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.
if Dead Men Can Talk
50 Cent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Son them niggas know who hit that nigga son
(I know, I know) they - how the fuck, we
Gon' know who hit him
And they don't know who hit him?
The hood talkin man, e'rybody know'!
(I know, it's fucked up)
Niggas try and lay me down wit heat
And if I should die though before I awake
I pray my Lord my soul to take
If dead men could talk in your sleep
Your homey told you who got him
Would you have the heart to shoot
The nigga that shot him? (Huh?)
Or would you start switchin up
You thinkin 'bout the penitentiary
And bitchin up?
What if he said money ain't everything
The hood raised us wrong
All jux'll get your money long
But look here I'm gone
Would that touch your heart? Have
You feelin funny inside?
Would that be enough to
Make your punk-ass ride?
What if he gave you a little
List of things to do?
Said he wouldn't have to die
He could live through you
Would you load the gats
And get ready ro ride
Or would you lock the door
At yo' crib and hide?
It's a cold world even when it's hot outside
Whether sunshine or rain, you still feel pain
Hit him cause he was your strength
Now you in a daze
Your homey turnin over in his
Grave cause you PUSSY!
"Y'all know who killed 'em
Filled up" - BIG repeat 3X
"Y'all know who killed 'em
Filled up with the lugers from
They Rugers or they Desert" (RIGHT'!)
Them boys smoked your homey
Ye ain't gon' do nuttin back?
Not even if he told you
You next to get clapped?
It don't take much for them shells
To make the best of you
Your peoples gon' probably cremate and
Burn the rest of you
You done did too much dirt to
Try and make it to heaven
Nigga is you down for this 1-8-7?
When you reach the pearly gates
How you gon' explain
You gon' try and tell God you've been framed?
Y'all did everything together
He was your dog
Now you Uptown coppin, and he in the morgue
Them niggas he gave packs to
They kept the cake
His sister and his baby momma talkin to Jake
(uh huh)
Niggas that rocked him, they came to the wake
But they ain't come inside
They sat out in the ride
At the funeral, homicide all in the business
Walkin 'round askin niggas to tell
'em who did it niggas is throwin blows now
You ready to rumble?
Thirsty niggas are animals
The hood is a jungle
Broke nigga'll body somethin over a bundle
Man a three-year-old kid in my hood
Know what a gun do
Sha Money, XL! Shadyville, teamwork, music
The lyrics of "If Dead Men Can Talk" by 50 Cent address the concept of loyalty and the consequences that come with it in the streets. The song talks about the aftermath of a murder and the dilemma it poses to those left behind. The narrative revolves around the idea of whether one would seek revenge for their fallen friend or try to stay safe and avoid getting involved in the violence themselves.
The opening lines set the scene, with 50 Cent expressing frustration in knowing who was responsible for the killing but having no way to bring them to justice. He then reflects on his own mortality, acknowledging the dangers he faces in his lifestyle. The chorus poses a thought-provoking question - if the deceased could communicate in their sleep and reveal their killer, would their friend have the courage to avenge them? It explores the complexities of loyalty, fear, and the moral dilemma one may face in such a situation.
The following verses delve deeper into the psychological impact of such a scenario. It questions whether money and material gain are worth the betrayal of a friend. It also suggests that the guilt and weight of one's actions may haunt them, as the deceased's spirit may live on through them. The lyrics emphasize the harsh realities of the streets and how questionable choices can lead to destruction and regret. Ultimately, it is a cautionary tale that highlights the brutal nature of the environment and the potential consequences of involvement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankbanks5734
Hold up
Son them niggas know who hit that nigga son (I know, I know)
They - how the fuck, we gon' know who hit him, and they don't know who hit him?
The hood talkin man, e'rybody know~! (I know, it's fucked up)
[Intro]
Now I lay thee down to sleep
Niggas try and lay me down wit heat
And if I should die though before I awake
I pray my Lord my soul to take
[50 Cent]
If dead men could talk in your sleep your homey told you who got him
Would you have the heart to shoot the nigga that shot him? (Huh?)
Or would you start switchin up
You thinkin 'bout the penitentiary and bitchin up?
What if he said money ain't everything, the hood raised us wrong
All jux'll get your money long but look here I'm gone
Would that touch your heart? Have you feelin funny inside?
Would that be enough to make your punk-ass ride?
What if he gave you a little list of things to do?
Said he wouldn't have to die, he could live through you
Would you load the gats, and get ready ro ride
Or would you lock the door at yo' crib and hide?
It's a cold world even when it's hot outside
Whether sunshine or rain, you still feel pain
Hit him cause he was your strength, now you in a daze
Your homey turnin over in his grave... cause you PUSSY!
[Hook: repeat 2X]
"Y'all know who killed 'em, filled up" - B.I.G. {*repeat 3X*}
"Y'all know who killed 'em, filled up with the lugers from they Rugers or they Desert"
(RIGHT~!!)
[50 Cent]
Them boys smoked your homey, ye ain't gon' do nuttin back?
Not even if he told you you next to get clapped?
It don't take much for them shells to make the best of you
Your peoples gon' probably cremate and burn the rest of you
You done did too much dirt to try and make it to heaven
Nigga is you down for this 1-8-7?
When you reach the pearly gates, how you gon' explain
You gon' try and tell God you've been framed?
Y'all did everything together, he was your dog
Now you Uptown coppin, and he in the morgue
Them niggas he gave packs to, they kept the cake
His sister and his baby momma talkin to Jake (uh-huh)
Niggas that rocked him, they came to the wake
But they ain't come inside, they sat out in the ride
At the funeral, homicide all in the business
Walkin 'round askin niggas to tell 'em who did it
Niggas is throwin blows now you ready to rumble?
Thirsty niggas are animals, the hood is a jungle
Broke nigga'll body somethin over a bundle
Man a three-year-old kid in my hood know what a gun do
[Hook] - repeat 'til 15 seconds left
[Outro]
Sha Money, XL!
Shadyville, teamwork, music
@sativaindica8819
This is the era where something vicious was and unexplainable was in the air
@kingsavage5832
Forreal bro..💯 We're listeners but felt the tension like a mf
@CookieMonster-1994
It was 50 Cent & G-Unit, DMX & Ruff Ryders, LOX, Dipset, and Murda Inc.
@kingsavage5832
@Cookie Monster Facts 💯 And don't forget State Property
@prettylaurynn
one of the greatest songs ever recorded 💯🔥
@donnaoriordan
Good album,some great tunes on here.
I have to say 50 is definitely in his prime during this era ☝💖👑🥰😘
@justingreen8219
Classic track. Plain and simple.
@frankbanks5734
Hold up
Son them niggas know who hit that nigga son (I know, I know)
They - how the fuck, we gon' know who hit him, and they don't know who hit him?
The hood talkin man, e'rybody know~! (I know, it's fucked up)
[Intro]
Now I lay thee down to sleep
Niggas try and lay me down wit heat
And if I should die though before I awake
I pray my Lord my soul to take
[50 Cent]
If dead men could talk in your sleep your homey told you who got him
Would you have the heart to shoot the nigga that shot him? (Huh?)
Or would you start switchin up
You thinkin 'bout the penitentiary and bitchin up?
What if he said money ain't everything, the hood raised us wrong
All jux'll get your money long but look here I'm gone
Would that touch your heart? Have you feelin funny inside?
Would that be enough to make your punk-ass ride?
What if he gave you a little list of things to do?
Said he wouldn't have to die, he could live through you
Would you load the gats, and get ready ro ride
Or would you lock the door at yo' crib and hide?
It's a cold world even when it's hot outside
Whether sunshine or rain, you still feel pain
Hit him cause he was your strength, now you in a daze
Your homey turnin over in his grave... cause you PUSSY!
[Hook: repeat 2X]
"Y'all know who killed 'em, filled up" - B.I.G. {*repeat 3X*}
"Y'all know who killed 'em, filled up with the lugers from they Rugers or they Desert"
(RIGHT~!!)
[50 Cent]
Them boys smoked your homey, ye ain't gon' do nuttin back?
Not even if he told you you next to get clapped?
It don't take much for them shells to make the best of you
Your peoples gon' probably cremate and burn the rest of you
You done did too much dirt to try and make it to heaven
Nigga is you down for this 1-8-7?
When you reach the pearly gates, how you gon' explain
You gon' try and tell God you've been framed?
Y'all did everything together, he was your dog
Now you Uptown coppin, and he in the morgue
Them niggas he gave packs to, they kept the cake
His sister and his baby momma talkin to Jake (uh-huh)
Niggas that rocked him, they came to the wake
But they ain't come inside, they sat out in the ride
At the funeral, homicide all in the business
Walkin 'round askin niggas to tell 'em who did it
Niggas is throwin blows now you ready to rumble?
Thirsty niggas are animals, the hood is a jungle
Broke nigga'll body somethin over a bundle
Man a three-year-old kid in my hood know what a gun do
[Hook] - repeat 'til 15 seconds left
[Outro]
Sha Money, XL!
Shadyville, teamwork, music
@jrcross6664
The beat is SICK. Already you heard
@kingplayboyslice
My era the best era🙏🏾🔥😩