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.
My Friend
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Catch my drift
I got to keep it raw
The most anticipated
I got to keep it raw
Yo, my is there for me, we like brothers
Over the years we've grown close, just like one another
I give a lot of love, none as spoiled as him
The one friend you always want to be nice to
Besides, you kept me out of trouble in High School
Close and distant, and hard in most positions
He knows, and listens and needs no description, hangin' wit two nuts
That can always depend on each other when one them's feelin' used up
Born at the same time in the same place
Twins wit the same mom, but not the same face
Fatigues from the same game, we gotta equally maintain
We feed from the same brain
We grew together and I considered you all mine
You delivered in hard times, I love my (Friend!)
[Chorus:]
It's the longest waited
The most anticipated
I gotta keep it raw
The bitches up on it
Betta believe that
My (Friend!) It's the longest waited
The most anticipated
I got to keep it raw
The bitches up on it
Betta believe that
My (Friend!), I never leave home without you with me
Here for the hoes just out to get me
Even when it's sticky your still wit me
You stick wit me, you must be my (Friend!)
A handy-tool, you never lay around the house
A family jewel, too priceless to count him out
The power to keep you grinnin', a thug mentality like me
'Cept he only beats wit women
I need him for the health, I guess I'm a bit abusive
I choke him up and beat him when he's thinkin' for himself
Somethin' I really don' love doin, 'cause I feel guilty and try to make it up to him
My (Friend!), down for him, he's down for me
And even when he's runnin' his mouth, you hear sounds from me
I speak for the two of us everyday
What's mines is his, we share everyday
And if you wearin' lipstick, wear the same stick
You look like a rainbow whenever you change it
The power to beg and always were a hat
And a raincoat when it's damp and shower's ahead
He adores me, that's all it was
That's why he do things without me, like fall in love
The Game is ready to test the sharks
But he's too vicious, that's why he never left my heart
It's too late he grown now
The two of them probably wouldn't even get along now
'cause of the time, ladies want to get it on now, 'cause of the rhyme
And we can take 'em, one at a time, in front of the line
I can rub it in his face, he'll never rub it in mines
Besides, it ain't because of the fives, it's because of the nines, my
(Friend!)
[Repeat: x2]
The-the-the most anticipated
I got to keep-keep it raw
I love my (Friend!)
It's the longest waited
The most anticipated
I got to keep it raw
The bitches up on it
Betta believe that
My (Friend!)
Royce da 5'9"'s song My Friend is a tribute to the loyalty, trust, and bond that he shares with his best friend. The lyrics describe the unbreakable connection that Royce has with his friend, who has been there for him through thick and thin, like family. The chorus, "It's the longest waited, the most anticipated, I gotta keep it raw, the bitches up on it, betta believe that, my friend!" celebrates their enduring friendship and the authenticity that characterizes it. Royce speaks about his friend's reliability, usefulness, and how they share everything, including lipstick.
The lyrics also highlight the struggles that Royce and his friend faced growing up, and how they supported each other to overcome them. The line "'Cause of the time, ladies want to get it on now, 'cause of the rhyme, and we can take 'em, one at a time, in front of the line" suggests that they faced some hostility and envy from others because of their connection but learned to defend themselves through their bond.
My Friend offers an insightful take on the value of true friendship, its importance and the support that it provides. Royce's lyrics are raw and unfiltered, which makes the song an authentic tribute to his friendship. It is a reminder that no matter how tough life gets, with the right 'friend', there is always hope to overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
A man is defined by his (Boing!)
A person's actions define them.
Catch my drift
Do you understand what I'm saying?
I got to keep it raw
I need to be honest.
The most anticipated
This is eagerly awaited.
Yo, my is there for me, we like brothers
My friend is always there for me, we are like family.
Over the years we've grown close, just like one another
We have become very close over time, almost resembling each other.
I give a lot of love, none as spoiled as him
I show a lot of affection, but my friend receives the most.
The one friend you always want to be nice to
This friend deserves kindness more than any other.
Besides, you kept me out of trouble in High School
You helped keep me out of trouble during school.
Close and distant, and hard in most positions
We have a close, but occasionally difficult relationship with each other.
Born at the same time in the same place
We were both born in the same location and at the same time.
Twins wit the same mom, but not the same face
We are similar, but not identical twins with the same mother.
Fatigues from the same game, we gotta equally maintain
We are both involved in the same activity and it requires equal effort from us.
We feed from the same brain
We share many of the same thoughts and ideas.
You delivered in hard times, I love my (Friend!)
You were there for me when times were tough, and I appreciate you as a friend.
The bitches up on it
Women are interested in us.
Betta believe that
You better believe it.
My (Friend!), I never leave home without you with me
I always have my friend with me wherever I go.
Here for the hoes just out to get me
We are here and ready for women who are trying to pursue us.
Even when it's sticky you're still wit me
Even during tough times, my friend is still by my side.
You stick wit me, you must be my (Friend!)
You remain loyal to me, so you must be my friend.
A family jewel, too priceless to count him out
My friend is invaluable to me and I could never dismiss him.
The power to keep you grinnin', a thug mentality like me
My friend knows how to make me laugh and has a similar tough mentality like me.
'Cept he only beats wit women
Except when it comes to women, he has a violent streak.
I need him for the health, I guess I'm a bit abusive
I rely on my friend for my well-being, but I admit to being somewhat mistreating him.
Somethin' I really don' love doin', 'cause I feel guilty and try to make it up to him
Even though I don't enjoy mistreating my friend, I feel guilty and try to make amends.
And even when he's runnin' his mouth, you hear sounds from me
Even when my friend is speaking, I am also present and making my voice heard.
I speak for the two of us everyday
I am responsible for representing my friend and myself in everyday interactions.
What's mines is his, we share everyday
We share everything and what is mine is also his.
And if you wearin' lipstick, wear the same stick
If you're wearing lipstick, you better be using the same one as me and my friend.
You look like a rainbow whenever you change it
You look ridiculous when you change the lipstick color.
The power to beg and always were a hat
My friend has the ability to beg and always wears a hat.
And a raincoat when it's damp and shower's ahead
He even wears a raincoat when rain is predicted.
He adores me, that's all it was
My friend loves and admires me.
That's why he do things without me, like fall in love
That is why he falls in love and does things without me at times.
The two of them probably wouldn't even get along now
My friend and my old self may not get along anymore.
'cause of the time, ladies want to get it on now, 'cause of the rhyme
Due to our fame, women are interested in us sexually.
And we can take 'em, one at a time, in front of the line
We can handle them one by one, waiting in line.
I can rub it in his face, he'll never rub it in mines
I can brag and boast, but my friend will never retaliate.
Besides, it ain't because of the fives, it's because of the nines, my (Friend!)
Our bond is not because of our looks or money, it's because of our personality and loyalty.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER E MARTIN, RYAN MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dzieckosztuki679
premo is a fucking genius, he can make dope beat from fart sample
@djnitetrain6171
Check out my Boom Bap Mix.... Subscribe to my channel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIVTAUce4_A&t=18s
@MyNameIsNeutron
One of the few DJ Premier beats that can truly be called "whimsical." A man is defined by his (boing)
@salmanc1
OOOOOOOOOOHHHHH i remember this!!!!!! Bus home to uni, cd player skipping, 1999. These beats make you feel like a giant
@theoldslimshady64
I thought this was gonna be about his gun...as usual Royce totally surprised me. Reason he's my favorite artist.
@realsmt
when you shit on the game i guess you can fart on a track
@alex-ug7uu
Awesome beat! That sample in the beginning was amazing lmao. "A man is defined by his ... BOING" 😉 wish more rappers used that boing sample more often it's awesome
@carlosmercado9609
wtf is everyone talking about, this beat is dope af
@nickfileccia7423
Agreed premo as usual
@29baconbtch
Yeah