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.
Shit Real
Jay Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get shot, or get robbed, we get dollars
Brick of blow, flip an Oz, hardly sniff it though
2 for 5 on a Friday, give and go
Bitch niggas wanna come and get a taste
They don't get it 'til they catch a red bottom to the face
No case, young nigga shootin' shit
I done dealt in '88 with the temporary plates
Get to it, no talking, just do it
No swoosh, just killers off that kush
Me and Grizzley on the track we're both from the black book
All dirt, numbers scratched off that pistol
Selling crack viles out ya momma back window
Momma talking loud bout the shit that he into
She ain't gotta ask every month, what that rent do
You ain't know it real niggas don't sit still
If you knew a niggas story you would get chills
If you knew some of them secrets you would get killed
You ain't knowing shit real nigga, shit chill, shit chill
You ain't knowing shit real nigga, shit chill, shit chill
You ain't knowing shit real nigga
Say you wanna get rich, no matter the risk, no matter how far the trip, ok
(Okay, let's get it)
Say you just wanna be on, you want the Rollie froze, you would never break the code, okay nigga
In Campanella, tell these niggas I'm at home there (that's the crib nigga)
Blood, tell these niggas I'm at home there (that's the motherfucking crib nigga)
Only joint rolled, nigga that's good everywhere
One nigga, 2 stretch, bitch I double dare
Money on the counter, chops on the floor
Besides the holy spirit, I ain't worried bout a soul
These niggas got a lot of mouth ain't got no money though (no money though)
And tell these niggas we can beef but don't get bloody though (it's gon' get bloddy)
90 days ago I was just in prison, I got out with a vision and now I'm with Jay Rock and Kendrick
(Ain't it a blessing)
Out in Cali tapping in with the realest
When really I wasn't supposed to see the end of my sentence
You ain't know it real niggas don't sit still
If you knew a niggas story you would get chills
If you knew some of them secrets you would get killed
You ain't knowing shit real nigga, shit chill, shit chill
You ain't knowing shit real nigga, shit chill, shit chill
You ain't knowing shit real nigga
Jay Rock's "Shit Real" is a song about day-to-day life in a rough neighborhood. In the first verse, he talks about the violent nature of his environment and how money is made through selling drugs. He also mentions the consequences of crossing the wrong people, as they will result in getting hurt. Jay Rock grew up in Watts, Los Angeles, where gang violence and drug abuse were rampant. He is delivering an authentic view of life in a community like this, where those who lived there have to learn to survive in a dangerous world. The following verse discusses the idea of getting rich at any cost and the bleak reality of going to prison, and the third verse introduces his collaborator, Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley, who talks about his release from prison and newfound success.
The chorus' main idea is that people who didn't grow up in these environments or live this lifestyle will not understand the challenging and dangerous lives of those who do. There are secrets and risks associated with this life that outsiders can't comprehend. The reality is that the lack of resources, opportunities, and assistance often perpetuates this status quo in impoverished neighborhoods. The chorus is a reminder that only those who have lived this type of life know its realities, and it's not something outsiders can truly understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Eastside, BH dub, you know about us
We're from the Eastside, a gang affiliated area commonly known as BH dub and well-known in the community.
Get shot, or get robbed, we get dollars
We're exposed to violence and robbery, but we still hustle to make money and survive.
Brick of blow, flip an Oz, hardly sniff it though
We sell drugs such as cocaine in large quantities and smaller amounts, but we don't consume it ourselves much.
2 for 5 on a Friday, give and go
We sell drugs quick on Fridays, just give us the cash and we'll give you the product.
Bitch niggas wanna come and get a taste
Some people are curious and try to test us, but they don't know what they're getting themselves into.
They don't get it 'til they catch a red bottom to the face
They will only understand the severity of the situation once they face the consequences which could be violent.
No case, young nigga shootin' shit
We commit crimes for which we won't be caught or punished, such as shooting at people or vandalizing property.
I done dealt in '88 with the temporary plates
I've been in the game since 1988, even when I was just starting I was still involved and on the move.
Foreign cars but we dodge like bullets
We have expensive cars but we still face risks like dodging bullets while driving in our neighborhoods.
Get to it, no talking, just do it
We don't waste time talking, we just do what we need to do.
No swoosh, just killers off that kush
We don't wear Nike, but our actions show that we are dangerous and high from smoking marijuana.
Me and Grizzley on the track we're both from the black book
Jay Rock and Tee Grizzley both come from difficult backgrounds and share their stories in their music.
All dirt, numbers scratched off that pistol
Our firearms are untraceable and illegal.
Selling crack viles out ya momma back window
We sell drugs so close to home, we do it out of the back window of a family member's house.
Momma talking loud bout the shit that he into
Our mothers talk about our illegal activities in public, either out of worry or pride.
She ain't gotta ask every month, what that rent do
We make enough money from our illegal activities that we don't struggle to pay rent on time.
Say you wanna get rich, no matter the risk, no matter how far the trip, ok
People say they want to get rich no matter what it takes, even if it means taking risks or traveling far.
(Okay, let's get it)
Alright, let's do this.
Say you just wanna be on, you want the Rollie froze, you would never break the code, okay nigga
Some people just want to be famous and have nice things, and they claim they will never reveal sensitive information even if pressured to.
In Campanella, tell these niggas I'm at home there (that's the crib nigga)
I live in Campanella and that's my territory and neighborhood that I represent.
Blood, tell these niggas I'm at home there (that's the motherfucking crib nigga)
I'm making it clear that Campanella is where I reside and come from.
Only joint rolled, nigga that's good everywhere
As long as we have a joint to smoke, that can make any situation tolerable.
One nigga, 2 stretch, bitch I double dare
We are ready for anything, even if it means taking on multiple opponents at once.
Money on the counter, chops on the floor
We have a significant amount of cash and weapons within our immediate vicinity.
Besides the holy spirit, I ain't worried bout a soul
We're not afraid of anyone or anything, except for the spiritual consequences of our actions.
These niggas got a lot of mouth ain't got no money though (no money though)
Some people talk big but don't have any money or means to back it up.
And tell these niggas we can beef but don't get bloody though (it's gon' get bloddy)
We don't shy away from confrontation, but we're warning others that things could get violent.
90 days ago I was just in prison, I got out with a vision and now I'm with Jay Rock and Kendrick
Relatively recently, I was released from prison with a clear goal in mind which has led me to work with Jay Rock and Kendrick.
(Ain't it a blessing)
Isn't it a great opportunity to work with such talented musicians after being incarcerated?
Out in Cali tapping in with the realest
We are out in California working with the most authentic and genuine people.
When really I wasn't supposed to see the end of my sentence
Despite the odds being against me, I managed to finish my sentence and emerge stronger than before.
You ain't know it real niggas don't sit still
If you knew a niggas story you would get chills
If you knew some of them secrets you would get killed
You ain't knowing shit real nigga, shit chill, shit chill
You ain't knowing shit real nigga, shit chill, shit chill
You ain't knowing shit real nigga
If you truly knew what we've experienced in life and the secrets we've kept, you would be shocked and even in danger. But since you don't, stop assuming and stay out of the way.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Johnny Reed McKinzie, Jr., Terry Sanchez Wallace, Samuel Ahana
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Android_Gameplay
Music from the car at the beginning of the video - π Jay Rock - ES Tales π
You're welcome =D
@TherealToppo
On your shit huh lol
@collindavis4974
THANK YOU!!
@brigadashark
Been searching for that song for a long time lol. Thanks G! :D
@RihskyMR
This is a real G ππ―
@TheFatSlimandShort
If people didnβt know that then wtff are they doing listening to jay rock
@laylaallison2577
πa u t h e n t i c v i e w s π and Jay Rock are a match made in heaven, Best song on album
@jordanyear2330
So good to see jay rock lead the way for TDE this time around
@jahq9930
Fr..he been grindin for years, deserves the recognition.
@michaelcampbell2390
love to see it