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.
Tap Out
Jay Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We been lit
Face down, ass up, vicious (woah)
Backdrops, smoking on the bombest weed
Backshots finna go down when we leave
And I got squad in the back, oh yeah, yeah
And a foreign car in the back, oh yeah, yeah
Can't tell me that I'm wrong (wrong)
Can't tell me I ain't on (on)
Bottle straight to the head and I'm going 'till I tap out
Tap out, tap out, tap out, ohh
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
Tap out, until she tap out
Until she tap out, ohh
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
Only when I slide to the back
Closed eyes in the back
'Cause I'm high in the back
Got a text, "Where you at," ayy
Only big flex where I'm at, ayy
Bouncing on the highway
Head on the highway, I only do it my way
I ain't gon' play with it, I'ma work it out
Stand up, while I lay in it
Couple hundred thou', dead mans in the safe with it
Know what I'm about, sip some, blow a eigth with you, bring it to the house
Fuck you in a car in the back, oh, yeah, yeah
Fuck you so good, call back, oh, yeah, yeah
For real though, how many fucks I give? Zero
Eastside Jonny now, mamma maxed out
And I put that on mamma 'n' 'em
Let me take you out
Backdrops, smoking on the bombest weed
Backshots finna go down when we leave
And I got squad in the back, oh yeah, yeah
And a foreign car in the back, oh yeah, yeah
Looking like stars in the back, oh, yeah, yeah
Can't tell me that I'm wrong (wrong)
Can't tell me I ain't on (on)
Bottle straight to the head and I'm going 'till I tap out
Tap out, tap out, tap out, ohh
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
Tap out, until she tap out
Until she tap out, ohh
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
Slide on the 'gram looking for a new biatch
Don't fall through, back up 'cause I'ma be a'ight
Put it in my face, I'ma lurk though
Ass like Bernice Burgous
Carpicorn, libra, virgo
Sliding down your tongue like Merlot
Zodiac girl, what's your zodiac?
That's your boyfriend? Well, I know he mad
How you feel?
I might be too raw for you, too real
I know your homegirl wanna pop pills
Ducked off in them Hollywood hills
I be on bullshit, we be on bullshit
Pull up on me one time
Know you ain't doing shit
I be on the front line, what's happenin'?
Balling when it's crunch time, I ain't lacking
Backdrops, smoking on the bombest weed
Backshots finna go down when we leave
And I got squad in the back, oh yeah, yeah
And a foreign car in the back, oh yeah, yeah
Looking like stars in the back, oh, yeah, yeah
Can't tell me that I'm wrong (wrong)
Can't tell me I ain't on (on)
Bottle straight to the head and I'm going 'till I tap out
Tap out, tap out, tap out, ohh
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
Tap out, until she tap out
Until she tap out, ohh
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
The lyrics to "Tap Out" by Jay Rock and Jeremih revolve around enjoying life to the fullest and not caring what others think. The first few lines suggest a sense of redemption and being "lit," meaning feeling alive and on top of the world. The following lines focus on partying and having a good time with the squad, smoking weed, and indulging in sexual pleasures until they "tap out."
Later verses show a confident and playful attitude towards relationships, with the lyrics suggesting the artists are willing to try new things and have fun in the moment, even if it may not be serious. The final lines express a sense of freedom and independence and a willingness to do things their way without worrying about what others think.
Overall, the song celebrates living life to the fullest and enjoying the moment, expressing a sense of joy and confidence in oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Redemption like
I'm working towards redemption, like a rebirth.
We been lit
We've been having a great time, partying.
Face down, ass up, vicious (woah)
We're getting down and dirty, enjoying ourselves to the fullest.
Backdrops, smoking on the bombest weed
We're smoking the most potent weed, while enjoying the scenery.
Backshots finna go down when we leave
We're about to have sex from behind when we leave.
And I got squad in the back, oh yeah, yeah
I have my friends in the background, supporting me.
And a foreign car in the back, oh yeah, yeah
I have a high-end car in the background.
Looking like stars in the back, oh, yeah, yeah
My friends and I are looking like celebrities.
Can't tell me that I'm wrong (wrong)
Don't try to tell me what I'm doing is incorrect.
Can't tell me I ain't on (on)
Don't try to tell me I'm not successful.
Bottle straight to the head and I'm going 'till I tap out
I'm drinking straight out of the bottle and I'll keep drinking until I can't handle it anymore.
Tap out, tap out, tap out, ohh
I'm going to drink until I can't take it anymore and I'll have to stop.
She wanna play 'till the morning (morning)
She wants to continue having sex until the morning.
And I'ma give it to her like she want it
I'll give her what she wants during sex.
Until she tap out, ohh
We'll keep having sex until she reaches her limit.
Only when I slide to the back
I'm only in the back when I'm trying to get away from everything.
Closed eyes in the back
I'm closing my eyes in the back because I'm high.
'Cause I'm high in the back
I'm high and that's why I'm in the back.
Got a text, "Where you at," ayy
I just received a text asking where I am.
Only big flex where I'm at, ayy
I'm only being flashy when I'm in certain locations.
Bouncing on the highway
I'm cruising down the highway.
Head on the highway, I only do it my way
I'm driving on the highway, but I'm doing it my way.
I ain't gon' play with it, I'ma work it out
I'm not going to mess around or waste time, I'll get to work.
Stand up, while I lay in it
I want her to ride me while I lay down.
Couple hundred thou', dead mans in the safe with it
There's a few hundred thousand dollars and some dead bodies in my safe.
Know what I'm about, sip some, blow a eigth with you, bring it to the house
I know what I'm going to do, let's have a drink and smoke together, and then head back to my place.
Fuck you in a car in the back, oh, yeah, yeah
Let's have sex in the back of the car.
Fuck you so good, call back, oh, yeah, yeah
I'll have sex with you so well that you'll want to call me back again.
For real though, how many fucks I give? Zero
Honestly, I don't care at all.
Eastside Jonny now, mamma maxed out
I'm Eastside Jonny and I'm at my highest level.
And I put that on mamma 'n' 'em
I swear on my family that it's true.
Let me take you out
Let me take you out for a date.
Slide on the 'gram looking for a new biatch
I'm scrolling through Instagram looking for a new girl.
Don't fall through, back up 'cause I'ma be a'ight
Don't try to come over, stay away because I'm okay by myself.
Put it in my face, I'ma lurk though
If you show me something on your phone, I'll look at it but I won't comment.
Ass like Bernice Burgous
Your butt is as nice as Bernice Burgos'.
Carpicorn, libra, virgo
I'm asking for her zodiac sign.
Sliding down your tongue like Merlot
I'm tasting her with my tongue like a fine Merlot.
That's your boyfriend? Well, I know he mad
If that's your boyfriend, I'm sure he's angry because you're with me now.
How you feel?
How are you feeling about our interaction?
I might be too raw for you, too real
I may be too intense and open for you to handle.
I know your homegirl wanna pop pills
I know one of your friends wants to use drugs.
Ducked off in them Hollywood hills
We're hiding away in the Hollywood hills.
I be on bullshit, we be on bullshit
I'm always up to no good, and so are my friends.
Pull up on me one time
Come over and visit me one time.
Know you ain't doing shit
I know you're not busy.
I be on the front line, what's happenin'?
I'm on the front lines of life, what's going on?
Balling when it's crunch time, I ain't lacking
When it's the most important moments, I'm still coming through and succeeding.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anthony Tiffith, Donovan Christopher Knight, Jeremy P. Felton, Johnny McKinzie, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seynyesow5316
chocolates been out here lately 😍
@clarkdell6309
Especially when you got Blackmen like Jay Rock who are REAL ONES and LOVE their BEAUTIFUL dark skinned Black women and are putting them in their videos over light skinned girls. 100
@seynyesow5316
Clark Dell oh trust me real niggas know !!!
@KamanZ10
@Clark Dell wheres the chinese, indian, yogoslavian, martian, extraterritorial women, they get no love smh
@maxhudson4354
O dog
@ript8668
@Owl Pharoah in time and those are very eccentric looks that'll take time to incorporate
@latenights6131
Jeremih continues to kill it on the hooks. He’s so under appreciated!!!
@datopdawgindaville5857
Man this one's a bad ass jam!!
@michaelmanman7584
DMX
@tonybenlozz2907
this is a lowkey late 90's early 2000's