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 Jayβs music. After heβd 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 Centβs 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 βGet Rich Or Die Tryinββ 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 Tryinβ 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 You Hear That
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you hear that (gun cocking)
Nigga, it's on
When you hear that (gun cocking)
You better be gone
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
Nigga, it's on
When you hear that (gun cocking)
You better be gone
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
You say you a shooter nobody believes you
I don't say I'm a shooter I
Just shoot if I need to gat bust
Adrenaline rush high off dust
Rap tycoon mossberg boom
Nigga hold that where the hoes at
I come through ya hood bumpin' Bobby Womack
Old school, new school nigga, don't move
I run up right behind your ass
Letting off the tool nigga, what?
When you hear that (gun cocking)
Nigga, it's on
When you hear that (gun cocking)
You better be gone
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
When you hear that (gun cocking)
Nigga, it's on
When you hear that (gun cocking)
You better be gone
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
Yeah, nigga you heard 50, nigga
You know what time it is
The Talk of New York
I'm like a Mexican drug mule
- my cash come quicker
I'm sittin' on bricks like a Columbian nigga
Movin' coke - a lot of that white shit
On the Amtrak
Comin' back with this dyke chick
And this white bitch
Man I just caught a nice flip
Chi-Chi get that Yayo homie toss that brick
They lovin' my product
They fiendin' to buy it
Man, I got these fiends gettin'
Skinny like Bohemian Diets
Po-Po they creep pass man, I peep task
They lookin' at my face cause
I shoot like Steve Nash
The Llama in the truck baby mama baggin' up
Got Bonita in the cut
So these fiends callin' up
When you hear that (gun cocking)
Nigga, it's on
When you hear that (gun cocking)
You better be gone
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
When you hear that (gun cocking)
Nigga, it's on
When you hear that (gun cocking)
You better be gone
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
You hear that boy, Yayo ah, man
It's crazy
You just 'gon give 'em that for free?
Ah, man i'm puttin' this shit out man
Tony Yayo man 2nd quarter
AH!
The lyrics to "When You Hear That!" by 50 Cent (Feat. Tony Yayo) depict a gritty and dangerous lifestyle where guns play a prominent role. The song opens with the sound of a gun cocking, immediately setting a tense and threatening atmosphere. The repeated phrase "When you hear that, nigga, it's on" serves as a warning to anyone who might encounter 50 Cent or Tony Yayo armed and ready. The lyrics convey a sense of power and confidence, suggesting that these artists are not to be underestimated or taken lightly.
The verses touch on themes of violence and bravado. 50 Cent challenges anyone who doubts his shooting abilities, stating that he will shoot when necessary. He describes the adrenaline rush and the intoxication of power that comes with wielding a gun. The references to holding a Mossberg shotgun and running up behind someone to shoot illustrate a no-nonsense approach to conflict. The lyrics also touch on street life and drug dealing, mentioning moving cocaine and making profitable deals.
Overall, "When You Hear That!" showcases a world characterized by violence, danger, and a sense of invincibility. It presents a picture of individuals who are unafraid to use firearms and who command respect through their actions and reputation.
Line by Line Meaning
You want some of this?
Are you looking for trouble?
When you hear that (gun cocking)
When you hear the sound of a gun being cocked
Nigga, it's on
It means trouble is about to start
You better be gone
You should leave the area to avoid danger
It could be in the late night or in the morn'
This can happen at any time, whether it's night or morning
Shells will bend your ass up - word is born
Bullets will cause serious harm to you, I guarantee it
You say you a shooter nobody believes you
When you claim to be a shooter, no one believes you
I don't say I'm a shooter I
I don't boast about being a shooter, but
Just shoot if I need to gat bust
I only shoot when necessary, guns blazing
Adrenaline rush high off dust
The adrenaline rush I experience is intense, fueled by drugs
Rap tycoon mossberg boom
I'm a successful rapper, armed with a powerful shotgun
Nigga hold that where the hoes at
Hold that gun tight and keep it close, especially when women are around
I come through ya hood bumpin' Bobby Womack
I drive through your neighborhood playing music by Bobby Womack
Old school, new school nigga, don't move
I represent both the old and new generations, and you better not make a move
I run up right behind your ass
I approach you from behind quickly and aggressively
Letting off the tool nigga, what?
I fire my gun, releasing bullets, what's your reaction?
Yeah, nigga you heard 50, nigga
Yes, you've heard of me, 50 Cent
You know what time it is
You know what kind of situation we're in
I'm like a Mexican drug mule
I operate like a Mexican drug smuggler
- my cash come quicker
I make money quickly
I'm sittin' on bricks like a Columbian nigga
I have a large quantity of drugs, similar to a Colombian drug dealer
Movin' coke - a lot of that white shit
I am involved in drug trafficking, specifically cocaine
On the Amtrak
I transport drugs on the Amtrak train
Comin' back with this dyke chick
Returning with a lesbian woman
And this white bitch
And a white woman
Man I just caught a nice flip
I just made a large profit
Chi-Chi get that Yayo homie toss that brick
My friend Chi-Chi, get the cocaine and throw it
They lovin' my product
People really enjoy the drugs I sell
They fiendin' to buy it
They are desperately wanting to purchase it
Man, I got these fiends gettin'
I have these drug addicts becoming
Skinny like Bohemian Diets
Extremely thin due to their addiction, like diets of Bohemian people
Po-Po they creep pass man, I peep task
The police patrol nearby, but I carefully observe their movements
They lookin' at my face cause
They are suspicious and examining my appearance because
I shoot like Steve Nash
I shoot with great accuracy, similar to Steve Nash's basketball skills
The Llama in the truck baby mama baggin' up
In the vehicle, a mother is preparing drugs for sale
Got Bonita in the cut
I have Bonita, likely a drug accomplice, waiting nearby
So these fiends callin' up
These drug addicts are calling to request more drugs
Ah, man i'm puttin' this shit out man
Oh man, I'm releasing this song
Tony Yayo man 2nd quarter
It's Tony Yayo's track, coming in the second quarter of the year
AH!
Expressing excitement or aggression
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Marvin Bernard, Curtis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Red Ranger
These g unit mixtapes were craaaacckkkk
Black Mask
*Are Crack
thaistomp
@Black Mask fax
βπβπ πβπΎππ
Mixtape π
Micah B.
I remember "The Massacre" leaking and it was actually this mixtape. Was pleasantly surprised, and I still bump these joints
Jonathan Enriquez
I used to have this mixtape back in 6 grade π₯π₯π₯
Ducky Hines
50 killed this shit
Kervin Edouard
This is Kanan the character rapping flow !π―π¦π§¨
J M
Back at the top of 2005. I was waiting for the massacre album and asked my friend to see if he can download it for me early if its out, and he got the this mixtape which I was more than pleased with, along with a couple of leaks if I remember correctly. I even added 2050 to the end of my email address for msn rather than 2005. I was in Year 11 the last year of high school thinking I was hot shit and most people thought id typo'd my email addy smh haha.
Clive Clivington
cd changed a lot in 05', the yayo tape after this one was good too