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.
Who Am I
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I exist in you, I'm wit' you get your sense of the call
I have no sense of humor, I vent, you must
Stay the fuck out of my way, I'm too much
I'm the first to let you know if something is real, I come
Right before the comforter squeal, I'm something you feel
Go ahead try to fight with me nigga do the best that you do
I could be hard, I could be soft I'll even let you choose
Always show up unannounced on you nigga, I'm kinda sick
What that nigga shoot that gun at me for, you still alive
I'm a riot not numb anymore nigga now die
I command fear, so be afraid, be very afraid
You get carried away, then I'm a see you
Nigga you better keep the heater with you
I'm waiting for you dog
Cause there's somebody that want to see me with you
Keep an attitude, I'm evil
Spiteful, stay mad at you motherfuckin' practical people
Trust the one you love and I'm a make you cry
You even try to fight drugs and I'm a take its side
The only thing that stronger than me is time, and yours is limited
And I'm involved in it 'til you all finished
I despise you, that's why I surprise you
Even if your mother dies I'm a fuckin' remind you
I want you walking in front of a truck or a car
Cause I hangs out at these hospitals like a club or a bar
If you afraid; be, cause I'm so hard
Only one who can stop me is your God that made me
So, he is your witness, I am your sickness
I got every human being alive on my hitlist
I'm still in your way, I'm still under your skin
You don't want me but you would give me away? Then fuck you
Niggas better know than I'm something they'll never know
All you'll ever know is that hurt his name
[Chorus: x2]
Nigga I'm pain (Pain; I'm comin' for you)
You know that I will hurt you (I'm comin' for you)
You know I'll rise to hurt you (I'm comin' for you)
And you know I'll be back soon
Nigga I'm pain (Pain)
Yeah, I hope you like the name (I'm comin' for you)
No need to fight the pain (He will be comin' for you)
Cause he will strike a-gain
I'm Pain
I'ts gotta hurt Its gotta hurt
Its gotta hurt (Pain)
I know, Its gotta hurt
Pain, Pain, Pain, Pain
Royce da 5'9" in his song "Who Am I" talks about Pain, which is portrayed as a personification of the suffering and inescapable reality of life. Royce uses this character to illustrate the omnipresence and relentlessness of pain. Pain is not something one can negotiate with but it is there. He describes Pain as a menacing figure, who is always present and can strike someone mentally or physically at any given time. Pain represents an unavoidable reality that everyone has to face, sooner or later. Pain is relentless and never takes a break.
Royce depicts Pain as an entity that invades everything, even one's sense of humor. Pain is always around, lurking and waiting. He portrays this character as someone who takes their time and will creep up on you without warning. Royce mentions, "I exist upon the impact of a flying fist," which shows how Pain doesn't even need a reason to show up. Pain is also vengeful and petty, as he's waiting for someone to take his anger out on. He is always prevalent, lurking in the background or waiting for an opportunity to create havoc.
In conclusion, the song "Who Am I" by Royce da 5'9" is a compelling description of Pain, the inescapable aspect of life. He describes Pain as an omnipresent entity that can strike anyone physically or mentally at any given time. Pain creeps up on an individual without a warning and even influences their sense of humor. It is the representation of the unavoidable reality of life and the vengeful and menacing figure waiting to attack when life gives the chance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo I could strike physically or mentally or
I have the power to inflict harm on you both physically and mentally
I exist in you, I'm wit' you get your sense of the call
I am a part of you and I influence your instincts and reactions
I have no sense of humor, I vent, you must
I don't find joy in anything and when I need to release my frustrations, you better stay out of my way
Stay the fuck out of my way, I'm too much
I am too much to handle, so don't even attempt to get in my path
I'm the first to let you know if something is real, I come
I am authentic and I make sure to make it clear
Right before the comforter squeal, I'm something you feel
Before you even have time to react, I have already made an impact
Go ahead try to fight with me nigga do the best that you do
If you want to try to fight me, go ahead and try your best
I could be hard, I could be soft I'll even let you choose
I have the ability to be both tough and gentle, and I'll let you decide which side you want to see
I exist upon the impact of a flying fist
I am a result of violence and aggression
Always show up unannounced on you nigga, I'm kinda sick
I come out of nowhere and I am unpredictable and uncontrollable
What that nigga shoot that gun at me for, you still alive
Even if someone tries to take me out, I am still here and alive
I'm a riot not numb anymore nigga now die
I am a destructive and chaotic force that can cause death
I command fear, so be afraid, be very afraid
I make people scared, so you should be very scared of me
You get carried away, then I'm a see you
If you let your guard down, I will come after you
Nigga you better keep the heater with you
You need to have a weapon with you to defend yourself from me
I'm waiting for you dog
I am coming after you and I am waiting for you
Cause there's somebody that want to see me with you
Someone wants to see us together, and that means I'll be causing pain and harm to you
Keep an attitude, I'm evil
You better be ready for me because I am pure evil
Spiteful, stay mad at you motherfuckin' practical people
I am full of resentment and anger towards anyone who tries to approach me logically
Trust the one you love and I'm a make you cry
Even if you trust and love someone, I can still hurt you and make you cry
You even try to fight drugs and I'm a take its side
Even if someone tries to fight addiction, I will still support and encourage it
The only thing that stronger than me is time, and yours is limited
The only thing more powerful than me is time, and your time is running out
And I'm involved in it 'til you all finished
I am a part of your life until the very end, when you die
I despise you, that's why I surprise you
I hate you so much that I want to catch you off guard and hurt you when you least expect it
Even if your mother dies I'm a fuckin' remind you
Even if you are grieving the death of a loved one, I will still be there to remind you of the pain
I want you walking in front of a truck or a car
I want you to die a violent and tragic death
Cause I hangs out at these hospitals like a club or a bar
I am present in hospitals because people are always getting hurt and dying
If you afraid; be, cause I'm so hard
If you are scared of me, it's for good reason because I am incredibly strong and powerful
Only one who can stop me is your God that made me
The only force that can overpower me is the God who created me
So, he is your witness, I am your sickness
God is watching as I make you suffer and inflict pain on you
I got every human being alive on my hitlist
I am capable of causing pain and suffering to every human being on earth
I'm still in your way, I'm still under your skin
I am still causing problems and making you suffer, even if you try to ignore me
You don't want me but you would give me away? Then fuck you
You don't want me, but if you try to give me to someone else, I will just hurt you even more
Niggas better know than I'm something they'll never know
You can never fully understand or comprehend the pain and suffering that I am capable of causing
All you'll ever know is that hurt his name
The only thing you need to know about me is that I am pain
[Chorus: x2]
Nigga I'm pain (Pain; I'm comin' for you)
I am Pain and I am coming for you
You know that I will hurt you (I'm comin' for you)
You know that I will cause you pain and suffering
You know I'll rise to hurt you (I'm comin' for you)
No matter what, I will always be there to hurt you
And you know I'll be back soon
I will always come back and hurt you again and again
Nigga I'm pain (Pain)
I am pain
Yeah, I hope you like the name (I'm comin' for you)
You better get used to the name Pain because I am always coming for you
No need to fight the pain (He will be comin' for you)
You can't fight me, Pain, because I will always come for you
Cause he will strike a-gain
I will keep striking and hurting you again and again
I'm Pain
I am Pain
I'ts gotta hurt Its gotta hurt
I am going to cause you a lot of pain and suffering
Its gotta hurt (Pain)
You will feel the full force of Pain
I know, Its gotta hurt
I am aware that I am causing you pain
Pain, Pain, Pain, Pain
I am Pain, and I will keep inflicting pain
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RYAN MONTGOMERY, CARLOS BROADY, EARL W. KLUGH, DAVID GRUSIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind