Born to an American mother and a Venezuelan father in 1984, Emilio began his life in Rochester, New York, where he was introduced to music by his father at an early age. Right from the start, Emilio displayed an aptitude and interest for music, singing songs and playing guitar alongside his father. Emilio’s enthusiasm for music continued throughout his childhood, listening to everything from Hip-Hop to Jazz, playing the drums, and developing his ear for rhythm and sounds. Life would soon throw Emilio for a loop however, when at age 10 Emilio’s father left home and returned to Venezuela, leaving Emilio and his family to fend for themselves. It is this experience that propelled Emilio to write his first rhyme, and would later provide the backdrop for Emilio’s most serious and heartfelt music.
At age 18, after receiving positive responses at local open-mic’s and competitions, Hip-Hop began to take on a new form for Emilio. It was no longer just a hobby or a pastime, but a legitimate means to an end, and a potential future. While attending the University of Rochester on an academic scholarship, Emilio began making a name for himself on the college scene by performing at campus events and parties, and even opening for national acts at the school. When it became clear there was only so much he could do as a student, Emilio made the tough decision to drop out of school. He then decided to focus exclusively on his music and becoming a better artist. In 2004 Emilio received his first break when his group, Phocus’, record was licensed by Handcuts/Universal (Japan) for an overseas release. The album was successful, and after some brief international touring Emilio returned home to Rochester, ready to get back to work and advance his now blossoming career.
Emilio’s life changed drastically in 2005 when he was contacted by hometown friend DJ Ease about moving to Brooklyn. With no clear cut plan in mind, no job, and no money saved, Emilio did the only sensible thing: he packed his things and moved to the city by the weekend.
It was in New York City where Emilio really began to develop his identity as an artist. After linking with producers IllMind and MPhazes, Emilio, for the first time, began creating music with a sound capable of enhancing both his silky smooth flow and sharp, penetrating lyrics. In 2006 Emilio released “A Breath of Fresh Air”, an extremely well received mixtape, which for many, put him on the map as a rising young star in New York’s Hip-Hop scene. In 2007 Emilio once again took to the road and toured Europe. Then again in early 2008 Emilio had the distinction of touring in his father’s home country, Venezuela, as the headlining act.
Emilio has opened up for legendary artists such AZ, Pharoahe Monch, OC, Royce Da 5’9, Keith Murray, and The Roots, as well as up and coming artists like Joell Ortiz, Ron Browz, and the Gym Class Heroes. He is also a mainstay feature on all major Hip-Hop websites and blogs (Hiphopdx.com, Nahright.com, OnSmash.com, 2dopeboyz.com, OkayPlayer.com, Worldstarhiphop.com, etc.).
Emilio Rojas has shown he can not only write, rhyme, and spit with the best of them, but he also makes undeniable music. With a style unlike any other, he continues to make headway in the world of Hip-Hop, always sure to let his talent and ability shine through. Never settling for mediocrity and always striving for perfection, Emilio has evolved into a world class artist. With all the skill and vision, there is only one direction for this young MC to go...and the future looks promising.
Shameless
Emilio Rojas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time been standing still
With the room a fucking spinning
And all she hear is rumors
About how I’m fucking living
I look her in the eye and say I’m living
I get it, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m living
I’m living, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m living
Getting it in like the shit was my religion, I’m living yeah.
She ride with me ‘cause I’m driven
And she wish she said she love me as much she said you’re forgiven
I slide with freaky women, yeah, they like to speak my business
They don’t care about my secrets though, privacy’s a privilege
Now I ain’t into tripping, don’t have rivalry with bitches
They lucky I acknowledge their existence, on trial with my investments
Loyal teams that a broad that be thinking that loyalty will be any time
That she talk to me about her boyfriend when she spoil me
On the Lower East so we woke up, in the morning, sipping mimosas
My wifey don’t go hungry, nah, she keep on eating chocha
They drink until they sloppy and they mixing it with Molly
Though these gringos ain’t bilingual, when I stroke
She screaming papi, I be gone, in Venezuela with some different papers
Of course I changed, I had to change to change my situation
With a bitch who only fuck with me to get her papers
I love her ‘cause she love manipulation, yeah.
I don’t roll around with a clique, I roll around with a chick
No slowing down and she going down ‘cause I’m Polo down to my dick
I’m known around as a Spic and I’mma get it in
With a little bit of an authority and I speak for a large minority
And now they wish that they woulda been deported me, right?
I’m living like I got immunity and when I see you fail
I treat it like an opportunity, them bloggers profit off gossip
And that ain’t news to me, weakness is what you’ll do to me
Power is what you’ll do for me, right? And my people willing to die
If y’all expecting to fail, then y’all ain’t even willing to try
You don’t roll with no killers boy, y'all shooters only kill time
All I’m about is my business, I keep stacks of bills in my side
Straight cash at that buy out, I’m intense now when I ride out
We high tech when we high now so them kush clouds are all iCloud
And I don’t apologize for how I live
When you believe, then you don’t have regrets.
In "Shameless," Emilio Rojas acknowledges his sinful ways and the rumors that surround his lifestyle. He confesses to his partner that he's living life recklessly, but unapologetically. Emilio acknowledges the loyalty of his team and dismisses any rivalries with other women. He's living life in the fast lane, surrounded by alcohol and drugs, and living by his own rules. Despite the guilt that comes with his choices, Emilio finds pleasure in manipulating women who are just in it for personal gain.
Throughout the song, Emilio is very matter-of-fact about his life and the choices he makes. He knows that some people may judge him, but he's living for himself and won't apologize for it. The song also touches on his Latin heritage, as he refers to himself as a "Spic" and alludes to his roots in Venezuela.
One interesting aspect of the song is how Emilio references the media and bloggers who profit off of gossip, highlighting the toxic nature of social media and the entertainment industry. Additionally, the song's title "Shameless" speaks to Emilio's unapologetic attitude towards his actions and the fact that he's living without regard for what others may think.
Line by Line Meaning
Now all I know is sinning
I have been living my life in sin and it's all I know.
Time been standing still
Time feels like it's not moving at all.
With the room a fucking spinning
The room is spinning, perhaps due to intoxication.
And all she hear is rumors
People are spreading rumors about me.
About how I’m fucking living
The rumors are about my lifestyle and how I am living it.
I look her in the eye and say I’m living
I reassure her that I am still alive and well despite the rumors.
I get it, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m living
I understand where she's coming from, but I am still living my life to the fullest.
I’m living, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m living
I keep repeating that I am living my life despite the rumors.
I’m living, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m living
I keep repeating that I am living my life despite the rumors.
Getting it in like the shit was my religion, I’m living yeah.
I'm enjoying myself and living my life as if partying is my religion.
She ride with me ‘cause I’m driven
She is with me because I am focused and driven in life.
And she wish she said she love me as much she said you’re forgiven
She wishes she had said she loves me as often as she forgives me for my mistakes.
I slide with freaky women, yeah, they like to speak my business
I hang out with women who are into wild things, and they tend to talk about my life.
They don’t care about my secrets though, privacy’s a privilege
My secrets don't matter to them, but privacy is something I treasure.
Now I ain’t into tripping, don’t have rivalry with bitches
I'm not into drama or fighting with other women.
They lucky I acknowledge their existence, on trial with my investments
They should consider themselves lucky that I even pay attention to them. I am focused on managing my investments.
Loyal teams that a broad that be thinking that loyalty will be any time
I have loyal friends, but some women think being loyal means being available all the time.
That she talk to me about her boyfriend when she spoil me
Some women who are with me talk about their boyfriends, which I find inappropriate.
On the Lower East so we woke up, in the morning, sipping mimosas
I wake up in the morning sipping mimosas on the Lower East Side.
My wifey don’t go hungry, nah, she keep on eating chocha
My woman doesn't go hungry; she always finds a way to satisfy her needs.
They drink until they sloppy and they mixing it with Molly
They drink until they become sloppy and mix alcohol with drugs like Molly.
Though these gringos ain’t bilingual, when I stroke
Even non-Spanish speakers can pick up what I'm saying when I'm intimate.
She screaming papi, I be gone, in Venezuela with some different papers
Women scream 'papi' during sex, and I often daydream about being in Venezuela with a different passport.
Of course I changed, I had to change to change my situation
I had to change to improve my life situation.
With a bitch who only fuck with me to get her papers
I'm with a woman who is only using me to obtain legal papers.
I love her ‘cause she love manipulation, yeah.
I am attracted to her because she is good at manipulating people and situations.
I don’t roll around with a clique, I roll around with a chick
I prefer to hang out with one woman rather than a group of friends.
No slowing down and she going down ‘cause I’m Polo down to my dick
We don't slow down our partying and she performs oral sex on me because I am wearing Polo clothing.
I’m known around as a Spic and I’mma get it in
People know me as a Latino and I am going to party and have fun anyway.
With a little bit of an authority and I speak for a large minority
I have some authority and I represent a significant portion of the population.
And now they wish that they woulda been deported me, right?
Some people wish they had deported me because they don't like my lifestyle or ethnicity.
I’m living like I got immunity and when I see you fail
I am living as if I am immune to consequences and I feel better when I see others fail.
I treat it like an opportunity, them bloggers profit off gossip
I see others' failures as an opportunity and I realize that bloggers thrive on gossip.
And that ain’t news to me, weakness is what you’ll do to me
I know very well that gossip is not news and that people will often try to exploit my weaknesses.
Power is what you’ll do for me, right?
I know that people will do anything for me if I offer them power or money.
And my people willing to die
My people are willing to give their lives for what we believe in.
If y’all expecting to fail, then y’all ain’t even willing to try
If people expect to fail, then they are not even willing to attempt something new and succeed.
You don’t roll with no killers boy, y'all shooters only kill time
You don't hang out with dangerous people; you just waste time with them.
All I’m about is my business, I keep stacks of bills in my side
I am focused on my own life and keep lots of cash on me.
Straight cash at that buy out, I’m intense now when I ride out
I always use cash to buy things and I am extra careful when leaving a place.
We high tech when we high now so them kush clouds are all iCloud
We use high-tech gadgets when we are high on drugs, and we store all our drug-related content in the iCloud.
And I don’t apologize for how I live
I am not sorry for how I choose to live my life.
When you believe, then you don’t have regrets.
When you believe in yourself and your choices, you won't have regrets.
Contributed by Ian F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.