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.
Why
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talk the talk and I walk the walk
Talk the talk and I walk the walk
Talk the talk and I walk the walk
No one helped me out with this rap shit
I bought my own features
Talking big business
My style is hypnotic, opinions are idiotic
Who I work with is iconic, it's ironic
My friends won't tell me that
My word play is psychotic
Our friendship is rocky, they think I'm cocky
I'm the new stock pick, this a biopic
Because I talk the talk and I walk the walk
She don't wanna blow my head up
She say that she fed up
Now I'm worth her energy?
Cuz that I got my bread up now she stalks me
To cock block me she think she can stop me?
No one can stop me i rep the LA
Respect the LBC make beats like Dr dre
Knocturnal is a G
We don't play in California
Bunch of snitches in DC cut your ACL in ATL
Shout out to Slim Gotti
Calling me cocky they calling me cocky
They calling me cocky they calling me cocky
Now nigga why you mad? Nigga why you mad?
Nigga why you mad? Nigga why you mad?
Oh, you can't do that?
RiP to the track nigga
RiP to the track nigga
RiP to the track nigga
RiP to the track nigga
Back, like I never left
And, when it hit the fan they never there
Your girl in the streets
Catch her everywhere
Hoes stop and stare when I
Come through he city
Middle finger up, run the town like Diddy
They say that I'm cocky, sorta like 50
Fingers they itchy they itching for the paper
I stunt when I can so I shine on them haters
I ball so hard that I got to be a player
I got to make sure I'm
Higher than the Himalayas
Because them niggas be watching they ain't
Trying to see me raise up
Why these niggas hate me this
The way I'm raised up
This the way I been holmes
This the way I live holmes
If you knew what I knew nigga I'd been gone
Better find you a team you
Can put the bench on
Calling me cocky they calling me cocky
They calling me cocky they calling me cocky
Now nigga why you mad? Nigga why you mad?
Nigga why you mad? Nigga why you mad?
Oh, you can't do that?
In the song "Why You Lookin'" by 50 Cent, the lyrics showcase the rapper's confidence and success in the music industry. He emphasizes that he has achieved his success on his own without any help. He bought his own features and talks about big business, while dismissing those who only focus on material possessions like sneakers.
50 Cent describes his style as hypnotic and criticizes those who have idiotic opinions about him. He highlights his collaborations with iconic figures in the industry, which he finds ironic considering the rocky nature of his friendships. Despite this, he asserts his stock as rising, comparing himself to a biopic character. The repetition of the phrase "Talk the talk and I walk the walk" reinforces his authenticity and ability to back up his words.
The second part of the song addresses a romantic relationship gone sour. He suggests that his newfound success and wealth have attracted the attention of someone who was previously uninterested. However, he is unimpressed by her sudden interest and sees her attempts to block his progress as futile. He boasts about his origins in LA and his respect for the LBC (Long Beach, California), as well as his ability to create beats like Dr. Dre.
In the chorus, 50 Cent responds to those who call him cocky by questioning why they are mad. He continues to assert his confident and assertive attitude, recognizing that his success raises envy from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Talk the talk and I walk the walk
I don't just talk, I also take action and deliver on my promises
No one helped me out with this rap shit
I achieved success in rap without any assistance from others
I bought my own features
I invested in my own collaborations and partnerships
Talking big business, you talking about sneakers
While you focus on trivial matters, I'm engaged in significant business ventures
My style is hypnotic, opinions are idiotic
My unique style captivates and inspires, while others' opinions are foolish
Who I work with is iconic, it's ironic
The people I collaborate with are legendary, which is unexpected and ironic
My friends won't tell me that
My friends won't be honest with me about my flaws or faults
My word play is psychotic
My wordplay is intense, creative, and extravagant
Our friendship is rocky, they think I'm cocky
Our relationship is turbulent because they perceive me as arrogant
I'm the new stock pick, this a biopic
I'm the rising star, the subject of a biographical film
Because I talk the talk and I walk the walk
My words align with my actions, proving my authenticity
She don't wanna blow my head up
She doesn't want to inflate my ego
She say that she fed up, now I'm worth her energy?
She claims to be tired of me, but now that I've achieved success, she wants to be a part of it?
Cuz that I got my bread up now she stalks me
Now that I've become wealthy, she obsessively pursues me
To cock block me she think she can stop me?
She tries to prevent me from pursuing romantic or sexual opportunities, but she can't hinder my progress
No one can stop me I rep the LA
Nobody can impede my success, I represent Los Angeles
Respect the LBC make beats like Dr. Dre
I have admiration for Long Beach, and I produce high-quality beats like Dr. Dre
Knocturnal is a G, we don't play in California
Knocturnal, a fellow artist, and I are respected individuals who don't engage in frivolous activities in California
Bunch of snitches in DC cut your ACL in ATL
There are many informants in Washington D.C., and in Atlanta, they will even harm you physically
Shout out to Slim Gotti
I give recognition to Slim Gotti
Calling me cocky, they calling me cocky
People refer to me as cocky, they label me as arrogant
Now nigga why you mad? Nigga why you mad?
Now why are you so upset? Why are you angry?
Oh, you can't do that?
Oh, you're incapable of achieving what I can do?
RiP to the track nigga
I'm about to dominate this track
Back, like I never left
I'm back in the scene, as if I never left
And when it hit the fan they never there
When things go wrong, they abandon me and are nowhere to be found
Your girl in the streets, catch her everywhere
Your girlfriend is out and about, you can find her anywhere
Hoes stop and stare when I come through the city
Women stop and gaze at me when I enter the city
Middle finger up, run the town like Diddy
I confidently assert my dominance, controlling the town like Diddy
They say that I'm cocky, sorta like 50
They claim that I'm arrogant, similar to how 50 Cent is perceived
Fingers they itchy, they itching for the paper
They are eager and craving for money
I stunt when I can so I shine on them haters
I show off and impress whenever I have the opportunity, making my haters envious
I ball so hard that I got to be a player
I'm so successful and influential that I must be considered a player
I got to make sure I'm higher than the Himalayas
I must ensure that I achieve great success, surpassing even the highest mountains
Because them niggas be watching, they ain't trying to see me raise up
Those individuals are observant, but they don't want to witness my ascent to success
Why these niggas hate me, this the way I'm raised up
Why do these people despise me? It's because of the way I was brought up
This the way I been holmes, this the way I live holmes
This is how I've always been, this is my lifestyle
If you knew what I knew, nigga I'd been gone
If you were aware of the knowledge and experiences I possess, you would understand why I've achieved success and moved on
Better find you a team you can put the bench on
You should find a group or crew that you can rely on and delegate your lesser tasks to
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TamImBlessed
I'm so addicted to this joint. The beat is incomparable, 50 Cent is always gonna be the most played artist in my music library
@DeathRowMakaveli
this is hypnotic
@Aenigmakil
My Pac-heads know 👊🏽
@mr.tonywilliams1236
Is this the original beat
@devonjohnson3768
@@DeathRowMakaveli p
@allenanfernee2118
50 cent has been my favorite rapper since I was 1 and he still is
@MrJES919
this beat is krazy he shouldve added two more verses to this and shouldve put it on a album
@Lavonteyt
Anyone still listens to this in 2022-2023?
@sunson1491
2024 fym
@AI4PrezLaughs
bullet proof was a sick game, the execution moves were the best thing about it