Rock On
Pumpkinhead Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

{"I'm bout to hit you with that traditional style of cold rockin" - KRS}

[Pumpkinhead]
Welcome aboard the Underground Railroad, I'm your captain
I'm gonna explain the reason why I keep on rappin
Why I keep on movin, doin shows in Manhattan
Knowin in my heart, that I'll probably never go platinum
See it's for the love, music is in my protoplasm
I can only wish but I don't have a genie and my name's not Aladdin
Fasten your seatbelts, we're takin off soon
I'm gonna rock rock on, on a rocket to the moon
Start a label up there, sign an alien rappin clique
Sell a million units, and get paid in amethyst
Cause on this planet, reality doesn't exist
You'd rather sell souls than to sign some real shit
But I refuse to put it in park so I'm shiftin the gears
Even though time flies, I'm 28 in years
That's about 10 thousand and 2200 months
Spittin heat for ten years and haven't been signed once
How I'm 'sposed to blow up, when independent labels front
Don't pay up, don't promote, your record label sucks
You got MC's out there that deserve to get put on
So for them, I'm gonna rock rock rock on

Supernat (rock rock rock on)
And The Plague (rock rock rock on)
Stronghold (rock rock rock on)
Red Clay (rock rock rock on)
Juggaknots (rock rock rock on)
M-Pire (rock rock rock on)
All of y'all (rock rock rock on)
N.Y. (rock rock rock on)

[Pumpkinhead]
At first, I wanted to paint, so I went to art school
Then I saw heads rappin, bangin on tables in the lunchroom
In a cypher, they were playin some hot beats
And these heads rappin was C-Rayz Walz and Mobb Deep
Yeah - I went to school with them dudes
And they dropped out, and eventually I did too
I formed a crew with a group named Doom, they call 'em Hydra now
And they even sound liver now
So me and Blitzkrieg, now we got Park Slope on lock
That's when I battled, this Puerto Rican cat named Block
And we battled, he beat me, I was impressed with his flow
He saw potential, so we broke bread and smoked 'dro
This ain't fake, trust me this is a real tale
Block had a group called Zooty Zoo and introduced me to Will Tell
We did a track with Medaphoar and shit clicked rapidly
Then Block said let's form the Brooklyn Academy
So we did, kids flipped, they loved our songs
We were like Pink Floyd, Run-D.M.C. and Cheech & Chong
Then Black Panther Marco Polo came along
So now we gon' rock rock rock rock on

Jean Grae (rock rock rock on)
E.L.W. (rock rock rock on)
Medina Green (rock rock rock on)
And Hiero (rock rock rock on)
Beatminerz (rock rock rock on)
Boot Camp (rock rock rock on)
Molemen (rock rock rock on)
All of y'all (rock rock on, yeah)

[Pumpkinhead]
I never stop (stop) but I pause for the cause
When I rock (rock) my voice echo through halls
And the block (block) be like P-H, "It's yours!"
I'm so (hot.. hot.. hot)

I rock for Brooklyn, Park Slope, that's my home
I rock for the brothers on lock gettin chopped for the phone
I rock for the b-boys and the DJ's
I rock for MC's and writers, catchin tags on the freeway
I rock for my dad and my uncles, rest in peace
I rock for my grandma Isabel who's also deceased
I rock for those who died, and those who are alive
I rock for my mom and sis they helped me to survive
I rock for my wife, she brought our son in our life
I mean it so sincere that I'm sayin it twice
I rock for my wife, she brought our son in our life
I rock for him like when I rock him to sleep at night
I rock for the Ak, my family, in these dark days
I rock, for y'all, like I rock for The Plague
And one day, we'll all be one, rockin on stage
Lord what I say is true so I'm rockin for you

We goin Ocean (rock rock rock on)
Everliving Sound (rock rock rock on)
Bruise Frank (rock rock rock on)
Venom (rock rock rock on)
My dad Robert Sr. (rock rock on)
My son Raiden (rock rock rock rock on)
My wife Shante (rock rock rock on)
The DS family (rock rock rock on)
The Edo family (rock rock rock on)
DP-1 (rock rock rock on)
Turntable Annihilists rock rock rock on





{"The more emotion I put into it, the harder I rock"} - O.C.
{*"The harder I rock" - repeated scratches*}

Overall Meaning

The song “Rock On” by Pumpkinhead featuring KRS-One has been analyzed by several music critics and fans for an inspirational and positive message. The song is divided into three verses, with each verse representing a certain period of Pumpkinhead's musical journey. The first verse highlights his motivation to rap and to continue performing for his love of music, despite knowing that he may never achieve mainstream success or go “platinum.” He expresses distancing himself from the chaos in the music industry and mainstream music that he considers selling their souls.


The second verse offers insight into his personal journey and how he met some of the most influential people in his life, and how he formed a crew with Will Tell, Black Panther Marco Polo, and Block McCloud, forming the Brooklyn Academy with an increase in fanbase. This verse clearly demonstrates how his experiences have taught him life lessons that he never forgets and continue to motivate him to keep rocking on. He concludes the song by dedicating the verses to the people who inspire him, his family, and friends.


The song has an engaging beat and an inspirational message while keeping a flow that truly exemplifies the essence of hip hop. The song's title, “Rock On,” is a reference to the act of rocking, which is an integral element of hip hop culture. The song emphasizes the need for artists to stay true to themselves, never forget their roots, and continue pursuing their original passion for music.


Line by Line Meaning

Welcome aboard the Underground Railroad, I'm your captain
Join me on this journey through the underground music scene, where I'll guide you and lead the way


I'm gonna explain the reason why I keep on rappin
I'll share with you the motivation behind my continuous dedication to rapping


Why I keep on movin, doin shows in Manhattan
I continue to push forward and perform in Manhattan because it fuels my passion for music


Knowin in my heart, that I'll probably never go platinum
Despite being realistic about my chances of achieving mainstream success, I continue to pursue my love for music


See it's for the love, music is in my protoplasm
I have an inherent connection to music, it runs through my veins and is an essential part of me


I can only wish but I don't have a genie and my name's not Aladdin
While I can only dream of achieving commercial success, I know that it won't magically happen


Fasten your seatbelts, we're takin off soon
Get ready for an exhilarating ride as we embark on this musical journey


I'm gonna rock rock on, on a rocket to the moon
I'll continue to passionately express myself through music, aiming for the stars and reaching new heights


Start a label up there, sign an alien rappin clique
In this metaphorical exploration, I imagine establishing my own record label on the moon and signing extraterrestrial artists who excel at rapping


Sell a million units, and get paid in amethyst
I envision achieving tremendous success, selling millions of records and receiving valuable rewards, such as amethyst gemstones


Cause on this planet, reality doesn't exist
In this alternate reality, conventional limitations and constraints don't apply, allowing me to dream big and break free from the norm


You'd rather sell souls than to sign some real shit
Many individuals in the music industry prioritize commercial success and profit over authentic and meaningful music


But I refuse to put it in park so I'm shiftin the gears
I'm determined to keep moving forward and progressing in my music career, refusing to settle or become stagnant


Even though time flies, I'm 28 in years
Despite the swift passage of time, I remain committed to my craft and continue to pursue my dreams at the age of 28


That's about 10 thousand and 2200 months
In a lifespan of approximately 10,220 months, I've spent a significant portion of my life dedicated to creating and sharing my music


Spittin heat for ten years and haven't been signed once
Despite consistently delivering exceptional music for a decade, I have yet to secure a record deal


How I'm 'sposed to blow up, when independent labels front
It becomes challenging for artists like me to achieve widespread recognition when independent labels fail to provide the necessary support or opportunities


Don't pay up, don't promote, your record label sucks
These independent labels not only neglect their financial obligations but also lack adequate promotion skills, making them ineffective


You got MC's out there that deserve to get put on
Many talented MCs remain overlooked and deserve the opportunity to be recognized and supported


So for them, I'm gonna rock rock rock on
In solidarity with these deserving artists, I will continue to passionately pursue my music and represent their cause


Supernat (rock rock rock on)
Shout out to Supernatural, a legendary MC who deserves recognition


And The Plague (rock rock rock on)
Acknowledging and supporting The Plague, a talented rap group


Stronghold (rock rock rock on)
Showing love and solidarity to the Stronghold collective, a group of talented artists


Red Clay (rock rock rock on)
Expressing appreciation for Red Clay, another collective of skilled musicians


Juggaknots (rock rock rock on)
Recognizing and supporting Juggaknots, a hip-hop group known for their unique style


M-Pire (rock rock rock on)
Giving a shout out to M-Pire, a collective of talented individuals within the music industry


All of y'all (rock rock rock on)
Showing love and appreciation to all the aforementioned artists and more


N.Y. (rock rock rock on)
Representing and celebrating the vibrant hip-hop scene in New York


At first, I wanted to paint, so I went to art school
Initially, my passion was for visual arts, which led me to enroll in art school


Then I saw heads rappin, bangin on tables in the lunchroom
It was during my time in art school that I witnessed fellow students engaging in rap battles and showcasing their skills in the lunchroom


In a cypher, they were playin some hot beats
Within these rap circles, talented individuals would freestyle over captivating beats


And these heads rappin was C-Rayz Walz and Mobb Deep
Among those showcasing their rap talents were C-Rayz Walz and the renowned group Mobb Deep


Yeah - I went to school with them dudes
I had the privilege of attending school alongside these talented individuals


And they dropped out, and eventually I did too
Inspired by their choices, I also decided to drop out of art school and pursue a career in music


I formed a crew with a group named Doom, they call 'em Hydra now
Together with a collective initially known as Doom, we eventually became known as Hydra


And they even sound liver now
Over time, our music and performances have become more dynamic and lively


So me and Blitzkrieg, now we got Park Slope on lock
Myself and Blitzkrieg, another talented individual, have established a strong presence and influence in Park Slope, Brooklyn


That's when I battled, this Puerto Rican cat named Block
At a certain point, I engaged in a rap battle against a skilled Puerto Rican rapper known as Block


And we battled, he beat me, I was impressed with his flow
Although Block emerged as the victor in our battle, I was genuinely amazed by his exceptional rap skills


He saw potential, so we broke bread and smoked 'dro
Recognizing my talent, Block decided to collaborate and form a bond, sharing a meal and enjoying marijuana together


This ain't fake, trust me this is a real tale
I want you to know that the story I'm sharing is authentic and not fabricated


Block had a group called Zooty Zoo and introduced me to Will Tell
Block was part of a rap group called Zooty Zoo, and through him, I was introduced to another talented individual named Will Tell


We did a track with Medaphoar and shit clicked rapidly
Together with Will Tell, we collaborated with the artist Medaphoar, and the chemistry and synergy between us was immediately evident


Then Block said let's form the Brooklyn Academy
Acknowledging the success and potential of our collaborations, Block suggested that we establish a collective known as the Brooklyn Academy


So we did, kids flipped, they loved our songs
We proceeded to form the Brooklyn Academy, and our music resonated with listeners, receiving a positive reception


We were like Pink Floyd, Run-D.M.C. and Cheech & Chong
Our group embodied elements of legendary acts such as Pink Floyd, Run-D.M.C., and the comedic duo Cheech & Chong, blending various styles and creating a unique identity


Then Black Panther Marco Polo came along
Later on, we were joined by Black Panther Marco Polo, another talented artist who added his distinct flavor to our collective


So now we gon' rock rock rock rock on
With our collective strength and unity, we will continue to rock and make an impact in the music industry


Jean Grae (rock rock rock on)
Giving recognition and showing love for the talented Jean Grae


E.L.W. (rock rock rock on)
Shout out to E.L.W., another artist deserving support and appreciation


Medina Green (rock rock rock on)
Acknowledging the skilled individuals of Medina Green, a musical group


And Hiero (rock rock rock on)
Showing respect and admiration for Hieroglyphics, a renowned collective in the hip-hop community


Beatminerz (rock rock rock on)
Paying homage to the talented producers and DJs known as Beatminerz


Boot Camp (rock rock rock on)
Giving a shout out to Boot Camp Clik, a collective of talented artists


Molemen (rock rock rock on)
Expressing appreciation for the Molemen collective, known for their dedication to underground hip-hop


All of y'all (rock rock on, yeah)
Extending gratitude and acknowledgement to all these artists and beyond


I never stop (stop) but I pause for the cause
While I maintain a constant momentum in my music career, I make sure to take brief breaks to focus on meaningful endeavors


When I rock (rock) my voice echo through halls
The impact of my music resonates and reverberates through various spaces, leaving a lasting impression


And the block (block) be like P-H, 'It's yours!'
The local community and neighborhood recognize and embrace my artistry, feeling a sense of ownership and pride


I'm so (hot.. hot.. hot)
My talent and passion are undeniable, radiating a powerful energy


I rock for Brooklyn, Park Slope, that's my home
I represent and create music for my beloved hometown of Brooklyn, particularly the neighborhood of Park Slope


I rock for the brothers on lock gettin chopped for the phone
I pay tribute and show support for those incarcerated individuals who are unjustly confined, striving to keep their spirits uplifted


I rock for the b-boys and the DJ's
I create music that resonates with breakdancers and DJs, paying homage to the roots and pillars of hip-hop culture


I rock for MC's and writers, catchin tags on the freeway
I create music that connects with fellow MCs and writers who express themselves through lyrical prowess and graffiti art


I rock for my dad and my uncles, rest in peace
I honor and create music in memory of my late father and uncles, paying my respects and carrying their legacy forward


I rock for my grandma Isabel who's also deceased
I create music as a tribute to my late grandmother Isabel, celebrating her life and the impact she had on me


I rock for those who died, and those who are alive
I dedicate my music to those who have passed away as well as those who are still with us, acknowledging and respecting their influences


I rock for my mom and sis they helped me to survive
I express gratitude to my mother and sister for their unwavering support, as they have been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and thrive


I rock for my wife, she brought our son in our life
I create music to celebrate the immense joy and love my wife has brought into our lives by blessing us with a son


I mean it so sincere that I'm sayin it twice
My genuine appreciation is so profound that I emphasize it by repeating my heartfelt sentiments


I rock for my wife, she brought our son in our life
I create music as a tribute to the love I have for my wife and the profound impact our son has had on our lives


I rock for him like when I rock him to sleep at night
Just as I rock my son to sleep at night, I create music to provide comfort and inspiration to him as he grows


I rock for the Ak, my family, in these dark days
I create music that serves as a source of light and hope for my fellow family members during challenging times


I rock, for y'all, like I rock for The Plague
In the same way that I create music for The Plague collective, I create music for all of you, my fans and supporters


And one day, we'll all be one, rockin on stage
I envision a future where we can all come together as a united community, performing and enjoying music collectively


Lord what I say is true so I'm rockin for you
I speak from the heart, expressing genuine thoughts and feelings, and I create music to connect with and rock for all of you


We goin Ocean (rock rock rock on)
Shout out to Ocean, another talented individual deserving recognition and support


Everliving Sound (rock rock rock on)
Acknowledging Everliving Sound, a group known for their unique musical style


Bruise Frank (rock rock rock on)
Giving a shout out to Bruise Frank, another artist who deserves appreciation


Venom (rock rock rock on)
Expressing support and recognition for Venom, a talented individual within the music industry


My dad Robert Sr. (rock rock on)
Paying tribute to my late father, Robert Sr., who played a significant role in my life and music


My son Raiden (rock rock rock rock on)
Celebrating and creating music for my son, Raiden, showing him love and inspiration through my artistry


My wife Shante (rock rock rock on)
Showing appreciation and love for my wife, Shante, who has been by my side throughout my musical journey


The DS family (rock rock rock on)
Acknowledging and paying tribute to the DS family, a collective of individuals who have supported and believed in me


The Edo family (rock rock rock on)
Showing love and respect to the Edo family, another group of individuals who have been part of my journey


DP-1 (rock rock rock on)
Shout out to DP-1, a talented artist deserving recognition and appreciation


Turntable Annihilists rock rock rock on
Paying homage to the Turntable Annihilists, a group known for their exceptional DJ skills and contribution to the music scene


'The more emotion I put into it, the harder I rock' - O.C.
O.C.'s words highlight the correlation between the intensity of the emotion I pour into my music and the force with which I deliver it


'The harder I rock' - repeated scratches
The scratches repeated in this line emphasize the concept that the more effort and passion I invest in my art, the more impactful my music becomes




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY S CRUZ, JERMAINE DUPRI, JOHN MELLENCAMP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Jon L.

Rest in peace to a pillar of battle rap and underground hip hop. 

Pumpkinhead grew up with and has the respect of many of the legends of hip hop and never flaunted those facts in front of anyone. He kept grinding through the indie music scene even when he saw all of his peers move on to higher levels of success without ever changing his style or who he was. I first saw him battle on DFX on MTV in like 99 and will always remember him for his crusades through the underground NY hip hop scene, on-beat battling throughout the late 90s and mid 2000s up until the acapella format of today.

Orange Moon Over Brooklyn is a must-listen for every fan of not just underground rap, but hip hop in general. 

I was privileged to meet him at World Domination 2. When I told him my username from the RM forums and that my friends and I drove 11 hours to get to Toronto just to watch the event, he marked out and took the time to speak with us, despite having a battle that same night against Arcane. I'll always be grateful I got to shake his hand, see him perform live and got a CD with his signature on the cover.

Much respect to one of the greats. 
/salute



All comments from YouTube:

Jon L.

Rest in peace to a pillar of battle rap and underground hip hop. 

Pumpkinhead grew up with and has the respect of many of the legends of hip hop and never flaunted those facts in front of anyone. He kept grinding through the indie music scene even when he saw all of his peers move on to higher levels of success without ever changing his style or who he was. I first saw him battle on DFX on MTV in like 99 and will always remember him for his crusades through the underground NY hip hop scene, on-beat battling throughout the late 90s and mid 2000s up until the acapella format of today.

Orange Moon Over Brooklyn is a must-listen for every fan of not just underground rap, but hip hop in general. 

I was privileged to meet him at World Domination 2. When I told him my username from the RM forums and that my friends and I drove 11 hours to get to Toronto just to watch the event, he marked out and took the time to speak with us, despite having a battle that same night against Arcane. I'll always be grateful I got to shake his hand, see him perform live and got a CD with his signature on the cover.

Much respect to one of the greats. 
/salute

Miklo Maez-Garcia

+Jon Ledford I know how it feels to meet someone you like and respect back in the day I got to meet the LA Dream Team and Eric B and Rakim and I actually had a bracelet that belonged to Rudy Par Dee he accidentally threw it during the show and I gave it back to him after the show real shit man but meeting Eric B and Rakim during the Paid In Full era at Fresh Fest 86' or 87' I forget the year now but it was a long ass time ago bro.

Tom Achtermaan

The third verse is the one with the most emotion and rocks the hardest! Can't get realer than this!

Greg C

R.I.P gone way to soon this album was seriously dope very underrated

Juan Pablo Muller Riveros

Que descanses en paz!! Gran pumpkinhead!!

Knowledge

I just thought of this album randomly today.
Idk what to say.
Classic.
IM ABOUT TO HIT YOU WITH THAT TRADITIONAL STYLE OF COLD ROCKIN!

Kyle Schwartz

Motivating song, rip man.

sinduda

PumpkinHead Rock Rock On
Been a fan since his Brooklyn Academy days, 
Rest In Power!

Osiris Osiris

27 and still bumpin this daily in San diego. Rest in peace PH and love tu familia homeboy!!!!rock on!!!

Unit731

0:36 Such realness... R.I.P. PUMPKINHEAD

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