A product of Afrikan-centered parents, Saroc developed a rebel mentality from an early age. She grew up on the music of Jimi Hendrix, Gil Scott Heron, and Earth,Wind & Fire. Her musical soundtrack was a klash of sounds, from gogo, to rock, to hip hop. This foundation began an aural quest for different sounds and concepts in music. It wasn’t until 2002, when Sa-Roc met Atlanta producer Sol Messiah, that she began her love affair with the mic.
Dark Horse
Sa-Roc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This a mural of my devotion
Took a couple years to develop my instinct
Now I hunt down every synth, leave the carcass at your doorstep
They give me an inch, bet I'm taking forty acres for my kingdom
And tell 'em it was a cinch like a corset
Funny part is the same people doubted my drive, headed for my lane
Ain't that shit ironic, Mrs. Morrisette?
Probably why my influence hit 'em hard
Leave 'em struggling with the emotions
And if every tear I've cried was measured or verified
Y'all would be treading water in my azure oceans
So I chop and portion these tumultuous memoirs into soundbites
So y'all can sit and digest every morsel
I want every gem I drop to engage 'em
So I ask y'all consider this submission a proposal
I've been banging on these doors, I'm 'bout to kick dem down
We've been trodding on this long and lonely road, road
Been so long, it's time I finally get my victory now
Oh no, they can't deny my strength no more, oh, no, no
This like my confessional, the way I release these feelings
I don't trust a lot of folk and the only priests is killers
Maybe I'm a bit elitist, but my ink is peerless
Want my thesis chiseled onto stone reliefs in Venice, my goodness
I'm a real strong contender in this
They tried to count me out,
But I'm the sum of all fears, extent is endless
Family members got their freedom through amendments, and this
Industry still doubting my constitution for pen ascendance
What a shock, got a gift of the gab
And my knack for the glyphs got 'em gripping the bag
Just relax, no addiction to chips or the cash
Spit a hex on the wax, get my fix from the craft
Every strand of my DNA branded champion
Call it vanity, all of my candids handsome
In demand 'cause I made all of my tragedies anthems
Put the plan into motion and vanished, phantom
Been banging on these doors,
I'm 'bout to kick dem down (Kick dem down)
We've been trodding on this long and lonely road, road
So long, it's time I finally get my victory now (Victory now)
Oh no, they can't deny my strength no more, oh, no, no
I never lied, I'm a certified god of this
Try and refute it, verse immaculate regardless
And every audio release I'm emitting is ear piercing
Send my point of view straight through your cartilage
My bars is Carter rich, Temple of Karnak built
Your faves could never, they don't have the stones to spar with sis
They used to verses 'bout the cat
Well I'm the spawn of Black Panthers,
Rip through any track, leave every letter scarlet
Ashanti gold coast embedded in my scrolls
Broken English the residue of Trans-Atlantic cargo ships
Got a dark past that won't ever see the light
'Cause they down to crucify me for it,
Modern day Iscariots.
Compromise not in the cards, they drawing a blank
'Cause I'm so cutting edge and all these imposters on the brink
My vision changed my career, may cost you yours in a blink
'Cause I'm the Roc, last born from out the warrior ranks
I've been banging on these doors, I'm 'bout to kick dem down
Trodding on this long and lonely road, oh yeah
So long, it's time I finally get my victory now
Oh no, they can't deny my strength no more, no more, ayy
Through the fire, through the rain
Some retire, we still remain
We rising higher, build we name
Call the choir, mek we sing the praises
To Haile I, the king so great
Jah give me life, you can keep the fame
Dem hyping up, we nuh hype with dem
Heavy like a lead, can't deny we strength
The lyrics of Sa-Roc's "Dark Horse" are a powerful depiction of the artist's journey as a Black woman in the music industry. The opening lines suggest that the song is an introspective view of the artist's cerebral cortex, which means that it is a portrayal of her mind, thoughts, and emotions. But in a larger context, the lyrics are also a portrayal of the artist's devotion and commitment to her craft. The lyrics maintain an aggressive tone and assert the artist's dominance in the rap game. She expresses her confidence as an artist, saying that if given even an inch of opportunity, she can take acres and make her kingdom. She also highlights the irony of people heading for her lane while doubting her drive, much like the people that Alanis Morrisette described in her song "Ironic".
Sa-Roc brings out the deep emotions of struggle and pain that have shaped her journey. She calls on her listeners to understand the effort and time she has put into her art, asking them to consider her submission as a proposal. The next verse sheds light on the artist's self-identity, struggles, and achievements. While she admits to being a bit elitist, her ink is peerless and she wants her thesis chiseled onto stone reliefs in Venice. Sa-Roc talks about industry doubters who don't acknowledge her skills and constitution, but she continues to defy the odds and is a strong contender in her field. She celebrates her heritage as the spawn of Black Panthers and her Ashanti gold coast legacy.
In summary, Sa-Roc's "Dark Horse" is a beautifully crafted representation of a Black woman's unwavering commitment to her craft, overcoming obstacles and making her way to the top, despite industry doubters and societal challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
This is more than just a portrait of my cerebral cortex
This is not just a representation of my brain, it's a representation of my dedication and passion.
This a mural of my devotion
This is a large-scale painting representing how committed I am to my craft.
Took a couple years to develop my instinct
It took me a while to sharpen my skills and trust my intuition.
Now I hunt down every synth, leave the carcass at your doorstep
I aggressively seek out and conquer any musical challenge, and leave evidence of my success in my wake.
They give me an inch, bet I'm taking forty acres for my kingdom
I'm not satisfied with just a little success, I'm going to conquer a vast territory and build my own empire.
And tell 'em it was a cinch like a corset
And I'll make it look easy, like tightening a corset.
Funny part is the same people doubted my drive, headed for my lane
Ironically, the same people who doubted me are now trying to follow in my footsteps.
Ain't that shit ironic, Mrs. Morrisette?
Isn't that a funny coincidence, like a scenario from Alanis Morissette's song 'Ironic'?
They don't know I been through it
People don't understand the challenges and hardships I've faced.
Probably why my influence hit 'em hard
That's why my music resonates with people and has a strong impact.
Leave 'em struggling with the emotions
My music evokes strong feelings and leaves listeners emotionally stirred.
And if every tear I've cried was measured or verified
If every struggle I've endured were quantifiable or proven...
Y'all would be treading water in my azure oceans
...you would be overwhelmed and unable to keep up with me.
So I chop and portion these tumultuous memoirs into soundbites
I take my difficult life experiences and turn them into concise, impactful musical moments.
So y'all can sit and digest every morsel
So listeners can fully consume and understand the meaning behind every word.
I want every gem I drop to engage 'em
I intend for every piece of music I release to fully captivate my audience.
So I ask y'all consider this submission a proposal
I want you to view this song as a request to engage with and support my music.
I've been banging on these doors, I'm 'bout to kick dem down
I've been tirelessly working to succeed in my career, and I'm about to achieve my goals.
We've been trodding on this long and lonely road, road
We've been on a difficult and isolating journey for a long time.
Been so long, it's time I finally get my victory now
It's been a long time coming, but I'm finally going to achieve success.
Oh no, they can't deny my strength no more, oh, no, no
People can no longer dismiss or ignore my talent and ability.
This like my confessional, the way I release these feelings
This song is like a confession, where I reveal and confront my innermost thoughts and emotions.
I don't trust a lot of folk and the only priests is killers
I don't trust many people, and the only ones I confide in are the ones who have been through similar struggles.
Maybe I'm a bit elitist, but my ink is peerless
I may come across as arrogant, but I truly believe that my lyricism is unmatched.
Want my thesis chiseled onto stone reliefs in Venice, my goodness
I want my ideas and thoughts to have a long-lasting impact, even being carved into stone for posterity.
I'm a real strong contender in this
I am a serious competitor in the music industry.
They tried to count me out,
People have doubted my abilities and expected me to fail.
But I'm the sum of all fears, extent is endless
But I've faced and overcome my fears, and my potential is limitless.
Family members got their freedom through amendments, and this
My family has experienced the harsh reality of needing laws to grant them freedoms.
Industry still doubting my constitution for pen ascendance
The music industry still doubts my ability to rise to the top based on my songwriting skills.
What a shock, got a gift of the gab
It's no surprise that I excel at speaking and writing, since I have a natural talent for it.
And my knack for the glyphs got 'em gripping the bag
And my ability to use powerful symbols and images keeps my audience engaged and interested.
Just relax, no addiction to chips or the cash
I'm not motivated by wealth or material possessions, I just want to make meaningful music.
Spit a hex on the wax, get my fix from the craft
I find fulfillment and satisfaction in creating music and sharing it with my fans.
Every strand of my DNA branded champion
Every aspect of my being is marked by a drive to succeed and come out on top.
Call it vanity, all of my candids handsome
It may seem vain, but I take pride in my appearance and the way I present myself.
In demand 'cause I made all of my tragedies anthems
People are drawn to my music because I've turned my hardships and struggles into powerful, relatable songs.
Put the plan into motion and vanished, phantom
I act swiftly and decisively to pursue my goals, but then disappear just as quickly, leaving my mark behind.
Through the fire, through the rain
I've endured many trials and hardships throughout my life and career.
Some retire, we still remain
Some people give up or fade away, but I am still here, pushing through.
We rising higher, build we name
We are achieving success and establishing our legacy.
Call the choir, mek we sing the praises
Let's celebrate and acknowledge our achievements together.
To Haile I, the king so great
A reference to Haile Selassie, the former emperor of Ethiopia who is revered as a messianic figure in the Rastafari movement.
Jah give me life, you can keep the fame
I am grateful for the gift of life and success, but I don't prioritize fame or popularity above all else.
Dem hyping up, we nuh hype with dem
Other people may be bragging themselves up, but I prefer to let my music speak for itself.
Heavy like a lead, can't deny we strength
I may be intimidating or weighty, but there is no denying my power and talent.
Contributed by Brody G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nathansteinle1346
Whoever thumbs-down this need to rethink their lives. This song is amazing!
@FrostbiteMadHatter2112
Thank You so much for never selling out, you only get better, Your poetry is therapy for my soul
@tracypointon123
Flying the flag for the ladies. A true Goddess and master mc for our times.
@kendraclark9547
She's blowing my freaking mind with this music 🥰
@miekaford7926
This is the best album to come out of 2020.
@michaelmartino3382
This album was probably top 3 in 2020. She is just different. Most men aren’t fuckin with that flow and passion. Beats bump, production and engineering, and mixing flawless. And her style, wordplay is fire.
@TheKid808raw
Chronixx on this one. Siick. Love from JamRock.
@greggreg1056
Sa roc is one of the few rappers that raps without swearing and without rapping about violence and without naked ladies
@cloud0986
Holy 🙌🏼 mad love & respect to you Sa-Roc and Ras Chronixx. What a gift.
@lewisgilfillan8679
Any thing with Chronixx 🔥🔥