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.
rock city
Royce da 5'9" Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glock stops the tussle, nine shots'll bust you
Pine box'll stuff you, fuck you! ("Fuck you!")
I am not the tussle, niggaz don't know me *skirt* ("COME ON!!")
I'm Detroit's king nigga *skirt* BOW!
Rock City's where niggaz pimp hoes and ball
Strip hoes in bars, steal clothes from malls
Arms, and ya city's got the
Titties saggin' lookin' like they got four arms
Gold bottles, green bottles, Cris' to the don
Niggaz get popped for sellin weed shaked with seeds
If you hate me you hate the D (*vocal scratch*) please!
I'm takin' shit back, to the riots in the sixties
Think I'm lying? Visit me (Where you live?)
Rock city.. rock on!" (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock city" *scratches* (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock city.. rock on!" (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock wit me *scratches* (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock city (Come on the block wit me)
Rock city rock on!" (And come and rock wit me)
Rock.. city.. come on
Rock.. on.. city.. come on!
Suburban and city niggaz hustle together
Long as it's money envolved, niggaz'll tussle together
Long as the hustle's a hustle, the green is green
White is white, nigga we buyin if the price is right
So drop the mics
Everything's on cock, from the shots to the dice
We are not into hype
You can't say we can't work
Either we some plant workers or we some niggaz that plant work
Detroit bitches is bout it
You can just ask any one of ya niggaz that visit about it
Any Seven Mile bitch know how to get rich
She'll fuck you till you sleep PLUS lie to ya bitch
Plus she'll suck and swallow up outta ya dick
And she'll keep a sugar daddy that'll buy her some shit, come on!
Rock city.. rock on! (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock city(Come on and rock wit me)
Rock city rock on! (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock wit me (Come on and rock wit me)
Rock city (Come on the block wit me)
Rock city (And come and rock wit me)
The city with the bars, where the goons with the cars, to produce, here we are.."
Looted casinos, car shuffles, numbers to bet
Disrespect and get a new smile under ya neck
A city full of thug-ass niggaz, and punk-rockers
Alotta niggaz act like Pac so cops watch 'em
And shot blocks up in the black or the light Timbs
White boys, look, act, and rap like Slim ("Hi!")
Fight Music, knife users never respect it
Guns talk (*scratch*) high schools with metal detectors
A city full of Tommy Hirst thumpers
Grant Hill hoopers, Barry Sanders runners, stunners
Chaldeans wit weed connects like whoa!
Type of weed, no need to test like 'dro
Type of cats who got dough, they like ("So!")
You real, then you might go.. (Where?)
"Rock city.. rock on!" (Come on and rock wit me)
"Rock city" *scratches* (Come on and rock wit me)
"Rock city.. rock on!" (Come on and rock wit me)
"Rock wit me" *scratches* (Come on and rock wit me)
"Rock city" *scratches* (Come on the block wit me)
"Rock city" *scratches* (And come and rock wit me)
Detroit Rock City ("Slim Shady")
Won't you come on the block with us? ("Royce the 5'9")
Won't you just come and rock with us? ("Royce the 5'9")
Next Level ("Rock City")
Royce the 5'9" ("Rock")
Slim Shady ("Rock City")
Uh uh, won't you come and rock with us? ("Rock City")
Won't you come on the block with us? ("Rock wit me")
Won't you come and rock with us? ("Rock wit-")
Rock City... touch it... ("Fuck!")
The lyrics of “Rock City” by Royce da 5’9’’ feat. Eminem are a reflection of the reality of the streets of Detroit, where the artists grew up. Royce da 5'9" talks about the hustle, the violence, and the women, the city's virtues and vices. As a narrator, he takes the listener on a journey to the Rock City, where people make money by any means necessary. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, hinting at the use of guns to settle disputes, with Royce da 5'9" and Eminem rapping about the reality of life in Detroit. Eminem's verse talks about the city's criminal activities, metal detectors in high schools, and punk rockers to underline the turmoil in the city.
The title "Rock City" refers to a city where the citizens are all hustlers taking the world by the horns. The song was well received as an anthem of Detroit, even though it was not a mainstream hit. It struck a chord with Royce da 5’9” and Eminem's fans, served as an introduction to Royce to a wider audience, and reminded the rest of the world about Detroit's ongoing struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't stop the hustle, Royce nickel nine
Royce nickel nine is unstoppable in his hustle game
Glock stops the tussle, nine shots'll bust you
Gunshots are the most effective way to end a fight
Pine box'll stuff you, fuck you!
If you mess with Royce, you'll end up dead and buried
I am not the tussle, niggaz don't know me *skirt* ('COME ON!!')
Don't start a fight with Royce because he's not the one you want to mess with
I'm Detroit's king nigga *skirt* BOW!
Royce believes he's the king of Detroit
Rock City's where niggaz pimp hoes and ball
Rock City is a place where people make money in any way they can
Strip hoes in bars, steal clothes from malls
People in Rock City commit crimes to make ends meet
Arms, and ya city's got the
The women in Rock City have sagging breasts
Titties saggin' lookin' like they got four arms
The women in Rock City have very saggy breasts
Gold bottles, green bottles, Cris' to the don
People in Rock City party with expensive alcohol
Niggaz get popped for sellin weed shaked with seeds
People in Rock City get caught selling low quality weed
If you hate me you hate the D (*vocal scratch*) please!
If you hate Royce, you hate Detroit
I'm takin' shit back, to the riots in the sixties
Royce wants to bring back the spirit of rebellion that existed during the sixties
Think I'm lying? Visit me (Where you live?)
If anyone doubts Royce's claim, they can come visit him in Detroit
Suburban and city niggaz hustle together
People of different backgrounds collaborate in their hustle game in Rock City
Long as it's money envolved, niggaz'll tussle together
People will fight over money regardless of their personal relationships
Long as the hustle's a hustle, the green is green
As long as there is money to be made, people will continue hustling
White is white, nigga we buyin if the price is right
People in Rock City don't discriminate against anyone when it comes to making money
So drop the mics
Royce is ready to perform and prove his worth
Everything's on cock, from the shots to the dice
People in Rock City are always on their guard, ready to take action
We are not into hype
Royce and his fellow artists focus more on authenticity than hype
You can't say we can't work
Royce wants everyone to know that he and his crew are hard workers
Either we some plant workers or we some niggaz that plant work
Royce and his crew are either working regular jobs or hustling to make money
Detroit bitches is bout it
Women in Detroit are brave and tough
You can just ask any one of ya niggaz that visit about it
Everyone knows how tough Detroit women are
Any Seven Mile bitch know how to get rich
Women in Seven Mile, Detroit know how to hustle and make money
She'll fuck you till you sleep PLUS lie to ya bitch
Women in Detroit will do whatever it takes to make money
Plus she'll suck and swallow up outta ya dick
Women in Detroit are not shy about sexual acts for money
And she'll keep a sugar daddy that'll buy her some shit, come on!
Women in Detroit use their charm to get rich men to provide for them
Looted casinos, car shuffles, numbers to bet
People in Rock City are involved in a variety of illegal activities to make money
Disrespect and get a new smile under ya neck
People in Rock City don't take disrespect lightly and will resort to violence
A city full of thug-ass niggaz, and punk-rockers
Rock City is full of tough individuals from different backgrounds
Alotta niggaz act like Pac so cops watch 'em
People in Rock City try to emulate Tupac and the police are wary of them
And shot blocks up in the black or the light Timbs
People in Rock City carry concealed weapons in their boots
White boys, look, act, and rap like Slim ('Hi!')
White people in Rock City try to emulate Eminem
Fight Music, knife users never respect it
People in Rock City are always ready to fight and are not above using knives
Guns talk (*scratch*) high schools with metal detectors
Schools in Rock City have to take precautions because of the high rate of violence
Chaldeans wit weed connects like whoa!
Chaldeans in Rock City have a lot of connections to suppliers of weed
Type of weed, no need to test like 'dro
The quality of weed in Rock City is so good that there's no need to test it
Type of cats who got dough, they like ('So!')
People in Rock City who have money are always ready to spend it
Detroit Rock City ('Slim Shady')
Detroit is the city that made Eminem who he is today
Won't you come on the block with us? ('Royce the 5'9')
Royce wants people to come and see what life is like in Detroit
Next Level ('Rock City')
Rock City is on the cutting edge of music and culture
Uh uh, won't you come and rock with us? ('Rock City')
Rock City wants people to come and experience its unique culture
Rock City... touch it... ('Fuck!')
Rock City is intense and not for the faint of heart
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RYAN MONTGOMERY, MARSHALL MATHERS, ANDY THELUSMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind