Ryan Montgomery, born and raised on the West Side of Detroit, Michigan in the W. McNichols & Wyoming Ave. area, moved to Oak Park, Michigan when he was 10 years old, later acquiring the nickname "Royce" during highschool after wearing a Turkish link chain with an R pendant resembling the Rolls Royce symbol. He began rapping at 18, influenced mainly by Ras Kass and Redman. He signed his first deal in 1998 with Tommy Boy Records, after Tommy Boy Records shut down, he signed a deal with Columbia Records where he started recording an album called Rock City, referring to Detroit's former status as home to Motown Records. When the project was heavily bootlegged, Royce left the label for Koch Records to re-record some of the album, eventually releasing it in 2002 as Rock City (Version 2.0). While the album didn't sell very well, the DJ Premier-produced single "Boom" gained 5'9" some underground recognition and eventually resulted in the two working together more closely.
Through his manager, Royce was introduced to Eminem at a show in 1997, and the two formed a working relationship; they formed up as a duo, Bad Meets Evil, and released several tracks together. Royce appeared on Eminem's debut studio album The Slim Shady LP, in which he was featured on a song called "Bad Meets Evil". Royce and Eminem also released a track called "Renegades", from which Royce's vocals would later be replaced with Jay-Z's on the latter's The Blueprint. Through Eminem, Royce would also be introduced to both Dr. Dre and execs at Game Recordings. After his manager revealed that Royce was involved in writing the tracks "The Message" and an original version of "Xxplosive" for Dre's 2001 (entitled "Way I Be Pimping"), Dre requested that Royce cut ties with his manager. Royce refused to fire his manager and his relationship with Dre ended.
On the Run
Royce Da 5'9\" Lyrics
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I remember, that cold-cold rainy night, looking out my window
Feeling all alone on the run, I'm still holding onto my gun
Body on it from the previous evening, I found out I'm wanted
Nigga's snitching is what the media screaming
I turn the channel on the TV, the first 48 on
Man, it ain't a loyal nigga on this TV nowhere
I'm contemplating taking a shower to take all the gunpowder off
But what if they bust in, busting
The nigga at the front desk act like he don't recognize me but shit
There's a reward for me, that nigga there hustling
I can't trust him I got to keep my eye on that window
Thinking about my kin folk, wife and babies
I can't talk to them, life is crazy
Whoever thought it would come to this over rap nonsense
Rap from the comfort of being attacked by my conscience
Looking out my window, from my ninth floor hotel room
I remember, that cold-cold rainy night, looking out my window
I think I'm a write a letter to my children
In case I don't make it
I'm up against time but I won't face it
I'm thinking about my life what it is now
And how one slug can change what it once was
I'm accepting the fact that I did that
I just want my wife back, I just want my kids back
I just want my niggas that don't snitch back
Cause real niggas know real niggas ain't with that
But what's the use of me being real, I'm fucked now
I'm seeing sirens out the window thinking what now
Damn, am I to do?
Cause now that shit hit the fan I suddenly ran out of crew
But fuck it, I'm in the shit, I'ma end the shit
No way for me to benefit though I'm innocent
I hear a knock on the door like let's finish this
This life is about honor, respect
But more importantly this life is about choices
You make 'em and whether they turn out to be good ones
Or bad ones you live with them, you die with 'em
Let's go back to how it all started
In "On The Run," Royce da 5'9" reflects on the consequences of his actions as a rapper and the reality of his life on the run. The song begins with Royce looking out of his ninth floor hotel room and remembering the night he found out he was wanted by the police. He feels alone, still holding onto his gun from the previous night, and the news on TV about snitching only adds to his paranoia. Royce is disgusted with the lack of loyalty in the world and can't trust anyone, including the front desk clerk who might recognize him and earn a reward for turning him in. He's thinking about his family and friends but knows he can't talk to them while on the run.
At this point, Royce decides to write a letter to his children in case he doesn't make it. He accepts the fact that he's done something wrong and wishes to go back to his life before everything changed. He laments the loss of his wife, kids, and loyal friends who don't snitch. Royce acknowledges that he's in a bad situation and there's no way for him to benefit from it, even though he's innocent. He hears a knock on the door, and the song ends, leaving the listeners wondering about his fate.
"On The Run" highlights the harsh reality of the consequences of actions and choices that can change one's life in an instant. Royce's lyrics are raw and honest, allowing listeners to connect with the emotions he's expressing. The song undoubtedly opens up ground for dialogue on important issues surrounding the criminal justice system, mental health among rappers, loyalty, and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking out my window, from my ninth floor hotel room
I remember, that cold-cold rainy night, looking out my window
Feeling all alone on the run, I'm still holding onto my gun
Body on it from the previous evening, I found out I'm wanted
Nigga's snitching is what the media screaming
The news is reporting about people betraying each other
I turn the channel on the TV, the first 48 on
I change the channel to watch 'The First 48' show
Man, it ain't a loyal nigga on this TV nowhere
There are no trustworthy people shown on TV
I cut the power off, disgusted
I turn off the TV out of disgust
I'm contemplating taking a shower to take all the gunpowder off
I am considering taking a shower to clean the gunpowder off my body
But what if they bust in, busting
But what if the police break in, raiding
The nigga at the front desk act like he don't recognize me but shit
The guy at the reception pretends he doesn't know me, but I doubt him
There's a reward for me, that nigga there hustling
There's a reward for my capture, and he looks like he's after it
I can't trust him I got to keep my eye on that window
I must be careful with him and watch the windows
Thinking about my kin folk, wife and babies
I am worried about my family, my spouse, and my children
I can't talk to them, life is crazy
I cannot communicate with them because my life is in chaos
Whoever thought it would come to this over rap nonsense
I never expected to be in this situation because of rap-related issues
Rap from the comfort of being attacked by my conscience
I write songs to cope with my conscience attacking me
I think I'm a write a letter to my children
I decide to write a letter to my kids
In case I don't make it
Just in case I don't survive
I'm up against time but I won't face it
I am running out of time, but I am not ready to accept it yet
I'm thinking about my life what it is now
I am reflecting on my life and the current situation
And how one slug can change what it once was
One gunshot can destroy what I have established
I'm accepting the fact that I did that
I am coming to terms with the reality that I committed a crime
I just want my wife back, I just want my kids back
All I desire is to be reunited with my spouse and kids
I just want my niggas that don't snitch back
I want to be with my friends who don't betray me
Cause real niggas know real niggas ain't with that
Genuine people cannot accept backstabbing behavior
But what's the use of me being real, I'm fucked now
However, being authentic is irrelevant now, I am in trouble
I'm seeing sirens out the window thinking what now
I see police cars with the sirens, and I am unsure what to do next
Damn, am I to do?
I am frustrated and do not know what course of action to take
Cause now that shit hit the fan I suddenly ran out of crew
Now that things have gone awry, I am alone
But fuck it, I'm in the shit, I'ma end the shit
Regardless, I am in this mess, and I will deal with it myself
No way for me to benefit though I'm innocent
There's no way for me to profit from this situation even though I am not guilty
I hear a knock on the door like let's finish this
I hear someone knocking on the door, indicating that it's time to face the consequences
This life is about honor, respect
Life is about upholding one's dignity and showing respect to others
But more importantly this life is about choices
But more significantly, life is about making decisions
You make 'em and whether they turn out to be good ones
You make them and regardless of the outcome, you must live with them
Or bad ones you live with them, you die with 'em
Even if they're unfavorable decisions, you must live with them and face the consequences
Let's go back to how it all started
Let's reminisce on how everything began
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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