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.
The Man
Roc Marciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alchemist, Marci' (ooh, ooh)
Yeah, uh, this food for the spirit
The music is endearing, I'm sharing a human experience
Came up on dudes like a balloon filled with helium
Scooped up a cool two million, did my due diligence
Takes a village to raise a kid but still could produce an idiot (dummy)
Always gotta adjust the steering wheel even when the mission is linear
We not similar, I'm slicker
I bag a bitch, she look like India Love in a Mazda Millenia (yup)
Female cop used to pop her butt with the Billy club (facts)
For all my niggas locked in the penitentiary cuffed
Uh, I just did that off the cuff (cuff, nigga)
The pen got pain in it, I came in the entertainment business with this
Can't trust no bitch, she just tryna' bang her favorite musician
Like I ain't got feelings, got wounds not even the doctor could heal it (ow)
I'm ashamed, Mama, I'm hiding from the mirror (right)
Like a vampire, my nigga (boom), but I ain't got forever
To correct all of my errors (all my errors)
God bless the child, y'all, I finally got it together (yup)
From good times hanging in the Childline like Florida Evans
My aura an essence, it's fluorescent (fluorescent)
That's why I belong, this song was destined, the story was epic
Always swore I was being tested
Uh, always swore I was being tested, question (where have they gone?)
Narrated by Dr. Sunshine (all the sunlit days)
Haha, oh, that's right
No, it isn't Mary
This is one story the sun tells better than anyone else
You know, it's a big job to be the sun (the sunshine, the sunshine)
I'd do right well at it too, if I do say so myself
(The sunshine, the sunshine, the sunshine, the sunshine)
In "The Elephant Man's Bones," Roc Marciano raps about his experiences and the lessons he has learned throughout his life. He begins by acknowledging the value of music as a means of connecting with others and sharing experiences. He also reflects on his rise to success, acknowledging the hard work and diligence that went into his achievements. Despite this, he recognizes that success can be accompanied by arrogance and a sense of entitlement.
Marciano then reflects on the dangers of presuming too much about one's abilities, humorously likening it to inflating a balloon. He goes on to note the importance of staying adaptable and making adjustments as needed, even when one's goals remain straightforward. He also highlights his skills as a seducer, referencing a particular sexual encounter with a woman who resembled India Love.
The second half of the song takes on a more reflective and confessional tone. Marciano discloses his feelings of emotional pain and regret, admitting to hiding from himself like a vampire. He notes that his wounds are deep and cannot be healed easily. Despite this, he has begun to work on himself and is optimistic about the future. The song closes with a nod to the classic television series Good Times and the idea that destiny has brought him to where he is today.
Overall, "The Elephant Man's Bones" showcases Roc Marciano's lyrical prowess and emotional depth, exploring themes of success, regret, and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's special right here though (ooh, ooh)
This song is unique and stands out from others
Alchemist, Marci' (ooh, ooh)
The artists performing the song are Alchemist and Roc Marciano
Yeah, uh, this food for the spirit
The music is nourishing for the soul
The music is endearing, I'm sharing a human experience
The lyrics and melody evoke emotions and connect with the shared human experience
Came up on dudes like a balloon filled with helium
Succeeded in the music industry quickly and easily like a balloon filled with helium floating upwards
Scooped up a cool two million, did my due diligence
Achieved a wealth of two million dollars through hard work and thorough research
Takes a village to raise a kid but still could produce an idiot (dummy)
Raising a child takes a community, but even then they could still turn out foolish
No plan is foolproof, it's just an experiment
All plans have flaws and can only be tested through trial and error
Always gotta adjust the steering wheel even when the mission is linear
Even when the goal is straightforward, adjustments are necessary for success
We not similar, I'm slicker
I am different and more skillful than others
I bag a bitch, she look like India Love in a Mazda Millenia (yup)
I attract beautiful women and once had a partner who resembled India Love in a Mazda Millenia car
Female cop used to pop her butt with the Billy club (facts)
I witnessed a female cop who used to hit her own behind with a Billy club
For all my niggas locked in the penitentiary cuffed
This is a shout-out to all his friends who are in prison
Uh, I just did that off the cuff (cuff, nigga)
I improvised that lyric and did not have it pre-planned
The pen got pain in it, I came in the entertainment business with this
The suffering from past experiences influenced my success in the music industry
Can't trust no bitch, she just tryna' bang her favorite musician
Women cannot be trusted as they often only want to have sex with their favorite musician
Like I ain't got feelings, got wounds not even the doctor could heal it (ow)
I have emotions and past traumas that are difficult to recover from
I'm ashamed, Mama, I'm hiding from the mirror (right)
I am ashamed of my past and do not want to face my reflection
Like a vampire, my nigga (boom), but I ain't got forever
I am like a vampire in that I may live a long time, but I do not have eternity
To correct all of my errors (all my errors)
There is limited time to make amends for my mistakes
God bless the child, y'all, I finally got it together (yup)
Thank God, I finally have my life together
From good times hanging in the Childline like Florida Evans
I have overcome difficult situations and hardship, like the TV character Florida Evans from Good Times
My aura an essence, it's fluorescent (fluorescent)
My presence has a radiant and vibrant quality to it
That's why I belong, this song was destined, the story was epic
This song was meant to be and tells a great story
Always swore I was being tested, question (where have they gone?)
I have always believed I am being tested by a higher power and questions where others have gone
Narrated by Dr. Sunshine (all the sunlit days)
The upcoming segment will be narrated by Dr. Sunshine
No, it isn't Mary
Dr. Sunshine is not Mary
You know, it's a big job to be the sun (the sunshine, the sunshine)
Being the sun is a great responsibility and challenge
I'd do right well at it, if I do say so myself (The sunshine, the sunshine, the sunshine, the sunshine)
Dr. Sunshine is confident that they would do a good job as the sun
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: Daniel Alan Maman, Rahkeim Calief Meyer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind