For a rapper to command your attention, it all comes down to the voice. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Public Enemys Chuck D had millions of fans hanging on to every word of his booming baritone. In the mid-1990s, The Notorious B.I.G.s steely poise and vocal precision led many critics and fans to proclaim him the best rapper of all time. Now, in 2006, get ready for the next rapper with a magnetic voice, someone whose pristine raps demand attention. His name: Jay Rock.
Born and raised in Watts, Californias notorious Nickerson Gardens Projects, Jay Rock got his first encouragement from his music-making relatives, who noticed the impact his deep, melodic voice made on song after song. They were like, youre hard. And youve got a voice for it, too. Youve got a real cool voice to it, Jay Rock recalls: "A lot of people started hearing me and they would tell me that my voice catches them. So, I started working it, working on my craft and got more and more confidence." His rap name is inspired by a character off the hit Canadian comedy show Trailer Park Boys.
Jay Rocks confidence led to a string of heated appearances on neighborhood mixtapes. The gifted rhymers clever phrasing, gritty realism, storytelling swagger and powerful voice grabbed the attention of Top Dawg Entertainment boss Dude Dawg. Once in the studio with an independent company backing him, Jay Rocks output increased and improved.
After shopping his demo to a number of major labels, Jay Rock and Top Dawg earned a deal with industry powerhouse Warner Bros. Records, also home to Lil Jons BME Recordings, E-40, The Federation and Talib Kweli, among others. The Warner Bros. executives were impressed with Jay Rocks distinctive flow, his vivid lyrics and, of course, voice. Already a star on the Internet, his always-updated myspace.com/jayrock page features three songs that have more than 100,000 plays.
One of those cuts is LA Shit, Jay Rocks stellar reworking of Busta Rhymes New York Shit. When I heard that song, I thought it was a hot-ass song, so I wanted to get on my LA shit about what we do out here, says Jay Rock, who has long been a fan of Busta Rhymes phraseology. I was paying respect to Busta and his song, and thats for the mixtapes right there. I want LA to get an ear for it.
LA will also appreciate the energetic California Soul, which details the treacherous reality of Californias streets. Game produced the record and he gave it to me. I met him at the studio about a week later and let him hear ithe went crazy! He liked it so much he recorded the hook on the spot. On the smooth Thats My Word, Jay Rock asserts his status as a man of his word, while To The Top documents his ascent from project resident to his present day successes. It was a struggle to get to where Im at now, he says. Im talking about going from the bottom to the top, what I was going through starting off. Im legal now. Im signed. I started off at the bottom, made something out of nothing and am going to run with it until I get all the way to the top.
As someone who looks toward the past as he pushes toward the future, Jay Rock holds the soulful Back In The Days in high regard. I just went back to when I was 6, 7, growing up listening to the oldies, he explains. That song meant a lot because I always dwell on the past, for some reason. I always think back and wish that I was a kid again. I know that will never happen, but some times I just wish I could go back in the days when I was young.
For now, though, Jay Rock is focused on recording his debut album and ushering in a new era of hard-core West Coast rap. Jay Rock is thankful that Comptons The Game was able to breakthrough with his multi platinum, The Documentary album. Game opened up the doors for a lot of people, Jay Rock says. Game opened the door and Im running right through with my people behind me. Were trying to bring it back home, bring the West back. Weve been down for a long time, so were trying to bring it back home.
With production on his forthcoming debut album from such A-List producers as KayGee (Jaheim, Naughty By Nature) and L.E.S. (Nas), as well up-and-coming beatsmiths Nephew, 4th Quarter and K-Fam, Soundwave and Aqua (Jay-Z), Jay Rock is set to live out a dream that seemed to be destined to happen.
His hard-working mother filled their home with the classic soul and blues music of such icons as the Temptations, Dramatics, Isley Brothers, Johnny Guitar Watson and B.B. King. She also had an affinity for rap, and enjoyed the music of such trendsetters as Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie. Her love for music carried over to her house parties. My mom threw parties damn near every weekend, Jay Rock recalls. Shed be stressing during the week, would come home and thats what theyd do, party all night long.
Jay Rock soon developed an interest in playing keyboards and, at age 12, writing poems. And, as he grew up in the volatile Watts streets, gangster rap began to take hold. You couldnt go up the street without hearing Snoop, Dre or N.W.A, he says. Much as N.W.A and others reported about their surroundings, Jay Rocks early poems documented his feelings -- about a person, about Los Angeles, about his experiences.
Jay Rock soon started getting into trouble at school, forcing him to attend a number of different schools. He also endured a harsh reality when cited and incarcerated for violating his areas gang injunction. I was hanging out with dudes I grew up with, dudes I went to school with, played Pop Warner with, he says. They saw us out there and took us downThey put me on it...I basically cant hang out where I liveI cant help where I stayThey got me again when I was hanging out of my own apartment, my own residence.
Jay Rocks legal struggles have made him appreciate what he has already accomplished, turning his childhood talent for writing into a career as a major-label recording artist. Getting signed and being from what Im from, thats a great achievement because nobodys really been signed from my projects, Jay Rock says: "Thats a big achievement for me. Its a blessing. It feels real good. I could be in the jail somewhere or in the grave, but Im right here doing what I need to do.
And it all starts with the voice.
King's Dead
Jay Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ain't really wild, you a tourist (a tourist)
I be blackin' out with the purist (the purist)
I made a hundred thou' then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I made 500 thou' then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I bought a '87 for the weekend (the weekend)
This ain't what you want, this ain't what you want (what you want)
This ain't what you want, this ain't what you want (what you want)
And it's like that, lil' bitch
MVP, I don't get no sleep, no, I don't like that, lil' bitch
Bust that open, I want that ocean, yeah that bite back, lil' bitch
Do it bite back, lil' bitch? Need two life jackets, lil' bitch
I ain't gon' hold you, I ain't gon' press you, never control you
I ain't gon' front you, keep it 100, I don't know you
Boss like Top Dawg, bossed my life up, crossin' over
Stutter steppin', got a Hall of Fame in all my posters
I've been ready, my whip been ready
My bitch been ready, my clique been ready
My shit's been ready, my check's been ready
My shot's on full, that's Armageddon
I got pull, I hope y'all ready
My tank on full, you know, unleaded
I gotta go get it, I gotta go get it
I gotta go get it, I gotta go get it
My name gon' hold up, my team gon' hold up
My name gon' hold up, my team gon' hold up
My shots gon' fire, my team gon' roll up
Ménage-à-trois, my queen gon' roll up
I hope y'all ready, you know I'm ready
I reign all day, you know, confetti
I gotta go get it, I gotta go get it
I gotta go get it, I gotta go get it, skrrt
Miss me with that bullshit (bullshit)
You're not a gang member, you's a tourist (a tourist)
I be blackin' out, I be blackin' out
Bought a '83 Cutlass for the weekend (for the weekend)
I got a hundred thousand, then I freaked it (then I freaked it)
I made 500 thousand, then I freaked it (then I freaked it)
I put a Rolls Royce on my wrist, oh yeah
Fuck his baby mama, tryna sneak diss
I took her to my penthouse, then I freaked it (then I freaked it)
I haven't made my mind up, should I keep it? (Should I keep it?)
I got big dawg status, it ain't no secret
La di da di da, slob on me knob
Pass me some syrup, fuck me in the car
La di da di da, mothafuck the law
Chitty chitty bang, murder everything
Bitch, I'm on a roll, and I put that on the gang
Yeah, miss me with that bullshit (bullshit)
You ain't really wild, you a tourist (a tourist)
I be blackin' out with the purist (the purist)
I made a hundred thou' then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I made 500 thou' then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I bought a '87 for the weekend (the weekend)
This ain't what you want, this ain't what you want (what you want)
This ain't what you want, this ain't what you want (what you want)
Changes
Is you gon' do something about it?
What you want?
Red light, green light, red light, green light
Red light, green light, they like, we like
Fast cars, fast money, fast life, fast broads
Egotistic, goin' ballistic, why God?
Born warrior, lookin' for euphoria, but I don't see it
I don't feel it, I'm paraplegic, tapped in when I'm maxed in
Comp-Town with the MAC-10s and the pumps in the background
I was absent, never OG, standout
I was lackin' everything else but doubt
In the Magnum, holding Magnums with a Magnum
Nigga, ad-lib and I sing out loud
Never had friends, never had ends, never had hope
They was like, "nope," I was like, "boo yaow, boo yaow"
(Yeah God)
Tee off the day, know we off the, be off the, eat off your plate
Throw me off, I be, "off ya head"
Well ate, on C4, I'm way off the edge
Fuck integrity, fuck your pedigree, fuck your feelings, fuck your culture
Fuck your moral, fuck your family, fuck your tribe
Fuck your land, fuck your children, fuck your wives
Who am I? Not your father, not your brother
Not your reason, not your future
Not your comfort, not your reverence, not your glory
Not your heaven, not your angel, not your spirit
Not your message, not your freedom
Not your people, not your neighbor
Not your baby, not your equal
Not the title y'all want me under
All hail King Killmonger
Red light, green light, red light, green light
Red light, green light, they like, we like
Fast cars
"King's Dead" is a song by the American hip-hop artists Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future and James Blake. The song was written for the popular film "Black Panther," which they made the original soundtrack for. The song speaks of the artists' past successes and their unapologetic behavior as they continue their quest for greatness. The lyrics are a mix of bragging about their wealth and success, while also dismissing anyone who cannot keep up with them. The song is empowered by its intense beats and background music, which are heavily influenced by African culture.
The lyrics of the song are meant to portray the lives of successful people who believe they are on top of the world. However, the lyrics also reveal how some people can become too obsessed with their wealth and status, leading them to ignore other important aspects of their lives. Even though the song is about success, it can be interpreted as a warning to those who only care about accumulating wealth without considering the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss me with that bullshit (bullshit)
I don't want to hear anything that's not real or authentic
You ain't really wild, you a tourist (a tourist)
You're not really living the life, you're just visiting for a short time
I be blackin' out with the purist (the purist)
I immerse myself in a state of pure, unbridled emotion
I made a hundred thou' then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I turned a modest sum into something much more profitable
I made 500 thou' then I freaked it (I freaked it)
I turned a large sum into an even larger profit
I bought a '87 for the weekend (the weekend)
I purchased a classic car and only planned to use it temporarily
This ain't what you want, this ain't what you want (what you want)
This lifestyle is not as glamorous as you may think
And it's like that, lil' bitch
Things are really like this, whether you like it or not
MVP, I don't get no sleep, no, I don't like that, lil' bitch
I'm the most valuable player, but I don't have time for sleep and I don't want it either
Bust that open, I want that ocean, yeah that bite back, lil' bitch
I want a woman to be sexually adventurous, but not without potential consequences
Do it bite back, lil' bitch? Need two life jackets, lil' bitch
Will there be repercussions to our passionate encounter? I'm prepared for anything
I ain't gon' hold you, I ain't gon' press you, never control you
I won't restrict or dominate you in any way
I ain't gon' front you, keep it 100, I don't know you
I won't pretend to know more than I do, I'm just being real with you
Boss like Top Dawg, bossed my life up, crossin' over
I'm at the top of my game, I've taken control of my life and I'm venturing into new territory
Stutter steppin', got a Hall of Fame in all my posters
I may have stumbled along the way, but I'm achieving greatness and being recognized for it
I've been ready, my whip been ready
I'm always prepared and my car is too
My bitch been ready, my clique been ready
My girl and my crew are always ready to go
My shit's been ready, my check's been ready
I'm always ready to handle business, with money and equipment at the ready
My shot's on full, that's Armageddon
I'm fully loaded and ready for anything
I got pull, I hope y'all ready
I've got influence and power, be prepared for what's coming
My tank on full, you know, unleaded
My energy and drive are at their peak, fueled and ready to go
I gotta go get it, I gotta go get it
I'm constantly striving for more, never content with what I have
My name gon' hold up, my team gon' hold up
My reputation and my squad are both strong and dependable
My shots gon' fire, my team gon' roll up
My words and actions are powerful and my team is always right behind me
Ménage-à-trois, my queen gon' roll up
I desire a threesome and my girl is down for it
I hope y'all ready, you know I'm ready
Be prepared, because I'm always prepared
I reign all day, you know, confetti
I dominate in everything I do, leaving a trail of celebration in my wake
I gotta go get it, I gotta go get it, skrrt
I'm off to chase my dreams and achieve greatness
You're not a gang member, you's a tourist (a tourist)
You're not really part of this lifestyle, you're just dabbling in it temporarily
I be blackin' out, I be blackin' out
I completely lose myself in the moment
Bought a '83 Cutlass for the weekend (for the weekend)
I purchased a classic car just for a short period of time
I got a hundred thousand, then I freaked it (then I freaked it)
I turned a modest sum into something much more profitable
I made 500 thousand, then I freaked it (then I freaked it)
I turned a large sum into an even larger profit
I put a Rolls Royce on my wrist, oh yeah
I've adorned myself with expensive jewelry
Fuck his baby mama, tryna sneak diss
I'm not afraid to attack someone's loved one if they disrespect me
I took her to my penthouse, then I freaked it (then I freaked it)
I brought her to my luxurious home and had a wild time with her
I haven't made my mind up, should I keep it? (Should I keep it?)
I haven't decided if I should keep this exciting lifestyle or return to normalcy
I got big dawg status, it ain't no secret
I'm at the top of my game and everyone knows it
La di da di da, slob on me knob
I'm engaging in lewd behavior
Pass me some syrup, fuck me in the car
I'm engaging in reckless, hedonistic behavior
La di da di da, mothafuck the law
I have no respect for authority
Chitty chitty bang, murder everything
I'm prepared to violently attack anyone who gets in my way
Bitch, I'm on a roll, and I put that on the gang
I'm achieving success and I owe it to my gang and lifestyle
Changes
The song is moving onto a new section
Is you gon' do something about it?
Are you going to fight against the changes happening in our lives?
What you want?
What is it that you really desire?
Red light, green light, red light, green light
Life is unpredictable, with moments of both opportunity and danger
Red light, green light, they like, we like
Whether things are good or bad, we'll stick together
Fast cars, fast money, fast life, fast broads
Our lifestyle is full of speed and excitement, with money and women at the center
Egotistic, goin' ballistic, why God?
Despite all our success, we're still questioning the nature of our existence
Born warrior, lookin' for euphoria, but I don't see it
We're always searching for a higher purpose or meaning, but it's not always easy to find
I don't feel it, I'm paraplegic, tapped in when I'm maxed in
I feel disconnected and unfulfilled, but I'm able to tap into something greater when I'm at my limit
Comp-Town with the MAC-10s and the pumps in the background
We're surrounded by guns and violence, but it's just part of the environment
I was absent, never OG, standout
I wasn't always a key player in this lifestyle
I was lackin' everything else but doubt
I didn't have much going for me besides my own self-doubt
In the Magnum, holding Magnums with a Magnum
I'm driving a Magnum car while holding a Magnum gun
Nigga, ad-lib and I sing out loud
I'm making music and expressing myself through powerful ad-libs
Never had friends, never had ends, never had hope
I've never had a strong support system or much hope for a better life
They was like, "nope," I was like, "boo yaow, boo yaow"
Others have tried to hold me back, but I'm not giving up without a fight
(Yeah God)
Acknowledging a higher power or force at work
Tee off the day, know we off the, be off the, eat off your plate
We're attacking each day and taking whatever we can get
Throw me off, I be, "off ya head"
Even when things are crazy, I'm still able to handle the situation
Well ate, on C4, I'm way off the edge
I've indulged in explosive, dangerous behavior
Fuck integrity, fuck your pedigree, fuck your feelings, fuck your culture
We don't care about any rules or traditions, we do what we want
Fuck your moral, fuck your family, fuck your tribe
We have no respect for anyone else's values or family connections
Fuck your land, fuck your children, fuck your wives
We're willing to violate anyone and anything for our own gain
Who am I? Not your father, not your brother
I don't have any familial connection to you
Not your reason, not your future
I'm not here to provide reason or stability for you
Not your comfort, not your reverence, not your glory
I'm not here to make you feel comfortable or admired
Not your heaven, not your angel, not your spirit
I'm not here to provide you with any sort of spiritual or religious guidance
Not your message, not your freedom
I'm not here to convey any sort of message or bring you freedom
Not your people, not your neighbor
I have no connection to you or your community
Not your baby, not your equal
I'm not your child or your equal
Not the title y'all want me under
I won't be defined by anyone else's labels or expectations
All hail King Killmonger
I'm the king of my own world and I don't answer to anyone else
Fast cars
Referring back to the previous stanza about our fast-paced lifestyle
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EMPIRE PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nayvadius Demun Wilburn, Axel Albert Morgan, Mark Anthony Spears, Michael Len Williams, James Blake Litherland, Antwon Hicks, Johnny McKinzie, Samuel Gloade, Anthony Tiffith, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, Travis Walton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind