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.
New Money
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Green ducats, black models, white bottles
Packed house, you lookin at the wrong nigga
Long digits, we can bet the farm who farm bigger
Once I go in my zone, I could leave my jewelry at home
I glow on my own, you can go in my phone
You gon' see some numbers of bitches that's so into me
A couple you might've fucked before, mentally
It's death before dishonor before misery
Let us know it - we don't make it rain no more
We pull out them dollars and let her throw it
We gettin new money, let us blow it
{"New! New!"}
I'm soundin like new money to me, {"New"} money to me
{"New"} money to me, {"New"} money to me
You shinin like new money to me, {"New"} money to me
{"New"} money to me, {"New"} money to me
Whoa!
No iller, flow realer, go-rilla
I'm no killa, dope dealer, I'm so Dilla
United we stand, divided we fall, let's pray
Any, legend, you know, we gon' miss you
Missing your life, turn up the lights
Lighters high!
Lighters, cell phones, whatever you got
Put it up in the sky for the legendary J Dilla y'all
Lights high!
Uhh, you hoes can bring it, old school chosen English
Frozen bling and throw-in singles
Y'all niggas, pray that your babies come out havin good hair
I pray mines have all they toes and fingers
We are different, point blank, distant
It's just meant you rappin 'bout what I just spent
As far as hip-hop's concerned you all the same
A bunch of mohawks, skinny jeans and wallet chains
A bunch of dancin beefin street blogger lames
So don't get mad at the king if I should call your name
The new cartel - the doc pop the tag off my ass
When I was born, my momma pussy had the new car smell
{"New! New!"}
I'm soundin like new money to me, {"New"} money to me
{"New"} money to me, {"New"} money to me
You shinin like new money to me, {"New"} money to me
{"New"} money to me, {"New"} money to me
Whoa!
With no booth, the flow through, I'm so truth
I'm sittin in pudding right now, I'm so Proof
One more time, hands in the AIR!
For the legendary, Proof!
Detroit baby, lights high!
Uhh, Lord willin, 2Pac with more feelin
Your boy's a giant, I step the floor ceilin's
More drinkin, more spillin, poor thinkin
You keep it one hundred, I keep it more Franklins
I keep it one thousand
I keep, buyin and buyin, while you lookin around until you done browsin
Ha, I put my money where my mouth is (yes!)
Gentleman's bet, no gentleman 'bout this
Non-regional dialect and outfit
I'm on my West, Midwest, East, South shit
I'm all about chips, with my swallow mouth bitch
Signin out, P.S. (Slaughterhouse) BITCH!!
{"New! New!"}
I'm soundin like new money to me, {"New"} money to me
{"New"} money to me, {"New"} money to me
You shinin like new money to me, {"New"} money to me
{"New"} money to me, {"New"} money to me
Whoa!
{"New! New! New!"}
Royce da 5'9"'s song New Money is a rap song that celebrates his recent acquisition of wealth and his success in the music industry. The opening lyrics describe the power and influence that money has brought to Royce's life, with references to expensive mic modules, models, and bottles of alcohol. As he brags about his wealth and success, Royce also acknowledges the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving his goals, noting that he can leave his jewelry at home and still command attention with his skills on the mic. He also addresses the common criticism that rappers are materialistic and shallow, arguing that he is simply enjoying his success and uses his money to help those close to him.
The middle section of the song takes a more somber turn, as Royce pays tribute to his friend and fellow rapper J Dilla, who had recently passed away. Royce exhorts his listeners to hold up their lighters and cell phones in tribute to J Dilla and his legacy in the hip-hop world. The song then returns to its celebratory tone as Royce continues to boast about his wealth and success, criticizing other rappers for being copycats and claiming that he is a true original.
Overall, New Money is a classic example of a braggadocious rap song, with Royce da 5'9"'s confident flow and clever wordplay taking center stage. However, the song also contains moments of introspection and reflection, as Royce pays tribute to his mentor J Dilla and grapples with the idea of what it means to be truly successful in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
New money, quite powerful mic module
With successful music career comes newfound wealth and fame
Green ducats, black models, white bottles
Spending money on luxury items such as cash, women, and champagne
Packed house, you lookin at the wrong nigga
Performing in front of large crowds and proving to doubters that he is the real deal
Long digits, we can bet the farm who farm bigger
Having a lot of money and being able to outdo others in terms of financial success
Once I go in my zone, I could leave my jewelry at home
Being comfortable and confident enough in himself to not need material items to prove his worth
I glow on my own, you can go in my phone
Being so successful that he does not rely on anyone else for success or validation
You gon' see some numbers of bitches that's so into me
Having many women interested in him because of his wealth and fame
A couple you might've fucked before, mentally
Potentially having a sexual past with some of these women, but moving on from those experiences
I don't snitch, furthermore I tour typically
Being a respectable figure in the music industry by not engaging in shady behavior like snitching and performing frequently for his fans
It's death before dishonor before misery
Valuing integrity and loyalty over anything else, even if it means potential hardship
Let us know it - we don't make it rain no more
No longer feeling the need to flaunt his success by throwing money around recklessly
We pull out them dollars and let her throw it
Preferring to give money to women rather than throwing it in the air for show
We gettin new money, let us blow it
Celebrating and enjoying the success and wealth that he has earned
I'm soundin like new money to me, new money to me
Feeling proud of his newfound wealth and success in the music industry
You shinin like new money to me, new money to me
Recognizing and admiring others who have also found success and wealth
Whoa!
An expression of excitement
No iller, flow realer, go-rilla
A wordplay on being the real deal and having a strong and fierce flow in his music
I'm no killa, dope dealer, I'm so Dilla
Acknowledging the late J Dilla and his influential impact on the hip hop genre
United we stand, divided we fall, let's pray
Believing in the importance of unity and working together for success
Any, legend, you know, we gon' miss you
Showing respect and admiration for those who have passed away and left a legacy
Missing your life, turn up the lights
Honoring those who have passed away by shining a light on their legacy
Lighters high!
An expression of tribute and remembrance
Uhh, you hoes can bring it, old school chosen English
Being unphased by competition and having a unique and authentic style
Frozen bling and throw-in singles
Spending money on superficial items like jewelry and throwing away money frivolously
Y'all niggas, pray that your babies come out havin good hair
Acknowledging and rejecting harmful societal beauty standards
I pray mines have all they toes and fingers
Hoping for the simple, yet important, things in life for his children
We are different, point blank, distant
Recognizing and highlighting his unique qualities and distancing himself from the typical rapper stereotype
It's just meant you rappin 'bout what I just spent
Not being impressed by other rappers' lyrics about money and possessions
As far as hip-hop's concerned you all the same
Critiquing the lack of originality among many rappers and their music
A bunch of mohawks, skinny jeans and wallet chains
Satirizing the stereotypical appearance of many rappers
A bunch of dancin beefin street blogger lames
Calling out the absurdity of rappers feuding and engaging with online drama
So don't get mad at the king if I should call your name
Accepting his position as a successful and influential figure in the music industry and not being afraid to speak his mind
The new cartel - the doc pop the tag off my ass
Comparing his success and wealth to that of a powerful cartel and feeling proud of it
When I was born, my momma pussy had the new car smell
Making a humorous comparison between his birth and the fresh smell of a new car
With no booth, the flow through, I'm so truth
Feeling authentic and real in his music without the need for a recording booth
I'm sittin in pudding right now, I'm so Proof
Paying tribute to his late friend and fellow rapper, Proof
Uhh, Lord willin, 2Pac with more feelin
Aspiring to have a similar impact and influence as legendary rapper, 2Pac
Your boy's a giant, I step the floor ceilin's
Feeling large and in charge in his music career
More drinkin, more spillin, poor thinkin
Acknowledging that with more success comes a greater tendency to engage in reckless behavior
You keep it one hundred, I keep it more Franklins
Stating that he goes above and beyond in his honesty and success
I keep it one thousand
Being completely real and authentic in his music and life
I keep, buyin and buyin, while you lookin around until you done browsin
Enjoying his wealth and success by indulging in material items without hesitation, unlike those who take longer to decide on purchases
Ha, I put my money where my mouth is (yes!)
Backing up his words with action and spending his wealth in a way that aligns with his values
Gentleman's bet, no gentleman 'bout this
Making a playful bet with someone without being too formal or serious about it
Non-regional dialect and outfit
Not limiting himself to one specific style or region in terms of his appearance or speech
I'm on my West, Midwest, East, South shit
Being successful and popular in multiple regions across the United States
I'm all about chips, with my swallow mouth bitch
Being focused on making money and success, and not afraid to speak his mind
Signin out, P.S. (Slaughterhouse) BITCH!!
Ending the song on a confident and blunt note, promoting his rap group and clearly stating his identity and success as a rapper
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: I DEAN, NICHOLAS WARWAR, RYAN MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind