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
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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!
The song "Footprints" by G-Unit starts with the artist praying to God to walk with him in his upcoming journey of war. The lyrics then zero in on the harsh realities of gun violence and death on the streets where people try to avoid the scene of gunshots. The song talks about a constant threat to life and how the artist is still alive despite regular death threats. In the middle, the lyrics tell about the struggle, success, and challenges the artist went through to achieve his goals; from aiming to get rich or die trying, to targeting and promoting artists, to never slowing down, and becoming king of the south. The lyrics conclude with the artist challenging his opponent and explaining that they have no clue who they're messing with, telling them to put on their vest before engaging in a rap war.
One interesting fact about the song "Footprints" is that it's the 24th track on the G-Unit album Beg for Mercy, released on November 14, 2003. The album was released by Interscope Records and G-Unit Records and peaked at the third position on the US Billboard 200. Another factual aspect of the song is that the melody in the chorus is an interpolation of the classic Christian poem "Footprints in the Sand." Still, it works the opposite way to the original hymn, which talks about how God walks beside them in troubled times, while G-Unit's version depicts God carrying and supporting them through hard times. "Footprints" also features the vocals of rapper D-Tay, who is affiliated with Lil Flip's Clover G Records.
Other interesting facts about the song include that it was produced by Mr. Porter and Eminem, and the song samples the Dead Prez song Hip Hop. Additionally, the song was developed as a diss track targeting rapper Juvenile because he had left the Cash Money Records, buck had previously recorded with Juvenile, and their friendship was complicated. Another interesting fact is that the music video for "Footprints" was never released officially, even though it was shot and completed. Finally, the chords for "Footprints" are not readily available, or it might be that the song does not use any guitar, so there isn't any guitar chord progression.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk with me
Join me on my journey
Hey if you hear me out there
Calling out to those who can hear me
I get down on my knees every night and pray
I pray for protection during this dangerous lifestyle
I'm going to war
I am ready for battle
You never know when deaths coming all you hear is gunshots
In this environment, violence can erupt at any time
Little kids get to running
Even children are affected by the violence around them
Old ladys get off the block
The elderly try to avoid the areas of conflict
When the pops hit the truck music comes to a stop
Even music stops when violence occurs
Niggas get on the floor with their front doors locked
People try to protect themselves when gunfire erupts
Syringes and sirens the only thing on the street
Drugs and emergency services are prevalent in this environment
People act like they don't know who did it but they know its me
Despite attempts at anonymity, my violent actions are known to many
Every days a death threat but I ain't dead yet
I face the possibility of death on a daily basis but remain alive
So I go put a whole in the nigga from the next sac
I retaliate against those who threaten me
Don't know where I slept at just know where my check at
My focus is on making money and survival, not on luxury
Its the first of the month
A new month means new financial responsibilities
My bitch ain't got her check yet
My significant other has not received payment yet
Juve left me in California I don't respect that
I feel betrayed by a former collaborator
I love him to much to beef so I'ma except that
Despite my feelings, I will not engage in conflict with him
But I'ma just step back
I will distance myself from the situation
And focus on buck
I will now focus on myself
I'm tired of riding in yours I'm bout to buy my own truck
I need to become independent
Gotta try my own luck
I will take risks and seek my own success
Get rich or die trying
Success is everything to me
Its g-unit till I'm gone
My loyalty to my group will always remain
Lord knows I ain't lying nigga
I speak the truth
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the message of the chorus
First there was two sets of footprints in the sand
I believed God was walking with me
Then there was one set of footprints in the sand
During hard times, I felt abandoned by God
When times get hard and shit hits the fam
When life becomes difficult and messes with your family
God don't walk with me he carry me man
I rely on God to carry me through tough times
You don't know what I been through
Others cannot understand my experiences
To get what I done got
I have achieved success through tough situations
If you look through a scope
When you aim through a gun's sight
You couldn't hit what I done shot
My skills and successes can't be duplicated
Couldn't flip what I done copped
Others can't replicate my profits
Couldn't dip what I done topped
Others can't replicate my highest achievement
To Murder you all talk
People make threats but can't follow through
Like a clip without a glock
Empty and pointless
When you holla g-unit on some other shit
When others mention G-Unit in a negative way
You need to do the research and see who you fucking with
Do your research and understand our reputation before disrespecting us
I smoke all ya weed up
I take advantage of others' resources
Go run up ya visa
I'll spend your money too
Ya baby momma want me
Even the mothers of others' children are attracted to me
I don't want that skeezer
I don't want the woman in question
She scratched my bima
She damaged my luxury car
But I ain't Seen her
I don't know where she is hiding
When I catch the bitch
If I catch her
I'ma gangsta lean her
I will assert my dominance over her
Whoa!
Expressing surprise or excitement
We be playing in those videos
We often appear in music videos
With them pretty hoes
With attractive women
Cashville Tennekey keep bitches from New York City Hoes
Cashville and Tennekey attract women away from New York City
They learned it from lil' kim to let their Titties Show
Women learned from Lil' Kim that revealing clothing can be beneficial
I'm the king of the south
I am the leader of this region
This is how it really go
This is how things truly are
Lord knows I keep all my jewels froze
I keep my jewelry highly valued and well-maintained
As long as the check come then fuck the award shows you know me nigga
Making money is more important than awards or recognition
Half of these kids never read the bible
Many are not familiar with religious texts
But they can tell you how to kill a man better than I do
People are more familiar with violence than religion
The reason they fucked up they all been lied to
They have been misled and deceived
I know what It feels like
I am familiar with the feeling
When a nigga misguide you
When someone leads you astray
My momma stay in the projects
My mother lives in a low-income housing area
And I been having money
Despite this, I have achieved financial success
I went bought her a house
I purchased a house for her
But she told me she ain't want it
She didn't want me to compromise my success or identity
Right then I understood that the hoods in my blood
I realized my roots would never truly leave me
So I holla Cashville Let them know where I'm from
I embrace my hometown and let people know where I came from
Niggas know I got a gun
My reputation precedes me when it comes to firearms
When I come to the club
When I arrive at a club
And If It go down you better tell your people to Duck
If violence occurs, protect those around you
Why should I slow down
I will not slow my pace of progression
I just got started targeting artists
I am just beginning to focus on musical competition
Wait till the bullets start hopping
Wait until my music really hits its mark
Out the closets
Out of hiding or secrecy
I come to get it popping
I aim to make an impact on the music scene
I pray to god the news watching
I hope my success is recognized in the media
So when they see him his niggas will know who got him
Those who wronged me will know their mistake
We came from the bottom to the top
We started from a difficult place but achieved success
From hoopties to a drop
From low-quality vehicles to luxury cars
Killer be killed
A competitive mindset of music industry success
Is the attitude I got nigga
This is the attitude I have
I know you praying I get killed nigga
My enemies hope for my death
He who fears death is in denial
One who fears death is not being realistic
50 told you niggas
My collaborator 50 Cent has warned you before
Young-buck showed you niggas
Young Buck has demonstrated our power and success
Banks!
Addressing fellow collaborator Lloyd Banks
Free Yayo!
Calling for the freedom of Tony Yayo
And tell them bitch as niggas put they vest on
Warn those who come into conflicts with us to prepare themselves
I'm hear now!
I am present and ready to defend my reputation
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
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.