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.
Street Hop 2010
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All around me, I'm on point like a octogon
I'm the optimum, I'mma be eating
Until my belly stick out as far as the Octo-mom's
I'm an abomination
I'm an anomaly in conversation, I'm honoring confrontation
With a dime doing dominatrix on her
Disrespect me I'll wet you like condensation, water
And Chris Jericho, where's your daughter?
I'm more than y'all can handle
At the Grammy's I'll send an Indian girl to the podium
To say "No, thank you"
Like Marlon Brando for Oscars, "the Godfather"
Our father, you should praise me
I got some syphilis nun chucks wearing a AIDS gi
That mean I'm sick when I kick shit
Come to my concert get some sars on the tip of your ticket
I'm super cold
I don't spit, I shit, on your whole team
These niggas think I'm from Cleveland
It's something the way I be, dropping the Browns off at the Superbowl
Game time, nigga let's hit the sto'
And if I gave a fuck, this is where the hook would go
This is Street Hop, no rules
The rest of y'all niggas watered down like O'douls
I'm willing to do what you won't do, I'm old school
I'm a mac, I punch rappers cause I'm Pro-Tools
I hit your Pause button, I cease frontin'
You don't start nothing, it still might be something
You don't want nothing? You might have something
If I go over your head, it's cause your ass ducking
Fuck the underground, I rhyme
For them fly mothafuckas that's up, that ain't tryna dumb it down
Fuck radio, fuck video
I live by the Bust' Scenario, what the dealio?
You could stop listening, right now
I'm pussy eating with bitches, I put the dyke down
Cause I'm a diamond, I'm llama rhyming, you Ramadan-in'
Simon says that in my prime I'm here
Everywhere I go it's a crime there
While you on-looking at me in the lawn chair
Cocaine, propane
I'm a living degenerate of the dope game
Relate to it, though you thought you probably couldn't
Put a face to the opposite of how the fake do it
I'm hip hop's savior, the old faithful
Sick shit, stop you off that liquid like brake fluid, this is Street Hop
In these lyrics, Royce da 5'9" is boasting about his skills as a rapper and his ability to stay true to the roots of hip hop. He compares himself to a Rastaman, implying that he is relaxed and high on life. He also compares himself to an octagon, saying that he is always on point from all angles. Royce da 5'9" claims that he is an abomination and anomaly in conversation, which means that he is unique and special compared to other rappers. He also talks about confronting anyone who disrespects him and warns that he will take action if anyone challenges him.
Royce da 5'9" also compares himself to Chris Brown and Chris Jericho, two successful performers in different fields. He claims that he is more than anyone can handle and that his talent is unmatched. Royce da 5'9" even talks about using syphilis nun chucks and AIDS gi to show how sick he is when he performs. He is humble enough to acknowledge that his music might not be for everyone and that he doesn't care about mainstream success.
In the chorus, Royce da 5'9" declares that this is street hop, which means that there are no rules. He accuses other rappers of being watered-down and unwilling to take risks. He also claims that he is willing to do what others won't and that he is old school. He warns other rappers that if they start a fight with him, he will finish it. He encourages people to stop listening to his music if they don't like it because he is confident in his skills.
Line by Line Meaning
I smoke good like a Rastaman
I consume high quality marijuana, similar to a Rastafarian
All around me, I'm on point like a octogon
I am always alert and sharp, like the angles of an octagon
I'm the optimum, I'mma be eating
Until my belly stick out as far as the Octo-mom's
I am the best, and I will continue to succeed until I am wealthy and successful like Octo-mom
I'm an abomination
I'm an anomaly in conversation, I'm honoring confrontation
I am seen as a disgrace or abnormality, and I enjoy and seek out conflicts in discussions
With a dime doing dominatrix on her
Disrespect me I'll wet you like condensation, water
I enjoy kinky sexual activities with attractive women, and if someone disrespects me, I'll retaliate aggressively
I'm a mixture between Chris Brown
And Chris Jericho, where's your daughter?
I have the talent and skills of Chris Brown and Chris Jericho, and I am confident enough to ask where someone's daughter is located
I'm more than y'all can handle
At the Grammy's I'll send an Indian girl to the podium
To say 'No, thank you'
Like Marlon Brando for Oscars, 'the Godfather'
I am too much for others to handle. If I win a Grammy, I will send an Indian girl to refuse the award like Marlon Brando did at the Oscars
Our father, you should praise me
I got some syphilis nun chucks wearing a AIDS gi
That mean I'm sick when I kick shit
I am so skilled that even God should praise me. I have weapons with diseases, and that signifies that I am talented and unique
Come to my concert get some sars on the tip of your ticket
I'm super cold
I don't spit, I shit, on your whole team
My concerts are amazing, even though you may catch a disease. I am so cool that I don't just spit bars, I excrete them onto your whole group
These niggas think I'm from Cleveland
It's something the way I be, dropping the Browns off at the Superbowl
Some people believe I am from Cleveland because of how I perform so well, like dropping feces into a toilet bowl
And if I gave a fuck, this is where the hook would go
I don't care enough about making a chorus, so this is where it would be if I did
This is Street Hop, no rules
The rest of y'all niggas watered down like O'douls
I'm willing to do what you won't do, I'm old school
I'm a mac, I punch rappers cause I'm Pro-Tools
This is a rough genre of rap with no limitations. Other rappers are bland like non-alcoholic beer, but I am old fashioned and willing to do what others won't. I am the master and can hit hard like Pro-Tools software
I hit your Pause button, I cease frontin'
You don't start nothing, it still might be something
You don't want nothing? You might have something
If I go over your head, it's cause your ass ducking
I will make you pause and stop pretending. Even if you don't initiate a conflict, I might still start one. Don't act like you don't want trouble because you might find it. If my lyrics go over your head, it's because you're avoiding confrontation
Fuck the underground, I rhyme
For them fly mothafuckas that's up, that ain't tryna dumb it down
Fuck radio, fuck video
I live by the Bust' Scenario, what the dealio?
I don't care about the underground rap scene, I rap for those who are successful and still appreciate intelligent lyrics. I hate the radio and videos that simplify rap lyrics. I follow the example of Busta Rhymes, what's the problem?
You could stop listening, right now
I'm pussy eating with bitches, I put the dyke down
You don't have to listen to me anymore. I am having oral sex with women, and I am good enough to make lesbians want me
Cause I'm a diamond, I'm llama rhyming, you Ramadan-in'
Simon says that in my prime I'm here
Everywhere I go it's a crime there
While you on-looking at me in the lawn chair
I'm a precious diamond, I am rapping like a llama, and you are fasting during Ramadan while I'm thriving. If Simon says I'm in my prime, then I am. Everywhere I go results in criminal activity happening, while you are just watching me from a distance
Cocaine, propane
I'm a living degenerate of the dope game
Relate to it, though you thought you probably couldn't
Put a face to the opposite of how the fake do it
I have been involved with cocaine and propane, and my life is a mess because of my involvement in drug trafficking. You can understand my situation, even if you thought you couldn't. I am the opposite of those who fake their experiences with drugs
I'm hip hop's savior, the old faithful
Sick shit, stop you off that liquid like brake fluid, this is Street Hop
I am the savior of hip hop, and I am dependable like the geyser Old Faithful. My lyrics are sick and can stop you in your tracks like brake fluid. This is the type of rap that belongs on the streets
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOMINICK LAMB, RYAN D. MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind