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.
Life Goes On
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo Ivy, let me know when we rolling
We rolling?Alright,
I mean, I been through a lot man
Tommy Boy thing, the bootleggers
You know, life goes on, so what?
You gotta reach deep down in your heart, and pull out as much as you can
To get through what you going through
Way down deep in the heart of a man who was deep!
In the palm of the hands of the truer streets
Lives a, nigga who gives a, lyrical nigga the shivers
Step up and get hit cause him or his fifth'll deliver
His mouth is a gun, the cannibal speaks
You need to do more than floss the hand or the teeth
And shame on it, only thing that pops out
Whenever your glock's out is a stick, and a flag with "Bang!" on it
His flow's out-grown his dreams
Out of a count that he beams out-of-towners and hold down home
You niggas showing up, with a lot of the same soldiers
I'm rolling up, pushing her outta your Range Rover
You decided to be a rider but why, would you do it
When you know you could light up my saliva like lighter fluid
Soak with writing cause 5-9 is back
And he's about to spit thunder and shit lightning!
[Chorus: Royce Da 5'9"]
"Life goes on"
Uh-huh, you thought I was done didn't ya?
"The world keeps turning and life goes on"
Thought I would run didn't ya?No no
"Life goes on"
Never again will I, need a return
"The world keeps turning and"
(And I will never leave these streets again)
"Life goes on"
Uh-huh, you thought I was done didn't ya?
"The world keeps turning and life goes on"
Thought I would run didn't ya?No no
"Life goes on"
Long as I live, I'ma continue to burn
"The world keeps turning and"
[Royce Da 5'9"]
My crew never call me for beef? No!It never happens to me
That's like calling a SWAT team when it's a cat in a tree
It's too many reasons, to tell you niga please
You can do nothing with me, like weed with too many seeds in it
I'm more, vicious, it gets, more pathetic
You testing something more than a medic nigga or mortician
I'm more than rap, I will rush you
For the sacks like Warren Sapp, like nigga fuck you
I'll stuff you in a Atlanta mansion
Paint the wall with you on "Candid Camera," like I'm a phantom answered
Demand a ransom, cause a fire at your momma's house
And take, all of the tires off of the ambulances
Of course the track, fits Mr. King
Of the small article every month and the Source is back
With Jay-Dilla, from Slum Village
You looking for us, we be in Rock City nigga, come get us!
[Chorus]
"Life goes on"
"The world keeps turning and liiiife goes on.."
"Life goes on"
"The world keeps turning and"
"Turning and life goes on"
"Life goes on"
"The world keeps turning and"
"Life goes on"
"The world keeps turning and"
In "Life Goes On," Royce da 5'9" reflects on his past struggles and how he has persevered through them. He acknowledges obstacles such as his former label Tommy Boy and bootlegging, but asserts that life goes on and you must dig deep within yourself to push through. Royce is a testament to this, as he is "living proof."
In the first verse, Royce describes a man who is both dangerous and lyrical. His flow has outgrown his dreams and he can spit thunder and shit lightning. The chorus repeats the mantra that life goes on, despite any obstacles that come your way. In the second verse, Royce boasts about his skills as an MC, claiming that no crew can call him out for beef. He will rush anyone for the sacks like Warren Sapp, a retired NFL player known for his aggressive style of play.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo Ivy, let me know when we rolling
Requesting to be notified when ready to proceed
We rolling?Alright,
Confirming readiness to proceed
I mean, I been through a lot man
Acknowledging past struggles
Tommy Boy thing, the bootleggers
Specific past struggles faced
You know, life goes on, so what?
Acceptance of ongoing challenges
You gotta reach deep down in your heart, and pull out as much as you can
Drawing on inner strength to cope
To get through what you going through
Overcoming current difficulties
I'm living proof
Validation of ability to persevere
Way down deep in the heart of a man who was deep!
Intense emotions within one's core
In the palm of the hands of the truer streets
Controlled by the realities of life on the streets
Lives a, nigga who gives a, lyrical nigga the shivers
A true artist who commands respect
Step up and get hit cause him or his fifth'll deliver
Willingness to defend oneself or others
His mouth is a gun, the cannibal speaks
Powerful words used as weapons
You need to do more than floss the hand or the teeth
Appearances are not enough to survive
And shame on it, only thing that pops out
Criticism of those who rely on guns
Whenever your glock's out is a stick, and a flag with "Bang!" on it
Guns are symbols of power and intimidation
His flow's out-grown his dreams
Success exceeding one's own expectations
Out of a count that he beams out-of-towners and hold down home
Pride in hometown while gaining national recognition
You niggas showing up, with a lot of the same soldiers
Competition lacks originality
I'm rolling up, pushing her outta your Range Rover
Asserting dominance over rivals
You decided to be a rider but why, would you do it
Questioning the motives of others
When you know you could light up my saliva like lighter fluid
Confidence in one's own skills
Soak with writing cause 5-9 is back
Emphasizing return to form
And he's about to spit thunder and shit lightning!
Promising powerful performance
"Life goes on"
Acknowledging inevitability of life's challenges
Uh-huh, you thought I was done didn't ya?
Defying expectations of giving up
"The world keeps turning and life goes on"
Reiteration of life's ongoing difficulties
Never again will I, need a return
No longer needing to go back to past struggles
"Life goes on"
Reaffirming acceptance of life's difficulties
Long as I live, I'ma continue to burn
Promising to stay motivated and driven
My crew never call me for beef? No!
Lack of involvement in conflicts
It never happens to me
Avoidance of unnecessary drama
That's like calling a SWAT team when it's a cat in a tree
Overreaction in minor situations
It's too many reasons, to tell you niga please
Too many justifications to argue
You can do nothing with me, like weed with too many seeds in it
Unimpressed by competition
I'm more, vicious, it gets, more pathetic
More aggressive in the face of threats
You testing something more than a medic nigga or mortician
Attempting to cause harm to an unstoppable force
I'm more than rap, I will rush you
Multifaceted talents and willingness to defend
For the sacks like Warren Sapp, like nigga fuck you
Winning by any means necessary
I'll stuff you in a Atlanta mansion
Assertion of dominance over rivals
Paint the wall with you on "Candid Camera," like I'm a phantom answered
Intimidation tactics and invincibility
Demand a ransom, cause a fire at your momma's house
Extreme measures in retaliation
And take, all of the tires off of the ambulances
Disrupting emergency services in revenge
Of course the track, fits Mr. King
Perfectly suited to the artist
Of the small article every month and the Source is back
Achieving consistent attention in popular media
With Jay-Dilla, from Slum Village
Collaboration with respected producer
You looking for us, we be in Rock City nigga, come get us!
Confidence in ability to handle any threat in hometown
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACK CLEMENT, JOHN R. CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind