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 My Life
Jay Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Oh my, oh
Oh my, oh
I was on the block right, wasn't in my right mind
Just a young nigga, hustlin', tryna get mines
Movin' with the 9 double M
Yeah, young teenager, 'fatuated with paper
Yeah, I had to get it, 'cause mama, she wasn't able
Black and white TV set, no cable
40's in the fridge, chicken noodles on the table
I wasn't born with a silver spoon
Child of the ghetto, raised off a different tune
Watchin' Bob Barker in my living room
If "The Price Was Right", I could get you a whole living room
Yeah, them was my gutter ways
Back in the gutter days, no education, but the gutter pays
Through it all, came a long way
From sellin' the yay', fist fights to gunplay
In the ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
G-ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
I comes from the bottom but now I'm on top
Ain't no one stop me, yo
I comes from the ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Where all of my niggas, where all of my niggas
And all of my niggas will roll up in the spot
And get ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Yeah, times is hard as it is
That's why I got guns, and my guns got kids
That's why I be goin' so tough on them hoes
I play my own hand, I don't shuffle or fold
Fuck with a nigga, let's go fuck with some hoes
Hear them bitches screamin' like they stuck in a hole
I am not a demon, but was once a lost soul
'Til I found myself a block away from the crossroad
I have, outgrown the fishbowl
And now I'm on my feet like a fuckin' insole
Yeah, it may hurt like a fuckin' lymph node
But it's "fuck the world" like a fuckin' nympho
And we spend dough 'cause we make more
And I make sure when I say so
It's Jay Rock and Wheezy, need I say more?
Clothesline the beat, Ted DiBiase flow
In the ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
G-ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
I comes from the bottom but now I'm on top
Ain't no one stop me, yo
I comes from the ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Where all of my niggas, where all of my niggas
And all of my niggas will roll up in the spot
And get ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Jay Rock, still that same OG
I ain't tryna see the grave or the penitentiary
Everyday living, tryna stay on my feet
Even though a nigga paid but my heart in the streets
To my dogs, I'm a beast, go hard on these beats
So my family can eat, I'll be damned if I see no income
Here come Jay Rock, they know
Crack music, drug kingpin flow, oh
Kingpin, ho (yeah), need I say more? (Yeah)
Your family could die when I say go (go)
Green light, green light, what ya green like?
Before you sign me up, get the scene right
And I just hop in the Phantom when I'm feelin' nice
'Cause drivin' slow in the Lamb', it doesn't seem right
Yeah, and I remember them long nights
Livin' the wrong life, but I made that wrong right, Wheezy
All the struggling
All it does is keep my hustling
Oh my, my
In the ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
G-ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
I comes from the bottom but now I'm on top
Ain't no one stop me, yo
I comes from the ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Where all of my niggas, where all of my niggas
And all of my niggas will roll up in the spot
And get ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
Get ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
G-ghetto, ghetto, g-ghetto
I comes from the bottom but now I'm on top
Ain't nothin' gon' stop me, yo
All the struggling
All it does is keep my hustling
Oh my, oh
Oh my
The verses of Jay Rock's All My Life tell the story of a young man from the ghetto who is trying to improve his life by hustling on the streets. The first verse talks about his difficult upbringing, where he had to hustle to make ends meet because his mother was unable to provide for him. The young man had no education, and the only way he knew how to make money was by selling drugs on the streets. In the second verse, Jay Rock speaks about the harsh realities of the ghetto, where having a gun was necessary to survive. He also talks about his aspirations to become successful and provide for his family.
The chorus of the song, "All my life I've known, one day eventually I'll blow," reflects the young man's determination to succeed and make a better life for himself. Despite his difficult situation, he never loses hope and continues to work hard to achieve his dreams.
Overall, the lyrics of All My Life offer a glimpse into the struggles of those who grew up in the ghetto and had to fight their way to success. It is a story of resilience, determination, and the never-ending pursuit of a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
I was on the block right, wasn't in my right mind
I was hustling on the streets, but my mind wasn't in the best state
Just a young nigga, hustlin', tryna get mines
I was a young guy hustling to make my own money
Movin' with the 9 double m
I was carrying a firearm for protection
Niggas like "You don't really wanna fuck with him"
Others warned not to mess with me
Yeah, young teenager, 'fatuated with paper
At a young age, I was obsessed with making money
Yeah I had to get it, cause momma, she wasn't able
I had to make money for my family because my mother couldn't provide
Black and white TV set, no cable
My family was poor and could only afford a basic TV
Forties in the fridge, chicken noodles on the table
We couldn't afford much food and had to live on cheap meals
I wasn't born with a silver spoon
I didn't come from a wealthy family
Child of the ghetto, raised off a different tune
I grew up in a poor and disadvantaged area
Watchin' Bob Barker in my living room
I had limited options for entertainment and watched basic TV shows
If "The Price Was Right", I could get you a whole living room
I was good at bargaining and could get good deals
Yeah, them was my gutter ways back in the gutter days
These were the rough days of my past
No education, but the gutter pays
I didn't have much of a formal education, but could make money on the streets
Through it all came a long way
I've come a long way since those days
From sellin' the yay', fist fights to gun play
I've been involved in drug selling and violent conflicts
Sittin' on the block and I'm doin' bad
I'm still struggling while hanging out on the streets
Dreaming about the things that I never had
I often think about the things I couldn't afford in life
Got me thinking to myself "I gotta get it man"
It motivates me to work harder and make more money
You can play if you want, I'm gon' get it man
Others can waste time, but I'll keep hustling
I say, all my life I've known
I've been aware my whole life
One day eventually I'll blow
I'll eventually make it big and find success
Times is torn as it is
Times are rough and difficult
That's why I got guns, and my guns got kids
I carry weapons to protect myself and those who depend on me
That's why I be goin' so tough on them hoes
I don't tolerate disrespect from women
I play my own hand, I don't shuffle or fold
I make my own decisions and don't back down
Fuck wit a nigga, let go fuck wit some hoes
Don't mess with me, go mess with someone else
Hear them bitches screamin' like they stuck in a hole
Women will regret crossing me
I am not a demon, but was once a lost soul
I've made mistakes in my past, but am not inherently evil
'Til I found myself a block away from the cross road
I was forced to make a big decision that changed my life
I have, outgrown the fishbowl
I've matured and moved on from my past life
And I'm on my feet like a fuckin' insole
I stay active and keep moving forward
Yeah it may hurt like a fuckin' left no
Changes can be hard to endure
But it's "fuck the world", like a fuckin nympho
I have no concerns for others' opinions and do what I want
And we spend dough, cause we make more
I can spend money confidently because I know I'll make more
And I make sure, when I say so
I stick to my word and follow through with my plans
It's Jay Rock and Weezy, need I say more
My reputation and fame speaks for itself
Close line the beat tear, DB I say flow
I'm confident in my ability to rap and perform
Jay Rock, still that same O.G.
I'm still the same original gangsta
I ain't tryna see the grave or the penitentiary
I don't want to end up dead or in prison
Everyday living, tryna stay on my feet
I'm trying to stay strong and survive each day
Even though a nigga paid, but my heart in the streets
Even though I now have money, my loyalty and identity still lies with the streets
See my dogs I'm a beast, so hard on these beats
I excel at rapping and working hard on my music
So my family can eat, I'll be damned if I see
I work hard to provide for my family and won't let them go hungry
No income, here come Jay Rock, they know crack music
Even when I had no money, I was still known for my music
Drug kingpin flow, oh
I rap about drug dealing and have a commanding, powerful flow
Kingpin hoe, need I say more
I'm the boss and am not to be messed with
Your family could die, when I say go (go)
I have the power to harm others and their families
Green light green light, whatcha green like?
I'm curious about what others are capable of and what they want
Before ya sign me up, get the scene right
Make sure you understand who I am and what I'm about before working with me
And I just happen to fan it when I'm being nice
I still have a soft side and can be friendly
Cause drivin' slow in the Lam', it doesn't seem right
I value my time and don't like wasting it
Yeah, and I remember them long nights
I have memories of being up late and working hard
Livin' the wrong life, but I made that wrong right
I made mistakes in my past, but have worked to make things right
All the struggling
All the hard times I've been through
All it does is keep my hustling, oh my
I keep pushing and hustling through the struggles I face
Lyrics © SOAR MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andre Christopher Lyon, Marcello Valenzano, Curtis Mayfield, William Adams, Johnny McKinzie, Dwayne Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MTWENTY
This song blew me away when I was in High School. 10 years later Jay Rock finally has a Grammy. No one can disrespect his grind
@p.tfreefree3082
Wayne killed it per usual but I’m just realizing that’s Kendrick on the chorus
@solstyc
it's not kendrick lol@@p.tfreefree3082
@rimandtherock9358
This song aged like fine wine, classic
@kungfukennytde6065
Classic
@axiom.ai.obviousbattletank7139
Which part? The great rhythm? The beat that was sampled, the voices?
Black
@just_a5.7
2021 I just found this song and I get chills every time even thoe I dont listen to anyone new rapper or anyone else besides jetlife recordings and currensy
@solomonroller9127
On me I’m back here bumping this on repeat
@kidmaad9811
Yaah bro it's classic
@23glo59
Who else think Jay Rock and Wayne should give it another shot? Uplifting track