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.
Whateva Whateva
Roc Marciano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tuck the 4-5th in the leather
Get to the cheddar just to live better
Get your sweater wet up
It felt like a set up
When it's on I won't let up
Till the lead tear your head up
Grown like men, shoot the head up
True, now what's a man to do?
Scramble for loot, phantom in maroon
Standin' nude in the tanning room
I hand the tool to my?
My hands are groomed like a pampered jewel
Not to mention I'm one handsome dude
Hold a candle to who? You're just a can of food
Come with the hammer draw a plan to lose
I dismantle your crew then BLAM you in the?
Turn the tube to channel two and there was you
Your parents just can't handle the news
I stare at the view hearin' the blues
It's more than rap, I'm wearin' the shoes
I brought the gat, who's wearing the jewels?
Now bring the cash out here to my dudes, ugh
I pop the air out your balloon and the spare too
If I ain't here doing the rearview of the vehicle
Or let the shear tear through, yeah true
I'm through being nice
If we don't see alike you don't see the light
You be the type to leave the fight like fleeing mice
You're walking on a thin sheet of ice
From ten speed bikes to white G5s
My life is extra large like my tee size
You be in the seat tied, beat
Hit with the nine, lie, sleep
Time is money, pride and deceit
Lies and greed, despising the trees, cheese
Wives are cheap, grind in the sheets
Your enemies come disguised as your peeps
Lines that I read, foul to the teeth
Filed from a cheap, twenty five thousand a key
Niggas sound funny style to me
You'll get found in a pile of leaves, nigga
Put the pain on a track
Put the name on the map
I put the flame on your back
Shotgun pellets'll rain on your hat
But is it the thrill of the chase or the catch?
The taste of 'gnac, the face in the mask?
The case of stacks, the range or the jag?
Nothin' but leather and suede on the ass
That's that skippy, woodgrain on the dash
The moment is here, I'm blowing a square
Close tear left roll in here
Bonds are broken in pairs like shares
Nike airs
, two shooters in a Cavalier
Casual gear, dabbled in the crack game
Fuck try'na be a tax payer
Flash paper, that's a gladiator
Daddy, rock that alligator, that's flavor
In the song Whateva Whateva, Roc Marciano raps about the importance of getting one's life together and chasing money to live a better life. He repeats the phrase "get your shit together" throughout the song, emphasizing that it's time to straighten up and start focusing on what's important. He also speaks about being careful who you trust and how enemies can often come disguised as friends or allies. He's not afraid to talk about violence, and references carrying a gun and being ready to use it if necessary.
Roc Marciano also touches on the themes of materialism and success. He talks about wanting expensive things like a Phantom car and designer clothes, and how money is the key to attaining these things. He raps about the thrill of the chase - whether it's for money or fame - and the desire to be recognized as the best. Additionally, he speaks about the dangers of the drug game and the allure of fast money, but ultimately chooses to pursue success through music.
Overall, the song Whateva Whateva is a commentary on the struggles and sacrifices that come with chasing success and the importance of being true to oneself in a world that often tries to disguise truth. Roc Marciano delivers his message in a gritty and honest way, using vivid language and metaphors to paint a picture of the realities of urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Get your shit together
Organize yourself
Tuck the 4-5th in the leather
Conceal the firearm
Get to the cheddar just to live better
Make money to improve your living conditions
Get your sweater wet up
Get caught off guard
It felt like a set up
Felt like a trap
When it's on I won't let up
I won't stop until it's finished
Till the lead tear your head up
Until I shoot you
Grown like men, shoot the head up
Act like adults, engage in violence
Nigga wit' us it's forever and ever
Those who stand with us stay with us forever
True, now what's a man to do?
That's the truth, what's the solution?
Scramble for loot, phantom in maroon
Search for money, ride in a maroon phantom
Standin' nude in the tanning room
Getting a tan with no clothes on
I hand the tool to my?
Pass the firearm to my partner
My hands are groomed like a pampered jewel
My hands are well-groomed
Not to mention I'm one handsome dude
I'm a good-looking person
Hold a candle to who? You're just a can of food
You're not on my level
Come with the hammer draw a plan to lose
Come with the gun, prepare to lose
I dismantle your crew then BLAM you in the?
I defeat your gang then shoot you
Turn the tube to channel two and there was you
Watching TV and saw you on the news
Your parents just can't handle the news
Your family is upset by the news
I stare at the view hearin' the blues
I look at the scenery while listening to sad music
It's more than rap, I'm wearin' the shoes
It's not just music, I'm living the lifestyle
I brought the gat, who's wearing the jewels?
I have the gun, who has the expensive jewelry?
Now bring the cash out here to my dudes, ugh
Bring the money to me and my friends
I pop the air out your balloon and the spare too
I shoot you and the spare tire on your car
If I ain't here doing the rearview of the vehicle
If I'm not checking the back of the car for suspicious activity
Or let the shear tear through, yeah true
Or let the gunfire go through, that's true
I'm through being nice
I'm done being friendly
If we don't see alike you don't see the light
If we don't agree, you're not understanding the situation
You be the type to leave the fight like fleeing mice
You're the type to avoid conflict
You're walking on a thin sheet of ice
You're in a dangerous situation
From ten speed bikes to white G5s
From bicycles to private jets
My life is extra large like my tee size
My life is luxurious
You be in the seat tied, beat
You're tied up and beaten
Hit with the nine, lie, sleep
Shot with a firearm, then dead
Time is money, pride and deceit
Time is valuable, but people value their own image and lie
Lies and greed, despising the trees, cheese
Lying and being selfish, disrespecting nature and money
Wives are cheap, grind in the sheets
Women are easy to get, but sex is good
Your enemies come disguised as your peeps
Your enemies pretend to be friendly
Lines that I read, foul to the teeth
The lyrics I read are vulgar
Filed from a cheap, twenty five thousand a key
Drugs obtained at a low cost, sold at a high price
Niggas sound funny style to me
People sound like they're joking to me
You'll get found in a pile of leaves, nigga
You'll be killed and hidden under leaves
Put the pain on a track
Put the struggles in the music
Put the name on the map
Make a name for yourself in the industry
I put the flame on your back
I attack you with my firearm
Shotgun pellets'll rain on your hat
I'll shoot at your head with a shotgun
But is it the thrill of the chase or the catch?
Is the excitement in the pursuit or the capture?
The taste of 'gnac, the face in the mask?
The taste of alcohol or the anonymity of wearing a mask?
The case of stacks, the range or the jag?
The suitcase of money, the car or the firearm?
Nothin' but leather and suede on the ass
Only expensive clothing covering me
That's that skippy, woodgrain on the dash
That's the sound of my car, with a woodgrain dashboard
The moment is here, I'm blowing a square
The time is now, smoking a cigarette
Close tear left roll in here
Starting to cry and stay here
Bonds are broken in pairs like shares
Friendships end as quickly as stocks
Nike airs, two shooters in a Cavalier
Wearing Nike sneakers, two people shooting from a Chevrolet Cavalier
Casual gear, dabbled in the crack game
Wearing comfortable clothing while dabbling in drug dealing
Fuck try'na be a tax payer
Not interested in paying taxes
Flash paper, that's a gladiator
Money is like a weapon in battle
Daddy, rock that alligator, that's flavor
Wear alligator clothing, it looks stylish
Contributed by Audrey G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jon Oppold
Griselda and all these new, gritty rappers using minimalist beats came from this album. Marcberg is the godfather of his own new genre and was 10 years before his time with this one.
Álvaro Nobre
I think Supreme Clientele was the real blueprint, but this one is up there also
Alessandro Iannitti
amazing if you think he produced every beat on this album too
Toren Falck
i remember when this album came out, i knew dudes were gonna study this as a modern day classic. crazy was 10 years ago tho
Veelo NY
Facts ..roc basically said it himself in his interview ..he opened alot of doors lowkey
Aubrey Nickerson
This is one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. I used to blast this album while riding my bike around town. People really dug it.
Asceta Misántropo
Las métricas y flows son sutiles y agresivos al unísono
FRAG
Can hear the Prodigy influence here. Classic
ZG Hendu
this shit is so hott.. i heard it on sirius radio and i just had to find more of his shit
Rudy
“Ya enemies come disguised as ya peeps” word