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.
On The Road
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The best part about my career is probably being able to
Do what I love doin all the time, which is, make music
The negative side of it
Is probably just being away from my family so much
'Cause I find it, like an MC like myself
One of the many ways I can make money, is to pack up
Tired of the same old hustle
Same old niggaz sayin they is gon' touch you
Foes want to act up when they with back up
So I pack up and go - yeah, yeah
Niggaz snitchin, niggaz hittin nigga's bitches
This shit here is gettin ridiculous
Me and Vicious in here flickin pictures
Niggaz gettin rich and sittin with them trick bitches
Now picture me locked up for life for
The nigga who controllin the drop in the price or
Niggaz askin what I'm in they light for
Like I ain't got an army behind me to fight for me
Niggaz money gettin glowed, niggaz gonna get 'bows
And they gonna get sold, on the road
'Cause at home they denyin to feel me
Labels wishin that they signed with the real me
'Cause now that I rhyme with the feeling
That I am on, is dyin to kill me
But I am a soldier, as I'm gettin older
I'm takin my show on the road
[Chorus]
You can find me, up in a quiet, town
Like Ohio, tyin' it down (on the road)
It's nothin', the pump on the block where you come from
Cop and re-up and whyle (on the road)
Like a show you, go and come back with, dough
That's how shit goes (on the road)
And it's nothin' to cop or re-up where you come from
It's how shit goes (on the road)
Yeah, yeah
I'ma give it to you 'til you leakin'
The problem with me is that I speak with the nine-millimeter
The problem with me is that I ain't equal
Prove it to you, pull you a line out of people
That movie you starrin' in is rated are
Because I am the sequel
But I'ma be triumphant at least speakin'
Ridin' through the Chi or the D or the D.C
Movin' fifty pounds weekly
Lookin' at the south region, thinkin' about, am I greedy? (nah)
If I ain't, I don't eat inspired by Hennessy
Ridin' in Tennessee (yeah)
Fuck around and meet me
Shuttin' down everything from Uptown to up and down Beat Street
But I am a soldier, you know what I'm about
In the drop, I don't slow, when I go, on the road
[Chorus]
Why'knowmsayin?
Like I, I see hip-hop goin forward
Why'know you got, people buyin' into, basketball teams
And, all types of crazy shit, why'knowmsayin'?
So, I see a lot of people
Being able to provide for they families
A lot of, Black people who would otherwise be out of work, havin' jobs
I just see everything movin' forward
In Royce Da 5´9´s song "On the Road," the rapper speaks about the benefits of being a musician and making money by performing, but also the negative aspects of life on the road. Being away from family is a difficult part of the job, but Royce finds it necessary to pay his bills. He describes the streets as increasingly dangerous, with snitching and shady deals becoming part of daily life. He mentions that being locked up for someone else's bad deeds is a possibility that he must face.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the nature of life on the road, which involves frequent travel, copious amounts of money, and the constant need to hustle. Royce mentions that members of the music industry often view him as a form of entertainment rather than a serious artist, and the fact that he can make money by performing without the need for stardom is something he cherishes. He is a soldier doing what he knows how to do best, and he is determined to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired of the same old hustle
I'm tired of the same old people trying to bring me down
Same old niggaz sayin they is gon' touch you
The same people who have always been jealous of my success are still trying to threaten me
Foes want to act up when they with back up
These enemies only get brave when they have backup with them
So I pack up and go - yeah, yeah
I don't have time for these negative people, so I leave and go on tour
Niggaz snitchin, niggaz hittin nigga's bitches
People are getting caught up in drama and doing things that they shouldn't be doing
This shit here is gettin ridiculous
The level of drama and chaos is becoming unbearable
Me and Vicious in here flickin pictures
I am relaxing with my friend, Vicious, looking at photos and trying to escape from the drama
Niggaz gettin rich and sittin with them trick bitches
Some people are getting rich and being disloyal to those who helped them succeed
Now picture me locked up for life for
I can't afford to get caught up in drama and end up in jail
The nigga who controllin the drop in the price or
I can't get involved with someone who is controlling the price of something illegal
Niggaz askin what I'm in they light for
People are questioning why I am successful and they are not
Like I ain't got an army behind me to fight for me
I have people who support and protect me, so I have no reason to be afraid
Niggaz money gettin glowed, niggaz gonna get 'bows
Some people are making money and becoming arrogant and disrespectful
And they gonna get sold, on the road
These people will eventually be exposed and face consequences while I am on tour
'Cause at home they denyin to feel me
People in my hometown don't fully appreciate my success
Labels wishin that they signed with the real me
Record labels see how successful I am and wish they had signed me
'Cause now that I rhyme with the feeling
My rhymes and music have a realness that people gravitate towards
That I am on, is dyin to kill me
There are people who are jealous of my success and will do anything to bring me down
But I am a soldier, as I'm gettin older
I am strong and resilient, even as I age
I'm takin my show on the road
I am going on tour to escape the drama and continue doing what I love
You can find me, up in a quiet, town
I am performing my music in small, peaceful towns
Like Ohio, tyin' it down (on the road)
Ohio is one of the many places where I am performing while on tour
It's nothin', the pump on the block where you come from
The illegal activity on the streets where I come from is nothing compared to the drama I am currently dealing with
Cop and re-up and whyle (on the road)
I am able to buy and sell drugs while on tour
Like a show you, go and come back with, dough
Touring is like putting on a show, and I am able to earn money while doing it
That's how shit goes (on the road)
This is just how things are when you are on tour
And it's nothin' to cop or re-up where you come from
This illegal activity is just a part of life where I come from
I'ma give it to you 'til you leakin'
I am going to rap so fiercely that I will dominate anyone who tries to compete with me
The problem with me is that I speak with the nine-millimeter
I am a talented rapper, but I also have a dangerous side that people should not mess with
The problem with me is that I ain't equal
I'm not just like everyone else - I have unique talents and a strong personality
Prove it to you, pull you a line out of people
I can use my skills to make anyone look weak in comparison
That movie you starrin' in is rated are
If someone were to make a movie about my life, it would be rated R for all the realness and intensity
Because I am the sequel
I am the sequel to all the other great rappers who came before me
But I'ma be triumphant at least speakin'
I am going to succeed and achieve greatness through my music, even if it means being controversial and speaking my mind
Ridin' through the Chi or the D or the D.C
I am traveling through cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Washington D.C.
Movin' fifty pounds weekly
I am involved in drug trafficking and moving a large amount of drugs every week
Lookin' at the south region, thinkin' about, am I greedy? (nah)
I am reflecting on my actions and questioning whether I am being too greedy with my money
If I ain't, I don't eat inspired by Hennessy
If I am not making money, I won't be able to support myself and my family, and my motivation comes from the Hennessy I drink
Ridin' in Tennessee (yeah)
I am currently traveling through the state of Tennessee
Fuck around and meet me
If you're looking for trouble, you might find it if you run into me
Shuttin' down everything from Uptown to up and down Beat Street
My talent is so powerful that it shuts down anything else competing with it
But I am a soldier, you know what I'm about
I am a warrior, and I am not afraid to fight for what I believe in
In the drop, I don't slow, when I go, on the road
When I'm driving my luxury car, I don't slow down for anything, and I keep pushing forward while on tour
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JASON QUALLS, RYAN MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind