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.
Digital Scale
G-Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
We got eightballs, sevens, fourteens, and Oz's
Sixty-two eights of that raw, imported keys
Half of chicken whole chicken
Niggas got to cop 'n' go, yo
I said you niggas got to cop 'n' go
This is like fast food, nigga
May I take your order?
I require nothin' cookin' but bakin' soda 'n' water - ice, cold
That's crack inside that Pyrex
We get the work, then move the work
The pressure we apply next
Every now and then, a nigga set-trip
I8 BMW; I'm electric
Keep that hammer around me in case shit get hectic
Shit pop off when I'm rhymin', I protect it
Fuck around
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
Hand me that plastic bag right there, Yayo
Baggin' up half a brick
My lawyer sittin' on the couch
He said it's cool, Buck; I swear I won't open my mouth
(I weigh a bag on the triple-beam scale)
I'm all kushed out, coke under my (fingernail)
My uncle been playin' with that powder, and I can tell
You know that crack smell, and he lookin' all frail
My sister need bail; she just caught the weed sell
Now the feds on her trail
I just got the email
Shit crazy, but I'm still cookin' up babies
Hookin' up my niggas daily with this dope
Get out and get some, nigga
Can't pay me if you broke, no
Let a nigga hang himself - just give him enough rope
I get it fresh out the boat
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
Numbers don't lie; scales don't either
Every time you out, fiends wanna reach ya
Out with some bitches, fiends wanna call
In the club with my niggas, fiends wanna call
When I'm waitin' on them, man they never call
The life of a hustler in a nutshell
G-5 eatin' snakes, soup and raw fish
Snakes see the Ray Phantom off of raw fish
My main bitch is like Bonnie Parker
My side bitch is like Clyde Barrow
They start to shoot you up shit's creek without a paddle
They roll up and smoke you like Kumar and Harold
Catch 'em in the whip like Caine cousin, Harold
My nigga flippin' on his P.O. cause he can't travel
You owe me, I take your child for collateral
Gun wave, hello
Shots echo
Won't save money - switch to Gekko
You known from the get-go
I ain't 'bout to let nobody play with my green
When they coward belly yellow
Polka-dot carbine on your chest, screamin' "hold on"
Hold on
You see my face and let go
I'm from the N.O. better check the death toll
You was playin' Casanova
Cookin' bitches casserole
I was on the ave with O's, me and red taggin' toes
On the Greyhound bus
Pounds in my baggy clothes
Huh
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
I put my coke on a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
The above lyrics to G-Unit's song "Digital Scale" showcase the hustle and grind of the street life. The song is about drug dealing, and throughout the lyrics, the artists refer to weighing and re-upping their supply of cocaine, weed, and dope using a digital scale. The repetition of this concept serves as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of the drug trade: measuring out the drugs, selling them, and then repeating the process.
The lyrics also touch on the various forms of drugs they're selling, such as "raw" cocaine imported from overseas, as well as the different amounts they have available, including eight-balls, sevens, fourteens, and ounces. The artists talk about the need for discretion and swift transactions when dealing with customers, comparing the process to fast food. However, they also acknowledge the potential danger of their lifestyle, referencing the need to protect themselves with weapons in case things get "hectic."
Overall, the lyrics of "Digital Scale" provide a gritty and honest portrayal of the dark side of street life, highlighting the dangers and cyclical nature of the drug trade and the desperate measures people take to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
I put my coke on a digital scale
I am measuring the amount of cocaine I possess using a digital scale
I put my weed on a digital scale
I am measuring the amount of marijuana I possess using a digital scale
I put my dope on a digital scale
I am measuring the amount of narcotics I possess using a digital scale
It's time to re-up what my scale read
I need to restock my supply with an amount equivalent to what I weighed on the scale
We got eightballs, sevens, fourteens, and Oz's
We have quantities of cocaine ranging from 1/8 of an ounce to an entire ounce
Sixty-two eights of that raw, imported keys
We have a large amount of uncut, imported cocaine
Half of chicken whole chicken
We have both small and large quantities of heroin available
Niggas got to cop 'n' go, yo
Customers must make their purchase quickly and leave in order to avoid drawing attention to our illegal activities
This is like fast food, nigga
Our operations are quick and efficient, much like a fast food restaurant
May I take your order?
We are ready to serve and sell our drugs to the customers
I require nothin' cookin' but bakin' soda 'n' water - ice, cold
I only need baking soda and ice cold water in order to cook my cocaine into crack
That's crack inside that Pyrex
The substance in the Pyrex container is crack cocaine
We get the work, then move the work
We obtain the drugs and then sell them to customers
The pressure we apply next
We apply pressure to our competition in order to gain dominance in the drug trade
Every now and then, a nigga set-trip
Occasionally someone tries to rob or betray us
I8 BMW; I'm electric
I drive a BMW i8, which is an electric sports car
Keep that hammer around me in case shit get hectic
I carry a gun with me at all times in case of danger
Shit pop off when I'm rhymin', I protect it
If violence breaks out while I'm performing, I will defend myself
Hand me that plastic bag right there, Yayo
Pass me that plastic bag, Yayo
Baggin' up half a brick
I am packaging up 4 ounces of cocaine
My lawyer sittin' on the couch
My lawyer is present and advising me
He said it's cool, Buck; I swear I won't open my mouth
My lawyer assures me that he won't reveal any incriminating information to the authorities
The life of a hustler in a nutshell
This is a summary of the life of a drug dealer
G-5 eatin' snakes, soup and raw fish
I'm flying in luxury on a G-5 jet, eating exotic food such as snake and raw fish
Snakes see the Ray Phantom off of raw fish
Jealous people are envious of my success and the expensive cars I own, such as my Rolls Royce Phantom
My main bitch is like Bonnie Parker
My girlfriend reminds me of the infamous outlaw Bonnie Parker
My side bitch is like Clyde Barrow
My other girlfriend reminds me of Bonnie's partner in crime, Clyde Barrow
They start to shoot you up shit's creek without a paddle
If someone crosses us or tries to steal from us, they will be met with violent retaliation
They roll up and smoke you like Kumar and Harold
Similar to the movie characters Kumar and Harold, people who cross us will be eliminated
My nigga flippin' on his P.O. cause he can't travel
My friend is upset because he is on probation and can't leave town
You owe me, I take your child for collateral
If someone owes me money, I am willing to take their child as collateral until they can pay me back
Gun wave, hello
I am willing to use violence to get what I want
Shots echo
Gunshots can be heard in the area
Won't save money - switch to Gekko
I won't save my money, I will invest it in stocks like Gordon Gekko from the movie Wall Street
I ain't 'bout to let nobody play with my green
I am protective of my money and won't let anyone take advantage of me
When they coward belly yellow
When they are scared and intimidated
Polka-dot carbine on your chest, screamin' "hold on"
I am pointing a polka-dot rifle at someone's chest and telling them to hold still
You see my face and let go
People are afraid of me and let go of anything they might be holding that could get them in trouble
I'm from the N.O. better check the death toll
I am from New Orleans, where there is a high rate of violent crime and murder
You was playin' Casanova
You were trying to romance and deceive me
Cookin' bitches casserole
I am selling large amounts of drugs
I was on the ave with O's, me and red taggin' toes
I was on the street corner selling ounces of cocaine with my friend Red
On the Greyhound bus
I used a Greyhound bus to transport drugs
Pounds in my baggy clothes
I am carrying pounds of drugs in my baggy clothes
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ADRIAN YOUNGE, DAVID BROWN, MARVIN BERNARD, CURTIS STEWART, CURTIS JACKSON, LOREN ODEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.