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.
Who U Rep With
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had talked to the rich ones who flash and floss
pour some liquors out to my dogs trapped up north
reminisce on the deceased who no longer exsist
only wishin we could bring em back with songls like this
old flicks of us chillin with the old time cliques
hold the nine start some death not our lives we risk
how it used to be, early morn pumpin in shifts
they handcuffed me, they knew my government and alias
various calls were made up for awarin us
the deeds in the marked vans and cabs in our land
hood rats get stabbed by niggas who forty
turnin out young ladies and makin athourity(?)
got em coked out
the hood is bugged out thug babies
famous in they strollers
before they walked they knew the hood talk
its in the air of New York
so everybody would pick em up, kissin em up
treatin em like they own, in this hood we call home
fist fight till we grown, then these guns come out
cirlce of life, its kinda deep how we turn out
(50 Cent)
(chorus)
Ay yo them niggas that wanted beef before don't want no beef no more
now that they know who i rep with (QB nigga)
who i rep with (QB nigga)
yo them niggas that wanted beef before don't want no beef no more
now that they know who i rep with (QB nigga)
who i rep with (QB nigga)
(50 Cent)
Y'all niggas better sober up before you speek to me don't come at me high
last rapper that raised his voice at me got jacked in the eye
now if i say i'm gonna get ya i'ma get ya on the strip in the infinite
at long range i can hit ya
you find out them niggas that witchya ain't even witchya
after the gem start splittin you need an md to stitch ya
peep how i use words to paint pictures
peep how i got niggas with bodies askin me for 10 cent to go hit ya
look my name up in the law book: Curtis Jackson
known for creatin action, by rapidly clappin
nigga i stay strapped, so much i nick-name gats
got a teh i call Tina/
a nine i name Nina
two niggas went to see a loft an they seen her
this QB shit bout to take me to the next level
next crib, next benz, next bitch, next bezzle
its that real
(chorus)
(Bravehearts)
Ay yo who the fuck wanna war?
i gotta four-four penetrate y'all niggas jaw
you see me thugged out, iced out, gettin style
hopin out the range with the gun out
smack your man down you ran off
i was gonna hit em with two, left some for you
i put four, QB rugged and raw
i got sumthin for the rap cats
fish tailed back gats
scope with a beam on it
loaded put your cream on it
shine on scheme on it
i make em dream about it for ever
whatever whatever
get gullied, shots through your leather and cloth
when you scurry off, wake y'all clowns up
yo hollow tips will fight yo jacket
i don't give a fuck who you be
millennium thug, now who the fuck wanted beef?
I master the art
of slap boxin niggas in the dark
QB's big man horse of the braveheart
i'm the sasquatch of rap
collector of gats
test the macs on your bullet proof vests and hats
how bout that
guns bust off i bust back
when trucks backfire i bust back
how bout that?
stomp a mutha fuckin rib out your back
y'all niggas ain't gansta rap
your clique like josie and the pussy cats
when we come around the front stop
y'all can't fuck around you'll get dropped
when guns pop, whos tellin?
twin barrel nines wavin and yellin
QB nigga what?
two time fellon
straight for the mellon, straight for the dome
send a nigga back, get the shells, go straight home
never slip, my ill will to survive is so deep
can't sleep cause of the death, makes me week
pullin triggers at my shadows
bravehearts pop up
Wheres Jungle and Horse shot yo block up
(chorus)
The lyrics of the song "Who U Rep With" by 50 Cent featuring Nas and Bravehearts portray the life and experiences of the rappers growing up in Queensbridge (QB), a complex of public housing projects in Queens, New York City. Nas reminisces about his friends trapped up north and deceased but only wishes to bring them back with lyrics like this. He remembers old flicks of them chilling with the old time cliques, holding a nine while knowing how their lives were at risk. Meanwhile, Bravehearts talk about the thug life in QB and express their willingness to defend themselves and protect their turf with their guns. They call themselves "QB rugged and raw" and ask who the fuck wants to war with them. They also describe how they're the Sasquatch of rap, the collector of guns, and they love to test their firearms on bulletproof vests and hats.
50 Cent's lyrics talk about how he's perceived in the streets and how he deals with his haters. He warns them to sober up before speaking to him, as he doesn't entertain disrespect. He narrates how he shoots his enemies at long range, and even the people who he thought were with him can turn against him when the chips are down. He boasts about his name being in the law book and his reputation for creating action by rapidly clapping. He is confident in his ability to defend himself, to the point that he nicknames his guns Tina and Nina. He's determined to take his QB shit to the next level and become more successful in life.
Overall, the song depicts the harsh realities of growing up in a poor neighborhood with gang violence, drugs, and crime. The rappers describe how they're forced to protect themselves and how their environment shapes them into the people they've become.
Line by Line Meaning
Had talked to the rich ones who flash and floss
Nas converses with wealthy individuals who flaunt their riches
pour some liquors out to my dogs trapped up north
Nas commemorates the deceased friends he has lost
reminisce on the deceased who no longer exist
Nas recalls the memories of his fallen friends
only wishin we could bring em back with songls like this
Nas expresses his desire to bring his deceased friends back with music
old flicks of us chillin with the old time cliques
Nas remembers the old times and hanging out with his old crew
hold the nine start some death not our lives we risk
Nas remembers the risk they took during their dangerous activities
how it used to be, early morn pumpin in shifts
Nas reminisces about his past activities with his crew
jakes with pale faces and the night is the scariest
Nas recalls the fear they had of the police
they handcuffed me, they knew my government and alias
Nas remembers being arrested by the police who knew his real name and his street name
various calls were made up for awarin us
Nas and his crew received prior warning of police raids
the deeds in the marked vans and cabs in our land
Nas remembers police busts that he and his crew had to avoid
hood rats get stabbed by niggas who forty
Nas refers to the violence and danger in his neighborhood and how young girls sometimes fall victim to it
turnin out young ladies and makin athourity
Nas observes how young girls in his neighborhood lose their innocence to men who hold authority or power
got em coked out
Nas reflects on how drugs and addiction are prevalent in his community
the hood is bugged out thug babies
Nas refers to the fact that babies in his neighborhood will grow up to become thugs
famous in they strollers
Nas comments on the fact that even babies in the hood are known for their toughness and reputation
before they walked they knew the hood talk
Nas observes how young children in the hood are exposed to the street life every day
its in the air of New York
Nas states that the street life is part of the city's culture
so everybody would pick em up, kissin em up
Even though babies in the hood had tough reputations, everyone still fawned over them and treated them kindly
treatin em like they own, in this hood we call home
The hood is a place where everyone takes care of the children, regardless of whose they are
fist fight till we grown, then these guns come out
Nas notes how fighting with fists turned into fighting with weapons as they grew older
cirlce of life, its kinda deep how we turn out
Nas reflects on how they end up in the same cycle of violence as their predecessors
Y'all niggas better sober up before you speek to me don't come at me high
50 Cent warns others to be sober when approaching him
last rapper that raised his voice at me got jacked in the eye
50 Cent warns others of the consequences of disrespecting him
now if i say i'm gonna get ya i'ma get ya on the strip in the infinite
50 Cent declares his power and influence in the hood
at long range i can hit ya
50 Cent is capable of attacking from a distance
you find out them niggas that witchya ain't even witchya
50 Cent notes that some people who claim to be your friends are actually your enemies
after the gem start splittin you need an md to stitch ya
50 Cent describes the damage he can inflict with his weapons
peep how i use words to paint pictures
50 Cent highlights his rhyming prowess and his ability to tell vivid stories
peep how i got niggas with bodies askin me for 10 cent to go hit ya
50 Cent brags about his ability to make others do his bidding, even those with violent pasts
known for creatin action, by rapidly clappin
50 Cent declares his reputation as a violent action maker
nigga i stay strapped, so much i nick-name gats
50 Cent brags about always being armed with weapons
got a teh i call Tina, a nine i name Nina
50 Cent personifies his weapons and gives them names
two niggas went to see a loft an they seen her
50 Cent refers to an incident where two men saw his weapon before they saw him in a hiding place
this QB shit bout to take me to the next level
50 Cent predicts his success and growth as an artist
next crib, next benz, next bitch, next bezzle
50 Cent brags about the tangible possessions he is set to acquire
Ay yo who the fuck wanna war?
The Bravehearts challenge any willing opponents
i gotta four-four penetrate y'all niggas jaw
The Bravehearts are armed and claim to be able to inflict violence upon their enemies
you see me thugged out, iced out, gettin style
The Bravehearts claim to be stylish and feared
hopin out the range with the gun out smack your man down you ran off
The Bravehearts describe their violent and aggressive behavior
when we come around the front stop y'all can't fuck around you'll get dropped
The Bravehearts describe the fear they instill in others
when guns pop, who's tellin? twin barrel nines wavin and yellin
The Bravehearts describe the chaos they can create with their weapons
QB nigga what? two time fellon, straight for the mellon, straight for the dome
The Bravehearts declare their affiliation with Queensbridge, and their dangerous and violent behavior
send a nigga back, get the shells, go straight home never slip, my ill will to survive is so deep
The Bravehearts describe their willingness to do whatever it takes to survive in their environment
can't sleep cause of the death, makes me week
The Bravehearts reflect on how the fear and danger in their environment affect them
pullin triggers at my shadows bravehearts pop up Wheres Jungle and Horse shot yo block up
The Bravehearts describe their tendencies to react violently at any moment, and the destruction they can cause
Contributed by Molly Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel DeVito
Guess Who's Back and Power Of The Dollar are 2 of the most slept in albums ever
blgdinger3
I'm a longtime fan of 50... and I'm just now discovering both those releases. Absolutely dope
Russ Radoncicx
One of the hardest beats n tracks of all time
Australium
Nas’ verse and the beat sounded sad
Gianni Bleya
@Australium almost pushes me into a mental breakdown
Lamaar Porter
Facts
Kev'Sia KonGo
@Australium 1111111111111111111111111
Prada Bwah LaFlare
Shit 2grimey
Gabriel H!
LONG LIVE 50CENT!!!🕸🕸🕸🔫🕷
Joseph Velasquez
coming up nobody could touch 50 he dropped fire after fire after fire every track and mixtape was better than the previous