PnB Rock hails from Pastorius and Baynton Streets in the Germantown section of Philadelphia — that’s where he found the “P” and “B” in his name. That’s also where he found himself in a bit of trouble.
When Rock was 13 years old, he got sent away to a youth detention program for fighting in school and committing robberies. When Rock turned 19, he was sent to prison; it was there where he learned to blend calming melodies with hard street stories.“There were people up there singing in the yard. They were doing the same thing that I was doing, but they were serious with it,” he remembers. “There would be crowds around them and that was our entertainment, everybody loved it.” PnB wrote his entire first mixtape RNB (Real Nigga Bangaz), while he was locked up and eventually released in 2014. “My first mixtape was highly anticipated in my city and I drove around selling them hand-to-hand,” he says, remarking that he barely made any money off the sales after he factored in the cost of gas. “It was all love because people got to take pictures and meet me face-to-face.”
The bubbling singer/songwriter explored his musical side; a side which was fueled by his mother’s massive CD collection which included albums from the Temptations as well as 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay Z. “My whole life I was surrounded by music. I didn’t really like anything else,” he says. “I didn’t watch cartoons, I didn’t play sports, I just liked music, money and girls.”
When RNB2 dropped in February 2015, Rock’s loyal following had propelled him way past his native Philly blocks. It was enough to earn the attention of a number of major labels, including Atlantic Records, where PnB Rock signed earlier this year.
If RNB and RNB2 laid the foundation, PnB’s newly released RNB3 will set the stage for a long career. Led by tracks like “Fleek” — a song which Rock wrote during his last day in prison and now has over 2.4 million plays on SoundCloud — RNB3 will be PnB Rock’s biggest yet.
On the Sonny Digital-produced “Alone,” he opens up about his shortcomings as a man, admitting that he hasn’t been the most faithful. “Maybe I could turn down 10, but I can’t turn down 20,” he sings about the amount of advances he gets on social media.
Then there are his more laid back tracks like “Feelin Like Diddy” and “No Time,” better known as the ultimate hustler’s anthem. “I’m just telling a female that I could give you whatever you want, but I’m not trying to be tied down,” he says. “I could entertain you and fuck with you, but don’t expect me to be committed to nobody. I’m committed to the grind.”
You see, when it comes to PnB Rock, it’s best to leave the flowers and candy behind. You won’t be needing them. “I got a new sound for sure,” he says. “I could touch different topics that these other artists can’t touch, because I’m in the streets.”
On September 12, 2022 PnB Rock died in a shooting at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in Los Angeles after his girlfriend posted their location on an Instagram story.
Lowkey
PnB Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think I found my new bae
In the city where she stay
She look like she from LA
I might hit her with this work
Make her feel like I'm her first
I might put her in a vert
I might buy her a new purse
Shawty, she open
Shawty, she open
Shawty, she open
I got her soaking
I got her soaking
I got her soaking
Girl, don't you play with me
Girl, just come stay with me
Girl, won't you lay with me?
We could just stay low key
We could just stay low key
Ain't nobody gotta know
We could creep off in the Ghost
Backseats, curtains closed
I let you roll up my dope
It's crazy you don't even smoke
She say, "Roy, why you always rolling the Backwoods up?"
I do other things, understand that I'm different kind
You wanna stunt, I'll get you anything that you need
Girl you a boss, they don't know 'bout the place that you came from
Do's this all night and day like Adrian Peterson
I changed you, 'cause I dun know you not no greedy girl
Don't pop bands, but I pop Xans
Don't roll blunts, said, "Fuck friends!"
Go grind for yourself, get your own bands
Been fighting like Ryu and Ken, Ryu and Ken
Everything okay
I think I found my new bae
In the city where she stay
She look like she from LA
I might hit her with this work
Make her feel like I'm her first
I might put her in a vert
I might buy her a new purse
Shawty, she open
Shawty, she open
Shawty, she open
I got her soaking
I got her soaking
I got her soaking
Girl, don't you play with me
Girl, just come stay with me
Girl, won't you lay with me?
We could just stay low key
Ayy Twenty, I call no pick up
I hope that you never switch up
Of course you get that brand new Gucci
Pussy wet and I'ma swim in it
Damn, Twenty move just like the President
Fuck, countin' blue faces in my new ride
I get Fendi in the big size
I got in tinted 'cause they on me
Lately, I've been movin' lowkey
Yeah, you're my baby boy like Jodie
Ayy, Twenty, I heard you with PnB
And you got Roy with you
Everything okay
I think I found my new bae
In the city where she stay
She look like she from LA
I might hit her with this work
Make her feel like I'm her first
I might put her in a vert
I might buy her a new purse
Shawty, she open
Shawty, she open
Shawty, she open
I got her soaking
I got her soaking
I got her soaking
Girl, don't you play with me
Girl, just come stay with me
Girl, won't you lay with me?
We could just stay low key
The lyrics to PNB Rock's "Lowkey" is about a relationship that's being kept under wraps. The singer has found a new romantic interest in a city that looks like LA, and he wants to keep their intimacy private. He promises to make her feel special, perhaps by showering her with gifts like a new car or purse. The girl is described as being "open," meaning that she's receptive to the singer's advances and perhaps willing to keep their relationship low-key.
The song also touches on the topic of materialism and the different lifestyles that people come from. The singer expresses his willingness to provide for his partner, but he also urges her to work hard and make her own money. Additionally, the song contains the voice of a second narrative – Twenty – who seems to be describing his own life of luxury, boasting about his new Gucci clothes and his big car. The purpose of this narrative is not entirely clear, but it seems to suggest that the singer has rich and influential friends.
Overall, "Lowkey" is a song about a new romantic relationship that's being kept hidden from the public. The singer has found someone that he wants to spoil and make feel special, even if they have to do it behind closed doors.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything okay
My current situation is good
I think I found my new bae
I have found a new romantic interest
In the city where she stay
She currently resides in the same city that I do
She look like she from LA
Her appearance resembles that of someone from Los Angeles
I might hit her with this work
I plan on giving her sexual attention
Make her feel like I'm her first
I want her to feel sexually special
I might put her in a vert
I might take her out in a convertible car
I might buy her a new purse
I might purchase a handbag for her
Shawty, she open
She is sexually willing and interested
I got her soaking
I have made her sexually aroused and wet
Girl, don't you play with me
Don't toy with my emotions or desires
Girl, just come stay with me
Spend time with me and be intimate
Girl, won't you lay with me?
Have sexual relations with me
We could just stay low key
Keep our relationship private and low-profile
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ASTEN HARRIS, RAKIM HASHEEM ALLEN, SEAN STEIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MM-dd7yr
Got a feeling this song is going to get the recognition it should have gotten while u were here. Rip Rock
@sirg6465
Still as good bro. Shit was on repeat
@bradjacobson6726
Yeah this song was the best at the time. Rip to pnb. More of a Roy woods fan myself but this song goes crazy by pnb
@dahmerefarrow2136
Facts tho!
@Funko_Advocate9
The truth man this shit been tough though but that’s real shit
@danielmcnamara2866
Arthritis cj young pnb
@CeddMillz92693
Rest In Peace PnB Rock. This one got me through some rough years.
@yazhartobias
This song is perfect, form start to finish. The production, the features. An amazing joint from PNB.
@MaylinForever
roy woods is so underrated
@les_Chroniques_de_LHorreur
J’avoue