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.
War
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This, means, war!
Want to bring it to, bring it to me?
Want to bring it to me, we in the D
You, we got you
Spot him before he spots you
War! want to bring it to, bring it to me
Want to bring it to me, we in the D
Spot him before he spots you!
[Royce Da 5'9"]
Yo, yo, I roll with the wildest crew in the game
Niggas that'll put two in your frame
With any one of the guns we carry to cock
Aim, only to use on one of you bums, too scary to box
Gimme mines and mines only, you know
Nigga you only a hole which shows in the tone of your flow
The iller the team the iller the regime
Peeling from the scene in trucks, we getting cream or what?
Robbery's the word over extortion
Force niggas to fork over a fortune
Taking you cats into a world you probably ain't never even been before
Before we can even talk
There's money to be made, niggas want to get paid
I ain't playing wit y'all niggas, I'm serious
Try to top the flow or stop the dough
You could get shot fo' sho', your whole block could go
I'm taking the pistol to make it official
Hollow heads make him an issue, making 'em hit you
Feel the force of a real nigga in this
My niggas'll tear the club up
[Chorus]
[Royce Da 5'9"]
Yo, yo, yo, we attack the last nigga that blast
Take him for cash; if he broke, we kicking his ass
Simple as that, either the fifth or the mac
Cripple the cat, you too if you think you could rap
Who fucking with me? Gimme one name
One nigga with versatility like this
Ability like this, it's like this
With me, my flow, you never know what you might get
Prime suspect, and I ain't hit you with half of the rhyme just yet
Niggas wondering why I be calling myself the King
Shh, I'm the King
Who you ever seen that's doing it like me?
What new nigga done came that'll spit shit
That'll sit in your brain, yeah I'm doing my thing
A lot of you niggas'll probably be intimidated by it
When my shit gets played, niggas riot
Shit gets sprayed, but you can't change that
I was doing that in sixth grade
You can take it to the streets with us
All out war, fuck it, everybody heat could bust
[Chorus]
[Royce Da 5'9"]
Yo, yo, my attitude done changed since I became a king
I'm a stranger being, rearranging things
Now that I can afford a Range and rings
I sit and think, I remember when it became a dream
Now I'm living in it, taking the game
To where it's never even been visited, what's my name?
Royce 5'9" (who?) hottest nigga in rap
How I'm figuring that? I'm iller than y'all
Plus all my niggas be more realer than y'all
More crooks and way more killers than y'all
Hot with it with goals, trying to die with over two hundred songs
Ready to go like 'Pac did it
Niggas is out for the cheese
There can only be one King, it's either me or about to be me
We bringing heat with us
Ready to shoot, y'all niggas better recruit, you ain't deep enough
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Royce da 5'9"'s song War are a bold proclamation of dominance, announcing that Royce and his crew are not to be messed with. The chorus sets the tone, declaring that they are ready for war and challenging others to bring it on. Throughout the verses, Royce brags about the weapons his team possesses and their willingness to use them. He asserts his own superiority as a rapper, claiming that no one else can match his versatility and ability to deliver intricate rhymes. He also acknowledges that he has reached the top of the game, but seems to believe that maintaining that position will require constant vigilance and aggression.
There is an unmistakable sense of menace in the lyrics, but it's also clear that Royce takes pride in his toughness and the loyalty of his crew. He revels in the power that comes with his success and is determined to hold onto it at any cost. Overall, the song is a vivid depiction of the life of a successful rapper and the violence and competition that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
This, means, war!
We are now at the point of no return, where all ties are off and hostilities are going to take place.
Want to bring it to, bring it to me?
Are you looking for a fight with me personally? Because if so, here I am, ready to go.
Want to bring it to me, we in the D
If you want to fight me, then you better come to Detroit where I reside and where I can protect myself.
You, we got you
We have your back. You are one of us and we will not let anyone hurt you or bring you down.
Spot him before he spots you
Be on the lookout for potential threats or enemies. Identify them before they have a chance to target you first.
Yo, yo, I roll with the wildest crew in the game
I am affiliated with the most daring and ruthless group of people in the rap industry.
Niggas that'll put two in your frame
My associates are capable of pulling the trigger and firing two bullets at your entire body structure.
Aim, only to use on one of you bums, too scary to box
We are only aiming at those who are too cowardly to engage in a fair fight with fists and punches.
Gimme mines and mines only, you know
I am only interested in earning money for myself.
Nigga you only a hole which shows in the tone of your flow
You are nothing more than a worthless individual whose music is similarly empty and without substance.
The iller the team the iller the regime
The better quality of individuals that are part of a team or regime, the more superior their abilities and influence will be collectively.
Peeling from the scene in trucks, we getting cream or what?
We will be leaving the area casually in our vehicles, possibly with stolen money or valuables obtained from our robbery.
Robbery's the word over extortion
We prefer stealing and taking by force rather than extorting or demanding payment from others.
Taking you cats into a world you probably ain't never even been before
We are taking you into a dangerous and unfamiliar territory with our ways and actions.
Before we can even talk
We will not even consider negotiation or discussion before we've initiated the fight.
There's money to be made, niggas want to get paid
We are motivated by greed and the desire to make more money.
I ain't playing wit y'all niggas, I'm serious
I am not joking or toying around, I am completely serious and ready to engage in combat.
Try to top the flow or stop the dough
If you try to outdo me in rap or interfere with my monetary earnings, you will be met with consequences.
You could get shot fo' sho', your whole block could go
You might get fatally shot, and if you bring others into this you will be held accountable for their lives as well.
I'm taking the pistol to make it official
I am taking out the gun as a symbol to show that I am not playing around and that this is serious business.
Hollow heads make him an issue, making 'em hit you
Using bullets with hollow points will cause more damage and will make the person hit by it more of a problem for their side.
Feel the force of a real nigga in this
Realize the power and strength of a true, authentic individual in this situation.
My niggas'll tear the club up
My associates are capable of causing a disturbance and creating chaos or destruction in any club setting.
Yo, yo, yo, we attack the last nigga that blast
We will strike first against anyone who makes the first move and tries to attack us.
Take him for cash; if he broke, we kicking his ass
If the person is wealthy, we will steal their money. If they are poor, we will physically beat them.
Simple as that, either the fifth or the mac
Our choice of weapon is either a .45 caliber handgun or a MAC-10 submachine gun.
Cripple the cat, you too if you think you could rap
We will attack and injure the person who wants to compete with us in rap music.
Who fucking with me? Gimme one name
Tell me who would dare to challenge me in this industry.
One nigga with versatility like this
I challenge someone to find an up-and-coming rapper who is as talented and versatile as I am.
Ability like this, it's like this
My gift and talent are untouchable and incomparable to others in the industry.
With me, my flow, you never know what you might get
My style is unpredictable and always changing, you never know what to expect from my music.
Prime suspect, and I ain't hit you with half of the rhyme just yet
I am already on the radar and being investigated by the authorities, and I haven't even shown my full capability yet.
Niggas wondering why I be calling myself the King
Many people are curious or confused as to why I refer to myself as the King of rap music.
Shh, I'm the King
I am without a doubt the best and most talented rapper currently operating in this industry.
Who you ever seen that's doing it like me?
I challenge anyone to find a rapper who can do what I do and who operates in the same way as me.
What new nigga done came that'll spit shit
I have yet to see an up-and-coming rapper who is as talented or unique as myself.
That'll sit in your brain, yeah I'm doing my thing
My music is making a lasting impression on my listeners and that is proof that I am doing my job correctly.
A lot of you niggas'll probably be intimidated by it
Many other rappers in the industry are likely intimidated or threatened by my talent and success.
When my shit gets played, niggas riot
My music is so influential that it can cause people to get fired up and react in extreme ways, even to a point where violence is involved.
Shit gets sprayed, but you can't change that
Even though violence may occur as a result of my music, there is no stopping or halting the power and influence it has on people.
I was doing that in sixth grade
I have been involved in violent behavior and tough situations since I was in sixth grade or even earlier.
You can take it to the streets with us
If you want to challenge or confront us, you can do so directly and physically in the streets.
All out war, fuck it, everybody heat could bust
If this conflict were to escalate into all-out war, then anyone and everyone would be using their weapons and causing destruction and harm.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind