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.
Window Shopper-DaShadyBoard.com
50 Cent Lyrics
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The top feel so much better than the bottom
So much better
Ja you's a window shopper
Mad at me, I think I know why
Jada you's a window shopper
In the jewelry store lookin' at shit you can't buy
In the dealership tryin to get a test drive
Nas you's a window shopper
Mad as fuck when you see me ride by
Summertime, white Porsche Carrera is milky
I'm on the grind, let my paper stack but I'm filthy
It's funny how niggas get to screw-facin' at me
Anyhow they ain't got the heart to get at me
I'll get down, Southside's the hood that I come from
So I don't cruise through nobody 'hood without my gun
They know the kid ain't gon' for all that bullshit
Try and stick me, I'mma let off a full clip
It ain't my fault you done fucked up your re-up
At the dice game who told you put a G up?
Everybody mad when they paper don't stack right
But when I come around y'all niggas better act right
When we got the tops... down, you can hear the systems thump
Nigga when we rollin', rollin', rollin'
Shut ya block down, quick to put a hole in a chump
Nigga when we rollin', rollin', rollin'
Ja you's a window shopper
Mad at me, I think I know why
Jada you's a window shopper
In the jewelry store lookin' at shit you can't buy
Joe you's a window shopper
In the dealership tryin to get a test drive
Nas you's a window shopper
Mad as fuck when you see me ride by
Niggas love me in L.A. as soon as I pop in
They come to scoop me up at LAX and I hop in
Now when it comes to bad bitches you know I got them
Some from Long Beach, some from Watts and from Compton
You know a nigga wanna see how Cali girls freak off
After that five hour flight from New York
I start spittin G at a bitch like a pimp, mane
Tell her, "Meet me at the Mondrian so we can do our thang."
She can bring the lingerie with her, I sup-pose
Then we can go from fully dressed to just having no clothes
Then she can run and tell her best friend 'bout my sex game
Then her best friend could potentially be next, mane
Listen mane, shit...changed, I came up, I'm doin my thang
Homey I'm holdin', holdin', holdin'
Oh shit mane, the store owner watchin' you
Before somethin' get stolen, stolen, stolen
Ja you's a window shopper
Mad at me, I think I know why
Jada you's a window shopper
In the jewelry store lookin' at shit you can't buy
Joe you's a window shopper
In the dealership tryin to get a test drive
Nas you's a window shopper
Mad as fuck when you see me ride by
"Window Shopper" is 50 Cent's diss track to rappers who are envious of his success and financial status. The song is a commentary on the hypocrisy of those who shamelessly flaunt their taste for expensive jewelry and cars without the ability to afford them. The song's title “Window Shopper” is derived from the term that refers to a person who looks at merchandise in store windows but cannot afford to buy them.
The song not only criticizes other rappers but also praises 50 Cent’s own lifestyle. He calls out Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, and Nas, famous rappers from the early 2000s, as window shoppers for looking at expensive items that they are unable to afford. 50 Cent boasts about his cars, his money and the fear he evokes by simply driving through the wrong neighborhood without his gun.
Line by Line Meaning
The top feel so much better than the bottom
Being at the top of the game feels much better than being at the bottom.
Ja you's a window shopper
Ja Rule, you're just looking but can't afford to buy anything.
Mad at me, I think I know why
You're angry with me because I have more than you do.
Jada you's a window shopper
Jadakiss, you're also just looking but can't afford to buy anything.
In the jewelry store lookin' at shit you can't buy
You're looking at jewelry that's too expensive for you to purchase.
Joe you's a window shopper
Joe, you're trying to test drive cars at the dealership but don't have the money to buy any.
In the dealership tryin' to get a test drive
You're attempting to test drive cars at the dealership.
Nas you's a window shopper
Nas, you're also just looking but can't afford to buy anything.
Mad as fuck when you see me ride by
You're extremely angry when you see me driving by in my expensive car.
Summertime, white Porsche Carrera is milky
In the summertime, my white Porsche Carrera is shiny and slick.
I'm on the grind, let my paper stack but I'm filthy
I'm working hard to accumulate money and become wealthy.
It's funny how niggas get to screw-facin' at me
It's amusing how people get jealous and envious of me.
Anyhow they ain't got the heart to get at me
Despite their jealousy, they don't have the courage to confront me.
I'll get down, Southside's the hood that I come from
I'm not afraid to get violent since I come from the dangerous Southside neighborhood.
So I don't cruise through nobody 'hood without my gun
I always have my gun with me when driving through any neighborhood.
They know the kid ain't gon' for all that bullshit
People know I won't put up with any nonsense or drama.
Try and stick me, I'mma let off a full clip
If someone tries to rob or attack me, I'm prepared to use my gun to defend myself.
It ain't my fault you done fucked up your re-up
It's not my fault if you messed up your own drug deal and lost money.
At the dice game who told you put a G up?
Why did you put a thousand dollars at risk in a gambling game?
Everybody mad when they paper don't stack right
Everyone gets upset when they don't have enough money.
But when I come around y'all niggas better act right
However, when I'm present, everyone should behave respectfully and properly.
When we got the tops down, you can hear the systems thump
With the convertible top down, you can hear the powerful sound system in my car.
Nigga when we rollin', rollin', rollin'
When we're driving around, we're really on the move.
Shut ya block down, quick to put a hole in a chump
If someone tries to stop us, we're prepared to use violence to continue driving.
Niggas love me in L.A. as soon as I pop in
People in Los Angeles are immediately excited when I arrive.
They come to scoop me up at LAX and I hop in
Friends or fans pick me up at the airport and I quickly get in their car.
Now when it comes to bad bitches you know I got them
I have access to many attractive women.
Some from Long Beach, some from Watts and from Compton
These women come from various neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
You know a nigga wanna see how Cali girls freak off
I'm interested in seeing how California girls party and engage in sexual activities.
After that five hour flight from New York
After flying for hours from New York City.
I start spittin' G at a bitch like a pimp, mane
I start chatting up a girl in a suave and seductive manner, like a pimp would do.
Tell her, 'Meet me at the Mondrian so we can do our thang.'
I ask her to come meet me at the Mondrian Hotel so we can engage in sexual activities.
She can bring the lingerie with her, I sup-pose
Perhaps she can bring lingerie with her for our activities.
Then we can go from fully dressed to just having no clothes
We can quickly go from wearing clothes to being naked.
Then she can run and tell her best friend 'bout my sex game
Afterward, she can talk to her best friend about how good I am in bed.
Then her best friend could potentially be next, mane
Her best friend might then be interested in having sex with me.
Listen mane, shit...changed, I came up, I'm doin' my thang
Hey man, things have changed for me and I'm doing well and enjoying my success.
Homey I'm holdin', holdin', holdin'
I have a lot of money and I'm holding onto it with pride.
Oh shit mane, the store owner watchin' you
Uh-oh man, the store owner is watching you suspiciously.
Before somethin' get stolen, stolen, stolen
Before you steal anything and get into trouble.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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