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.
The Hood
G-Unit Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little Tyrone tired of gettin' his ass whipped so he holdin' that gat down
His mama think it's my fault cause he listen to back down
Bobby was a fucking bum he pumpin' crack now
He keeps her fresh chicks white t's and fitted hats now
Uncle rock-a-whiner we wont put the yak down
Eric had a jump shot but he's smoking crack now
The lunatics the lost boys cheap shit is wack now
And Sean runnin' round with his fucking gat now
Up in niggaz cribs sayin' where that money at pound
And Saundra from bk I seen her out in Houston
That bitch travel the world she runnin' round boostin'
And Toya got these bad ass kids they a nuisance
Their baby daddy's never come around they useless
Every now and then I come through on some new shit
Pearly white six and some chrome deuce deuce
I'm so hood, I can't help it
I'm so hood, I can't help it
Love me for being me
'Cause I can't change it can't rearrange it I am what I am
So love me for being me
I'm so hood, I can't help it
I'm so hood, I can't help it
Love me for being me
'Cause I can't change it can't rearrange it I am what I am
So love me for being me
Now I'ma six man mama told me god don't like ugly
I fell scraped my face and thought god must don't love me
So Owen every morning before he sell dope
Niggas keep whoopin' that ass cause he sell soap
Charlie be beggin' all the time he stay broke
Flip be down on 109 rollin' up smoke
Chamie he a thief catch a stunt in a stolen car
He that nigga that you call when you crash and need new parts
They say they love me because I rap now but they don't like me
I've been locked up 3 times and they ain't write me
Stevey a punk but fucker said he could get em in quick
Pop shots at you he sure must suck a mean dick
The blocks hot d's jump out on us almost all the time
They watch us from the building but niggaz still be on the grime
Wade used to call the cops and tell them g had a nine
And g put that gun down the seat and said "it wasn't mine"
I'm so hood, I can't help it
I'm so hood, I can't help it
Love me for being me
'Cause I can't change it can't rearrange it I am what I am
So love me for being me
The Hood by G-Unit is a powerful rap song that captures the essence of life in the inner city. The lyrics express the anger and frustration felt by those living in poverty, with the artists using their powerful rhymes to paint vivid pictures of the struggles they face every day. Lloyd Banks raps about how rap has become a central part of his life and how he intends to use his music to make a difference. Tony Yayo raps about his experiences with drugs and how he has been able to turn his life around. 50 Cent's verse is perhaps the strongest of all, as he raps about the pain of being betrayed by those you thought were your friends.
G-Unit's The Hood is a song that speaks directly to the experiences of people living in the inner city. The lyrics are raw and powerful, and the delivery is impeccable. The song is a call to action, urging people to take control of their lives and make a difference in the world. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement and enthusiasm
Little Tyrone tired of gettin' his ass whipped so he holdin' that gat down
Tyrone is tired of being physically beaten up, so he carries a gun to protect himself
His mama think it's my fault cause he listen to back down
Tyrone's mother blames me for his actions because he follows my music
Bobby was a fucking bum he pumpin' crack now
Bobby, who was once lazy and unemployed, is now involved in selling crack cocaine
He keeps her fresh chicks white t's and fitted hats now
Bobby now spends money on fashionable clothing items for women, such as white t-shirts and fitted hats
Uncle rock-a-whiner we wont put the yak down
Uncle, who complains a lot, refuses to stop drinking alcohol (yak)
Eric had a jump shot but he's smoking crack now
Eric, who was once skilled at basketball, is now addicted to crack cocaine
The lunatics the lost boys cheap shit is wack now
The crazy and rebellious individuals, known as the lost boys, are not interested in low-quality or cheap things anymore
Country boots shrowden crackers got him on his back now
People from the countryside who wear boots and act foolishly have caused him trouble or defeated him
And Sean runnin' round with his fucking gat now
Sean is running around with his gun to show power and dominance
Up in niggaz cribs sayin' where that money at pound
Breaking into people's houses and demanding to know where the money is, using aggressive tactics
And Saundra from bk I seen her out in Houston
I saw Saundra, who is from Brooklyn, in Houston
That bitch travel the world she runnin' round boostin'
Saundra travels extensively and engages in theft or shoplifting
And Toya got these bad ass kids they a nuisance
Toya has unruly and misbehaving children who are causing trouble
Their baby daddy's never come around they useless
The fathers of Toya's children never visit or provide support, making them worthless
Every now and then I come through on some new shit
Occasionally, I surprise people with innovative and fresh material
Pearly white six and some chrome deuce deuce
Referring to driving a clean white luxury car with a chrome .22 caliber handgun
Now I'ma six man mama told me god don't like ugly
Now I am a wealthy and successful person, but my mother warned me that God dislikes immoral actions
I fell scraped my face and thought god must don't love me
When I fell and injured my face, I thought that perhaps God doesn't care for me
So Owen every morning before he sell dope
Owen, before he starts selling drugs, performs a morning routine
Niggas keep whoopin' that ass cause he sell soap
People continue to physically assault Owen because they believe he is involved in selling drugs
Charlie be beggin' all the time he stay broke
Charlie, who constantly asks for money, is always in a state of financial struggle
Flip be down on 109 rollin' up smoke
Flip spends his time on 109th street rolling marijuana cigarettes
Chamie he a thief catch a stunt in a stolen car
Chamie, a known thief, engages in reckless behavior by performing stunts in a stolen vehicle
He that nigga that you call when you crash and need new parts
Chamie is the person you contact when you have a car accident and require replacement parts
They say they love me because I rap now but they don't like me
People claim to love my music but actually don't like me as a person
I've been locked up 3 times and they ain't write me
I have been imprisoned three times, and none of my supposed supporters wrote to me during those times
Stevey a punk but fucker said he could get em in quick
Stevey is a coward, but he claimed that he could quickly obtain illegal substances
Pop shots at you he sure must suck a mean dick
If he is shooting at you, it means he is skilled at performing oral sex on men
The blocks hot d's jump out on us almost all the time
The neighborhood is under police surveillance, and officers frequently confront us
They watch us from the building but niggaz still be on the grime
Although the police observe us from nearby buildings, we continue to engage in illegal activities
Wade used to call the cops and tell them g had a nine
Wade used to inform the police that I possessed a 9mm handgun
And g put that gun down the seat and said 'it wasn't mine'
I concealed the gun under the seat and denied ownership when confronted by the police
I'm so hood, I can't help it
I am deeply rooted in the street culture and lifestyle, unable to change
Love me for being me
Accept and appreciate me for who I truly am
'Cause I can't change it can't rearrange it I am what I am
I cannot alter or restructure my identity and circumstances; I am simply who I am
So love me for being me
Therefore, embrace and love me for my authentic self
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Raymond Grant, Richard Grant, Curtis James Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Miles Lewis
on Lay You Down
Beg For Mercy was one of the best albums of 2003.