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.
I've Been Up I've Been Down
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And showed me we don't fear death, we fear fear itself
Ever since ninety eight in hip hop my presence been felt
Couple of dollars, couple of models, couple of bitch niggas under my belt
Thorough nigga, I'm a hold you to it, if we hand shake
My plan B is to complete plan A
Grindin' been my strategy like this is my anatomy,
Would you let some dollar dictate your army?
I brush my shoulders off, polish off haters!
If you play me, I will spray your potato, layed up with fakers
I put'em in the news in a major paper.
My roller coaster of a career,
Hope it's been real for you, because it's been weird for me
I feel like
[Chorus]
They can take away the cars, they can take away the cash,
Yo, I bet you that they can't take the realness, that's in me!
I've been up, I've been down. I don't give a fuck! Yeah!
I've been up, I've been down. I don't give a fuck! Yeah!
I've been up, I've been down. I don't give a fuck!
They can take away the cars, they can take away the cash
Yo, I bet you that they can't take the realness that's in me!
I just want mama to be happy (mama to be happy)
Is that too motherfuckin' much to ask?
Damn it! 'Bout to cry in this bitch. King of the jungle,
I hate liars, but I fuck with a lioness bitch!
If you don't straighten your ass out right now
I will find you and iron, you bitch.
Grindin' been my strategy, like this is my anatomy,
I should get a tat on me that say, why? Why, why?
Would you let love is make you act like a faggot?
I'm fly! And you act like a maggot!
Money comes, money goes.
I used to wear funny clothes
Hammer pants. My mama used to wipe my runny nose
My real family, all I care about is her. I'm feelin' like
[Chorus]
Then I watch my daddy hit my mama.
Listen to my mama tryna calm us,
Y'all don't understand the problem that we have.
Who gives a shit about dollars when you gotta go visit your father in rehab?
You said Rick Ryan Marcus long as I'm gettin' high your mama will be sad.
And only I can fix this so I'm a turn this all around I promise as we sat.
He said I'm down right now in life now and you know I'm a be back!
And when he got back home it was like he was heaven sent
Cause I was only eleven at the time and he's been clean and sober ever since.
He gave me this advice, you at a huge advantage
Long as you know what's rules in life and a view for the planet!
Rather You the man, you're the mechanic, people treat money like oxygen
When they got it they take it for granted. But then lose it and panic!
So spoken, G. I look at him like superman,
And y'all know niggas ain't even close to me,
So if he can fall, so can we!
[Chorus]
The song "I've Been Up I've Been Down" by Royce da 5'9" is a powerful and emotionally charged piece that touches on several themes, including the struggle of hip-hop artists, the highs and lows of life, and the importance of family. In the first verse, Royce talks about someone dear to him who attempted suicide and how that person's experience taught him that people don't fear death, they fear fear itself. He then goes on to talk about his presence in the hip-hop world, the people he has under his belt, and his determination to complete Plan A no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody very dear to me just attempted to kill herself
Someone close to me recently tried to commit suicide, which made me realize that we don't actually fear death, but the fear that comes with it.
Ever since ninety eight in hip hop my presence been felt
I made my presence felt in the hip hop industry since 1998.
Couple of dollars, couple of models, couple of bitch niggas under my belt
I have made some money, dated some models, and dealt with some disrespectful people in my career.
My plan B is to complete plan A
I am determined to accomplish my original plan, and if it doesn't work out, my backup plan is to keep working towards my initial goal.
Grindin' been my strategy like this is my anatomy,
My strategy for success has been to work hard and grind consistently, to the point where it's like a part of my body.
If you play me, I will spray your potato, layed up with fakers
If you try to disrespect me or mess with me, I won't hesitate to retaliate and expose you for the fake person you are.
My roller coaster of a career,
My career has been full of ups and downs, like a roller coaster ride.
Hope it's been real for you, because it's been weird for me
I hope my career has been enjoyable for my fans, but for me, it has been a strange experience.
They can take away the cars, they can take away the cash,
Material possessions don't define me and can be taken away easily.
I've been up, I've been down. I don't give a fuck! Yeah!
I've experienced both success and failure, but I don't let it affect me.
I just want mama to be happy (mama to be happy)
All I want is for my mother to be happy and comfortable.
Damn it! 'Bout to cry in this bitch. King of the jungle,
I'm struggling emotionally, even though I am usually seen as a strong and dominant figure.
I hate liars, but I fuck with a lioness bitch!
I dislike dishonesty, but I respect a strong, powerful woman who is willing to fight for what she wants.
Would you let love is make you act like a faggot?
Why would you let love or money make you act in a way that is not true to yourself, or make you feel weak or inferior?
Money comes, money goes.
Money can come and go easily, and doesn't necessarily bring happiness or success.
Hammer pants. My mama used to wipe my runny nose
I come from humble beginnings, where my mom had to take care of me and my simple needs.
He said I'm down right now in life now and you know I'm a be back!
My father had struggles in life, but he promised to come back stronger and better.
Long as you know what's rules in life and a view for the planet!
If you understand the universal rules of life and have a positive outlook on the world, you can achieve great things.
Rather You the man, you're the mechanic, people treat money like oxygen
You are in control of your life and your success, and people tend to prioritize money over everything else.
So if he can fall, so can we!
If my father can overcome his struggles and come out strong, so can we all.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind