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 wasnβt until Marcy and his crew lent their vocals to three tracks for Pete Rockβs 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.
Pop
Roc Marciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop-
Sipping AndrΓ©, watching Scarface
With my bitch in Carl's place
Regina called, I waited all day
Feet up, she wonder how Cristal taste
I flick my ashes in a small vase
The phone rang, I took in the hallway
"Yo, what's the word on that bird, ya heard
Swerve through and tell me what occurred over herb"
We spoke loose and no one overheard
"Wally shot Boo in the neck
They caught him hopping out the vet
In front his momma house with skinny Collette
Left him from the nine milly wet, really upset"
My whole set's Naughty By Nature like Vinny and Treach
We're trying to make a penny stretch
But back to what happened about the clapping
Is he dead? (Yeah)
Now all we gotta do is keep the shifts rotating
And pray Allah, strays don't hit kids roller skating
The stones get to breaking
Now look at all this dough we making
Niggas is hating like they worship Satan (damn!)
Because I'm bringing home the turkey bacon (yeah!)
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, nigga, pop, pop
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop, pop
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, pop
Six months blew past fast
We're getting cash
Got about a mill in the stash
Money in bags
Eighty thousand dollar Jags and crabs
Flabby abs, eating
Wasn't nobody mad
Except for who we moved out
Rival crews but survival rules
So dudes wanna be cool now
I move around
With the two pound in my goose down
"It's a new Sheriff in town" like Nino Brown
Low profile and lock shit down like we know how
I'm trying to make my people proud
But what's up with this yelling about us selling
Ain't that foul? (uh huh) (yeah!)
Snitches are snitching
I play the kitchen, my work is pitching
Cutting crack up on dirty dishes
Burgundy sixes
D's kicked my shit up off the hinges
My run ended, my funds wasn't apprehended
I beat the case, now we're back in business
Fearless
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, nigga, pop
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, nigga, pop
The lyrics of "Pop" by Roc Marciano tell the story of a drug dealer and his crew who have taken over a block and are running their business with an iron fist. In the first verse, Roc emphasizes the importance of setting up shop and controlling the block. If anyone stands in their way, they are dealt with ruthlessly. Roc and his crew are in charge, and they will not tolerate any resistance. The chorus repeats this message, emphasizing the power dynamic in play.
In the second verse, Roc describes the lifestyle of a successful drug dealer. He sips AndrΓ© and watches Scarface with his woman in Carl's Place. His phone rings, and he receives information about a rival crew. They continue to operate discreetly to avoid detection from the authorities. However, Roc is aware of the risks of violence and how it can damage their operation. He vows to keep the shifts rotating and insists that nobody should get hurt. He also expresses his desire to make his people proud, but he's frustrated by the accusations of foul play from snitches.
Overall, "Pop" portrays the gritty reality of street life in a manner that Roc Marciano has become synonymous with. The song describes the paranoia and violence underlying the drug game and the pressure to keep running things smoothly.
Line by Line Meaning
Set up shop, shop
Establish a business selling drugs
Clear off the block, block
Chase out competition from the area
If they ain't with us
If they are not part of our drug-dealing gang
They're getting shot, shot
They will be violently eliminated
That's how we rock, rock
This is our way of doing things
Like it or not, not
Regardless of others' opinions
We run the spot, spot
We dominate this territory
Let's make it pop
Let's make the business prosper
Sipping AndrΓ©, watching Scarface
Drinking cheap champagne while watching a movie about a drug lord
With my bitch in Carl's place
With my girlfriend in a fancy restaurant
Regina called, I waited all day
Waiting for a drug deal to go through
Feet up, she wonder how Cristal taste
Relaxing while drinking expensive champagne
I flick my ashes in a small vase
Disposing of cigarette ashes in an elegant manner
The phone rang, I took in the hallway
Answering a call about a drug deal in a manner that protects privacy
"Yo, what's the word on that bird, ya heard
Asking about the progress of a drug deal
Swerve through and tell me what occurred over herb"
Update me on what happened during the marijuana transaction
We spoke loose and no one overheard
Having a conversation in a way that avoids detection
"Wally shot Boo in the neck
A member of the gang has been shot
They caught him hopping out the vet
The shooter was caught while exiting a car
In front his momma house with skinny Collette
The shooting took place in front of the victim's mother's house
Left him from the nine milly wet, really upset"
The victim was fatally shot and the gang is disappointed about risk of retaliation
My whole set's Naughty By Nature like Vinny and Treach
The gang operates according to the same principles as the rap group Naughty By Nature
We're trying to make a penny stretch
We are working to maximize profits
But back to what happened about the clapping
Returning to the topic of the shooting
Is he dead? (Yeah)
Confirming that the victim has been killed
Now all we gotta do is keep the shifts rotating
Continuing to operate the drug business
And pray Allah, strays don't hit kids roller skating
Hoping that stray bullets don't harm innocent people
The stones get to breaking
Dealing large amounts of crack cocaine
Now look at all this dough we making
Making a lot of money from drug sales
Niggas is hating like they worship Satan (damn!)
Facing opposition and hatred from others, as if they are devil worshippers
Because I'm bringing home the turkey bacon (yeah!)
Because I am successfully profiting from the drug business
Six months blew past fast
Time has passed quickly
We're getting cash
Making money from drug sales
Got about a mill in the stash
Have about a million dollars in cash
Money in bags
Having cash stored in bags
Eighty thousand dollar Jags and crabs
Owning expensive cars
Flabby abs, eating
Not taking care of one's health and indulging in food despite wealth
Wasn't nobody mad
No one was upset about our success
Except for who we moved out
Other drug dealers we chased out of the area resented us
Rival crews but survival rules
Competing gangs exist but the need to survive and profit is more important
So dudes wanna be cool now
Enemies now want to be on good terms
I move around
I operate in different areas to avoid detection
With the two pound in my goose down
Carrying a firearm with me at all times
"It's a new Sheriff in town" like Nino Brown
I am in charge and my word is law, like a character from the movie 'New Jack City'
Low profile and lock shit down like we know how
Staying under the radar and maintaining control of our territory
I'm trying to make my people proud
Wanting to succeed for the benefit of my close associates
But what's up with this yelling about us selling
Questioning why others have a problem with our drug sales
Ain't that foul? (uh huh) (yeah!)
Isn't that unfair?
Snitches are snitching
Informants are providing information to the police
I play the kitchen, my work is pitching
I am actively involved in the drug dealing business
Cutting crack up on dirty dishes
Preparing drugs on unclean surfaces
Burgundy sixes
Expensive red shoes
D's kicked my shit up off the hinges
Police performed a raid on the drug operation
My run ended, my funds wasn't apprehended
My drug operation was temporarily shut down but my profits were not seized
I beat the case, now we're back in business
I won the legal case against me and can now continue drug dealing
Fearless
Unafraid of the consequences of illegal activities
Contributed by Penelope F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Einar Delgado
[Hook] (x2)
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, nigga, pop, pop
[Verse 1: Roc Marciano]
Sipping AndrΓ©, watching Scarface
With my bitch in Carl's place
Regina called, I waited all day
Feet up, she wonder how Cristal taste
I flick my ashes in a small vase
The phone rang, I took in the hallway
"Yo, what's the word on that bird, ya heard
Swerve through and tell me what occurred over herb"
We spoke loose and no one overheard
"Wally shot Boo in the neck
They caught him hopping out the vet
In front his momma house with skinny Collette
Left him from the nine milly wet, really upset"
My whole set's Naughty By Nature like Vinny and Treach
We're trying to make a penny stretch
But back to what happened about the clapping
Is he dead? (Yeah)
Now all we gotta do is keep the shifts rotating
And pray Allah, strays don't hit kids roller skating
The stones get to breaking
Now look at all this dough we making
Niggas is hating like they worship Satan (damn!)
Because I'm bringing home the turkey bacon (yeah!)
[Hook] (x2)
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, nigga, pop, pop
[Verse 2: Roc Marciano]
Six months blew past fast
We're getting cash
Got about a mill in the stash
Money in bags
Eighty thousand dollar Jags and crabs
Flabby abs, eating
Wasn't nobody mad
Except for who we moved out
Rival crews but survival rules
So dudes wanna be cool now
I move around
With the two pound in my goose down
"It's a new Sheriff in town" like Nino Brown
Low profile and lock shit down like we know how
I'm trying to make my people proud
But what's up with this yelling about us selling
Ain't that foul? (uh huh) (yeah!)
Snitches are snitching
I play the kitchen, my work is pitching
Cutting crack up on dirty dishes
Burgundy sixes
D's kicked my shit up off the hinges
My run ended, my funds wasn't apprehended
I beat the case, now we're back in business
Fearless
[Hook] (x2)
Set up shop, shop
Clear off the block, block
If they ain't with us
They're getting shot, shot
That's how we rock, rock
Like it or not, not
We run the spot, spot
Let's make it pop
Let's make it pop, pop, pop, pop, nigga, pop, pop
TheRealOBZRV
Whoever feeling this, They already know. Real recognize Real Salute...
aharris82
The beat is out of this world
Joe Whitaker
Big up bro.
B Mon
Yeah yo if you kno that sample you built rite .. Send a kite
Colt_Killer
π«‘
JaCuzz Oda
Roc's production on this tape is ridiculous. Absolutely bananas. The skill is uncanny. It's one thing to make good beats but to have that TOUCH. That intricacy that really brings the shit to life. That separates the good from the greats. Of course he's gonna go down as one of the GOAT mc's but he's a legendary producer in his own right. Masterful.
The Wavy Adventure
THIS. I feel the same with RZA and DOOM too #RIPDOOM
R P
One of the most underrated tracks ever ... from a hardcore hip hop head who has heard everything
1ST.SUN. 5TH.CHILD
Facts
Jaime D
Facts