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.
All I Know Is
Jay Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone who push the envelope, the remedy the antidote
Mix the Henny and the Coke
Sell the tree and the dope, rain sleet and the snow, do we sleep? Hell no
Pop a tag and pull up in a Elco
Bag a bitch at Elco, run up in her tailbone
Grindin cuz I sell mo, hotter then that hell boy
Fresher than an altoid, see me in them tabloids
Keep a Will Smithon Wessen
BIG shell out my weapon, hit you like an astroid, get high wit androids
I'm outta space wit this shit
Pass the L to Elroy. I ain't took a L boy
I ain't never lost nigga. big heat on me blood
Click defrost nigga. Lookin at a boss nigga
Fuck you an yo boss nigga, Iron on me ever see a hunnit break off nigga
Lotta niggas don't wanna see me shine
I break em off one at a time (what, what)
Where you from nigga? (what, what)
All I know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
Top of the morning while niggas yawnin
I'm in ya bushes when no ones looking I'm on it
Guerilla Warfare, bananas in the regal trunk
Get you cerebral slumped, my shotty is the people's pump
Asthmetic gotta bad habit for bad bitches and black
Fabric, Black on Black Benz that swerve through bad traffic
Bag back. I sip yach and leave hash ashed "Pass that
Nigga, tryna high in this motha fucka" Thats what the homie said
I rolled another one and took that bitch to the head
Yeah. Then made yo bitch gimme head
Didn't take much she off a half a pill in remi red
Yeah. And my eyes rly red, like my flag or the 5 ball Jag
Zoom past like a lightyear. 100 racks thats a light year yeah, yeah
Lotta niggas don't wanna see me shine
I break em off one at a time (what, what)
Where you from nigga? (what, what)
All I know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
Breakin' niggas off like a Kit-Kat
If you ain't talking no dollas nigga don't chit chat
I'm in and out the set like I direct
And if I come across a pound of powder I'mma fluoresce
Holla at ya parter of the water got the purest
I ain't talking arrow head we getting dinero here. Yeah
California I'm the Pharaoh Head starin down the barrel
Of a nine if you don't recognize, boy
Get yo' attitude set aside. I gotta team of choppers for you jealous guys
Haters, they don't really want to see me shine
So I hit 'em where it hurts when they see me ride
With two bad bitches with some chinky eyes
After I was in the club wit my heat inside
Jay motherfuckin' Rock never slippin'
I'mma boss, I'm forever pimpin. Motherfucker
Lotta niggas don't wanna see me shine
I break em off one at a time (what, what)
Where you from nigga? (what, what)
All I know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
The lyrics to "All I Know Is" by Jay Rock depict a life of crime, violence, and drug dealing. The first verse describes the lifestyle of someone who is involved in criminal activity, mixing Henny and Coke, selling drugs, and never sleeping. The verse also mentions running from the police and carrying a weapon. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "All I know is guns, drugs, bitches, money," emphasizing the singer's focus on these four elements of his life. The second verse highlights the violence and aggression of the singer, with lyrics about gorilla warfare, driving through bad traffic, and breaking off people one by one.
The song reflects the violent reality of life in certain neighborhoods, where people have few options for making a living and often become involved in illegal activities. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is aware of the danger of his lifestyle but feels that he has no other choice.
Overall, "All I Know Is" is a raw and honest depiction of a life of crime and violence, with lyrics that do not shy away from the harsh realities of such a lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody focused on this animal
Everyone is paying attention to this reckless, daring individual
Someone who push the envelope, the remedy the antidote
Someone who takes risks and finds solutions to problems
Mix the Henny and the Coke
Combine Hennessy and Coca Cola
Sell the tree and the dope, rain sleet and the snow, do we sleep? Hell no
Selling drugs in all weather conditions and not sleeping
Pop a tag and pull up in a Elco
Take off the price tag and arrive in an El Camino
Bag a bitch at Elco, run up in her tailbone
Pick up a woman at El Camino and have sex with her
Grindin cuz I sell mo, hotter then that hell boy
Working hard because I sell more drugs than anyone else and I am very hot.
Fresher than an altoid, see me in them tabloids
Very fresh and fashionable, frequently seen in magazines
Actin like a damn fool, running from them bad boys
Behaving recklessly and evading the police
Keep a Will Smithon Wessen
Carrying a Smith & Wesson firearm
BIG shell out my weapon, hit you like an astroid, get high wit androids
The bullets from my gun are like asteroids and I get high with a group of friends named 'androids'
I'm outta space wit this shit
I am very good at this
Pass the L to Elroy. I ain't took a L boy
Pass the blunt to Elroy. I never lost, boy
I ain't never lost nigga. big heat on me blood
I have never lost a fight and I carry a large firearm with me
Click defrost nigga. Lookin at a boss nigga
I am ready for a fight. You are looking at a boss
Fuck you an yo boss nigga, Iron on me ever see a hunnit break off nigga
I do not care about you or your boss. I have an iron with me that can handle one hundred rounds
Lotta niggas don't wanna see me shine
I break em off one at a time (what, what)
Where you from nigga? (what, what)
All I know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
(Guns, Drugs, Bitches, Money)
All I Know is
Many people do not want to see me succeed, but I will handle them one by one. Where are you from? All I know is guns, drugs, women, and money
Top of the morning while niggas yawnin
I'm in ya bushes when no ones looking I'm on it
Guerilla Warfare, bananas in the regal trunk
Get you cerebral slumped, my shotty is the people's pump
I am active early in the morning and watching you through the bushes. I am very savage and my shotgun is my greatest weapon
Asthmetic gotta bad habit for bad bitches and black
Fabric, Black on Black Benz that swerve through bad traffic
Bag back. I sip yach and leave hash ashed "Pass that
Nigga, tryna high in this motha fucka" Thats what the homie said
I rolled another one and took that bitch to the head
Yeah. Then made yo bitch gimme head
Didn't take much she off a half a pill in remi red
Yeah. And my eyes rly red, like my flag or the 5 ball Jag
Zoom past like a lightyear. 100 racks thats a light year yeah, yeah
I love bad women and I drive a black on black Mercedes through traffic. I smoke marijuana and someone else offered me more to smoke. I took it, then had sex with your girlfriend. She did not need much to get high. My eyes are red from smoking. I drive and pass by quickly, making a lot of money
Breakin' niggas off like a Kit-Kat
If you ain't talking no dollas nigga don't chit chat
I'm in and out the set like I direct
And if I come across a pound of powder I'mma fluoresce
Holla at ya parter of the water got the purest
I ain't talking arrow head we getting dinero here. Yeah
California I'm the Pharaoh Head starin down the barrel
Of a nine if you don't recognize, boy
Get yo' attitude set aside. I gotta team of choppers for you jealous guys
Haters, they don't really want to see me shine
So I hit 'em where it hurts when they see me ride
With two bad bitches with some chinky eyes
After I was in the club wit my heat inside
Jay motherfuckin' Rock never slippin'
I'mma boss, I'm forever pimpin. Motherfucker
I am breaking people off financially, if you do not have money do not talk to me. I enter and exit easily like a director. I can identify drugs in large quantities. I have the best quality drugs here. In California, I am a leader and if you do not know, I can harm you. I will not tolerate jealousy, I have weapons and I will hit haters where it hurts. I ride with two attractive women and I had to use my gun inside a club. Jay Rock never slips and I am always in charge
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WILLIAM T. BROWN, JOHNNY MCKINZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind