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.
Salute U
G-Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
Nigga we'll kill you
I'm ready for combat, a solider on the front line
Take me to the streets, nigga motherfuck a punchline
And watch these bullets have that ass singing like Keith Sweat
You ain't met me yet
I been camouflaged in the bushes
And I'm co-signing Fifty, 'cause them niggas all pussies
Bustin' shots at ya convoy
You don't want war
No surrender, no retreat, this is Vietnam boy
Check my war wounds, I done took a couple for the team
Only niggas that been on the battlefield know what I mean
Take cover we coming, pulling pins outta grenades
You won't make it to the general, without getting sprayed
Might as well say "Hello" to my brand new little friend
Only time he come out, to put holes in grown men
You continue troops and get 'em all blowed back
Walk up on 'em with a deuce-deuce and nigga hold that, what!
General, I salute you
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
Nigga we'll kill you
General, I salute you
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
Nigga we'll kill you
Look nigga, I suggest you go home
Cause I won't hesitate to let the chrome touch ya
Nigga I'm never scared like Bone Crusher
Stand alone, provide my own supper
Tell ya baby mama stop coming around here or I'm gon' fuck her
Don't trying to pick up for them lames around you
You get shots for free, like I fragrant fouled you
I'm on the road blowing grade A haze and brown
Got niggas running like the KKK's around
My album's coming, a new year's approaching
My buzz getting bigger, a few ears is open
Can ya team play in the game without you their to coach 'em
There's a very fine line between a pool and the ocean
Sometimes I'm in Atlanta where they Bankhead bounce
And you can come, but after you give Banks head, bounce
These niggas really want war, 'cause if so
Get on your vest, 'cause all you gotta do is say YES!!
General, I salute you
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
Nigga we'll kill you
General, I salute you
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
Nigga we'll kill you
In "Salute U," G-Unit pays homage to their general, who they would do anything to protect. The opening lines of the chorus establish their loyalty to their leader and their willingness to take action to protect him. They assert that this is their way of life, and it's not unusual for them to do so. They also send a warning to those who might try to harm their general, stating that they will be met with deadly force.
The first verse jumps into the mindset of a soldier, ready to do battle on the front lines. They reject the idea of using punchlines in a battle, as they are equipped and prepared for true combat. They warn their opponents that they will be met with lethal force if they threaten their lives. They also allude to the fact that they have been through battles before and have the scars to prove it. The second verse is an aggressive display of bravado from one of the group members. They assert that they are fearless and that anyone who comes at them will suffer the consequences. They also make a crude advance toward their opponent's partner, furthering the notion that they are the aggressors and will take what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
General, I salute you
I have great respect and admiration for you as a leader
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
I will use lethal force to protect you from anyone who presents a threat
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
Protecting you is a natural and expected result of our strong sense of loyalty to one another
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
If I am unable to personally assist or defend you, I have other trustworthy individuals who are willing to do it for me
Nigga we'll kill you
We will use deadly force if necessary to protect ourselves and each other
I'm ready for combat, a solider on the front line
I am fully prepared for battle and willing to put myself in harm's way
Take me to the streets, nigga motherfuck a punchline
I am more interested in real life situations and events than in making clever or witty jokes
It only take one time, for you to send a death threat
A single instance of someone threatening your life is enough to provoke a strong response from me
And watch these bullets have that ass singing like Keith Sweat
If I have to use my weapon, it will cause you significant pain and discomfort
You ain't met me yet
You have not yet had the misfortune of crossing my path
I been camouflaged in the bushes
I have been strategically positioning myself in order to remain undetected
And I'm co-signing Fifty, 'cause them niggas all pussies
I am expressing my support for 50 Cent and his associates, who I believe are tough and fearless
Bustin' shots at ya convoy
I am firing my weapon at your group of vehicles in an attempt to disrupt or disable them
You don't want war
You should avoid conflict with us at all costs
No surrender, no retreat, this is Vietnam boy
We will fight to the bitter end and will not abandon our position or our goals
Check my war wounds, I done took a couple for the team
I have suffered injuries in the course of defending my team and carrying out our mission
Only niggas that been on the battlefield know what I mean
The experiences and hardships of combat can only truly be understood by those who have been through it
Take cover we coming, pulling pins outta grenades
We are aggressively advancing towards you and preparing to use explosive devices
You won't make it to the general, without getting sprayed
You will not be able to reach your leader without encountering our resistance and facing the consequences
Might as well say 'Hello' to my brand new little friend
I am introducing you to my weapon, which is a new and dangerous addition to my arsenal
Only time he come out, to put holes in grown men
I only use my weapon when it is necessary to cause harm to fully grown and capable individuals
You continue troops and get 'em all blowed back
You will suffer significant losses among your team and allies
Walk up on 'em with a deuce-deuce and nigga all that, what!
I am approaching you while wielding a powerful and deadly weapon
Look nigga, I suggest you go home
I am advising you to leave the area and avoid conflict with us
Cause I won't hesitate to let the chrome touch ya
If you do not leave, I will respond with lethal force
Nigga I'm never scared like Bone Crusher
I am fearless and not easily intimidated, even in the face of danger
Stand alone, provide my own supper
I am self-sufficient and do not rely on others for my basic needs
Tell ya baby mama stop coming around here or I'm gon' fuck her
I am warning you to keep your female partner away from me, or I may engage in sexual intercourse with her
Don't trying to pick up for them lames around you
Do not attempt to defend or support your weak and ineffective associates
You get shots for free, like I fragrant fouled you
I am firing at you without any hesitation or reluctance, as if I were fouling you in a basketball game
I'm on the road blowing grade A haze and brown
I am traveling and smoking high-quality marijuana and tobacco
Got niggas running like the KKK's around
My presence and activities are causing others to flee in fear, similar to how the Ku Klux Klan would intimidate African Americans
My album's coming, a new year's approaching
I am anticipating the release of my new music album and the start of a new year
My buzz getting bigger, my few ears is open
My popularity and influence are growing, and more people are paying attention to what I have to say
Can ya team play in the game without you their to coach 'em
Are your associates capable of functioning effectively without your guidance and support?
There's a very fine line between a pool and the ocean
There is a subtle and important difference between two seemingly similar things
Sometimes I'm in Atlanta where they make head bounce
Occasionally I am in the city of Atlanta, where the music and culture is lively and exciting
And you can come, but after you give Banks head, bounce
You are welcome to join me, but only if you perform oral sex on one of my associates and then leave promptly
These niggas really want war, 'cause if so
These individuals are actively seeking conflict and confrontation with us
Get on your vest, 'cause all you gotta do is say that
Prepare yourself for battle and arm yourself, because I am ready and willing to engage in a fight if necessary
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Peter Eugenio, David Darnell Brown, Christopher Lloyd
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.