G-Unit was founded shortly after 50 Cent left Columbia Records. The original members were: 50 Cent, Bang Em Smurf, Domination, Lloyd Banks, Sha Money XL & Tony Yayo. These rappers collectively established the group as a whole in 2000; however, after Yayo got a prison sentence 50 Cent signed Young Buck and along with himself and Banks became the three faces of G-Unit. Smurf and Domination left the group due to some problems with the General, 50 Cent.
After being shot, 50 Cent signed to Interscope Records. Due to the success of his commercial debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', he was granted his own record label. This was when 50 and Sha Money XL founded G-Unit Records.
The group continued to work hard and released several mixtape series which earned them a lot of attention in the rap industry. The most prominent of these being 50 Cent Is the Future, God's Plan, No Mercy, No Fear and Automatic Gunfire. G-Unit have also started a mixtape series with their DJ, DJ Whoo Kid, called G-Unit Radio.
These mixtapes gave them a gigantic buzz throughout New York City, which eventually led to 50's first solo album Get Rich or Die Tryin' selling over 12 million copies.
Before the group had a chance to record its debut album, Tony Yayo was sentenced to prison for a gun-possession charge as well as bail-jumping. During Tony Yayo's prison sentence, the group signed Nashville rapper, Young Buck. They continued their activity, working on yet more mixtape recordings. In particular, their 'G-Unit Remix' to 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P." was successful.
During Tony Yayo's prison sentence, G-Unit recorded their debut album, Beg for Mercy. The album was quickly released on November 14, 2003 to combat bootlegging and had significant commercial success. Tony Yayo made only two appearances on the album, both on songs that were recorded before his arrest. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts and sold over 4 million units.
50 Cent later went on to sign The Game, Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Olivia, Spider Loc andMase. The Game was asked to be put in the group by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. 50 Cent agreed, and gave 7 of his records which was supposed to go on his second LP The Massacre. After The Game went on the radio and said that he had no problems with some rappers 50 Cent had issues with, 50 felt that Game was disloyal and kicked him out of the group, which lead to the infamous G-Unit vs. The Game/Black Wallstreet meet and beat off.
Casualties Of War
G-Unit Lyrics
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I let you breathe, now you're dead
there's no war without casualties
End up in a wake when you fuck with me
You got beef with my man, you got beef with me
I got this semi on me motherfucker, you'll see
Devil ?round the corner
Is that my dawg that slapped that cat?
Now how did the chicken give birth to a rat?
Now how did the rat learn to sing like a bird?
His pops is a OG, this is absurd
My gun game right, my knife game right
Fuck around, I?ll get right in broad daylight
Spin the barrel on a nigga, pin the tail on the donkey
It?s a zoo out this, bitch, I put a hole in the monkey
Got the gemstars to rip 'em, hundred shots to clip 'em
Body bags to zip ?em and we don't know a thing
You hit, nigga you trippin?, you think it?s over you're trippin?
Reload, slap the clip in bang, bang, strapped
there's no war without casualties
End up in a wake when you fuck with me
You got beef with my man, you got beef with me
I got this semi on me motherfucker, you'll see
Devil ?round the corner
Uh, I drink like a uncle, smoke like a Rasta
Ball like a superstar, talk like a boxer
Fuck like a rabbit, shit like a dinosaur
See you like a sniper, lil? nigga eve?why night is war
Drive like a Lambo, stunt like I'm out of town
Strapped like commando, be A N K dollar sign
Give everythin? up, I won't change like the other, nope
Switch overnight I can't, I?ma side his camp
I'm 'bout a dollar boy and dollar bills'll kill
Kill that bullshit, I'm famous but I'm ridin? with the steel
Will throw it all away, I see you later today
You'll see I'm fadin? away, that's all I'm able to say
there's no war without casualties
End up in a wake when you fuck with me
You got beef with my man, you got beef with me
I got this semi on me motherfucker, you'll see
Devil ?round the corner
Yeah, it?s the enforcer Yayo
We can do it in broad daylight
In front of the White House for all I care
I?ll blow your heart out your body sucker
Then jump in the Aston blastin?, burnin? rubber
Black ski mask, the Aston tinted
Ditch the gun, burn the car ?cause my DNA in it
Next day it's the GT, stunt off of a G.P.
Fist full of stones, fingers glowin? like E.T.
Fake O.G., O.G. Bobby Jones
Do your son like J-Rock, Mausberg pumpin?
I'm stuntin?, focus like a digital camera
Got that P-95 with that invisible hammer
Nigga who you tryin? to ride on, I'm a icon
Heart made of steel, balls made of iron
there's no war without casualties
End up in a wake when you fuck with me
You got beef with my man, you got beef with me
I got this semi on me motherfucker, you'll see
Devil ?round the corner
Devil ?round the corner
The lyrics of "Casualties Of War" by G-Unit are highly suggestive of the gang violence that is prevalent in many urban areas. The song opens with a threat of violence and retribution against those who disrespect or oppose the singer. The chorus emphasizes that the price of crossing these individuals is death or, at the very least, severe injury or loss. The verses are filled with gritty imagery and expressions of power over those who are seen as weaker or subordinate.
The opening lines set the tone for the song. The first verse declares that the singer is willing to take whatever means necessary to assert his power over others. The chorus emphasizes that there are no innocent bystanders in the path of the singer's way. The second verse is a classic example of gangsta rap. The words describe how the singer is willing to use any tactic or weapon to get what he wants. The final verse boasts of the singer's strength and prowess, while also expressing his willingness to eliminate anyone who challenges his authority. Throughout the song, the lyrics are highly aggressive and meant to intimidate and threaten anyone who would challenge the gang's authority or disrespect them in any way.
Line by Line Meaning
Disrespectful
I am unforgiving and will not tolerate any disrespect.
Anything, I let you breathe
I am generous and give people room to breathe even when they cross me.
Now you're dead
However, if you continue to challenge me, you will meet your demise.
There's no room without casualties
When you mess with me or my crew, there will be consequences which may result in casualties.
End up in a wake when you fuck with me
If you mess with me or my crew, you will end up in a funeral wake.
You got beef with my man you got beef with me
If anyone has a problem with my crew or friends, they are also messing with me.
I got the semi on me motherfucker you'll see
I am always armed and ready to defend myself and my crew.
Devil 'round the corner
There are always people lurking around that may pose a threat to me or my crew.
Is that my dawg, that slap that cat?
Did my friend just disrespect someone who is not worthy of his time?
Now how did the chicken give birth to a rat?
How did this situation escalate so quickly and unexpectedly?
Now how did the rat learn to sing like a bird?
How did this insignificant person try to act like they are more important or powerful than they actually are?
His pops is a O.G., this is absurd
Just because someone's father was a gangster, it doesn't mean they are too.
My gun game right, my knife game right
I am highly proficient with both guns and knives, which makes me highly dangerous opponent.
Fuck around I get right, in broad daylight
I don't care if it's daytime, I am ready to retaliate if provoked.
Spin the barrel on a nigga, pin the tail on the donkey
I am not afraid to play dangerous games with people and put their lives in danger.
It's a zoo out this bitch, I put a hole in the monkey
This world is crazy and I am willing to kill anyone who tries to play games with me.
Got the gemstars to rip 'em, hundred shots to clip 'em
I have the weapons and ammo to take down anyone who tries to cross me.
Bodybags they zip 'em, and we don't know a thang
We don't care about the consequences of our actions and will do whatever it takes to protect ourselves.
You hit nigga you trippin, you think it's over you trippin
If you think you have won by attacking me or my crew, you are mistaken and we will retaliate.
Reload slap the clip in, back, back, strapped
We are always ready to reload and fight again if necessary.
Uhh, I drink like a uncle, smoke like a rasta
I drink a lot like my uncle and smoke weed like a Rastafarian.
Ball like a superstar, talk like a boxer
I live a luxurious lifestyle but I also have the skills to defend myself like a boxer.
Fuck like a rabbit, shit like a dinosaur
I have a high sex drive but I also take massive dumps.
See like a sniper, lil' nigga aim height is raw
I have great vision and can see like a sniper, which makes me a deadly shot.
Ride like a Lambo', stunt like I'm out of town
I drive fancy cars and act like I am from out of town.
Strap like Commando, B-A-N-K-dollar sign
I am heavily armed and always ready for any situation.
Live everything up I won't, change like the others, nope
I will always be true to myself and won't change to fit in with others.
Switch overnight I can't, I'm outside his camp
I cannot change my loyalties overnight, I am dedicated to my crew.
'Bout a dollar boy and dollar bills'll kill
Money is important to me and I will do whatever it takes to get it.
Kill that bullshit, I'm famous but I'm ridin with the steel
I will not tolerate any drama or lies and will always be prepared to defend myself.
Will throw it all away, I see you later today
I am willing to risk everything and fight anyone who crosses me.
You'll see I'm fadin away, that's all I'm able to say
I will not give any warning signs before I strike back.
Yeah, it's the enforcer Yayo
I am the enforcer who ensures that everyone obeys the rules.
We could do it in broad daylight
We can fight anywhere and anytime without fear of being caught.
in front of the White House for all I care
I don't care where we fight, even if it's in front of the most important building in the country.
I blow your heart out your body sucka
I will kill you and make sure it's personal.
Then jump in the Aston blastin, burnin rubber
I will quickly escape and leave the scene of the crime.
Black ski mask, the Aston tinted
I will hide my identity and drive a car with tinted windows.
Ditch the gun, burn the car cause my DNA in it
I will get rid of all evidence and make sure there are no traces of me at the crime scene.
Next day it's the GT, stunt off of G.P.
The next day I will drive a different fancy car and show off my wealth.
Fist full of stones, fingers glowin like E.T.
I always have a lot of jewelry and my rings are shiny like E.T.'s fingers.
Fake O.G., O.G. Bobby Jones
This person who calls themselves an O.G. is a fraud, unlike the real O.G. Bobby Jones.
Do your son like J-Rock, Mausberg pumpin
I will kill your son just like J-Rock and listen to Mausberg while doing it.
I'm stuntin, focus like a digital camera
I am showing off my wealth and being flashy, but I am still sharp and focused like a digital camera.
Got that P-95 with that invisible hammer
I have a handgun with an invisible hammer, making it difficult to track my movements.
Nigga who you tryin to ride on, I'm a icon
Do not underestimate me or try to ride on my success, I am an icon.
Heart made of steel, balls made of ir-on
I am strong and fearless, with a heart made of steel and balls made of iron.
Devil 'round the corner, corner
There is always danger lurking around the corner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARVIN BERNARD, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES LLOYD, KYEME MILLER, CURTIS JAMES JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.