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.
Outside
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know, it's plenty of people, feel a sense of
Security around you and kinda lean on you
You ever feel like a certain amount of pressure from that?
Do you ever get afraid?
Of course I do
I mean everybody gets afraid sometimes
What possibly could make you afraid?
What are you afraid of? (Afraid of, afraid of)
(I'm afraid, I'm afraid)
(Sometimes I'm even afraid to admit I'm afraid)
I'm afraid of the weight of my problems
Haters working overtime, 8 or 9 jobs worth
All these wanted ski masks niggas
Old basketball shorts under jean ass niggas needa know
I'm a product of a dead poet Ryan at his low
Equals Maya Angelou, my emphatic flow can rise the status quo
Lying on the padded floor
Addict at it's best
Eradicated from the fabricated
Afraid at the thought of releasing music
That's indicative of where I'm at in life
Will they like? Will they hate?
The better question is if they hate it is you down to pay the price?
I'll look you right in your eyes and say you mother fuckin' right
Don't bother me with adversity, I conquered more ground than King Kong could
All I think about these days is Mom good
'Cause she diabetic
My daddy just had a cancer scare
And do he still work at the post office? The answer's yeah
I'm introverted, knowing that it's not about Oz
Bigger problems outside
There's a war going on outside
That no man is safe from
You see you can smile but that won't change the color of your skin
But I'm the sinner
Yet you kick me, punch me, say don't trust me
Shoot me down like I'm up to something
Fuck with me and say I've deceived you
But how's that legal? Am I that evil?
Why do you hate me?
I'm afraid of you going to college and not acknowledging
I'm your father 'cause you not proud enough
But I fought hard to make sure you never see certain things I'm a product of
It's easy to confuse being a father with being a provider
But all we got is us, and I'm afraid to lose you
You the coolest kid I ever saw
She did a good job with you
Sometimes I hesitate to take credit for raising you too
'Cause all I did was discipline
I never taught you to ride a bike but we still a lot alike
And you making music now? I wonder what made you wanna give this a spin
You know what I'm about to say next, right?
I'm afraid of you drinkin'
Though I never taught you to swim, I'm afraid of you sinkin'
I know I taught you to fight, you ain't in condition to win this
You wired different
You just ain't the nigga you friends is, it's scientific
Not my opinion so you know you genetically
Predisposed to more than just eating soul food
So I'm afraid of you to try to risk it
You in a gene pool with a lot of sick fish
And I'm the sickest of them all
Alcoholics die when they stop from symptoms of withdrawal
Look out the window, tell me what you see
Police shootin' brothers the color of you and me
And they actin' like they hate us so you may just
Wanna love yourself enough to compensate it
If I can say this, say this one thing, this one thing non-related
You were never, ever, ever, better than me in basketball
Phaha, yeah right, sure
In Royce da 5'9"'s song Outside, he begins by being asked about his fears as an individual, and he admits to being afraid of various things. He is afraid of the weight of his problems, the hate from his haters, showing his vulnerability through music, and losing his parents to their health issues. He also expresses his fear for his son's future, hoping he won't forget him after he goes to college and urging him to love himself first in the face of police brutality and racism. The final line is a light-hearted quip in response to a joke, showing his sense of humor and ability to not take himself too seriously.
Overall, the song deals with the complex emotions and fears that individuals face in their personal lives, especially as they navigate their relationships with loved ones, their own mental health, and societal issues like racism and police brutality. Royce da 5'9" shows vulnerability and honesty in the lyrics, revealing that even someone who is admired and respected can struggle with their own fears and insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
I was also gonna ask about your fear as an individual
Royce da 5'9" wants to talk about the fear of an individual
You know, it's plenty of people, feel a sense of
Security around you and kinda lean on you
Many people feel secure around you and rely on you for support
You ever feel like a certain amount of pressure from that?
Royce da 5'9" wonders if the person feels any pressure from supporting others
Do you ever get afraid?
Royce da 5'9" asks if the person ever gets scared
Of course I do
I mean everybody gets afraid sometimes
The person acknowledges getting scared, stating that everyone does
What possibly could make you afraid?
What are you afraid of? (Afraid of, afraid of)
Royce da 5'9" asks what can cause the person to be scared, repeating the statement to emphasize the question
(I'm afraid, I'm afraid)
(Sometimes I'm even afraid to admit I'm afraid)
Royce da 5'9" admits his own fear, even being afraid to admit fearing something
I'm afraid of the weight of my problems
Haters working overtime, 8 or 9 jobs worth
All these wanted ski masks niggas
Old basketball shorts under jean ass niggas needa know
I'm a product of a dead poet Ryan at his low
Equals Maya Angelou, my emphatic flow can rise the status quo
Lying on the padded floor
Addict at it's best
Eradicated from the fabricated
Afraid at the thought of releasing music
That's indicative of where I'm at in life
Royce da 5'9" has many problems weighing him down and also afraid of haters who put in a lot of effort to discredit him. He feels like he is a combination of two literary legends. Despite his success, he often feels like he is falling apart, failing to cope with addiction. He is also worried about releasing music that depicts his life since he is afraid of the public's reception.
Will they like? Will they hate?
The better question is if they hate it is you down to pay the price?
Royce da 5'9" wonders whether the public will accept or reject his music. However, he wonders if his fans are ready to bear the repercussions if people do not love the music.
I'll look you right in your eyes and say you mother fuckin' right
Don't bother me with adversity, I conquered more ground than King Kong could
Royce da 5'9" believes he has been through a lot and has overcome adversity. He feels that he has achieved so much that nothing can phase him.
All I think about these days is Mom good
'Cause she diabetic
My daddy just had a cancer scare
And do he still work at the post office? The answer's yeah
I'm introverted, knowing that it's not about Oz
Bigger problems outside
Royce da 5'9" is worried about his diabetic mother and his father's recent cancer scare. As he is introverted, he also knows that what matters is not his issues but the significant problems that exist outside.
There's a war going on outside
That no man is safe from
You see you can smile but that won't change the color of your skin
But I'm the sinner
Yet you kick me, punch me, say don't trust me
Shoot me down like I'm up to something
Fuck with me and say I've deceived you
But how's that legal? Am I that evil?
Why do you hate me?
Royce da 5'9" is aware of the ongoing war which affects everyone. He acknowledges that no matter how hard he tries, he cannot change people's perception of him and his skin color. He is frustrated with the systemic discrimination he experiences and is always treated like a criminal by people who don't even know him.
I'm afraid of you going to college and not acknowledging
I'm your father 'cause you not proud enough
But I fought hard to make sure you never see certain things I'm a product of
It's easy to confuse being a father with being a provider
But all we got is us, and I'm afraid to lose you
You the coolest kid I ever saw
She did a good job with you
Sometimes I hesitate to take credit for raising you too
'Cause all I did was discipline
I never taught you to ride a bike but we still a lot alike
And you making music now? I wonder what made you wanna give this a spin
You know what I'm about to say next, right?
I'm afraid of you drinkin'
Royce da 5'9" is afraid his child will go to college and hide the fact that he is the father. He worked hard to ensure his child does not experience the same issues he did in his life. However, he realizes that being a father is not just about providing for one's family - family support is invaluable. Royce da 5'9" is proud of his child and their music career, but he is also worried about their well-being, especially fears about addiction to alcohol.
Though I never taught you to swim, I'm afraid of you sinkin'
I know I taught you to fight, you ain't in condition to win this
Although Royce da 5'9" never taught his child to swim, he fears that they will sink, that they do not understand the situation they are in. He knows he taught them how to fight, but currently, they are not in a position to be successful in a fight.
You wired different
You just ain't the nigga you friends is, it's scientific
Not my opinion so you know you genetically
Predisposed to more than just eating soul food
So I'm afraid of you trying to risk it
You in a gene pool with a lot of sick fish
And I'm the sickest of them all
Royce da 5'9" thinks his child's mindset is different from their peers. He understands that some of their traits are genetic, and he is afraid that in trying to understand themselves better, they may go beyond their limits, causing harm. He says they are in a gene pool with many ill people, and he is the sickest of them all.
Alcoholics die when they stop from symptoms of withdrawal
Look out the window, tell me what you see
Police shootin' brothers the color of you and me
And they actin' like they hate us so you may just
Wanna love yourself enough to compensate it
If I can say this, say this one thing, this one thing non-related
You were never, ever, ever, better than me in basketball
Phaha, yeah right, sure
Royce da 5'9" cites an example of how dangerous addiction can be and then points out the continued problem of police brutality. He urges his child to love themselves despite the negative treatment they receive from others. Royce da 5'9" offers a joke to make a lighthearted ending to this serious conversation.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Glasper, Ryan Daniel Montgomery, Marsha Ambrosius
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind