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.
When Death Becomes You
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The smoke of New York
Get up, come on
There's nowhere to run to when death becomes you
Some say your soul may burn in the flame
So front if you want to, but niggaz who murk you
Come to your tombstone and piss in your grave
You a rider right, that ride tonight
Nigga you gon' ride or you gon' die tonight
Nigga cock the steal, this is kill or be killed
Nigga shit is real in the field
What's the procedures nigga
When you got a hammer in your mouth?
When you laid down and cry?
When you stand up and die?
Like the man that I am, fire
Yes, yes, give 'em the whole thang
I'm a legend in the town, now
Since your all gangstered up lets get the fuck down
Big Bill dancin' I'm reppin for buck town
Nigga see me dummin' I'm comin', clutchin' the pound
Don't worry about my whereabouts
We air um out, clear um out, yes yes
The pressure's on now, you need to get your hammers up
Th-th-that's what's up
You too tough nigga, you dun rap it up
Brownsville, cl-cl-clap it up
Fif put in the call
We ready to brawl with everyone of you or, yes yes
There's nowhere to run to when death becomes you
Some say your soul may burn in the flame
So front if you want to, but niggaz who murk you
Come to your tombstone and piss in your grave
You a rider right, that ride tonight
Nigga you gon' ride or you gon' die tonight
Nigga cock the steal, this is kill or be killed
Nigga shit is real in the field
You got these young niggaz hollerin' murderer
Copper chops on my block like, blaka blaka blaka
Niggaz don't give a fuck
I seen a nigga shoot my momz
Right in front of my mother fuckin' face
See in the 'ville, ain't such a thing as a straight bullet
When your index finger on the trigger and you pull it
Slugs ain't never outta season
All you gotta do is give a mother fucker one reason
Blood stains on the ceilin'
Same place he stood, that's what they leave 'em
Don't black it out, lets just squeezin' off with your gun
'cause you gon' get your punk ass robbed with the young
You know the drill
I'ma give your ass three seconds to bounce
And you better not chark
One, fuck that, dumb bitch, rest in bliss
There's nowhere to run to when death becomes you
Some say your soul may burn in the flame
So front if you want to, but niggaz who murk you
Come to your tombstone and piss in your grave
You a rider right, that ride tonight
Nigga you gon' ride or you gon' die tonight
Nigga cock the steal, this is kill or be killed
Nigga shit is real in the field
In "When Death Becomes You," 50 Cent draws on his own experiences growing up in Queens, New York as he raps about the harsh reality of life in the streets. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and nihilism as he talks about death being inevitable and unpredictable. He suggests that even those who think they are tough or invincible will eventually face their own mortality.
The chorus sets the tone for the song, warning listeners that there is nowhere to hide when death arrives. It also hints at the idea that there may be consequences in the afterlife for a life of violence and crime. The lines "So front if you want to, but niggaz who murk you/ Come to your tombstone and piss in your grave" express a sense of disrespect and disregard for life that permeates throughout the song.
The verses describe a world where survival of the fittest is the only rule. The imagery of guns and violence is pervasive, and 50 Cent emphasizes the importance of being ready to defend oneself at all times. The lines "Nigga cock the steal, this is kill or be killed/ Nigga shit is real in the field" illustrate this point.
Overall, "When Death Becomes You" is a gritty and sobering depiction of life in the inner city. It reflects the harsh reality that many young men and women face every day and emphasizes the importance of being prepared for whatever may come.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, nigga
Acknowledging someone, possibly a fellow gang member, with an informal greeting
The smoke of New York
Referring to the gritty and dangerous atmosphere of the city
Get up, come on
Encouraging someone, possibly to take action related to gang activity
There's nowhere to run to when death becomes you
When someone is marked for death, they cannot escape their fate
Some say your soul may burn in the flame
Warning that there may be spiritual consequences for one's actions in the criminal underworld
So front if you want to, but niggaz who murk you
Acting tough won't save someone who is targeted for assassination
Come to your tombstone and piss in your grave
After murdering someone, the killer shows disrespect for them even in death
You a rider right, that ride tonight
Questioning someone's loyalty to the gang and challenging them to participate in violent activity
Nigga you gon' ride or you gon' die tonight
Implying that those who do not participate in violence will be seen as weak and possibly eliminated
Nigga cock the steal, this is kill or be killed
Indicating that a weapon should be readied because violence is inevitable
Nigga shit is real in the field
Reminding someone of the dangerous and deadly nature of life as a gang member
What's the procedures nigga
Asking about the protocol or plan for a violent situation
When you got a hammer in your mouth?
Asking how to respond when threatened with a gun
When you laid down and cry?
Questioning how someone will react when facing death
When you stand up and die?
Reflecting on the inevitability of death in violent situations
Like the man that I am, fire
Emphasizing bravery in the face of danger
Yes, yes, give 'em the whole thang
Urging someone to go all out and not hold back on their actions
I'm a legend in the town, now
Boasting about one's reputation and status within the gang
Since your all gangstered up lets get the fuck down
Inviting fellow gang members to engage in criminal activity
Big Bill dancin' I'm reppin for buck town
Celebrating a fellow gang member and showing loyalty to the gang's neighborhood
Nigga see me dummin' I'm comin', clutchin' the pound
Announcing one's readiness for violence by showing off a gun and being prepared to use it
Don't worry about my whereabouts
Assuring fellow gang members that one is present and ready to engage in criminal activity
We air um out, clear um out, yes yes
Suggesting that violence will be used to eliminate rivals or enemies of the gang
The pressure's on now, you need to get your hammers up
Emphasizing the urgency and readiness for violent action
Th-th-that's what's up
Expressing agreement and approval of the situation
You too tough nigga, you dun rap it up
Challenging someone who talks tough to prove their bravery through violent action
Brownsville, cl-cl-clap it up
Celebrating one's neighborhood and showing loyalty to it
Fif put in the call
Referring to the rapper 50 Cent and suggesting that he has ordered violent activity
We ready to brawl with everyone of you or, yes yes
Showing willingness to engage in conflict and boasting about the gang's readiness for violence
You got these young niggaz hollerin' murderer
Acknowledging that violent behavior is glorified among some within the gang community
Copper chops on my block like, blaka blaka blaka
Mimicking the sound of gunfire on one's neighborhood block
Niggaz don't give a fuck
Implying that members of the gang community are fearless and unconcerned with consequences
I seen a nigga shoot my momz
Reflecting on the personal tragedy and violence that can come with gang activity
Right in front of my mother fuckin' face
Emphasizing the graphic and traumatic nature of witnessing violence within one's own family
See in the 'ville, ain't such a thing as a straight bullet
Suggesting that gunfire is common and unpredictable in the gang's neighborhood
When your index finger on the trigger and you pull it
Preaching the idea that gun violence can occur easily and can impact many people
Slugs ain't never outta season
Emphasizing the constant danger of being struck by gunfire
All you gotta do is give a mother fucker one reason
Warning that violence can erupt at any time if someone feels provoked or threatened
Blood stains on the ceilin'
Describing the aftermath of violent conflict in graphic and disturbing terms
Same place he stood, that's what they leave 'em
Implying that someone who is targeted for assassination will be killed where they stand
Don't black it out, lets just squeezin' off with your gun
Recommending that one should not hesitate when using their gun in a violent situation
'cause you gon' get your punk ass robbed with the young
Warning that someone who is unwilling to engage in violence will be seen as weak and vulnerable
You know the drill
Reminding someone that they are familiar with and expected to follow protocol in violent situations
I'ma give your ass three seconds to bounce
Threatening someone to leave the area immediately or face violent consequences
And you better not chark
Warning that someone should not hesitate or act cowardly in a dangerous situation
One, fuck that, dumb bitch, rest in bliss
Counting down and then using vulgar language to insult and threaten someone
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LAMONT DOZIER, LAMONT HERBERT DOZIER, JAMAL GERARD GRINNAGE, BRIAN HOLLAND, EDWARD HOLLAND, EDWARD, JR. HOLLAND, CURTIS JACKSON, JR., ERIC MURRAY, A Fitts, Eric Murry, Jamal Grinnage, M Penntilla
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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