This song is an expression of his underdog mentality, kind of like the protagonist in the movie or novel. It's no wonder why its fifty's favourite song. This song is the total explicit picture of the lean, ripped and fresh 50 from late early 2002. He talks about his near death experience, at the start you hear exactly nine shots fired off. He states he's let gone of all his weakness and out to bring fire and "bust a clip" on any who try to hold him down. He talks about how death must be easy because life is hard. His experience has made him harder and colder and has given him a do or die attitude towards what he does in life. In total reflection it's about him releasing himself giving all energy into living life, into his music. Thats why his music is so good, he gives his everything and his best to what he does.
The best evidence or expression for how he feels about life after being riddled with bullets is in the last two lines where he talks about how the shooter got shot 3 weeks after he got shot but he dies and Curtis (50) lives.
This picture is his most personal song of all his albums. It's who he is. The Grammys don't even recognise his music çause they believe it's negative influence. But that his image is why he sells so well.
He's everything a young teenager wants to be.
He was an underdog who's made it to the top.
He's sexy. He's dangerous. He's now rich.
More importantly that element of danger is what makes his image so successful and this song is the best expression of that element.
