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.
What Would You Do
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Royce Da 5'9"]
As the clock ticks, we knock off the block quick
Chip off the ol' block of the sixty Steve's our pops
We ? will stick you for your cheese to receive our props (yeah)
Believe it or not, we not evil, we fiending to stop
We ? we crying out to the dire amounts of survival
Beneath the ? dirt for every stem in the grass
Memories pass, I keep 'em working, a vile stem in the hash
He will ? kill a killer feeling like he's killing himself (uh)
He's feeling himself but not that killer but he's that killer himself (yeah)
He's spending his last, fiending looking to turn this cash raw
It's like, Felix Trinidad turning a glass jaw
No, please! You're not that broke thief
I used to approach you like you would've approached me (why?)
Cause you was just like me.
[Chorus:]
What would you do if you knew what he knew?
If you went through, what he been through
If you get him will he come back to get you?
Would you lose, would he lose?
What would you do if he as real as me and you now?
As me and you now, now see it through
Deep in your heart you like to snake and probably fool
But, we in the streets so ? no no no
[Royce Da 5'9"]
Yo, panic and both of us stiff as mannequins, we speak
We ? both got rules to the streets we keep if you cross and we creep
We ? we even cold in the coffin with sheets
We ? was taught in the streets what we fought, our thoughts and beliefs
We ? front on we actors; we love the next nigga
'bout as much as we love our guns and we'll ditch our guns if we have to
Our religion is we niggas that's living
We believe in the Lord, while we unsure 'bout the way it was written
We ? focus on what niggas focus on us
The beam or scope is on us, we teens that just hope to grow up
Uh, I know the shit I said it hundreds of times
Would this bun or this .9 switch with the hands of a one-of-a-kind?
Hell naw!
[Chorus]
In this song, Royce da 5'9" talks about the harsh realities of life in the streets and the difficult choices that one has to make in order to survive. He talks about how he and others in his community resort to violence and crime in order to make ends meet, but they are not inherently evil. Rather, they are simply trying to stop their dire situations from spiraling out of control. He uses powerful metaphors, such as comparing memories to stems in the grass and a killer feeling like he's killing himself, to convey the gravity of these situations.
The chorus poses a hypothetical question to the listeners: What would you do if you were in the same situation as Royce and had to make these tough decisions? Would you risk your life and freedom for money and respect? The chorus serves as a reminder that often times in life, we are quick to judge others without fully understanding their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
As the clock ticks, we knock off the block quick
We move fast and efficiently in the streets, always keeping an eye on time and trying to get ahead
Chip off the ol' block of the sixty Steve's our pops
We come from a long line of street-savvy individuals and carry on the legacy of our forefathers
We ? will stick you for your cheese to receive our props (yeah)
We're not afraid to resort to violence and robbery to gain respect and admiration in our community
Believe it or not, we not evil, we fiending to stop
Despite our actions, we don't see ourselves as inherently evil, but rather feel compelled to do what we need to survive
We ? we crying out to the dire amounts of survival
We're struggling to survive and are desperate for any means to make it in the world
We not desired to beef, just inspired the spiral
We don't actively seek out conflicts or violence, but it often spirals out of control due to the nature of our lifestyle
Beneath the ? dirt for every stem in the grass
Underneath the surface of the streets lies a tangled web of secrets and hidden agendas
Memories pass, I keep 'em working, a vile stem in the hash
We hold onto memories of our past lives and experiences, using them to inform our current actions
He will ? kill a killer feeling like he's killing himself (uh)
Sometimes we feel like we're taking on the same darkness and negativity as those we hurt and kill
He's feeling himself but not that killer but he's that killer himself (yeah)
We may have a perceived sense of self and identity, but the life we lead as killers makes us who we are, for better or worse
He's spending his last, fiending looking to turn this cash raw
We're always looking for ways to make money, even if it means taking great risks or using illegal means
It's like, Felix Trinidad turning a glass jaw
When we find our prey, it's like a boxer aiming for the weak spot in their opponent's defense
No, please! You're not that broke thief
We don't want to be seen as desperate or weak, even if we resort to theft or violence to make ends meet
I used to approach you like you would've approached me (why?)
Once upon a time, we may have seen ourselves in the people we hurt or rob, but now we see them as lesser than us
Cause you was just like me.
We recognize the similarities between ourselves and those we harm, but we choose to ignore them for our own gain
What would you do if you knew what he knew?
If you were in our shoes and knew the harsh realities of street life, what would you do to survive?
If you went through, what he been through
If you experienced the same struggles, traumas, and dangers as us, how would it affect you?
If you get him will he come back to get you?
If we turn on someone or hurt them, will they retaliate and put us in danger?
Would you lose, would he lose?
In this dangerous game of life, there are always winners and losers, but sometimes it's hard to tell who's who
As me and you now, now see it through
Together, let's face the harsh realities of life and try to make sense of it all
Deep in your heart you like to snake and probably fool
Despite the façade of strength and machismo, we have a tendency to deceive and manipulate those around us
But, we in the streets so ? no no no
In this world of danger and deception, there's no room for weakness or naivety
Yo, panic and both of us stiff as mannequins, we speak
In high-pressure situations, we often freeze up or become robotic in our movements and words
We ? both got rules to the streets we keep if you cross and we creep
We live by a certain code in the streets and will defend it at all costs, even if it means resorting to sneaky or underhanded tactics
We ? we even cold in the coffin with sheets
We're so used to the coldness and ruthlessness of the streets that it extends even into death
We ? was taught in the streets what we fought, our thoughts and beliefs
Our worldview and moral compass are shaped by our experiences in the streets, both good and bad
We ? front on we actors; we love the next nigga
We often put on a façade of toughness or indifference to hide our true feelings of love or connection to others, even in our own community
'bout as much as we love our guns and we'll ditch our guns if we have to
Our guns are our lifeline and our means of protection, but we're also not above letting them go if it means survival
Our religion is we niggas that's living
Our way of life and survival in the streets is akin to a religion or way of living that we follow, even if it contradicts traditional values
We believe in the Lord, while we unsure 'bout the way it was written
Despite our harsh exterior and criminal actions, we may still hold onto faith and spirituality, even if it conflicts with our current lifestyle
We ? focus on what niggas focus on us
We're constantly on guard and focusing on those around us, knowing that our enemies or rivals may be watching or plotting against us
The beam or scope is on us, we teens that just hope to grow up
We're constantly being hunted or targeted, even at a young age, and all we can do is hope to survive and make it to adulthood
Uh, I know the shit I said it hundreds of times
We may repeat ourselves or our actions because it's what we know and what works in our world
Would this bun or this .9 switch with the hands of a one-of-a-kind?
In this life-or-death situation, would our decisions or actions change if we knew we only had one chance or were a one-of-a-kind person?
Hell naw!
No, our core beliefs and survival instincts wouldn't change, even with only one chance or opportunity
[Chorus]
These questions and doubts plague us constantly in this dangerous world of street life
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DONYELL BOYNTON, KEN FAMBRO, KENNY HICKSON, ANTONIO MOBLEY, OCZAVIA PITTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karl Fekete
Love this track
lifestraight
Couldn't find this for a long time. Beat is sick.
a-6_grindtime
Love this song
shall7277
Been looking for this forever
DJNightcoreHD
That last part though.
tvpsppplf
Thanks a lot ! Do someone have the lyrics of the discussion that led to the gunfight at the end?