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.
Pistolier
Roc Marciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Truth or dare,
For niggas that’ll shoot the square
Yeah, Gortex, got a few pair
Bust a move, make a shoe tear
Take off your ear like a souvenir
Swing from the chandelier
Richard Gere with the gear Ric Flair
Split your pear for for the wristwear
The kid is a pistolier
Yo, diamond choker
We binded up the ponderosa
Islamic culture
Put the copper in the toaster
Pot smoker, push the Rover
With the silent motor
Mama, I’m vulgar
My persona got the fly aroma
Catch me on stage
Rapping in Jamaican accent (Bombaclot)
Bang a actress
From Moreno to Anglo Saxon
Display the axes
Twin nickle plated ratchet
The rainbow roll is radioactive
With a tramp, daddy gallivant
Break the marrow like an aloe plant
We came gallant in the caravan
The Smith & Wesson be the mallet brand
You tend to extend the olive branch
All my niggas hustle digital scales, Cazals
The fish scale, color Kevin McHale
Lift the veil where the pelicans sail
The black Mac 11 is held
You either go to Heaven or Hell
Motherfucker
(CHORUS)
Truth or dare,
For niggas that’ll shoot the square
Yeah, Gortex, got a few pair
Bust a move, make a shoe tear
Take off your ear like a souvenir
Swing from the chandelier
Richard Gere with the gear Ric Flair
Squeeze clips in the brisk air
Split your pear for for the wristwear
The kid is a pistolier
Tighten the knot
Nights at the dock
Shot at the livestock
The top of the thermometer pop
One monkey don’t make the show stop
We plot over the stovetop
Sip Coronas, lift the Dakotas
With the shoulder stock
Mozzola popping the pan
Pop a clan, chop the tan
The king’s head was propped on the stand
Feeding at the garden of Eden
I’m a heathen
Two fifths of my bitch cleavage
It’s the completion
Scripted jewel
I’m sitting by the pool
Mate with the Goddess
Light the chronic
With a flame from a comet
Plant the seed
I’m limping like Willis Reed
Move at a pimp speed to bend trees
The theme make the triple beam lean
Lit up a stick of nicotine
Got me ducking ten speed in Benvarine
Pin the text
Pinky resting in crystal meth
Tickle the trigger with the index, press
(CHORUS)
Truth or dare,
For niggas that’ll shoot the square
Yeah, Gortex, got a few pair
Bust a move, make a shoe tear
Take off your ear like a souvenir
Swing from the chandelier
Richard Gere with the gear Ric Flair
Squeeze clips in the brisk air
Split your pear for for the wristwear
The kid is a pistolier
The lyrics of Roc Marciano's song "Pistolier" describe the lifestyle of someone who frequently engages in violence and illegal activities. The title of the song refers to the singer being a "pistolier" or someone who is proficient in handling and using guns. The chorus sets the tone for the song, with the artist challenging listeners to a game of "truth or dare" and boasting about his expensive clothing and ability to take on anyone who dares to cross him. The verses are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that paint a picture of a life filled with danger and excitement, but also violence and brutality. The artist describes using drugs, driving with a "silent motor," and engaging in sexual escapades with various women. The overall message of the song is one of bravado and confidence, alluding to the idea that the singer leads a glamorous and exciting lifestyle because he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Truth or dare,
Challenging others to see who is willing to take risks.
For niggas that’ll shoot the square
For those who are willing to shoot to prove their bravery.
Yeah, Gortex, got a few pair
A reference to owning multiple pairs of expensive shoes.
Bust a move, make a shoe tear
Making impressive dance moves that are so powerful they can rip apart shoes.
Take off your ear like a souvenir
Removing someone's ear as a trophy after a violent act.
Swing from the chandelier
Partying extravagantly and recklessly.
Richard Gere with the gear Ric Flair
Being stylish like Richard Gere and having the swagger of wrestling legend Ric Flair.
Squeeze clips in the brisk air
Firing guns in cold, open air.
Split your pear for for the wristwear
Taking someone's jewelry by force.
The kid is a pistolier
The artist is adept at handling guns.
Yo, diamond choker
Addressing someone wearing a valuable necklace.
We binded up the ponderosa
Taking control of a wealthy person's estate or land.
Islamic culture
An allusion to the singer's Muslim faith.
Put the copper in the toaster
Committing a criminal act involving electrical equipment.
Pot smoker, push the Rover
Someone who smokes marijuana and drives a Range Rover.
With the silent motor
Driving a car that doesn't make noise.
Mama, I’m vulgar
Acknowledging the artist's large amount of profanity.
My persona got the fly aroma
The singer exudes a confident and appealing attitude.
Catch me on stage
Performing live music or stand-up comedy.
Rapping in Jamaican accent (Bombaclot)
Performing with a Jamaican flair, using Jamaican slang.
Bang a actress
Having sex with a female actor.
From Moreno to Anglo Saxon
Having sex with women of different races and ethnicities.
Display the axes
Showing off firearms.
Twin nickle plated ratchet
Two silver-plated guns.
The rainbow roll is radioactive
A flashy and potentially dangerous hairstyle.
With a tramp, daddy gallivant
Derogatory language describing a promiscuous woman and a man who is promiscuous with her.
Break the marrow like an aloe plant
Causing harm and destruction without remorse.
We came gallant in the caravan
Arriving in a group, perhaps driving a caravan of cars.
The Smith & Wesson be the mallet brand
Smith & Wesson is a gun brand compared to a hammer, reflecting the artist's violent tendencies.
You tend to extend the olive branch
Offering peace or a truce to someone you previously were in conflict with.
All my niggas hustle digital scales, Cazals
The singer's friends engage in drug dealing and wear expensive designer sunglasses.
The fish scale, color Kevin McHale
A reference to a type of high-quality cocaine and comparing its color to the former NBA player Kevin McHale.
Lift the veil where the pelicans sail
Investigating or exposing hidden or secretive activities.
The black Mac 11 is held
Referring to an automatic firearm.
You either go to Heaven or Hell
Implying that violence and illegal activity will lead to undesirable consequences.
Tighten the knot
Committing to a plan or a decision.
Nights at the dock
Engaging in criminal activity on the waterfront.
Shot at the livestock
Committing acts of violence against livestock or other animals.
The top of the thermometer pop
Experiencing extreme pressure or tension.
One monkey don’t make the show stop
One person's absence or failure doesn't ruin everything.
We plot over the stovetop
Planning criminal activities while cooking, perhaps drugs or stolen goods.
Sip Coronas, lift the Dakotas
Drinking beer and driving a car model called a Dakota.
With the shoulder stock
Gripping a firearm with both hands for stability.
Mozzola popping the pan
Firing a gun.
Pop a clan, chop the tan
Killing people and taking their money.
The king’s head was propped on the stand
The artist has been victorious over someone in power, perhaps a criminal boss or a community leader.
Feeding at the garden of Eden
Enjoying a life of luxury, perhaps at someone else's expense.
I’m a heathen
A person who doesn't follow religious or moral codes.
Two fifths of my bitch cleavage
Carrying two bottles (fifths) of alcohol on a woman's chest.
It’s the completion
Achieving one's goals, often by illegal or immoral means.
Scripted jewel
A carefully planned and executed robbery.
I’m sitting by the pool
Enjoying the fruits of one's illicit labor.
Mate with the Goddess
Having sex with a beautiful woman.
Light the chronic
Smoking marijuana.
With a flame from a comet
Using a lighter or match to light marijuana with a dramatic gesture.
Plant the seed
Initiating a plan or idea.
I’m limping like Willis Reed
Walking with a limp like the former NBA player Willis Reed who played through an injury in the 1970 Finals.
Move at a pimp speed to bend trees
Driving fast and recklessly down narrow streets.
The theme make the triple beam lean
The music or lifestyle glorifies drug dealing and violence.
Lit up a stick of nicotine
Smoking a cigarette.
Got me ducking ten speed in Benvarine
Trying to avoid the police by speeding down a street on a bicycle called a Benvarine.
Pin the text
Sending a text message to someone.
Pinky resting in crystal meth
Holding a phone casually, as if it were a valuable or illegal substance.
Tickle the trigger with the index, press
Aiming and then firing a gun quickly.
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.