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.
Ready Or Not
G-Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ecstasy especially out the GT
You next to me, you best to be holdin? somethin? too
Least you can say, you let somethin? fly when somethin? flew
These niggaz get hit and call they lawyer
And try to sue you, that's a bitch nigga for ya
I'm tough like Mayoga and De La Hoya, I saw ya
Cause zips in my shit, I don't grow stems
Him got 14 karats, carrots and gold rims
Why say somethin? about my name?
Don't jump out the window, it's safer jumpin? out a plane
I can't ditch my bitch, it's somethin? 'bout her brain
If she put her mind to it she could suck out a vein
You don't want a lead shower, stay the fuck out the rain
There's so much ammo niggaz don't gotta aim
You don't get a warnin?, there's no heads up when it's on
Here it comes, ready or not
Don't be out there snorin?, one eye blink and you're gone
Keep it cocked and ready to pop
The man makes no mistakes, it's been on since the day I was born
Stop drop or get lead in your knot
I'm known in hip-hop but I'm still ridin? around with my chrome
Here it comes, ready or not
Yeah, yeah, my little shooter's 16 from the projects
Glock-16 with the Napoleon complex
I'm in and out the projects, my lifestyle pleasant
You? You live life like a barbaric peasant
Me without my gun in the streets is like a Muslim eatin? pig feet
Fuck the pigs on the street, they all wanna off a nigga
And when these rappers get shot
They ain't gangsta, they turn into corporate niggaz
You die if it's rated are
If it's PG-13 you leave with a scar
R.I.P. to Troy and Bags, big shout to Hommo
They got fishin? money cooked, buy me the Apollo
These model hoes swallow, I buy another bottle
What is M.O.B. nigga? That's my motto
These rappers ain't kings, they pawns
And got dust bunnies on they guns
You don't get a warnin?, there's no heads up when it's on
Here it comes, ready or not
Don't be out there snorin?, one eye blink and you're gone
Keep it cocked and ready to pop
The man makes no mistakes, it's been on since the day I was born
Stop drop or get lead in your knot
I'm known in hip-hop but I'm still ridin? around with my chrome
Here it comes, ready or not
I think God spent a lil' extra time on me
Pop planted a miracle seed, my mom ain't see
I got a high intelligence level, I ain't no dummy
I ain't satisfied with 10 mil', that ain't no money
My talents are blood deep, you can't take those from me
And my sense of humor's shot, I don't take jokes funny
My paranoia rolls with my bullet holes
Givin? me a third eye, my foes can get a magazine full of those
The hip-hop cops follow my Suburban
Hopin? they can find a pistol on him when they search him
I'm icier in person, they like me when I'm cursin?
So here's a dirty version, you only heard me urban
If niggaz try to hurt him, the I-30's squirtin?
Right through your curtain, don't stop 'til you murk him
Mechanical workin?, Hechler handle's jerkin'
That'll pull the Gate in after you Heavenly church him
You don't get a warnin?, there's no heads up when it's on
Here it comes, ready or not
Don't be out there snorin?, one eye blink and you're gone
Keep it cocked and ready to pop
The man makes no mistakes, it's been on since the day I was born
Stop drop or get lead in your knot
I'm known in hip-hop but I'm still ridin? around with my chrome
Here it comes, ready or not
In G-Unit's "Ready or Not", the lyrics talk about the dangers and paranoia of a life on the streets. The rapper talks about his rope all freezy and dope on the TV, referring to his jewelry and drug dealings being of high value. He claims to be tough like Mayoga and De La Hoya as he watches those around him stack nines for that Cola.
The rapper speaks of his 16-year-old shooter from the projects with a Napoleon complex and his encounters with the hip-hop cops. He is known in hip-hop but is still riding around with his chrome to be ready for any unforeseen danger. The theme of the song is that in the harsh streets of the hood, you need to be prepared for anything, and it could happen at any moment.
This song exemplifies the music from the early 2000s that focused on the street life of hustlers and drug dealers. It brings an insight into the dangers of living in gang culture and the importance of security.
Line by Line Meaning
My rope all freezy, dope on the TV
I wear a lot of flashy jewelry and stack money, which is often shown on television.
Ecstasy especially out the GT
I enjoy taking ecstasy while driving my GT sports car.
You next to me, you best to be holdin? somethin? too
If you're standing next to me, you better have a weapon on you for protection.
Least you can say, you let somethin? fly when somethin? flew
At least you can say you defended yourself and shot back when someone else shot at you.
These niggaz get hit and call they lawyer
When these guys get shot, instead of seeking revenge, they call their lawyer and try to sue.
And try to sue you, that's a bitch nigga for ya
Trying to sue someone after getting shot is cowardly and pathetic.
I'm tough like Mayoga and De La Hoya, I saw ya
I'm tough and can fight like Mayorga and De La Hoya. I saw you and I'm not impressed.
Man, niggaz'll stack nines for that Cola
Guys are willing to kill for money and drugs, including stacking guns (nines) for a drug called Cola.
Cause zips in my shit, I don't grow stems
I don't have to deal with low-quality marijuana because I have high-quality weed (zips) without stems.
Him got 14 karats, carrots and gold rims
He has a lot of jewelry which includes 14 karat diamonds and gold rims on his car.
Why say somethin? about my name?
Don't talk badly about me or my reputation.
Don't jump out the window, it's safer jumpin? out a plane
It's better to take risks like jumping out of a plane than doing something that could put you in danger, such as starting a beef with me.
I can't ditch my bitch, it's somethin? 'bout her brain
I can't leave my girl because she's intelligent and attractive.
If she put her mind to it she could suck out a vein
She's so talented at oral sex that she could suck the blood out of someone's vein if she wanted to.
You don't want a lead shower, stay the fuck out the rain
If you don't want to get shot, stay out of my way and avoid any conflicts with me.
There's so much ammo niggaz don't gotta aim
We have so much ammunition that we don't even have to aim our guns to hit a target.
Yeah, yeah, my little shooter's 16 from the projects
My young accomplice who shoots for me is only 16 years old and comes from the projects.
Glock-16 with the Napoleon complex
He carries a Glock-16 gun and is short in stature but still aggressive and dangerous (like Napoleon).
I'm in and out the projects, my lifestyle pleasant
I frequently visit and leave the projects but still enjoy my luxurious lifestyle.
You? You live life like a barbaric peasant
You live your life disrespectfully and without class like a barbarian.
Me without my gun in the streets is like a Muslim eatin? pig feet
I feel incomplete and vulnerable without my gun, like a Muslim eating pork (which is forbidden).
Fuck the pigs on the street, they all wanna off a nigga
I don't trust the police and believe they all want to harm and kill me.
And when these rappers get shot
Referring to other rappers who get shot.
They ain't gangsta, they turn into corporate niggaz
When these rappers get shot, they become more careful and less 'gangsta' by hiring lawyers and taking corporate actions instead of seeking revenge.
You die if it's rated are
If a situation is dangerous (rated R), you might die.
If it's PG-13 you leave with a scar
If a situation is less dangerous (PG-13), you'll still be hurt or traumatized.
R.I.P. to Troy and Bags, big shout to Hommo
Rest in peace to Troy and Bags (friends who have passed away), and a big shoutout to Hommo (friend still alive).
They got fishin? money cooked, buy me the Apollo
They're making a lot of money (fishing money), and I'll use it to buy the Apollo theatre.
These model hoes swallow, I buy another bottle
These women who model for me will do anything I say (even swallow), so I'll reward them by buying more alcohol.
What is M.O.B. nigga? That's my motto
Money over bitches is my motto.
These rappers ain't kings, they pawns
Other rappers are not as powerful or influential as they think, they're just pawns in the industry.
And got dust bunnies on they guns
Their guns are old and unused (dusty), and aren't as powerful as mine.
I think God spent a lil' extra time on me
I think I am special and talented, like God took extra time to create me.
Pop planted a miracle seed, my mom ain't see
My father (Pop) produced a son that turned out to be amazing, but my mother didn't expect it.
I got a high intelligence level, I ain't no dummy
I'm very intelligent and shouldn't be underestimated as a fool.
I ain't satisfied with 10 mil', that ain't no money
I want more than 10 million dollars, since that's not enough for me.
My talents are blood deep, you can't take those from me
My skills and abilities are part of who I am (blood deep), and no one can take that away from me.
And my sense of humor's shot, I don't take jokes funny
I have a dry sense of humor and don't find jokes funny.
My paranoia rolls with my bullet holes
My fear and paranoia are constantly with me and come from past experiences of being shot at.
Givin? me a third eye, my foes can get a magazine full of those
My paranoia makes me extra alert and ready to shoot, with a magazine full of bullets for my enemies.
The hip-hop cops follow my Suburban
The police who specifically target rappers (hip-hop cops) are following my car (Suburban).
Hopin? they can find a pistol on him when they search him
The police are trying to frame me (or my accomplice) by planting a gun during a search.
I'm icier in person, they like me when I'm cursin?
I have a 'cool' and intimidating presence in person, and people (including the police) seem to like me more when I'm swearing and being aggressive.
So here's a dirty version, you only heard me urban
This is a more explicit version of my song, and if you hear it, you've only heard the urban (real) me.
If niggaz try to hurt him, the I-30's squirtin?
If anyone tries to attack me (or my accomplice), we'll start shooting with our guns (I-30's).
Right through your curtain, don't stop 'til you murk him
We'll keep firing until our target (foe) is killed.
Mechanical workin?, Hechler handle's jerkin'
My gun is working perfectly, and the handle (Hechler) is easy to grip and use.
That'll pull the Gate in after you Heavenly church him
My gun is so powerful that it'll kill someone (Gate) and send them to heaven (church him).
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AMBER DI LENA, JACK KELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.