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.
You A Shooter
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What the fuck you lookin' at, shorty?
You don't want it, lil' nigga
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
You niggaz ain't nuttin' but clown killers, for real
I'm down with the Unit, for the Gorillas, for real
Go bananas if you want, ooh, ooh, you gettin' peeled
Y'all shoot for the shoot, we do this for real
Clap me's a motherfucker, make more mil's
Cash me a check, cop more wheels
Shorty, you a bad bitch, a good ass steel
Now, up upon this dillz an' smeared that lip gloss
Me an' P share bitches like we switch Porsche
My hammer navigate beef, Hummer don't get lost
Boy, that Desert Eagle have that whole shit ripped off
Yeah, we get that gwop 'cause we make shit that pop
Heavy rotation, your shit flop
Won't stop 'til we get to that top
If the gun too far then you will get oxed
Y'all niggaz ain't real, y'all just talk a lot
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
If you a killer then kill somethin', you talkin' all day
Frontin', killin' nuttin', you niggaz is real gay
See me shinin', mad diamonds, now what can I say
I'm a mega star, never thought it'd be this way
Niggaz fightin' for the bottom, I feel your pain
I'm at the top an' I'm never comin' back again
Except for when I come to scoop lil' shorty good brains
Out the hood, you see me in yo' hood, don't play
I open up yo' head an' expose yo' brain
It's not a joke or a game an' I ain't tryin' to advance
My rap lines, please believe what I say
I'm a Mobb nigga, nigga, I do this all day
Hit the weed, hit the gas on the Lamb' to skate
See me comin' through the club, get out of my way
You don't know me, man, get out of my face
'Fore I flip, no shit, you niggaz get sprayed
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
The main theme of 50 Cent's (Ft. Mobb Deep) song You A Shooter is about being a shooter and doing what you do best without any fear. The lyrics are a mixture of braggadocio and menace, with 50 and Mobb Deep asserting their dominance over others. They talk about shooting and killing as if it's an everyday occurrence and not something to be afraid of. They refer to their weapons as "Nina" and talk about how they can make them go bang. They also touch upon their success, the haters they have to deal with, and how they don't waste time talking and fronting but actually do what they say.
The song's chorus emphasizes the message of being a shooter: "You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang. If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang. Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne. I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'." The rap verses are full of violent imagery and aggressive language, with lines like "Clap me's a motherfucker, make more mil's. Cash me a check, cop more wheels."
In essence, the lyrics of You A Shooter portray the tough-guy image that is often associated with the hip-hop genre. It is a song about fearlessness and power, where 50 and Mobb Deep assert their dominance over others with their words and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, oh, yeah
An intro to the song.
What the fuck you lookin' at, shorty?
Questioning someone's stare down.
You don't want it, lil' nigga
Challenging someone's motives.
You'se a shooter then shoot, nigga, I'm doin' my thang
Asserting that actions speak louder than words.
If you seen a, my nina, you seen it go bang
Indicating the power of their weapon.
Just like they do in your hood, they do it in mines, mayne
Referring to the similar gang violence in different neighborhoods.
I put a hole in a nigga, I ain't motherfuckin' playin'
Stating that violence is not to be taken lightly.
You niggaz ain't nuttin' but clown killers, for real
Calling out fake gangsters.
I'm down with the Unit, for the Gorillas, for real
Proudly representing their gang affiliation.
Go bananas if you want, ooh, ooh, you gettin' peeled
Threatening those who try to act tough.
Y'all shoot for the shoot, we do this for real
Claiming that their gang activity is not for show.
Clap me's a motherfucker, make more mil's
Suggesting that successful gang activity is profitable.
Cash me a check, cop more wheels
Boasting about their material possessions acquired through crime.
Shorty, you a bad bitch, a good ass steel
Praising a female partner for her weapon skills.
Now, up upon this dillz an' smeared that lip gloss
Making a sexual reference about a female partner.
Me an' P share bitches like we switch Porsche
Boasting about their sexual and material conquests.
My hammer navigate beef, Hummer don't get lost
Comparing their weapon to a way of finding direction.
Boy, that Desert Eagle have that whole shit ripped off
Claiming the power of their weapon to cause destruction.
Yeah, we get that gwop 'cause we make shit that pop
Suggesting that their gang activity is profitable due to their violent reputation.
Heavy rotation, your shit flop
Indicating their success compared to others in the rap industry.
Won't stop 'til we get to that top
Declaring their ambition for success.
If the gun too far then you will get oxed
Threatening those who are not prepared or afraid to use a weapon.
Y'all niggaz ain't real, y'all just talk a lot
Again calling out fake gangsters who only talk about their violent intentions.
If you a killer then kill somethin', you talkin' all day
Encouraging those who claim to be killers to actually take action.
Frontin', killin' nuttin', you niggaz is real gay
Insulting those who are not true to their violent intentions.
See me shinin', mad diamonds, now what can I say
Boasting about their material success.
I'm a mega star, never thought it'd be this way
Acknowledging their surprise at their success in the rap industry.
Niggaz fightin' for the bottom, I feel your pain
Understanding the struggle and competition in the rap industry.
I'm at the top an' I'm never comin' back again
Declaring their success and lack of desire to return to a lower position.
Except for when I come to scoop lil' shorty good brains
Making a sexual reference about a female partner again.
Out the hood, you see me in yo' hood, don't play
Making a claim that they can access any neighborhood and not be afraid.
I open up yo' head an' expose yo' brain
Threatening physical harm to anyone who crosses them.
It's not a joke or a game an' I ain't tryin' to advance
Stressing the seriousness of their actions and intentions.
My rap lines, please believe what I say
Asserting the truthfulness of their violent lyrics.
I'm a Mobb nigga, nigga, I do this all day
Identifying as a member of Mobb Deep and bragging about their violent lifestyle.
Hit the weed, hit the gas on the Lamb' to skate
Describing their preferred methods of relaxation and transportation.
See me comin' through the club, get out of my way
Demanding respect and space in social situations.
You don't know me, man, get out of my face
Rejecting interactions with those who do not support them or their lifestyle.
'Fore I flip, no shit, you niggaz get sprayed
Threatening violence if their demands are not met.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL J. CLERVOIX, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON, ALBERT JOHNSON, KEJUAN WALIEK MUCHITA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ahmed El Sayed
on If I Can't
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