Originally a member of Busta Rhymes' crew, Flipmode Squad becoming the sixth member after the departure of Lord Have Mercy, (aside from other flipmode acts Serious and Show Money) Roc Marciano left in 2001 to form the U.N., a hardcore underground hip hop group consisting of three other MCs (Dino Brave, Laku & Mic Raw) with whom he released an album on Carson Daly's 456 Entertainment in 2004. Notably, Roc Marciano appeared in the 2005 Wu-Tang Clan compilation album, Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture, and in Pete Rock's 2008 album, NY's Finest, drawing acclaim for such performances. Since 2008, Roc Marciano has been working on his solo career, and to widespread internet acclaim, released his entirely self-produced debut album, Marcberg in 2010.
In 2011, Roc Marciano collaborated with Gangrene, the duo of rapper/producers Oh No and The Alchemist, to release the collaborative EP Greneberg. His second solo album, Reloaded, was released in November 2012, which Allmusic described as "Grim and exultant at once, this is low-profile hustling on wax at its finest."
Even a cursory glance at the history of Strong Island reveals that its produced more than its fair share of innovative verbal technicians over the years. One of the most original MCs to hail from its shores in recent times has been Roc Marciano from The UN crew. Initially put on by fellow L.I. resident Busta Rhymes, it wasn’t until Marcy and his crew lent their vocals to three tracks for Pete Rock’s Petestrumentals project that the world really took notice. Utilizing a stream-of-consciousness technique that sounds effortless but is actually very precise in terms of timing and cadence, Marciano is in a class of his own right now.
20 Guns
Roc Marciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Select the escort
That was just a fresh thought
Ralph Lauren tee
The Porsche jeep come with the warranty
Performance fee worth a quarter key
Let the mink drape
Drink the grapes behind the gates
Tongue kiss a fifth
I wrap your bitch up like a gift
This must be how it feel to reel in fish
Keith Sweat sing at the wedding
I rap with the tennin leggings
And fed the peasants presents
Black or spanish
Be the preference
Reverence
With lead you beg to get your head wrenched
I’m like Clooney
In ghetto jewelry
Polo Uzi
The stone I threw you was a ruby
I move smoothly
Roll a doobie in the jacuzzi
After the movie
She asked to do me
I replied absolutely
Sex noises unfamiliar voices
You make choices
The poor witness, the rich man rejoices
Tans in January
Forever camera ready
Hammers is heavy
Scams are petty
Hands is sweaty
Hold the wheel steady
Canary yellow scaglietti
Pendergrass Teddy
A classic medley
Champagne roley
Shows for ladies only
El Padroni
My ears ghostly
The Lex interior was oak tree
Liberian poetry
He approach me
From young to older
Hoes with crows feet
Blow spliffs
Flows emotionless
Your broken in six
Frozen wrist I threw a poker chip
In 20 Guns, Roc Marciano delivers a picture of his lavish lifestyle to his listeners, but also references the violence and danger lurking beneath the surface. The opening lines touch on the sense of luxury that surrounds him, with references to foreign exports and designer clothing. As he continues, he talks about the high performance vehicles that he has access to, and the money that he earns from his music. Despite his success, Marciano is quick to reference his potential to hurt others, such as by threatening to “wrap your bitch up like a gift.” He also references Keith Sweat, a singer known for his romantic ballads, but contrasts this with his own preference for rap music and the more masculine image it conveys.
As the song continues, Roc Marciano paints a picture of a life of excess and danger. He references drug use with lines like “roll a doobie in the jacuzzi,” and makes allusions to gun violence with the song’s title and lines like “hands is sweaty, hold the wheel steady” or “frozen wrist I threw a poker chip.” Despite the potential for danger, Marciano notes that he remains calm and poised in the face of any situation, like “Clooney in ghetto jewelry,” able to face challenges without breaking a sweat.
Line by Line Meaning
Foreign exports dress boss
The person is well-dressed and portrays a boss-like image.
Select the escort
Choosing someone to accompany them.
That was just a fresh thought
New ideas keep coming to the person.
Ralph Lauren tee
Wearing a Ralph Lauren t-shirt.
The Porsche jeep come with the warranty
A warranty comes with the Porsche jeep.
Performance fee worth a quarter key
The person charges a high performance fee.
Let the mink drape
Wearing a mink coat.
Drink the grapes behind the gates
Drinking wine in a private location.
The G5 skate apply grace
Flying on a G5 with style and grace.
Tongue kiss a fifth
Kissing a bottle of alcohol like it's a person.
I wrap your bitch up like a gift
Taking someone's girlfriend and treating them like a gift.
This must be how it feel to reel in fish
Feeling powerful when successfully getting what they want.
Keith Sweat sing at the wedding
Hiring singer Keith Sweat to perform at a wedding.
I rap with the tennin leggings
Rapping while wearing tight leggings.
And fed the peasants presents
Giving gifts to the poor people.
Black or spanish
Preferring either black or Spanish people.
Be the preference
Having a preference towards certain people.
Reverence
Showing respect towards someone/something.
With lead you beg to get your head wrenched
Using force to make someone beg for mercy.
I’m like Clooney
Comparing themselves to famous actor George Clooney.
In ghetto jewelry
Wearing cheap jewelry acquired from the hood.
Polo Uzi
Having a weapon like a Uzi with a Polo insignia on it.
The stone I threw you was a ruby
Giving something valuable to someone as a warning or threat.
I move smoothly
Being able to move around effortlessly.
Roll a doobie in the jacuzzi
Smoking marijuana in a jacuzzi.
After the movie
Doing something after watching a movie.
She asked to do me
Someone wanting to have sex with the person.
I replied absolutely
Agreeing to have sex.
Sex noises unfamiliar voices
Making sounds during sex with someone the person doesn't know well.
You make choices
People have the ability to make their own decisions.
The poor witness, the rich man rejoices
The rich can exploit the poor and benefit from their suffering.
Tans in January
Tanning in the winter season.
Forever camera ready
Always ready to be photographed or recorded.
Hammers is heavy
Weapons used for violent purposes are usually heavy.
Scams are petty
Fraudulent acts are often small or minor in nature.
Hands is sweaty
Feeling nervous or anxious.
Hold the wheel steady
Keeping control while driving.
Canary yellow scaglietti
A type of luxury sports car in a yellow color.
Pendergrass Teddy
Referring to famous singer Teddy Pendergrass.
A classic medley
A mix of classic songs.
Champagne roley
Wearing an expensive champagne-colored watch.
Shows for ladies only
Performances or events only available to women.
El Padroni
Being the boss or leader of a group.
My ears ghostly
Being able to hear things that others cannot.
The Lex interior was oak tree
Having an expensive car with an oak interior design.
Liberian poetry
Poems or writings from Liberia.
He approach me
Someone coming up to the person.
From young to older
From being young to getting older over time.
Hoes with crows feet
Older and unattractive women.
Blow spliffs
Smoking marijuana.
Flows emotionless
Rapping without much feeling or emotion.
Your broken in six
Being able to break someone easily.
Frozen wrist I threw a poker chip
Using a poker chip like a weapon.
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.