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 Unit That's What's Up!
G-Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh, Gggga Gggga G-UNIT (UNIT, haha), yeah, it's 50 CENT (CENT)
And Lloyd Banks (BANKS), and Tony Yayo (YAYO), nigga, nigga (haha, haha)
You gotta love it, New York City (haha)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ 50 Cent ]
Uh, yeah, my chain is so heavy (heavy), I think it's necessary (necessary)
For me to talk about all of the stones in my resi (stones in my resi, YEAH)
I used to push a Chevy (uh huh), about to cop a Bentley (what)
And stun on these niggaz 'till my tank on empty (tank on empty)
This gangsta shit is in me (in me), the money I got plenty (plenty)
I still hustle, but I don't cop jewels from any (any)
I know a stripper named Jenny (Jenny)
I marked a nigga named Vinny (Vinny)
I ain't in on many (many), a CEO named Giddy (Giddy)
50 is so witty, 50 is so high (high)
50 got the fuckin' hood on lock (lock, what)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ Lloyd Banks ]
When I'm knockin' you down, no one can save ya, from the other side of the door
It sounds like you going through this (AH) before (AH)
My passport is valid, so I'm goin' through Asia
Flyin' through Paris, stoppin' in Britain, shoppin' and shittin' (YEAH)
If you ain't jumpin' off of the truck, you walkin'
We got frozen hearts, get on the bus like Rosa Parks (Rosa Parks)
My name papi, so I'm higherin' the price
Bitch about to make enough money, to buy you a life (OH)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ Tony Yayo ]
Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, yo, yo, I got so many hoes, that my pimp game natural (uh huh)
The only time I don't fuck, is in the AIDS capital (YEAH)
Look at the watch, you have a hard time seein' it
I got so many rocks, they have a hard time breathin' (C'MON)
See the cross on my neck?
Hoes want to know what's the course on my neck (course on my neck)
First she said no, now she almost said yes (almost said yes)
Now we in the telly, and we both butt nak, workin' up a sweat (sweat, sweat)
[ Chorus - 50 Cent singing ]
I been doin' my own thang
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
I said I've been doin' my own thang
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
I'm doin' my thang
[ Outro - 50 Cent talking ]
Yeah nigga (yeah nigga)
You know it's me when I'm cruisin' through your motherfuckin' hood
And shit nigga, Don't try to act like you don't know it me
And shit, You know what I'm sayin'?
I didn't put no tints on the motherfucker
So you could see me nigga
If I'm gonna spend $125,000 on some wheels
I want you to get a good look nigga (haha uh)
Yeah, look at me, look at the license plate
The license plate say: "Get one nigga" (haha)
Can you get one nigga?
The song "G-Unit That's What's Up!" by G-Unit glorifies their wealth and success in the music industry. The lyrics highlight their cars, jewelry, and lifestyle as symbols of their success. 50 Cent kicks off the song talking about how much money he has by flaunting his jewelry and cars. He mentions how he used to drive a Chevy but intends to buy a Bentley instead. Lloyd Banks boasts of his international travel and shopping sprees. Tony Yayo brags about his pimp game and sexual conquests. The overall theme of the song encourages listeners to aspire to reach the financial and social status of the G-Unit crew.
The song's chorus is a reminder that G-Unit is doing their own thing, and no one should try to stop or derail them on that path. The song's verses showcase the individual members of G-Unit and how they've made it in the music industry. The lyrics emphasize their commitment to their craft and their lucrative lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh, Gggga Gggga G-UNIT (UNIT, haha), yeah, it's 50 CENT (CENT)
50 Cent introduces G-Unit with their trademark chant and acknowledges himself as being part of the group
And Lloyd Banks (BANKS), and Tony Yayo (YAYO), nigga, nigga (haha, haha)
50 Cent shouts out his fellow G-Unit members, Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo
You gotta love it, New York City (haha)
50 Cent celebrates New York City as the home of G-Unit and a hotbed of hip-hop culture
I been doin' my own thang
50 Cent asserts his independence and success as a solo artist
You can tell by the stones on my neck, and my wrist, and my ears
50 Cent flaunts his wealth and expensive jewelry as a sign of his success
I'm doin' my thang (haha)
50 Cent continues to assert his independence and self-confidence
I said I've been doin' my own thang
50 Cent reiterates his independence and success as a solo artist
You can tell by my Benz, by my BM, and my Hummer, damn
50 Cent lists his luxury cars as another sign of his financial success
I'm doin' my thang
50 Cent repeats his assertion of independence and self-confidence
Uh, yeah, my chain is so heavy (heavy), I think it's necessary (necessary)
50 Cent explains that his heavy chain is a necessary sign of his success and status in the rap game
For me to talk about all of the stones in my resi (stones in my resi, YEAH)
50 Cent emphasizes the luxurious nature of his home, particularly the expensive stones used in its construction
I used to push a Chevy (uh huh), about to cop a Bentley (what)
50 Cent discusses his rise in status from driving a Chevy to being able to afford a Bentley
And stun on these niggaz 'till my tank on empty (tank on empty)
50 Cent explains that he will continue to flaunt his success and status until he runs out of gas, or until he can no longer afford to do so
This gangsta shit is in me (in me), the money I got plenty (plenty)
50 Cent asserts that his gangsta lifestyle is a natural part of who he is, and that he has plenty of money to support it
I still hustle, but I don't cop jewels from any (any)
50 Cent explains that he still works hard even though he is financially successful, and that he is careful about where he buys his jewelry
I know a stripper named Jenny (Jenny)
50 Cent references a stripper he knows named Jenny, perhaps as a way to show off his connections and street credibility
I marked a nigga named Vinny (Vinny)
50 Cent brags about causing harm to someone named Vinny, perhaps suggesting that he is not someone to be messed with
I ain't in on many (many), a CEO named Giddy (Giddy)
50 Cent says he is not involved in too many business deals, but he does know a CEO named Giddy
50 is so witty, 50 is so high (high)
50 Cent boasts about his intelligence and his tendency to get high
50 got the fuckin' hood on lock (lock, what)
50 Cent asserts his dominance over the rap game and the streets, suggesting that nobody can challenge him
When I'm knockin' you down, no one can save ya, from the other side of the door
Lloyd Banks suggests that he is extremely powerful and dangerous, and that nobody can help you when he is after you
It sounds like you going through this (AH) before (AH)
Lloyd Banks implies that he has dealt with people like his target before, and they should be worried about what he might do to them
My passport is valid, so I'm goin' through Asia
Lloyd Banks explains that he is able to travel freely around the world because he has a valid passport
Flyin' through Paris, stoppin' in Britain, shoppin' and shittin' (YEAH)
Lloyd Banks brags about his ability to travel to exotic locations around the world and enjoy himself
If you ain't jumpin' off of the truck, you walkin'
Lloyd Banks suggests that if you are not part of his crew, G-Unit, then you are not able to keep up with him and you will be left behind
We got frozen hearts, get on the bus like Rosa Parks (Rosa Parks)
Lloyd Banks suggests that he and his crew are icy and unfeeling, and that they are taking control of situations like Rosa Parks did when she refused to give up her seat on a bus
My name papi, so I'm higherin' the price
Tony Yayo says that his nickname is Papi, suggesting that he is a leader or authority figure, and that he is able to raise the price of his services accordingly
Bitch about to make enough money, to buy you a life (OH)
Tony Yayo explains that he is about to make a huge amount of money, and that he will be able to help others to improve their lives
Uh, yeah, uh, yeah, yo, yo, I got so many hoes, that my pimp game natural (uh huh)
Tony Yayo boasts about his ability to attract many women naturally, without having to work too hard at it
The only time I don't fuck, is in the AIDS capital (YEAH)
Tony Yayo says that the only time he does not have sex is when he is in a place with a high incidence of AIDS
Look at the watch, you have a hard time seein' it
Tony Yayo shows off his expensive watch, which may have small details that make it hard to see
I got so many rocks, they have a hard time breathin' (C'MON)
Tony Yayo brags about his collection of expensive jewelry, which is so large that it seems to take on a life of its own
See the cross on my neck?
Tony Yayo references a cross necklace he is wearing, which may be a symbol of his devotion to Christianity or his gang
Hoes want to know what's the course on my neck (course on my neck)
Tony Yayo implies that women are interested in him because of his wealth and expensive jewelry
First she said no, now she almost said yes (almost said yes)
Tony Yayo hints that he has seduced a woman who was initially resistant to his advances
Now we in the telly, and we both butt nak, workin' up a sweat (sweat, sweat)
Tony Yayo suggests that he is having sex with the woman he mentioned earlier, and that they are both completely naked and sweating
Yeah nigga (yeah nigga)
50 Cent addresses his audience, acknowledging their presence and excitement
You know it's me when I'm cruisin' through your motherfuckin' hood
50 Cent suggests that he is a well-known figure in the neighborhoods he cruises through, and that people are aware of his presence
And shit nigga, Don't try to act like you don't know it me
50 Cent warns people not to act like they do not recognize him, as he is a well-known figure in the hip-hop community
And shit, You know what I'm sayin'?
50 Cent asks his audience if they understand what he is trying to communicate to them
I didn't put no tints on the motherfucker
50 Cent says that he did not tint the windows of his car, suggesting that he wants people to be able to see him when he rides around
So you could see me nigga
50 Cent repeats that he wants people to be able to see him, as a sign of his status and success
If I'm gonna spend $125,000 on some wheels
50 Cent references the price of his car and suggests that he is willing to spend large amounts of money to maintain his status and success
I want you to get a good look nigga (haha uh)
50 Cent repeats his desire for people to be able to see him, and adds a laugh to show his confidence and dominance
Yeah, look at me, look at the license plate
50 Cent suggests that people should pay attention to him and his car, as he is a figure to be reckoned with
The license plate say: "Get one nigga" (haha)
50 Cent's license plate is a brag and a challenge, suggesting that others should try to match his success and status
Can you get one nigga?
50 Cent taunts his audience, asking if they are capable of achieving the same level of success and status that he has reached
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrWhite 614
One of the greatest mixtape runs in Hip-Hop history....
Homie Soprano
Facts, dont forget they had the radio freestyles too
Ant H.
and d block and fab
Joe Chap
Real ones know
jimmy shoetron
One of the? THE greatest
Cameron
Not a single thumbs down on this comment thats how you know its REAL niggas fuckin wit 50
JLove B
Classic🙌🏾 50's prime and longevity is unremarkable! And this beat is so carefree and fun🙌🏾
NukaBinge
one of Lloyd banks best verses ever!
ShellzFilms LLC.
NukaBinge naw but its good though
Mackin Shizzaveli420
Somebody hasn't heard Victory?