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.
Promise Land
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Why was they leanin' on me?
Lord I don't
Lord I don't
I don't know why"
[Chorus]
"People mighty people
This the street radio for unsung heroes
Ridin' in the regal like I'm legal
Com found the new Primo
I got the real Primo
And that ain't my ego
Nigga thats how we do
Teach you (people)
We true
We responsible for what the police do
DC shoe (people, mighty people)
Other guys cover lies
We see through
But otherwise we peaceful
Now nigga picture, Malcolm in 76 and
The outfit I stepped in this bitch with
A bitch cause, alpha omega's the mixture
The alpha-
-bet boys flickin' they flicks for
The irrelevant (people)
Suck my dick bitch
A black man can't be happenin' and rappin'?
Tisk tisk
If perhaps you wanna go against it
I did it my way
You gotta say its eccentric
Mention my name
Aww man
I make a motherfucker fall right where the law stands
Call Japan
Tell him I'ma put him in a deep hole
You gon' land in Bruce Lee hands
It all depends (people)
Talk we can
I'd rather
See you sweat than see you forget
Cause you thought we glanced
Until we see your
Body in chalk
And its doin' that little off beat dance
Haha
[Chorus]
"People mighty people
Gonna take you to the promised land"
This the street radio for unsung heroes
Ridin' in the regal like I'm legal
Com found the new Primo
I got the real Primo
And that ain't my ego
Nigga thats how we do
Teach you (people)
We true
We responsible for what the police do
DC shoe (people, mighty people)
Other guys cover lies
We see through
But otherwise we peaceful
[Verse Two]
Wake up America
We ain't where we was
Euro's superior
We think that we love
But we not
We hated
We got created
Off of the slave labor like 'didas and Reeboks
Now peep out my (people)
Seek I'll destroy him
Or he will destroy me
I don't employ him
Then he will employ me
This is how the fine line cuts in the real world
Kinda like separating sluts from a real girl
My rhymes the most
Niggas the difference is like cyanide to coke
From Witness, the Islam, Christian to just um
Religious
From Nick 9" to sitcom
I'm shoe shine to lip balm (people)
If I'm
Not your leader then leave me the same way you saw me here
Gaudy gear, Mardi Gras flick, Cartier
This time I hope a nigga don't think I'm tryin' to diss Com
[Chorus]
"People mighty people
Gonna take you to the promised land"
This the street radio for unsung heroes
Ridin' in the regal like I'm legal
Com found the new Primo
I got the real Primo
And that ain't my ego
Nigga that's how we do
Teach you (people)
We true
We responsible for what the police do
DC shoe (people, mighty people)
Other guys cover lies
We see through
But otherwise we peaceful
The lyrics of Royce da 5'9"'s "Promise Land" are complex and layered, touching upon themes of racial inequality, social justice, and the struggle for freedom. The sample at the beginning of the song sets the tone for what's to come, with the plaintive wail of "Why was they leanin' on me?" echoing through the track. This is a nod to the police brutality and oppression that black people have suffered for generations in the United States.
The "People mighty people" chorus is a reference to the idea that together, as a collective, marginalized groups have the power to effect change and bring about a better future. The verse that follows is a blistering attack on the racism and systemic inequality that still pervades American society. The lines "Euro's superior / We think that we love / But we not / We hated / We got created / Off of the slave labor like 'didas and Reeboks" speak to the ways in which black people have been exploited and abused by white society, from the slave trade to modern-day capitalism.
The song also alludes to the importance of black musicians and artists in the struggle for freedom and justice. The line "Com found the new Primo / I got the real Primo" is a reference to the seminal producer DJ Premier, who has worked with both Common (Com) and Royce da 5'9". Their music serves a crucial role in educating and inspiring people, especially young black people, to fight against injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Why was they leanin' on me? Lord I don't Lord I don't I don't know why
I don't understand why others are relying on me for guidance or support.
People mighty people Gonna take you to the promised land with me
Together, as a community, we can bring each other to a better future.
This the street radio for unsung heroes Ridin' in the regal like I'm legal
This song is for those who are overlooked but deserve recognition, and I'm riding in a luxury car like I have the right to be here.
Com found the new Primo I got the real Primo And that ain't my ego Nigga thats how we do Teach you (people) We true
I have found the newest and best producer, and I'm confident in our abilities as a team. I want to teach others the truth and reality of the situation, not just what people want to hear.
We responsible for what the police do DC shoe (people, mighty people) Other guys cover lies We see through But otherwise we peaceful
As a community, we have a responsibility to hold the police accountable for their actions. We are aware of the lies that others try to tell, but we are peaceful in our approach to change.
Now nigga picture, Malcolm in 76 and The outfit I stepped in this bitch with A bitch cause, alpha omega's the mixture
Imagine Malcolm X in 1976, and the way I am dressed shows a mix of confidence and humility.
The alpha- bet boys flickin' they flicks for The irrelevant (people) Suck my dick bitch
The people who are focused on irrelevant things are a waste of time in my opinion.
A black man can't be happenin' and rappin'? Tisk tisk If perhaps you wanna go against it I did it my way You gotta say its eccentric Mention my name Aww man I make a motherfucker fall right where the law stands
There are those who doubt that a black man can be successful in the rap industry, but I did it my way and people recognize my talent. My name has power and I can silence my critics by proving myself.
Call Japan Tell him I'ma put him in a deep hole You gon' land in Bruce Lee hands It all depends (people) Talk we can I'd rather See you sweat than see you forget Cause you thought we glanced Until we see your Body in chalk
I am capable of taking down my enemies, and it's up to the people to decide how we handle them. I'd rather see you work hard and stay focused, rather than become too comfortable and forget who we are trying to help. Unfortunately, some will end up in a fatal situation because they weren't paying attention.
Wake up America We ain't where we was Euro's superior We think that we love But we not We hated We got created Off of the slave labor like 'didas and Reeboks Now peep out my (people)
America needs to realize that we have not made as much progress as we should have. Europe is seen as superior, but we don't actually love each other as much as we pretend. We were created through slave labor, like the popular brands Adidas and Reebok. Take a closer look at my community, see who we really are.
Seek I'll destroy him Or he will destroy me I don't employ him Then he will employ me This is how the fine line cuts in the real world Kinda like separating sluts from a real girl
In the real world, there is a thin line between success and failure. I will either defeat my competition, or they will defeat me. If I don't control them, they will control me. It's like differentiating between true talent and those that are just following trends or fads.
My rhymes the most Niggas the difference is like cyanide to coke From Witness, the Islam, Christian to just um Religious From Nick 9" to sitcom I'm shoe shine to lip balm (people)
My lyrics are the best, but others are just a bad copy. I can adapt to any situation or environment, from serious topics to light-hearted ones. My versatility shows that I am capable of doing anything.
If I'm Not your leader then leave me the same way you saw me here Gaudy gear, Mardi Gras flick, Cartier This time I hope a nigga don't think I'm tryin' to diss Com
If I am not someone you look up to or follow, then just let me be. I'll always be flashy and wear expensive brands, but I don't want to offend anyone from my community.
Contributed by Blake D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.