Ross has a history of arrests spanning from his childhood to even after his record label signing and album release. This culminated in him recently being sentenced to seven years in prison in 2006 for failing to show up to court for his sentencing (which was to be 2 – 6 years initially) in a grand larceny charge from 2004, in which he was accused of robbing more than $6,000 worth of jewelry from a hotel room. He was released from prison in May 2010, cutting ties with Bad Boy and releasing his third album Game Tested, Streets Approved the following year on July 26, 2011 via Duck Down Music. His fourth album Genuine Article was released in 2015, with features from various artists such as Sean Price, Tek, Q Parker, Ron Browz and Murda Mook.
On April 17, 2021, Ross passed away at the age of 51, due to kidney failure.
Can
Black Rob Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo
Yo this is a monopoly, niggas ain't stoppin' me
And we can't lose 'cause Puff set us up properly
Just won't settle for lesser, who wanna test us
We be in the 5 with the goose headrests
LOX put niggas under pressure
Better start looking at things from my angle
I'm trying to be up on the board with a triangle
Next to my name with a ten or a twenty
Now that's when you really can say you getting money
But right now all I do is sit back and listen
To a wise young man that quickly became a rich one
Put me up on the fact that it ain't hard to get some
Chips if I just keep writing with ambition
Then I get an advance from the five to the six and
House with two kitchens, diamonds, plenty women
Built-in pool to swim in
But the plan is to start from the floor and raise it up
Then you hit em in the head 'til your days is up
You blazing what, playboy you frail and butt
You know when Bad Boy drops, all your sales is cut
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, its enough base for all of us
Can I Live, without the names they calling us
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, or do I got to bring it to these kids
Can I Live, if I don't live nobody live
Time is money, money is power so I'm sour
22 feeling like I've wasted every hour
Of my life, shoulda been had a million in ice
High as a kite, feeling the flight, turbulence
Once in a blue moon I had a dream of fly shit
Hanglide to the Alps with this fly chick
Condo in Fresno with the lesbo
And the honey that she hit know how to stretch blow
They know that I'm Styles they respect the flow
Why don't y'all let a nigga live and help him make a decimal
Truth will set you free what will a lie do
Niggas say I'm God but I be gettin' high too
Can't love the money like the niggas beside you
Cause when the paper gone, you gon' slide too
Niggas wanna ball, but got to fall to rise
While the world spins around they wanna stall they eyes
Close they ears my nose makes me oppose my fear
'Cause I can smell hell
Before I sell rat I'll catch a shell farewell
Niggas will never tell
Their man that I was pussy
Unless they got a gun, and I ain't got one, I might let you push me
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, its enough base for all of us
Can I Live, without the names they calling us
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, or do I got to bring it to these kids
Can I Live, if I don't live nobody live
I pray to God to promise me, before I see the pearly gates
To let my whole team be straight, mansion no Section 8
Putting pressure so that I can make this bed
Got two mattresses now all I need is the spread
With like four pillows so my seeds can rest their heads
You think platinum is enough, nah Sheek want more
Trying to sell more than Tickle me Elmo in the store
Italian cuisine, Linguin while my diamonds like-shing
So when I move at night-time you might think it's light-ning
Just throw me the ball once and I'll tell you no lie
Shiek gonna show you money, like Jerry McGuire
It's a thug thing, LOX product thing, conducting
Anything for chips while you sit and blab your lips
In the restaurant taking tips while Sheek on trips
Logos on our ships bustin' at the eclipse
While I'm pissy, spittin' up Crissy in the water
But you can do that for money, when 100's like a quarter
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, its enough base for all of us
Can I Live, without the names they calling us
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, or do I got to bring it to these kids
Can I Live, if I don't live nobody live
This is to my AK totters, money bill folders
Bad bitch soldiers, whips wit big motors
On the low for years, the Feds can't decode us
We bust rounds, all you gotta do is load us
My night time prowlers, and grimey after hours
Karl Kani, Mumalo wear, Eddie Bauers
Flippin cake niggas, who strip and take niggas
Upstate niggas, my Crystal Lake niggas
We gonna hold it down if we gotta shake niggas
And make niggas do what we say, or break niggas
Survival of the fittest, it ain't me cause I did it
Now you see me shinin 2 mill with my diamonds
And I owe it all to hard grindin
Don't mean I'm gonna stop climbin, 9-9, it's good timin
I salute my thugs, who rock
With the drugz and switch gunz, and pay 30 thou for the slum
Make it happen, I swear to God if I don't make it rappin
I'm clappin, extortin, and robbin niggz cribs and contactin
Can I live
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me
Can I Live, or do I got to bring it to these kids
Can I Live, if I don't live nobody live
Can I Live, no one man can stop me
Can I Live, no front-line can block me, can I live
In Black Rob's song Can I Live, he raps about his ambition to succeed and make money in the rap game. He describes his determination to rise to the top and not settle for lesser. He references his crew, the LOX, and their ability to put pressure on new artists. He also acknowledges the wisdom of a young successful rapper who tells him to keep writing with ambition to make money. He discusses his desire to live the high life with mansions, diamonds, and women. Rob talks about praying to God to let his whole team be financially stable before he dies. He ends the song by shouting out his fellow hustlers and reminding them that they can't stop him from living his life.
The song was released in 2000 and was part of Black Rob's second album, titled "The Black Rob Report." The album was released through Bad Boy Records and featured production from Puff Daddy, The Neptunes, and Alchemist.
Can I Live samples the beat from a song called "Nobody's Fault But Mine" by Nina Simone. The sample is utilized throughout the whole song, and its haunting melody adds a sense of urgency and seriousness to Black Rob's lyrics.
The song was popular in the early 2000s, especially among hip-hop fans. It was frequently played on radio stations and in clubs, and Black Rob's charismatic delivery and sharp lyrics made it a favorite among many.
Can I Live is often described as a classic New York City hip-hop track. Its gritty lyrics and hard-hitting beat are emblematic of the city's rap scene in the early 2000s.
The song was not as commercially successful as some of Black Rob's other tracks, such as "Whoa!" and "By a Stranger." However, its status as a fan favorite has endured, and it is widely regarded as one of Black Rob's best songs.
Can I Live was produced by K-Def, a veteran hip-hop producer who has worked with artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Marley Marl, and Ghostface Killah.
Black Rob's flow on Can I Live is often compared to that of The Notorious B.I.G., another rapper from Brooklyn who was signed to Bad Boy Records. Both rappers have a similar cadence and delivery, and Black Rob has said in interviews that Biggie was one of his biggest influences.
Can I Live's chorus, "Can I Live," is taken from a song of the same name by Jay-Z. Jay-Z's Can I Live was released in 1996, four years before Black Rob's version. Jay-Z's song is about his hustling days and his desire to live a better life.
The chord progression for Can I Live is relatively simple, with a repeating two-chord pattern throughout the song. The chords are Emin7 and Dmaj7, and the song is in the key of E minor.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo this is a monopoly, niggas ain't stoppin' me
I am in control of this game and no one can hinder my progress
And we can't lose 'cause Puff set us up properly
Thanks to Puff, we have been given the right resources to ensure success
Just won't settle for lesser, who wanna test us
We have high standards and nobody wants to challenge us
We be in the 5 with the goose headrests
We ride around in luxury cars with comfortable seats
LOX put niggas under pressure
Our group, LOX, can intimidate and dominate others
You shoulda knew that, it's always them new cats that'll get ya
Don't underestimate the new and upcoming artists, they can surprise you
Better start looking at things from my angle
You need to change your perspective and see things from my point of view
I'm trying to be up on the board with a triangle
I want to be at the top, symbolizing success, like a triangle on a leaderboard
Next to my name with a ten or a twenty
Once I achieve significant success, my name will be associated with large amounts of money
Now that's when you really can say you getting money
Only when you have substantial wealth can you truly claim to be rich
But right now all I do is sit back and listen
Currently, I'm taking a passive approach and observing
To a wise young man that quickly became a rich one
I am listening and learning from a young man who rapidly achieved wealth
Put me up on the fact that it ain't hard to get some
He informed me that it's not difficult to make money
Chips if I just keep writing with ambition
If I continue to write with determination and drive, I can accumulate wealth
Then I get an advance from the five to the six and
I receive a financial advance, moving from a lower level to a higher level
House with two kitchens, diamonds, plenty women
With success, I can afford a luxurious home, expensive jewelry, and attract many women
Built-in pool to swim in
My dream is to have a pool inside my own home for leisure
But the plan is to start from the floor and raise it up
I intend to start from the bottom and work my way up to success
Then you hit em in the head 'til your days is up
Once you achieve success, you can make a lasting impact until the end of your life
You blazing what, playboy you frail and butt
You claim to be strong and bold, but you're actually weak and insignificant
You know when Bad Boy drops, all your sales is cut
When Bad Boy releases music, it negatively affects the sales of your music
Time is money, money is power so I'm sour
Time is valuable and wealth brings influence, which is why I feel frustrated
22 feeling like I've wasted every hour
At the age of 22, I already feel like I've wasted a significant amount of time
Of my life, shoulda been had a million in ice
By now, I should have accumulated a million dollars worth of expensive jewelry
High as a kite, feeling the flight, turbulence
Being under the influence of drugs, I feel euphoric and experience both excitement and challenges
Once in a blue moon I had a dream of fly shit
Occasionally, I have grand aspirations and fantasies about living a luxurious lifestyle
Hanglide to the Alps with this fly chick
In my dreams, I imagine flying to the Alps with an attractive woman
Condo in Fresno with the lesbo
In my dreams, I own a condominium in Fresno and have a relationship with a lesbian woman
And the honey that she hit know how to stretch blow
The woman I'm involved with is knowledgeable about drug dealing and knows how to maximize profits
They know that I'm Styles they respect the flow
People recognize and admire my skills as a rapper, calling me Styles
Why don't y'all let a nigga live and help him make a decimal
Why don't you allow me to live my life and support me in making a significant amount of money
Truth will set you free what will a lie do
Being honest will bring liberation, while lies only bring harm
Niggas say I'm God but I be gettin' high too
People may think I'm invincible, but I also indulge in drug use
Can't love the money like the niggas beside you
You can't be too attached to money like the people around you
Cause when the paper gone, you gon' slide too
Once the money disappears, you'll also face difficulties and struggles
Niggas wanna ball, but got to fall to rise
Many people aspire to be successful, but first, they must experience failure and setbacks
While the world spins around they wanna stall they eyes
Despite the progress of the world, some choose to ignore it and remain stagnant
Close they ears my nose makes me oppose my fear
Instead of listening and being fearful, I trust my instincts and face my fears
'Cause I can smell hell
I have a sense of impending danger or negativity
Before I sell rat I'll catch a shell farewell
Rather than becoming a traitor, I would rather die
Niggas will never tell
People will never admit that I am weak or vulnerable
Their man that I was pussy
They will never say that I am easily controlled or weak
Unless they got a gun, and I ain't got one, I might let you push me
Unless they are armed, and I am defenseless, I might tolerate being mistreated
I pray to God to promise me, before I see the pearly gates
I hope and ask God to ensure that my loved ones and I are taken care of before I die
To let my whole team be straight, mansion no Section 8
I request that my entire team lives comfortably in a luxury mansion, not in low-income housing
Putting pressure so that I can make this bed
I am determined and working hard to achieve financial stability
Got two mattresses now all I need is the spread
I have acquired wealth and possessions, now all I need is to enjoy and share it
With like four pillows so my seeds can rest their heads
I want to provide a comfortable and secure environment for my children to sleep
You think platinum is enough, nah Sheek want more
Platinum records and success are not sufficient for Sheek, he desires even greater achievements
Trying to sell more than Tickle me Elmo in the store
He aims to have his music sell more than the popular toy Tickle Me Elmo
Italian cuisine, Linguin while my diamonds like-shing
I enjoy fine Italian food while my dazzling diamonds shimmer in the light
So when I move at night-time you might think it's light-ning
When I walk around at night, my flashy presence might be mistaken for lightning
Just throw me the ball once and I'll tell you no lie
Give me one opportunity and I will prove my worth without deceiving you
Shiek gonna show you money, like Jerry McGuire
Sheek will demonstrate wealth and financial success, similar to the character Jerry McGuire
It's a thug thing, LOX product thing, conducting
This is a lifestyle associated with being a thug and a member of LOX, and we are in control
Anything for chips while you sit and blab your lips
We are willing to do whatever it takes to accumulate wealth, while others waste time talking
In the restaurant taking tips while Sheek on trips
While Sheek is out traveling, others are working in restaurants and earning small gratuities
Logos on our ships bustin' at the eclipse
Our logos are emblazoned on our luxury ships, and we are shooting towards success
While I'm pissy, spittin' up Crissy in the water
I am in a drunken state, vomiting Cristal champagne in the water
But you can do that for money, when 100's like a quarter
You can indulge in such behavior if you have an abundant amount of money, treating hundreds as if they were quarters
This is to my AK totters, money bill folders
I dedicate this to my partners who carry AK rifles and handle large sums of money
Bad bitch soldiers, whips wit big motors
I salute the attractive and independent women who ride in luxurious cars with powerful engines
On the low for years, the Feds can't decode us
We have been operating covertly for a long time, and even the authorities cannot decipher our activities
We bust rounds, all you gotta do is load us
We engage in shootings, and all you need to do is arm us
My night time prowlers, and grimey after hours
I am associated with individuals who roam the streets at night and engage in illicit activities
Karl Kani, Mumalo wear, Eddie Bauers
We wear designer clothing brands such as Karl Kani, Mumalo, and Eddie Bauer
Flippin cake niggas, who strip and take niggas
We are involved in illegal activities, taking money from those who exploit others
Upstate niggas, my Crystal Lake niggas
I have associates in prison, specifically in Crystal Lake, who I am loyal to
We gonna hold it down if we gotta shake niggas
If necessary, we will intimidate and overpower others to maintain our control and dominance
And make niggas do what we say, or break niggas
We exert our influence and make others comply with our demands, or we will harm them
Survival of the fittest, it ain't me cause I did it
In this competitive world, only the strongest survive, and it's not me who claimed all the success
Now you see me shinin 2 mill with my diamonds
You can now witness my success, as I showcase my two million dollars worth of diamond jewelry
And I owe it all to hard grindin
I attribute my success to putting in consistent and dedicated work
Don't mean I'm gonna stop climbin, 9-9, it's good timin
But that doesn't mean I will stop striving for more, the year 1999 is giving me favorable opportunities
I salute my thugs, who rock
I give my respect to my fellow gangsters, who wear
With the drugz and switch gunz, and pay 30 thou for the slum
They engage in drug dealing and switch firearms, spending a large amount of money in impoverished neighborhoods
Make it happen, I swear to God if I don't make it rappin
I am determined to succeed, and I promise to take action, even if my career in music doesn't pan out
I'm clappin, extortin, and robbin niggz cribs and contactin
I am resorting to violence, blackmailing, and burglarizing homes to earn money and establish connections
Can I live
Can I have the opportunity to thrive and succeed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KASSEEM DEAN, JASON PHILLIPS, DAVID STYLES, SEAN JACOBS, KIMANI DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind