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.
G'D Up
G-Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm amazing,
I'm crazy the hood dun made me feel like my emotions are froze I stay "G'd Up",
Its the things the I dun seen and the shit
I've been through that made my heart turn cold I stay "G'd Up",
I'm a gangsta ya find out for sure if you ever step on my toes I stay "G'd Up",
When I'm hangin' out the window wit that AK filling ya punk ass wit holes
Cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana,
I'm new on that greyhound fucking wit NY to Carolina,
Paper chase different name,same face don't catch a case,
My road dogs on parole his baby girls 4 years old,
We play the block pistol cop,
You could shoot or get shot kill you for you're crack spot take everything your ass got,
Semi-automatics spary, bust back up on the way,
Niggas talking in the hood we'll handle his another day,
In November you make my shit, you should be dead,
If you can catch a Christmas, I'll send you a gift,niggaz will come
And leave yo ass twisted,them hollow tips shells burn baby burn,
See niggas get merked up, N babies born make the world turn,
I seen it all crispy clear so I keep my pistol near,
Hearts never full of fear homie I stay well aware of what's going
Around me motherfuckers want me dead I go wit a smile on my face,
Witness my time kid
[Chorus]
[Lloyd Banks]
Lil nigga I dun paid ya way, y'all should thank 'em,
But if you think otherwise bring ya boy over here so I could spank 'em,
Ill put a end to your career bitch (bitch), before you speak on 50,
Buy forty in a spare clip, these niggas getting gassed up
Getting to used to rap like I won't give them more blood clots than super cat,
Niggas will snatch ya I'm like a bat catcher ill give em
Signs and they'll post up match ya,
Round here niggas die off hydro and even when it ain't the 4th of July it sound like pyro,
You smart enough to creep n lay you're dumb brains down the pound will
Spin you down like the young James Brown (yeah)
I know I'm hot but hey (hey)
I'm icy to rocks will hit you from a block away like a beat from Dr.Dre
We takin' over this year case the soldiers is
Here everyone knows its a scare (yeah)!
[Chorus]
[Young Buck]
My poppa never bothered to show me what it was to be a man
He just pop another bottle and smoke up a half a gram,
I would hop in my Impala and ride all thought the night
That gave my homeboy light so when you do it do it right,
My fingernails still filled with cocaine residue,
I still got the heart to go bust me ahead or 2
(fo sho) no other solution you think we hollerin and hooptin'
Until you wake up and you gotta here about these shootings,
I take a bullet from my vooz and put the clip in my pocket
Before I take another bullet I'm gonna pull it and pop it
And if its beef my nigga then let your guns do the talkin'
The graveyard has got plenty room for a coffin
They say we responsible for boosting the crime rate
They say we the reason these young niggas is buying weight
But I'm gonna keep this glock on my waist till my dyin' days its
"Nothin' But A G Thang" G-Unit And Dr.Dre
[Chorus]
The lyrics to G-Unit's song G'D Up speak to the experience and emotions of gangsters who have lived through and witnessed the violence and drug use of their surroundings. The chorus emphasizes the idea that the life they have led has turned their hearts cold and has made them emotionally closed off (“my emotions are froze”). They stay “G’d Up” to protect themselves and will retaliate with violence if their toes are stepped on. The verses elaborate on this lifestyle, with 50 Cent rapping about drug dealing and violence in the streets, Lloyd Banks discussing his reputation and the violence that surrounds him, and Young Buck reflecting on the absence of positive male role models in his life and the inevitability of violence in his world.
The song ends with the chorus repeated, emphasizing both the numbness and hardness of these gangsters, and the inevitability of violence in their world. The lyrics provide insight into the lives and mindsets of those who have been brought up in extreme poverty and violence, where joining gangs and engaging in violent activities can provide a sense of protection and belonging. It is a grim reminder of the toll that poverty and violence can take on individuals and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm amazing,
I am talented and awe-inspiring
I'm crazy the hood dun made me feel like my emotions are froze I stay "G'd Up",
The environment I grew up in has had a profound effect on me, causing me to feel emotionless and cold. As a result, I am always on guard and ready to defend myself ("G’d Up").
Its the things the I dun seen and the shit I've been through that made my heart turn cold I stay "G'd Up",
I have witnessed and experienced many traumatic events that have left me emotionally numb and guarded. This is why I always stay prepared for any danger that might come my way ("G’d Up").
I'm a gangsta ya find out for sure if you ever step on my toes I stay "G'd Up",
I am a true gangster and if anyone crosses me, they will find out the hard way. I am always ready for any altercation ("G’d Up").
When I'm hangin' out the window wit that AK filling ya punk ass wit holes
I am so fearless and ruthless that I will even hang out of a window with an AK 47, ready to take down anyone who dares to oppose me.
Cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, marijuana,
These are the types of drugs that I deal with on a regular basis, as I am involved in the drug trade.
I'm new on that greyhound fucking wit NY to Carolina,
I have recently expanded my drug operation to include transportation between New York and North Carolina, using Greyhound buses to do so.
Paper chase different name,same face don't catch a case,
I am always on the hunt for more money, but I change my name and appearance frequently to avoid being caught by the law.
My road dogs on parole his baby girls 4 years old,
One of my close associates is currently on parole, while also having a young daughter who is only four years old.
We play the block pistol cop,
We patrol the streets with pistols, ready to confront any potential enemies or law enforcement.
You could shoot or get shot kill you for you're crack spot take everything your ass got,
I and my associates are willing to use violence to take over someone else’s territory and drugs, even if it means killing them and taking everything they have.
Semi-automatics spary, bust back up on the way,
We are always armed with semi-automatic weapons, and we are ready to use them at a moment's notice.
Niggas talking in the hood we'll handle his another day,
If someone is speaking negatively about us in our community, we will wait to confront them another day instead of immediately jumping into action.
In November you make my shit, you should be dead,
If you are still alive by November, I will take that as a sign of weakness and attempt to kill you.
If you can catch a Christmas, I'll send you a gift,
I am so confident in my ability to take down my enemies that if they are still around come Christmas, I will send them a present as a disrespectful taunt.
niggaz will come And leave yo ass twisted,them hollow tips shells burn baby burn,
My associates and I will use hollow-point bullets to inflict maximum damage, leaving anyone who opposes us badly wounded or dead.
See niggas get merked up, N babies born make the world turn,
While people are being killed, others are being born, and this cycle of life and death continues to move the world forward.
I seen it all crispy clear so I keep my pistol near, Hearts never full of fear homie I stay well aware of what's going Around me motherfuckers want me dead I go wit a smile on my face, Witness my time kid
I have witnessed and experienced so much violence and danger that I am always prepared for the worst. My heart is never filled with fear, and even if my enemies want me dead, I will not back down. I am prepared to accept my fate with a smile on my face.
Lil nigga I dun paid ya way, y'all should thank 'em,
I have likely provided financial support for someone who is now speaking negatively about me, and they should be grateful for the help I provided them.
But if you think otherwise bring ya boy over here so I could spank 'em,
If this person doesn't acknowledge the help I gave them, I am ready and willing to physically discipline anyone they bring with them.
Ill put a end to your career bitch (bitch), before you speak on 50,
If this person continues to talk negatively about me or my associates, I will end their career before they have a chance to speak poorly about 50 Cent.
Buy forty in a spare clip, these niggas getting gassed up Getting to used to rap like I won't give them more blood clots than super cat,
I am always ready to take action and will even carry a spare ammunition clip for my gun. Some of my associates are getting overconfident and believe that I won't cause them harm, but I am prepared to inflict serious bodily harm or death with my weapon.
Niggas will snatch ya I'm like a bat catcher ill give em
Niggas will try to take something that belongs to you, but I am a skilled vigilante and will catch them in the act and violently discipline them.
Signs and they'll post up match ya,
I am a skilled and cunning strategist, and I know how to anticipate the moves of my opponents and defeat them at every turn.
Round here niggas die off hydro and even when it ain't the 4th of July it sound like pyro,
My community is so violent that people are dying from the use of hydro (marijuana with a high THC content), and gunshots frequently ring out even when it's not the 4th of July.
You smart enough to creep n lay you're dumb brains down the pound will Spin you down like the young James Brown (yeah)
If you have the intelligence to stay quiet and avoid provoking me, it may save your life. Otherwise, you will be violently taken down, much like James Brown’s iconic dance moves.
I know I'm hot but hey (hey) I'm icy to rocks will hit you from a block away like a beat from Dr.Dre
I am aware of my fame and success, but I am also cold-blooded and ruthless. I can kill someone from a block away without batting an eye.
We takin' over this year case the soldiers is Here everyone knows its a scare (yeah)!]
My associates and I are prepared to send a message to anyone who opposes us. We are not to be underestimated, and our presence alone is enough to instill fear in anyone who crosses us.
My poppa never bothered to show me what it was to be a man He just pop another bottle and smoke up a half a gram,
My father wasn't around to teach me how to be a man. Instead, he drank heavily and used drugs, setting a poor example for me.
I would hop in my Impala and ride all thought the night That gave my homeboy light so when you do it do it right,
I would often drive around in my Impala late into the night. This gave my friends hope and motivation to do what they needed to do "right" and succeed in life.
My fingernails still filled with cocaine residue I still got the heart to go bust me ahead or 2 (fo sho) no other solution
I am still entrenched in the drug trade, as evidenced by the cocaine residue on my fingernails. If I need to, I will use violence to protect myself and continue dealing.
you think we hollerin and hooptin' Until you wake up and you gotta here about these shootings,
You might think that we are just bragging and boasting, but soon you will wake up to news of people being killed in our community.
I take a bullet from my vooz and put the clip in my pocket Before I take another bullet I'm gonna pull it and pop it
If someone shoots at me, I will take the bullet out of my vehicle and put it in my pocket, preparing to retaliate with deadly force of my own.
And if its beef my nigga then let your guns do the talkin' The graveyard has got plenty room for a coffin
If there is a problem or altercation, we will let our guns do the talking. There is always room in the graveyard for another dead body.
They say we responsible for boosting the crime rate They say we the reason these young niggas is buying weight
We are often blamed for the high crime rate in our community and for the prevalence of drugs among young people.
But I'm gonna keep this glock on my waist till my dyin' days its "Nothin' But A G Thang" G-Unit And Dr.Dre
Despite what the critics say, I will continue to carry my weapon with me wherever I go, and I will always channel my inner gangster. This is a nod to the classic hip-hop song “Nuthin' But a G Thang,” by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
Lyrics © RINCON AVE MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDRE YOUNG, MICHAEL ELIZONDO, SCOTT STORCH, CURTIS JACKSON, CHRIS LLOYD, DAVID BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.