The name “Royce” came from his R shaped Turkish link chain which was said to have resembled a Rolls Royce logo. During high school Royce was one of the shortest players on his basketball team, standing 5′9” at age 18.
Royce signed with Tommy Boy records in 1998 and later was slated to release his debut album Rock City. Though this relationship was premature, Royce ended up leaving the label citing creative differences.
Royce began working with well known Game Recordings who helped get him in front of the right people to negotiate a deal with Columbia Records. Royce’s Rock City debut was yet again plagued with delays, during which the album was heavily bootlegged. Though not in their favor, Columbia chose to release Rock City in limited quantity and quickly went out of print by the time Royce left Columbia.
Around this time Royce dropped the underground banger “Boom” with production by Dj Premier. Soon thereafter he joined up with Koch / Game Recordings and released Rock City (Version 2.0) independently.
Most well known for his association with Slim Shady – the two met at a concert while Slim was promoting his Slim Shady EP. The two formed a Duo called Bad Meets Evil, releasing a number of tracks including “Renegades” [Original Version], “Nuttin’ to Do”, “Scary Movies”, “She’s the One”, and “See You In Hell”, which appeared on Eminem’s album The Slim Shady LP, titled “Bad Meets Evil”.
In 2001 Royce was set to work with Dr Dre’s Chronic 2000 project as a ghostwriter. He contributed tracks including “The Message”, “The Throne Is Mine”, “Stay In Your Place” and the original version of “Xxplosive” titled “The Way I Be Pimpin’”.
Royce’s association with Dr. Dre ceased when his manager, Kino Childrey spoke to a reporter about Eminem and Dre in the studio. Royce refused to dismiss his manager and long time friend, ending his relationship with Dre.
Royce and Em had a mutual friendship with Proof. Though Royce had bad blood with D12 member, Bizarre, stemming from a earlier freestyle battle with Royce’s brother. Misscommunication escalated the beef between the pair, causing it to spiral out of control and include all members of the rap group D12.
In 2002, Royce called Eminem to request to be signed to Shady Records. Eminem declined and soon thereafter signed 50-cent to Shady Records instead.
Royce released several diss tracks including “Shit on U” (over D12’s “Shit on You”), taking shots at Bizzare of D12. Royce continued record dis tracks including “We Ridin’”, “Death Day”, and “Malcolm X”. There’s speculation that Royce and Em often wrote bars dissing each other subliminally.
From 2002-2003 Royce kept a low profile releasing releasing Build & Destroy, and Build & Destroy: The Lost Sessions Part 1 across the mixtape circuit.
In 2003, Royce’s beef with D12 finally reached its tipping point. Royce and Proof and their entourages spilled into the streets of Detroit arguing but the issue dissipated once firearms were drawn. The two rappers spent a night in jail, and settled their beef.
In 2004 Royce released his sophomore effort Death Is Certain on Koch records, as well as two mixtapes from his crew M.I.C. (Make it Count). The crew includes members Royce, Kid Vishis,and June.
2005 marked Royce’s third full length album release Independent’s Day on Trouble/M.I.C. Records.
Royce Da 5′9″ was sentenced to jail on September 19, 2006 for parole violation for a prior DUI charge. Royce was sentenced to one year in the clink at Oakland County Jail, Pontiac, Michigan. On January 9, 2007, Royce got out of jail on work-release.
Royce has a strong ghostwriting resume including the track “Tell Me” ft. Christina Aguilera for Diddy’s album Press Play.
In May 2007, Royce Da 5′9″ released a mixtape called The Bar Exam which features DJ Premier and Statik Selektah on the Wheels of Steel.
In 2008, Royce confirmed that he had officially resolved his longstanding differences with Eminem and celebrated with a reunion concert on July 12, 2008 at Saint Andrews Hall. A mixtape of the reunion concert was soon released thereafter.
Royce also had beef with other industry majors including Mistah Fab, Cashi$, and Joe Budden, Kanye West and the Ruff Ryders.
Gorilla Pimp
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah (Statik Selektah). Royce Da 5'9", Statik Selektah, my nigga Preme. This is the Bar Exam. Gorilla camp nigga.
Verse One:
If you ain't callin' me king
Fuck it the mayor will
You think you fly
Then you about as high as a Ferris wheel
You like soap
I'm like coke
It's like comparing Clearasil to Seroquel
But there is still too many things to name 'em all
We ain't the same
You niggas is dames in trainin' bras
I get brain from bitches with big tits
You got a dick with shit stains
I hits the hangy ball
That's the deep throat for niggas that don't get it
It's so hopeless
Bet they can only blow smokin'
No jokin'
I'm chrome kitted
Whenever you see me ridin'
Unless I'm in Hollywood, gold spoken
My shit kicks the loudest
My chick's kicks is Prada
The big body Benz is sick
Kicks is Bravis
Switch out and tell the Impala
To sit as high as a big dick toddler
Bitch, get dollars
I don't kick knowledge
I quit college for hip hop
If I get violent
You probably should kick rocks
Verbally vivid
Lyrically clear
Snitches shouldn't be murdered
They should just be livin' in fear
They should just be raped
No homo
My professional hit mens
Will merk for me and they work pro bono
New engine
Too sickenin'
Me and web
Got the hood up on the block watchin' the new Pistons
Outro:
Shout out to my nigga Will. This is the Bar Exam nigga. Hip hop is alive. Royce just got out of jail.
In Royce Da 5'9"'s song Gorilla Pimp, he's making a statement about his superiority in the rap game. Royce talks about being the king, saying that if people aren't calling him that, then someone else will. He then proceeds to insult those he deems inferior by comparing them to soap, implying that they are bland and uninspiring. In contrast, Royce compares himself to coke, which is a powerful and addictive substance. He tries to drive home the idea that he's on another level than the rest of these rappers.
Throughout the song, he makes a lot of vulgar references to sex, drugs, and violence. He talks about getting blowjobs from women and also implies that he has hitmen working for him who will "merk for me and they work pro bono." However, even with his profanity-laced rhymes, Royce's lyrics are sharp and punchy, making him a force to be reckoned with in the rap game.
Overall, Gorilla Pimp is a song that showcases Royce Da 5'9"'s skill as a lyricist. He uses vivid imagery and clever wordplay to assert his dominance in the world of hip hop, and the result is an intense and powerful track that leaves a lasting impression.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ain't callin' me king
If you don't acknowledge that I am royalty
Fuck it the mayor will
Even if you don't recognize me, others will
You think you fly
You believe yourself to be cool
Then you about as high as a Ferris wheel
You are nowhere near as cool as you think you are
You not dope
You are not good
You like soap
You are mediocre compared to me
I'm like coke
I am powerful and addictive like cocaine
It's like comparing Clearasil to Seroquel
The difference between us is immense
But there is still too many things to name 'em all
There are too many ways I am superior to you to list
We ain't the same
We are not equals
You niggas is dames in trainin' bras
You are weak and not yet fully developed
I get brain from bitches with big tits
Women with large breasts perform oral sex on me
You got a dick with shit stains
Your genitals are dirty and unappealing
I hits the hangy ball
I enjoy deepthroating
That's the deep throat for niggas that don't get it
For those who don't understand, that's the explanation
It's so hopeless
There's no way you can compete
Bet they can only blow smokin'
They are only good at smoking weed
No jokin'
This is serious
I'm chrome kitted
My car has chrome accessories
Whenever you see me ridin'
I always look good when I'm driving
Unless I'm in Hollywood, gold spoken
Except when I'm in Hollywood, showing off my gold chains
My shit kicks the loudest
My music is the best
My chick's kicks is Prada
My girlfriend wears expensive Prada shoes
The big body Benz is sick
My Mercedes-Benz is impressive
Kicks is Bravis
My shoes are designer brand Bally
Switch out and tell the Impala
I change cars, switching from a Benz to a Chevy Impala
To sit as high as a big dick toddler
I raise the height of my car like it's a tall child
Bitch, get dollars
Women should focus on making money
I don't kick knowledge
I'm not trying to educate you
I quit college for hip hop
I left school to pursue music
If I get violent
If I become aggressive
You probably should kick rocks
You should leave and keep your distance
Verbally vivid
My lyrics are descriptive and powerful
Lyrically clear
My lyrics are easy to understand
Snitches shouldn't be murdered
I don't advocate for killing informants
They should just be livin' in fear
They should be scared to talk
They should just be raped
They should be violated for betraying their associates
No homo
I'm not gay, just expressing my masculinity
My professional hit mens
My hired killers
Will merk for me and they work pro bono
They will do their job for free
New engine
My car has a new engine installed
Too sickenin'
It's so cool
Me and web
My associate Web and I
Got the hood up on the block watchin' the new Pistons
We are watching the Detroit Pistons basketball team with our neighbors in the city
Shout out to my nigga Will
I want to give a shout-out to my friend Will
This is the Bar Exam nigga
This is a test of my skills
Hip hop is alive
The genre of hip hop is still thriving
Royce just got out of jail
Royce has recently been released from prison
Contributed by Leah N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pookeyblow
The beat is from Christina Aguilera - Thank You (prod. DJ Premier)
@rivethead001
Good plug.
@relldafox
Why does Christina Aguilera have this beat on her album, anybody but her for this track
@kevinwiyarnanda2998
@@relldafox Cuz DJ Premiere worked on her 'Back to Basics' album
@pookeyblow
@@relldafox He produced 5 songs on the album including "Ain't No Other Man" which became one of Christina's biggest hits. It peaked at number 6 on Billboard Hot 100 and won a grammy. His production on the album is fire!
@hharvyboy785
G.O.A.T 🐐🐐🐐🐐
@we6387
Hi,can you tell me of that year is that song please?????, in what year came out????, please
@paul4866
2007 I believe.
@paul4866
It's from The Bar Exam 1
@we6387
i think that song its from 2008, i saw in google search......Thank you for ask me..... :p