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.
We Live
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We live ladies, so f**k witha nigga like,--me
You not ready, to f**k with a nigga
Oh oh here he comes
Watch out now he'll chew you up
I know you gone here me come
I won't stop, now tell me who you are
I bet you never met nobody like this before
Same game that he grew back from '64
I might rob from a pimp just to give to his whores
I'm just one of the fourty thieves 'bout to get through this door
Take game from a nigga with game and make change
And meanwhile a clean house and take names
I'm a walking million dollar price
A talking billion dollars tight
Feelin' like some zillion dollar ice
I clown on fools
Dump these little rappers in the great lakes and tell 'em the crown don't move
Though you still ramble your lips I still hear you
Just examine your bitch my prints still near you
Once I talk to these hoes, they never talk back
Once they walk through these doors, they never walk back
Niggas better raise they weight, today they late
When Nickle-Nine raid they dates, the player haters..
(Chorus)
We Live ladies
Don't you want to outdo my mind
We Live ladies
Never met no one like you in my life
We Live ladies
I know you gone see my coupe fly by
We Live ladies
Never met no one like you in my life
(Verse 2)
I know you wanna f**k with a nigga that's gangster
Get you to your room, get into your womb
Dig a deeper hole for you watch your face change
Your weight gain, large helmet, Milky Way vane
How long?
Long as the frame of a great dane
Take names that belongs in a frame bronze
I'm 'bout the hottest name cause the sun can't fall
You can't take your eye off your untamed broad
She wanna ride along side of the same wall
Put aside her pride holler and name call
Tell you all types of moves, you don't do
Say it's all in the tounge and the finger, coach you
Women worldwide say Royce your so true
In this real world what sits on a robe rules
How can I be the King down on my knees
This is for the ladies, fellas follow my lead
We just wanna say..
(Chorus)
We Live ladies.
Don't you want to outdo my mind
We Live ladies
Never met no one like you in my life
We Live ladies
I know you gone see my coupe fly by
We Live ladies
Never met no one like you in my life
(Hook)
Oh oh here he comes
Watch out now he'll chew you up
I know you gone here me come
I won't stop, now tell me who you are
(Verse 3)
I'm the calmset, most are most smooth
Whatever they want me to be, I'm no fool
I rhyme for the ladies, rhyme for my fellas
In my heart I'm just an MC that time undeveloped
This one's for your girl, I'm 'bout to help you with her
A dick-to-a-doorstep service that self-delivers
Follow Ma, lot of Prada gotta buy a lot of bling
Follow-badda-swallow-bada-boom-follows-bada-bing
Cantine style, Luis the 13th
After your chick smiles I knew it was working
Rich niggas, you can't beat then join 'em
You can't join us then beat it
Leave us alone you hater you!
(Chorus)
We Live ladies.
Don't you want to outdo my mind
We Live ladies
Never met no one like you in my life
We Live ladies
I know you gone see my coupe fly by
We Live ladies
Never met no one like you in my life
We live ladies, so f**k witha nigga like,--me
You not ready, to f**k with a nigga!
The song "We Live" by Royce da 5'9 is a rap piece dedicated to the ladies. The hook is a warning to all women; the persona of the song is not to be underestimated despite the confident flow, and ladies who are not ready to cope with that kind of person should avoid him. In the first stanza, he brags about his past experiences, and then he robs pimps to give to their whores, that he is one of the forty thieves about to get through the door. Royce da 5'9" uses wordplay and metaphors to show off his wealth, skills, and abilities in the second stanza. He talks about himself as a million-dollar price, zillion dollar ice, and billions of dollar bags. In the third stanza, Royce da 5'9" ensures that, even though he is a badass rapper, he still rhymes for the ladies and that he considers himself an MC that's undeveloped with time.
The lyrics in the chorus "We Live, ladies... never met no one like you in my life" shows how special women are, and how different each woman is. Royce da 5'9" acknowledges the unique qualities of the ladies, and with his flow and style, it shows that he appreciates and respects women. In the first verse, Royce da 5'9" tells everyone his personality, and how he robs from the pimps to give to their whores while in the chorus he lets the world knows that he appreciates and loves the ladies. The song is straightforward; Royce da 5'9" is letting everyone knows that he knows his strengths, capabilities, and his value, and women are precious and appreciated in society.
Line by Line Meaning
We live ladies, so f**k witha nigga like,--me
I am desirable to women, so choose to be with a man like me
You not ready, to f**k with a nigga
You are not prepared to handle a man like me
Oh oh here he comes
Watch out, I am arriving
Watch out now he'll chew you up
Beware, I am powerful and may harm those who cross me
I know you gone here me come
You will be aware of my arrival
I won't stop, now tell me who you are
I am confident and unstoppable, now reveal yourself to me
I bet you never met nobody like this before
You have not encountered anyone like me
Same game that he grew back from '64
I have skills that have been passed down since 1964
I might rob from a pimp just to give to his whores
I am willing to commit theft to help those who are mistreated
I'm just one of the fourty thieves 'bout to get through this door
I am part of a group of rebels about to enter and conquer
Take game from a nigga with game and make change
I can learn from a skilled person and use it to create something new
And meanwhile a clean house and take names
I am focused on success and clearing out those who stand in my way
I'm a walking million dollar price
I am valuable and highly sought after
A talking billion dollars tight
I speak with confidence and worth billions
Feelin' like some zillion dollar ice
I feel as valuable as highly-priced jewelry
I clown on fools
I enjoy teasing and making fun of foolish people
Dump these little rappers in the great lakes and tell 'em the crown don't move
I am capable of defeating my competition and remaining on top
Though you still ramble your lips I still hear you
Even though you talk a lot, I am still listening
Just examine your bitch my prints still near you
I have been with your woman, and evidence of this is still present
Once I talk to these hoes, they never talk back
I am skilled at seducing women and they become obedient to me
Once they walk through these doors, they never walk back
Once they are with me, they never return to their former life
Niggas better raise they weight, today they late
My competitors need to improve, or they will fall behind
When Nickle-Nine raid they dates, the player haters..
When I take over and become successful, those who doubted me will be punished
Don't you want to outdo my mind
Don't you want to be challenged by someone as intelligent as me
Never met no one like you in my life
You are unique and unlike anyone I have encountered before
I know you gone see my coupe fly by
You will notice me when I speed past in my expensive car
I'm the calmset, most are most smooth
I am cool and collected, more than anyone else
Whatever they want me to be, I'm no fool
I am not easily fooled or manipulated into being something I am not
I rhyme for the ladies, rhyme for my fellas
I write music for both women and men to enjoy
In my heart I'm just an MC that time undeveloped
I still have the passion and raw talent of a young rapper
This one's for your girl, I'm 'bout to help you with her
I am about to charm and seduce your woman
A dick-to-a-doorstep service that self-delivers
I can provide sexual satisfaction delivered right to your door
Follow Ma, lot of Prada gotta buy a lot of bling
I am focused on material possessions and following the latest trends
Cantine style, Luis the 13th
I enjoy luxury brands and high-end products
After your chick smiles I knew it was working
I am successful in seducing women and can tell by their reactions
Rich niggas, you can't beat then join 'em
If you can't defeat those with wealth, join them and benefit from their success
You can't join us then beat it
If you can't be a part of our success, then leave us alone
Leave us alone you hater you!
Those who doubt and oppose us should stay away
Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.