Contents
The Philly MC first signed to Roc-a-Fella Records in 2001 with the help of Freeway, a friend of Peedi since high school who had already joined the label through Beanie Sigel and his State Property entourage. In 2002, Peedi's debut single, "One for Peedi Crakk," charted in the R&B/hip-hop Top 40. He continued to make appearances on various Roc-a-Fella albums, including Jay-Z's The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse and Freeway's Philadelphia Freeway. His guest appearances were usually standouts, and his mixtapes gave him a reputation among East Coast rap fans. Faced with increasing exposure, the Philly rapper decided to modify his rap name to Peedi Peedi.
However, in 2005, two problems greatly affected Peedi's career. State Property dissolved, and Roc-a-Fella Records formally split into two. Jay-Z remaining at Def Jam with 50 percent, and Roc-a-Fella co-founder Dame Dash taking the other 50 percent to Universal Records under his Dame Dash Music Group. Peedi refused to side with Sigel and Dame Dash, and was briefly a free agent until Jay-Z, who soon became the president of Def Jam and maintained the Roc-a-Fella catalogue at the label, signed him. Peedi began working on a debut album, but it was continuously delayed. He did, however, release one single, "Take Me Home," in 2007. Peedi became at odds with the label over his album, and tensions developed between him and Jay-Z. Peedi decided to lashed out against the executive/rapper in the press and leaked several Jay-Z diss tracks, before he was released from his contract in 2008. Peedi then signed with Internet-based label Amalgam Digital and released Camel Face Hunting Season later in 2008.
ROC Army
Peedi Crakk Lyrics
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Part 1!
[Memphis Bleek]
The Roc!
[Jay-Z]
Roc, yeah why'all it's the Roc
[DJ Clue]
New shit, Roc Army
[Chorus]
[Scratches (Jay-Z)]
"Memph, Memph, Memph, Memph Bleek" (Roc-a-fella is the Army)
"Mac, Mac, Mac" "Sparks, O" (Roc-a-fella is the Army)
"Lil Chris, Lil Neef" "Freeway" (Roc-a-fella is the Army)
"Killa," "Cam'Ron" "Jigga" ("are-O-see Niggas") (Roc-a-fella is the Army)
[DJ Clue over the chorus]
Jay-Z, Peedi Crakk
Cam'Ron, Freeway What
Clue
[Jay-Z]
Illest since the Row had it, nigga now the Roc got it
Nigga get you blocka'ed lean em like a dope addict
Hov the hustler, CD's a coke habit
Ya dancing wit the devil, muh'fuckas is slow draggin (C'MON)
Hov is big homie, Beanie is the co-captain
[Freeway]
I'll A.K. ya tee, don't forget about Free
Chris and Neef, Sparks and Oski
All my niggas on the streets get low with M. Bleek (Whew!)
Who the fuck want what
[Cam'Ron]
It's the newest addition, mathematician
Cracks in the kitchen, multiplication
Rocks that I slash with precision
Killa Cam Motherfucker
[Freeway (Cam'Ron)]
We got gats tearin the basement
Mac in the car, clap from a distance
(Kill ya man motherfucker)
They track stars, half of them racin
Run from the gate, straight to the district
Freeway motherfucker
These hatin niggas testing my patience (C'mon)
Reach for the Smith-n
[Chorus]
[DJ Clue over the chorus]
Dame Dash
Dream Team
[Sparks]
?Joey
In the song "ROC Army" by Peedi Crakk, it opens with DJ Clue announcing a new track featuring artists affiliated with Roc-a-Fella Records, such as Memphis Bleek and Jay-Z. The chorus highlights various members of the Roc-a-Fella roster, emphasizing the unity and strength of the Roc-a-Fella collective as an army in the music industry. The scratched vocals of Jay-Z also reinforce this idea of solidarity within the Roc-a-Fella camp.
Jay-Z's verse exudes confidence and asserts Roc-a-Fella's dominance in the rap game, comparing their status to that of The Row, a reference to Death Row Records. He portrays himself as a hustler with a relentless work ethic, likening his music career to a drug addiction. Jay-Z positions himself as a leader figure alongside Beanie Sigel, highlighting their partnership as integral to the Roc-a-Fella enterprise.
Freeway jumps in with a gritty verse, boasting about his street credibility and willingness to use violence if provoked. He shouts out his fellow Roc-a-Fella comrades, including Chris and Neef, Sparks, and Oski, showcasing the camaraderie within the label. Freeway's hardcore delivery and references to gun violence paint a picture of the harsh realities of the streets that Roc-a-Fella artists come from.
Cam'Ron adds his signature style to the track with clever wordplay and bold proclamations of his skills as both a rapper and a hustler. He describes himself as a "mathematician" in the drug game, highlighting his ability to multiply his profits. Cam'Ron's aggressive demeanor and distinctive flow contribute to the overall bravado of the Roc-a-Fella roster portrayed in the song. The references to street warfare and the camaraderie among the artists encapsulate the essence of the "ROC Army" as a force to be reckoned with in the rap world.
Line by Line Meaning
[DJ Clue]
Introducing the next part of the song
[Memphis Bleek]
Memphis Bleek representing the Roc
[Jay-Z]
Jay-Z confirming that it's the Roc
[DJ Clue]
DJ Clue introducing a new track from the Roc army
[Chorus]
Featuring various Roc-A-Fella artists and highlighting their unity and strength
[DJ Clue over the chorus]
DJ Clue shouting out some members of the Roc team
[Jay-Z]
Jay-Z boasting about the success of Roc-A-Fella and warning competitors
[Freeway]
Freeway asserting his presence and loyalty to Roc-A-Fella
[Cam'Ron]
Cam'Ron emphasizing his skills and authority in the game
[Freeway (Cam'Ron)]
Freeway and Cam'Ron discussing their readiness for any confrontation
[Chorus]
Reiterating the strength and unity of the Roc-A-Fella team
[DJ Clue over the chorus]
DJ Clue shouting out more Roc-A-Fella associates
[Sparks]
Sparks adding to the Roc-A-Fella roster with his presence
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Missing Link Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LESLIE PRIDGEN, CAMERON GILES, KENNETH WILLIAM JOHNSON, UMAR ALWAN, ZUKHAN BEY, SHAWN C. CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind