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.
Soldier's Story
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(What up Reef) We're soldier's
Soldiers don't go to hell, it's war
I'm horse-back on the drums, from the kick to the snare
Get them shits in the air, shit is fixin' to flair
Spit on the beat, wrap it and ship it
Put it out, shit on the streets, that's me
That's me, I need respect, don't you better
That's me, chrome berretta, in the waistline
Of my own get up, I'm gone and still goin'
That's me, you hear a pop and see a drop, I'm comin'
That's me, when everybody on ya block is runnin'
That's me, wit the rocks that could block the sun in
The glock that I got, got a box it come in
I'm like the fear, that Biggie and Pac is comin' (Uh)
The reason why them baller boys cop them onions
That's me, five to the nine doo rag be tied to the side
You could either ride with it or die
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
He came right into yo hood, and he sold you somethin'
He spit, wit a frozen flow, and he told you somethin'
I think I hear a soldier's comin', that's me
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
You better run for it, run for it, run
Yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
You better run for it, run for it, run
We soldier's, (We) bats, (We) chains
(We) gats, (We) game, (We) raps, (We) names
We soldier's, in the streets we keep heat
Niggas is deep, and niggas'll creep, creep
Far from what you would call soft, you competing
What you would fall off, I'm beef, you call off
That's me, the one that you supposedly beef wit
That's me, we fought, but you kept it a secret
Talking bout what you gon' do when you find me and keep seeing me (Uh)
Lying like you dying to catch me, and put three in me (Uh)
Told him cut the jokes, but I guessed that he wasn't hearin' me (Uh)
Convince his self that he wan't fearing me
My niggas all killers, from the bottom straight to the top
Ride wit me rather know they destination or not
That's me, the baddest rap you heard in a while
Ride with the gat in the lap, convertible style
That's me, the killer that lurk in the dark
Tear up ya goddamn hood, from the church to the park
Groom, motherfucker, you hear that noise
You better run for it, run for it, run
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
He came right into yo hood, and he sold you somethin'
He spit, wit a frozen flow, and he told you somethin'
I think I hear a soldier's comin', that's me
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
You better run for it, run for it, run
Yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
You better run for it, run for it, run
Nothin' but underground shit, comin' out of my pump
Decade funk from a punk, comin' out of my trunk (Uh)
Everybody want to thug, wit them triggers they pullin'
Be shootin' pip-pip guns, that ain't as big as my bullets
Live from Detroit comin', to a block near you (Uh)
Real soon, somebody might get popped near you (Uh)
All you want to do is rap, I'll be listening right
After flippin' a bit difference, between a clip and a mic
I'ma soldier (Soldier) cool as I want to be
Gun totin', talkin' to hoes, rude as I want to be
Who wants some of me, this is no problem
That I can't fix, I got a tool that I brung wit me (Uh)
Hardcore niggas your nothin' (Uh)
Ben Franklin run this motherfucker, and in God I trust him (Uh)
If you ever see my guns out, I'm probly bustin'
Why you niggas ridin' and dying, I'll be truckin'
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
He came right into yo hood, and he sold you somethin'
He spit, wit a frozen flow, and he told you somethin'
I think I hear a soldier's comin', that's me
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
You better run for it, run for it, run
Yeah now you know a soldier's comin'
You better run for it, run for it, run
We soldier's, (We) bats, (We) chains
(We) gats, (We) game, (We) raps, (We) names
We soldier's, in the streets we keep heat
Niggas is deep, and niggas'll creep, creep
Uh, uh, uh, uh
Royce Nickel nine, two thousand
Big Reef, uh
Beef, we soldier's, we follow codes, orders
(Soldier's they justify everything that you do)
The song "Soldier's Story" by Royce da 5'9" is a hard-hitting rap that speaks to the life of street soldiers as well as the reality of war. In the opening lines, Royce acknowledges that everyone involved in the situation knows the stakes, and that soldiers do not go to hell – because they are already in the midst of a war. The lyrics then dive into Royce's persona as a soldier, who rides "horse-back on the drums, from the kick to the snare," and who spits and wraps his lyrics with precision, making them "fixin' to flair." He proclaims his dominance in the game by stating that people need to respect him, and that he is always ready to bust a cap with the chrome beretta in his waistline. The chorus then calls out to potential enemies by warning them of the soldier's imminent arrival and his frozen flow.
One notable aspect of the lyrics is the way that Royce uses the word "me" throughout the song. Rather than using the pronoun "I," he refers to himself in the third person, sometimes as "that's me," sometimes as "a soldier's coming," and sometimes simply as "Groom." This technique seems to imply a sense of detachment or dissociation from his own actions, as though Royce is speaking from the perspective of a soldier who has been stripped of his individuality and merged into a larger, faceless fighting force. This theme is reinforced by the chorus, which emphasizes the collective identity of soldiers, who are defined by their bats, chains, gats, game, raps, and names.
The song's beat is a heavily orchestrated, driving instrumental that matches the intensity and aggression of the lyrics. With a mix of high-pitched strings, deep bass, and steady drums, the instrumental gives the sense of an approaching army, a theme that matches the subject matter of the song. The tempo is relatively fast, urging the listener to keep up with the rapid-fire delivery of the words.
Line by Line Meaning
We're in a situation, where everybody involved knows the stakes
We are in a serious situation where everybody involved is aware of the risks.
Soldiers don't go to hell, it's war
Soldiers are willing to risk their lives in war, they don't fear going to hell.
I'm horse-back on the drums, from the kick to the snare Get them shits in the air, shit is fixin' to flair Spit on the beat, wrap it and ship it Put it out, shit on the streets, that's me
I am skilled at playing drums, and I am putting my passion and skills into rap music. I am confident in myself and my music, and I am ready to share it with the world.
Bust you in yo shit, and tell you don't you ever That's me, I need respect, don't you better
I will fight against anyone who disrespects me, and I demand respect because I know I deserve it.
Chrome berretta, in the waistline Of my own get up, I'm gone and still goin' That's me, you hear a pop and see a drop, I'm comin'
I carry a gun with me at all times, and I am not afraid to use it if I need to defend myself. If you hear a gunshot and see someone fall, that's me coming for you.
Wit the rocks that could block the sun in The glock that I got, got a box it come in
I have many drugs (rocks) that I am selling, and I keep my gun (glock) in a box.
Groom, yeah now you know a soldier's comin' He came right into yo hood, and he sold you somethin'
You will know when I am coming because I am a soldier, and I will come into your neighborhood to sell you drugs.
My niggas all killers, from the bottom straight to the top Ride wit me rather know they destination or not
My friends are all killers, and they come from all walks of life. They trust me and will come with me even if they don't know where we're going.
That's me, the baddest rap you heard in a while Ride with the gat in the lap, convertible style
I am one of the best rappers out there, and I ride with my gun in case I need to defend myself. I ride in a convertible so people can see me and my skills.
That's me, the killer that lurk in the dark Tear up ya goddamn hood, from the church to the park
I am a killer who hides in the dark and causes destruction in the neighborhood, from the church to the park.
Groom, motherfucker, you hear that noise Nothin' but underground shit, comin' out of my pump
Listen to that music, it's all underground and it's all coming from me.
If you ever see my guns out, I'm probly bustin' Why you niggas ridin' and dying, I'll be truckin'
If you ever see me with my gun out, I am likely shooting at someone. While you guys are fighting and dying, I'll be driving away and surviving.
Who wants some of me, this is no problem That I can't fix, I got a tool that I brung wit me (Uh)
If anyone wants to fight me, I can handle it and I have my gun with me as a tool to use if I need to.
Hardcore niggas your nothin' (Uh) Ben Franklin run this motherfucker, and in God I trust him (Uh)
You think you are tough, but you don't compare to me. Money runs everything, and I trust in God to protect me.
Beef, we soldier's, we follow codes, orders (Soldier's they justify everything that you do)
As soldiers, we follow a strict code of conduct and obey orders. We use the fact that we are soldiers to justify our actions.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT F. TEWLOW, RYAN MONTGOMERY, RYAN D. MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Micky Cheeba
This is Hip-Hop at it's best!
GOD'S SOLDIER
ALI VEGAS KILT THIS FREESTYLE