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.
Where My Money
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
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I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
For starters I'm all about the bread
I ain't no artist, I'm a target
I'm like the landlord, hip-hop's currently fallin' down the stairs
"Your rent's due, motherfucker!"
Now who give a fuck about who bar is the hardest?
Ridin' around in Ferraris doin' more "A" and R'in than the "A" and R's
And half them niggas don't even scratch
That's like the blind leadin' the blind leader
Hip-Hop is like the FBI in the trap readin' the Don Diva
It makes no sense
It's ironic how I can straighten you though I stay so bent
I'm about gettin' ends
Every time my money's on hip-hop, that's every time the house nigga wins
Flood in a drought, love in the club, Crip Blood gun talk
Ladies and gentlemen! Hip-Hop in one bar
I've been fuckin' with this game for a long time, and I'm impatient
I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
I put a cease and desist on this industry shit
Me makin' a friend means I'll just make an enemy quick
When niggas think they finna be big, they image is switched
They go from gettin' beat by a nigga to sweet to a cinnamon whip
They actin' like they got the Vanna White in "Wheel of Fortune"
But actually they spinnin' the script
I tell the, DJ to play mines or we gon' spray ya
And that's on every MC's mind, they just don't say it
I flame spots, my brain lies and the top is on fire
How you gon' say Nickel Nine ain't risin'?
Rappers no longer have to be on the block lyin'
You get yo' ass whoopped on the net, you a pop icon
I spaz like I got the right rhyme
I flash like I shot Nikon
I call my motherfuckin' man my money so money stand out
While I got my motherfuckin' hand out!
I've been fuckin' with this game for a long time, and I'm impatient
I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
In "Where My Money" by Royce da 5'9'', the lyrics express the frustration and impatience of an artist in the rap game who is trying to make it big. He emphasizes his focus on making money rather than the artistic value of his music. He compares himself to a landlord, who is waiting for his rent, and as he waits, he becomes increasingly frustrated. He believes that some DJs think they are bigger stars than the artists they play and they are more interested in their luxurious lifestyles than the music. He also mentions the irony that he is able to straighten others out when he is in a self-destructive phase himself. The artist also speaks about the importance of reputation, image, and branding in the music industry. The lyrics paint a picture of an artist who is willing to do whatever it takes to make it big and get his money.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been fuckin' with this game for a long time, and I'm impatient
I've been involved in the music industry for a long time and I'm tired of waiting to be successful.
I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
If I don't become wealthy this year, I'm going to be extremely angry and might do something drastic.
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
I want to know where my money is, I'm not going to be satisfied until I get paid.
I put a cease and desist on this industry shit
I've put a stop to the way the music industry is currently operating because it's not working for me.
Me makin' a friend means I'll just make an enemy quick
If I try to make friends in the music industry, it usually doesn't work out, and I end up making an enemy.
When niggas think they finna be big, they image is switched
When other rappers think they're going to be successful, they change their image to fit what they think people want to see.
I tell the, DJ to play mines or we gon' spray ya
I tell the DJ to play my music or there will be consequences.
And that's on every MC's mind, they just don't say it
Every rapper thinks the same thing, but they don't always express it as bluntly as I do.
Rappers no longer have to be on the block lyin'
You don't have to lie about your background or experiences to be a successful rapper anymore.
You get yo' ass whoopped on the net, you a pop icon
Even if you get criticized online, you can still become a popular musician.
I spaz like I got the right rhyme
I'm able to get really into my flow and write great rhymes because I'm passionate and talented.
I flash like I shot Nikon
My rhymes are so good, it's like I captured the moment on camera with a high-quality Nikon camera.
I call my motherfuckin' man my money so money stand out
I refer to my business partner as my money because he's an important part of my success and I want him to be recognized.
While I got my motherfuckin' hand out!
I'm ready to receive my money and won't be satisfied until I have it in my hand.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICHOLAS WARWAR, RYAN MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind