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.
Collapse
G-Unit Lyrics
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Shady, Aftermath, The Dream Team
We gotta get the get well cards
Niggas is sick, feel this
Motion picture shit
Now don't think I won't hit ya 'cause I'm popular
I got a P90 Reuger to pop at ya
My clip loaded with sixteen shots for ya
Have you ever had a hot gun on your waste
And blood on your shoe
'Cause a nigga went and said the wrong shit to you
Homie you ain't been through what I been through
You not like me and I'm not like you
I'm like a animal with it when I spit it it's crazy
Got semi-autos to put holes in niggas tryin' to play me
One shot is not enough you need 'least an Uzi to move me
After four bottles of Don the kid start feelin' woozy
I write my life, you write what you seen in gangsta movies
I'm gangsta to the core nigga you can't move me
I'll find my space at the top
I got this rap shit locked
I never heard of you, you heard of me
I'll murder you
Spray shells through your convertible Lotus
You know this, rich or poor
Hollows still go through you door, this is raw
You scared of me, you not prepared for me
The kid is back
50 Cent
I know you like that
Yeah I know you like that
In G-Unit's song Collapse, 50 Cent is delivering a warning to those who may underestimate him. He asserts his power, stating that just because he is popular does not mean he won't resort to violence if necessary. He describes having a loaded gun with sixteen bullets, ready to defend himself against anyone who may cross him.
50 Cent goes on to describe the dangerous lifestyle he leads, with references to blood on his shoes and violent altercations. He asserts that he is a true gangster and not just someone who imitates what they have seen in movies. He claims that even after consuming multiple bottles of alcohol, he is still a force to be reckoned with.
The chorus of the song declares that 50 Cent is back and ready for anything. He confidently proclaims that he is at the top of the rap game and anyone who tries to challenge him will not be successful. Overall, the lyrics in "Collapse" are a testament to 50 Cent's toughness and a warning to those who may try to cross him.
Line by Line Meaning
Shady, Aftermath, The Dream Team
The artists involved in creating this song are Shady, Aftermath, and The Dream Team.
We gotta get the get well cards
The state of affairs amongst the people involved in their profession is not good, and thus they need to show empathy for one another.
Niggas is sick, feel this
The people involved in their profession are unwell, and need to hear and feel support.
Motion picture shit
The lyrics of this song are very vivid, and could be used to create a scene in a movie.
Now don't think I won't hit ya 'cause I'm popular
Do not presume that I will not retaliate against you for saying something about me just because I am popular.
I got a P90 Reuger to pop at ya
I have a weapon that can fire bullets at you instantly and at a high velocity.
Catch ya slippin' I'm a give ya what I got for ya
If I catch you off your guard, I will let you have a taste of what I am capable of.
My clip loaded with sixteen shots for ya
I am well-prepared to take down my enemies as my ammunition storage is filled with sixteen explosive shots.
Have you ever had a hot gun on your waste
Have you ever been in possession of a loaded and potentially lethal weapon?
And blood on your shoe
Have you ever engaged in violence to the extent that you have someone else's blood on your shoes?
'Cause a nigga went and said the wrong shit to you
Because someone provoked and engaged you in conflict through disrespectful or unacceptable language.
Homie you ain't been through what I been through
You do not have the experience and background that I have, and thus do not understand my actions and choices.
You not like me and I'm not like you
Our differences in experiences and choices have resulted in us being two separate entities and beings.
I'm like a animal with it when I spit it it's crazy
My raps and lyrics are aggressive, wild and untamed. They convey a level of passion and intensity that is uncommon.
Got semi-autos to put holes in niggas tryin' to play me
I am equipped with semi-automatic weapons to take down those who are trying to test my abilities.
One shot is not enough you need 'least an Uzi to move me
It is going to take more than a single shot to stop me, and you would need an Uzi or a similarly powerful weapon to be able to do so.
After four bottles of Don the kid start feelin' woozy
After consuming four bottles of Don (an alcoholic drink), I start to feel dizzy.
I write my life, you write what you seen in gangsta movies
I write about my true life experiences, while others (possibly competitors or critics) write lyrics based on what they have seen in gangster movies.
I'm gangsta to the core nigga you can't move me
My persona and reputation as a gangster are so entrenched in me that no one can change or affect it.
I'll find my space at the top
I will move and climb to the top of my profession or career.
I got this rap shit locked
I have a tight grip over the rap industry and control it to a great extent.
I never heard of you, you heard of me
I am not aware of who you are, but you know me and my skills.
I'll murder you
I am capable of causing severe harm to those who challenge me, and might even take their lives.
Spray shells through your convertible Lotus
I will fire bullets from my automatic weapons at and destroy your luxurious car model- Lotus Convertible.
You know this, rich or poor
You know and understand the fact that it does not matter if you are rich or poor; if you mess with me, I will get back at you.
Hollows still go through you door, this is raw
Even though your door may be shut, the impact of the bullets fired from my weapon will still penetrate it; this shows how ruthless I am.
You scared of me, you not prepared for me
You are frightened of me and do not know how to face and respond to me.
The kid is back
I am reemerging again, after having been gone for a while.
I know you like that
I know that you appreciate and enjoy my return and my music.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Marshall B. III Mathers, 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.