the top, fucking rookies.
Explaining the standard practice of taking a percentage as a fee for brokering bets and calling out inexperienced individuals
Fifty!
A signature phrase used to represent himself
Ohhhh!
An ad-lib typically used in hip hop music
I wana bet y'all niggas, it ain't gone be
Challenging others to bet against him and doubting their ability to win
The old niggas like me!
Emphasizing his status as a veteran in the rap game
Trust me, I came up hard!
Sharing his difficult upbringing and life experiences
All you gotta do is go through my hood, Southside, niggas like me all up and down there, On the corners, in the penitentiary, they from southside
Pointing out the prevalence of people like him in his hometown and how his upbringing made him who he is
Yea, they ain't on the top of the charts
Acknowledging that other artists from his community may not have mainstream success
They don't know the formula, they ain't on the hot 500, They like me!
Suggesting that these artists are on the same level as him in terms of skill and approach to music
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
good