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.
Footprints
G-Unit Lyrics
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Hey if you hear me out there
I get down on my knees every night and pray
I'm going to war
I'm going to war
You never know when deaths coming all you hear is gunshots
Old ladys get off the block
When the pops hit the truck music comes to a stop
Niggas get on the floor with their front doors locked
Syringes and sirens the only thing on the street
People act like they don't know who did it but they know its me
Every days a death threat but I ain't dead yet
So I go put a whole in the nigga from the next sac
Don't know where I slept at just know where my check at
Its the first of the month
My bitch ain't got her check yet
Juve left me in California I don't respect that
I love him to much to beef so I'ma except that
But I'ma just step back
And focus on buck
I'm tired of riding in yours I'm bout to buy my own truck
Gotta try my own luck
Get rich or die trying
Its g-unit till I'm gone
Lord knows I ain't lying nigga
[Chorus: x2]
First there was two sets of footprints in the sand
Then there was one set of footprints in the sand
When times get hard and shit hits the fam
God don't walk with me he carry me man
You don't know what I been through
To get what I done got
If you look through a scope
You couldn't hit what I done shot
Couldn't flip what I done copped
Couldn't dip what I done topped
To Murder you all talk
Like a clip without a glock
When you holla g-unit on some other shit
You need to do the research and see who you fucking with
I smoke all ya weed up
Go run up ya visa
Ya baby momma want me
I don't want that skeezer
She scratched my bima
But I ain't Seen her
When I catch the bitch
I'ma gangsta lean her
Whoa!
We be playing in those videos
With them pretty hoes
Cashville Tennekey keep bitches from New York City Hoes
They learned it from lil' kim to let their Titties
Show
I'm the king of the south
This is how it really go
Lord knows I keep all my jewels froze
As long as the check come then fuck the award shows you know me nigga
[Chorus: x2]
Half of these kids never read the bible
But they can tell you how to kill a man better than I do
The reason they fucked up they all been lied to
I know what It feels like
When a nigga misguide you
My momma stay in the projects
And I been having money
I went bought her a house
But she told me she ain't want it
Right then I understood that the hoods in my blood
So I holla Cashville Let them know where I'm from
Niggas know I got a gun
When I come to the club
And If It go down you better tell your people to Duck
Why should I slow down
I just got started targeting artists
Wait till the bullets start hopping
Out the closets
I come to get it popping
I pray to god the news watching
So when they see him his niggas will know who got him
We came from the bottom to the top
From hoopties to a drop
Killer be killed
Is the attitude I got nigga
[Chorus: x2]
I know you praying I get killed nigga
He who fears death is in denial
50 told you niggas
Young-buck showed you niggas
Banks!
Free Yayo!
And tell them bitch as niggas put they vest on
I'm hear now!
In "Footprints" by G-Unit, the lyrics begin with the singer asking for someone to walk with them, while reflecting on their fear of going to war. They describe a world of violence and death, where gunshots are frequent and even children and older women are not safe. The singer talks about being constantly threatened but continues to fight back, searching for their own success and riches. The chorus repeats the image of walking on the beach with God, with the old idea of two sets of footprints being replaced with only one set during difficult times, representing God carrying them.
The lyrics describe the singer's life and experiences as a gangster, with plenty of references to violence, drugs, and sex. They talk about their confidence in their abilities, how they are better at killing than you are, but also the challenges of growing up in the hood and the negative impact it can have on their life. They reflect how despite affording their mother a house, it wasn't enough for her, and they understand their relationship with the neighborhood they grew up in makes them who they are, even if that means constantly battling with violence.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk with me
Join me on this journey
Hey if you hear me out there
I'm calling out to those who can hear me
I get down on my knees every night and pray
I pray for strength and guidance every night
I'm going to war
I'm ready to take on any challenge
You never know when deaths coming all you hear is gunshots
In these dangerous streets, death can come at any moment
Little kids get to running
Even children know to run when they hear gunshots
Old ladys get off the block
Elderly women know to stay safe and off the streets
When the pops hit the truck music comes to a stop
Gunfire stops everything in its tracks
Niggas get on the floor with their front doors locked
People take cover and lock their doors for protection
Syringes and sirens the only thing on the street
The streets are filled with drugs and crime, and the only sounds are of needles and police sirens
People act like they don't know who did it but they know its me
Everyone knows I'm the one behind the violence, even if they won't admit it
Every days a death threat but I ain't dead yet
I face danger every day but I'm still alive
So I go put a whole in the nigga from the next sac
I retaliate against those who threaten me or my crew
Don't know where I slept at just know where my check at
I might not have a stable home but I know where my money comes from
Its the first of the month
Time to collect my paycheck
My bitch ain't got her check yet
Even those close to me are struggling financially
Juve left me in California I don't respect that
I feel betrayed by Juvenile for abandoning us
I love him to much to beef so I'ma except that
Despite my anger, I won't escalate the situation with Juvenile
But I'ma just step back
I'm moving on from the Juvenile situation
And focus on buck
It's time to shift my focus to Young Buck
I'm tired of riding in yours I'm bout to buy my own truck
I'm tired of being dependent on others and want to be self-sufficient
Gotta try my own luck
I'm taking a chance on myself
Get rich or die trying
I'm all in on this pursuit of wealth
Its g-unit till I'm gone
I'm loyal to my crew until the end
Lord knows I ain't lying nigga
I'm telling you the truth, this is who I am
First there was two sets of footprints in the sand
God and I walked together in the past
Then there was one set of footprints in the sand
During my struggles, God carried me instead of walking beside me
When times get hard and shit hits the fam
During tough times when everything goes wrong
God don't walk with me he carry me man
God helps me through the toughest times and carries me when I can't go on
You don't know what I been through
You can't understand the trials I've faced
To get what I done got
I've had to work hard to achieve success
If you look through a scope
If you examine my life closely
You couldn't hit what I done shot
You couldn't replicate my success even if you tried
Couldn't flip what I done copped
You couldn't replicate my financial success either
Couldn't dip what I done topped
You couldn't replicate my position at the top
To Murder you all talk
When it comes to violence, you're all talk
Like a clip without a glock
You're all talk and no action
When you holla g-unit on some other shit
When you talk about G-Unit's music and brand
You need to do the research and see who you fucking with
You should understand the true nature of G-Unit's reputation and gang affiliations
I smoke all ya weed up
I consume all your marijuana
Go run up ya visa
I'll use up all your credit
Ya baby momma want me
Your baby mama is attracted to me
I don't want that skeezer
I'm not interested in promiscuous women
She scratched my bima
She damaged my luxury car
But I ain't Seen her
I haven't seen her since the incident
When I catch the bitch I'ma gangsta lean her
If I find her, I'll show her who's boss
We be playing in those videos
In our music videos
With them pretty hoes
Surrounded by attractive women
Cashville Tennekey keep bitches from New York City Hoes
Cashville, Tennessee has its own women who will protect their territory
They learned it from lil' kim to let their Titties
They learned from Lil' Kim to flaunt their bodies
Show
And use their sex appeal
I'm the king of the south
I'm a dominant force in the southern rap scene
This is how it really go
This is what it's really like in the rap game
Lord knows I keep all my jewels froze
I display my wealth with expensive jewelry
As long as the check come then fuck the award shows you know me nigga
I'm focused on the money, not awards or recognition
Half of these kids never read the bible
Many young people don't have a strong foundation in religion
But they can tell you how to kill a man better than I do
They know how to use violence better than they know their own faith
The reason they fucked up they all been lied to
Their misguided ways are because of lies and false ideas they've been taught
I know what It feels like
I understand the feeling
When a nigga misguide you
When someone misleads you
My momma stay in the projects
My mother still lives in low-income housing
And I been having money
Despite my success, my mom still struggles
I went bought her a house
I bought her a new home
But she told me she ain't want it
She refused it, likely because it wasn't in her community
Right then I understood that the hoods in my blood
I realize I can't leave behind the struggles of my upbringing
So I holla Cashville Let them know where I'm from
I represent where I come from, the tough streets of Cashville
Niggas know I got a gun
People know I'm not to be messed with
When I come to the club
When I go to a social setting
And If It go down you better tell your people to Duck
If violence breaks out, make sure you're safe
Why should I slow down
Why should I take it easy
I just got started targeting artists
I'm just getting started with my success
Wait till the bullets start hopping out the closets
Things are going to get violent, wait and see
I come to get it popping
I'm here to make things happen
I pray to god the news watching
I hope my actions make the media take notice
So when they see him his niggas will know who got him
They'll know that I'm the one responsible for the violence
We came from the bottom to the top
We came from nothing and made it big
From hoopties to a drop
From cheap cars to luxury ones
Killer be killed
It's a dog-eat-dog world
Is the attitude I got nigga
This is the kind of attitude I have
I know you praying I get killed nigga
I know my enemies wish for my demise
He who fears death is in denial
If you fear death, you're not facing reality
50 told you niggas
50 Cent warned you about us
Young-buck showed you niggas
Young Buck proved our power to you
Banks!
Lloyd Banks is part of our crew
Free Yayo!
We want Tony Yayo to be freed
And tell them bitch as niggas put they vest on
Tell our enemies to prepare for danger
I'm hear now!
I've arrived and I'm ready to take over
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN BROWN, ROBERT BROWN, STEPHEN ANDREW FELLOWS, IAN ERIC SLATER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.