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 ↴
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
I'm ready for combat, a solider on the front line
It only take one time, for you to send a death threat
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 all that, what!
[Chorus: x2]
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, my 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 make head 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 that
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics of G-Unit's song "Salute U" portray the loyalty and readiness for combat of a soldier in a gang. The chorus repeats the message of the title, acknowledging the power and leadership of the gang's leader, referred to as "General." The singer proclaims their willingness to defend the General and take out anyone who threatens them. They boast about their experience on the battlefield and their access to weapons, warning their enemies to take cover.
The second verse also includes threats to anyone who crosses the gang's path, making mention of Bone Crusher's famous "Never Scared" anthem. The singer also talks about their growing success and fame, hinting at their desire to become a major player in the rap game. The line "There's a very fine line between a pool and the ocean" may refer to the dangers of success, and that they need to be careful not to drown in their own ambition. Overall, the lyrics celebrate the power and unity of the gang, and their readiness to defend themselves at any cost.
Line by Line Meaning
General, I salute you
I respect and acknowledge your authority
I'll put a hole in any nigga tryna shoot you
I am willing to defend you and will take violent action against anyone who threatens you
It ain't nothing 'cause loyalty is what I'm used to
Protecting and standing by someone I respect is second nature to me because of my strong sense of commitment
And what I don't do, I'll have one of my troops do
I have a loyal group of people who will follow my commands and will act on my behalf when necessary
Nigga we'll kill you
We are capable and prepared to cause fatal harm
I'm ready for combat, a soldier on the front line
I am prepared to face danger head-on and fight for what I believe in
Take me to the streets, nigga motherfuck a punchline
I'm not interested in musical entertainment or witty wordplay, I'm here for serious business
It only take one time, for you to send a death threat
Don't underestimate the gravity of your actions, a single threat of violence can have deadly consequences
And watch these bullets have that ass singing like Keith Sweat
If you test us, you will experience the overwhelming pain and terror of being shot
You ain't met me yet
You don't know me, but you will soon learn to fear me
I been camouflaged in the bushes
I have been keeping a watchful eye on my surroundings, hidden from sight
And I'm co-signing Fifty, 'cause them niggas all pussies
I support 50 Cent and his associates because they are not afraid to act with force against our enemies
Bustin' shots at ya convoy
We will attack your group of vehicles with gunfire
You don't want war
You do not want to engage in a violent conflict with us
No surrender, no retreat, this is Vietnam boy
We will not give up or back down, this is a deadly serious situation
Check my war wounds, I done took a couple for the team
I have been injured in battle while fighting for my cause
Only niggas that been on the battlefield know what I mean
Only those who have experienced the horrors of combat can truly understand my perspective
Take cover we coming, pulling pins outta grenades
We are coming for you, armed with explosives that can cause serious damage and injury
You won't make it to the general, without getting sprayed
You will not be able to reach the leader of our group without encountering a barrage of bullets
Might as well say "Hello" to my brand new little friend
Say hello to my new firearm, which I will use to cause destruction
Only time he come out, to put holes in grown men
I only use my weapon to seriously wound or kill adult men
You continue troops and get 'em all blowed back
If you persist in your aggression, your entire group will be defeated and forced to retreat
Walk up on 'em with a deuce-deuce and nigga all that, what!
I will approach your group with a small weapon and defeat you easily, don't even try to resist
[Chorus: x2]
Repeating the chorus
Look nigga, I suggest you go home
I advise you to leave the area and avoid further confrontation
Cause I won't hesitate to let the chrome touch ya
I am prepared to shoot at you without any hesitation
Nigga I'm never scared like Bone Crusher
I am fearless and not intimidated by anyone, like the rapper Bone Crusher
Stand alone, provide my own supper
I am self-sufficient and do not rely on anyone else for support
Tell ya baby mama stop coming around here or I'm gon' fuck her
Tell your female partner to stop visiting me, or I will have sex with her
Don't trying to pick up for them lames around you
Don't try to defend your weak associates, they are not worth supporting
You get shots for free, like I fragrant fouled you
I will shoot at you without any cost or payment, like a basketball foul called for excessive force
I'm on the road blowing grade A haze and brown
I am driving and smoking high-quality marijuana
Got niggas running like the KKK's around
I have intimidated and frightened people so much that they are fleeing from me like they would from the Ku Klux Klan
My album's coming, a new year's approaching
I have a new music release and the new year is almost here
My buzz getting bigger, my few ears is open
My fame and attention is increasing, and people are starting to pay attention to me
Can ya team play in the game without you their to coach 'em
Can your team perform well without your guidance and support?
There's a very fine line between a pool and the ocean
There is a small difference between two seemingly different things
Sometimes I'm in Atlanta where they make head bounce
Occasionally, I am in Atlanta where they make music that makes people bob their heads
And you can come, but after you give Banks head, bounce
You can come to Atlanta, but only after performing oral sex on Lloyd Banks and then leaving quickly
These niggas really want war, 'cause if so
These people are truly seeking a battle, because if that is the case
Get on your vest, 'cause all you gotta do is say that
Put on your bulletproof vest, because simply expressing your desire for a confrontation will result in violent retaliation
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.