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.
Independent's Day
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah
Well it's the uhh, uhh, abbrevia-ated letter
Associated with meta-metapho-phores and cheddar cheddar
The C.O.D., the P.O.P.
The "cash on delivery" at the "point of purchase" - don't I be workin?
Heaven and hell is standin next to you at the same time
Cuttin into your playin time, keep playin (playin)
I've developed hustlin, racin this check I'm chasin (chasin)
Sellin mixtapes to them albums from 30 to 50 thousand (wow)
It ain't no problem, I got it, my following got me (got me)
Long as I continue to spit poems to send you
niggaz back to the L-A-B; I'ma be sellin out venues
Be out at them venues, sellin that merch'
Shippin CD's overseas nigga we sellin that WORK
The Escrow crew - just ran by
the petro man select don't know who the check go to
(Chorus: Royce)
Round here here.. round here, round here
Round here they call me independie
Cause of how independent my pen be
Movin on that paper, movin that paper
Uhh, uhh, round here, here, here
Round here they call me independie
Cause of how independent my pen be, uhh
We be on that paper like ink on that paper, uhh
(Royce Da 5'9")
You can call it the quickest winter, the unstoppable summer
The opposite of the apocalypse comin to popular
Wanna be poppin this gun he about to be doin some old
impossible Three-6 Mafia numbers, each quarter
like the Beach Boys or the Beatles, the Parliament globally
callin the shots explodin 'til 'Pac, roll all the way over
Respectfully hate me, you best to behave
I'm seven dollars a record makin heftier pay
Can you realize platinum artist buck by buck, is that what you say?
200 thousand sold compared to the average platinum rapper
couldn't afford, what I blow, on all my taxes
Cause I own, my own masters - own, my own catalogue
Ain't tryna be old talkin 'bout "Oh, I had it all"
So it's mo', money mo', albums - add 'em all
The scanner that seal is the reason
I feel like a man of steel still standin cause I'm still scannin
(Chorus)
(Outro: Royce)
Y'know I always like to say that, this album is like a median
between "Death is Certain," and "Rock City"
But along that way, I manage to find my independence
So that's where we at right now
Royce Da 5'9", "Independent's Day"
Whattup Broady, you know'm talkin 'bout Broady?
Niggaz act like I ain't know they ass as I want to
These units will move, I will be on that TV screen
I will be ridin through a hood near you
Gettin some attention from yo' bitch, hahaha
M.I.C., oh yeah and we comin back again this year too
We not gon' be sittin out for long periods of time no more
So be on the look out for "July 5th"
Comin soon to a motherf**kin store near you
Round here, here, here..
"Let me see, two words to sum up my name in reality
Growth and patience, y'know they work hand-in-hand with each other
but at the same time they both deal with movin forward
I just try to keep some bits about myself 24 hours a day
Y'knowmsayin? I been through a lot
And if it's one thing I can say that I learned, it'll be stay bossy
I'm a boss, boss, boss.."
In "Independent's Day," Royce da 5'9" talks about his independent career in the music industry. He begins by introducing himself as "the C.O.D., the P.O.P./The 'cash on delivery' at the 'point of purchase,'" suggesting he's money-focused and holds a position of power. He tells us that he's made his way through hard work and hustle, from selling mixtapes to mailing CDs overseas. Royce da 5'9" is proud of his independent nature and how well he's doing, boasting about how much money he's made from his art. He talks about owning his own music and not having to depend on outside sources to sell it for him. He ends by stating that he's a boss and has his eye on the future.
Line by Line Meaning
The C.O.D., the P.O.P.
Referring to 'cash on delivery' and 'point of purchase', which are important elements of commerce and sales.
Most of my predictions is speculation based on the patience
Royce's predictions are mere speculations which come from his patience and experience hustling and chasing checks.
Sellin mixtapes to them albums from 30 to 50 thousand (wow)
Royce has sold mixtapes and albums, ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 units - a noteworthy achievement.
The Escrow crew - just ran by the petro man select don't know who the check go to
Reference to financial matters involving the Escrow crew and the petro man - unclear who the actual payee is.
You can call it the quickest winter, the unstoppable summer
Referring to emotional highs and lows - winter being quick and unstoppable summers.
200 thousand sold compared to the average platinum rapper couldn't afford, what I blow, on all my taxes
Royce sold over 200,000 records compared to the average platinum rapper's sales. He spent more on taxes than what an average platinum rapper earned.
Cause I own, my own masters - own, my own catalogue
Royce owns his masters and catalogue, emphasizing his independence and ownership.
So it's mo', money mo', albums - add 'em all
Emphasizing on the fact that money and more albums are correlated and important for an artist's growth.
These units will move, I will be on that TV screen
Royce is confident that his units will sell and he will become a mainstream artist featured on TV.
I'm a boss, boss, boss..
Royce is a boss, which he highlights as his most valuable attribute.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Constantin N
funny how this song never made it out of the underground
despite that its one of the best of royce
tristan smith
one of the best royce songs
Doktor Bond
One of the Best...drop that!!
Hell yeah/Royce
Philipp Hlz
LEGEND
Glory Hoggers
Still my shit. Back to the basics.
Glory Hoggers
Well it's the a-a-abreviated letter