Where My Money
Hip-Hop's Currency: Royce Da 5'9" Demands His Dues
Lyrics
I've been fuckin' with this game for a long time, and I'm impatient
Expresses impatience after dedicating a long time to the music industry.
I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
Desperation for financial success to the point of extreme measures.
For starters I'm all about the bread
Priority is money; not primarily an artist, feels like a target.
I ain't no artist, I'm a target
Feels like a victim, not recognized as an artist but as a target.
I'm like the landlord, hip-hop's currently fallin' down the stairs
Compares himself to a landlord overseeing hip-hop's downfall.
"Your rent's due, motherfucker!"
Implies the industry demands payment for participation.
Now who give a fuck about who bar is the hardest?
Questions the relevance of the toughest bars in rap.
When the DJ's think they bigger stars than the artist
Criticizes DJs who overshadow artists in importance.
Ridin' around in Ferraris doin' more "A" and R'in than the "A" and R's
Observes superficial actions by industry figures.
And half them niggas don't even scratch
Commentary on incompetence leading the way.
That's like the blind leadin' the blind leader
Analogizes the industry's direction to the blind leading.
Hip-Hop is like the FBI in the trap readin' the Don Diva
Compares the hip-hop scene to law enforcement in a criminal world.
It makes no sense
Expresses confusion about the industry's workings.
It's ironic how I can straighten you though I stay so bent
Irony in offering guidance despite personal struggles.
I'm about gettin' ends
Focuses on making money, prioritizing financial gain.
Every time my money's on hip-hop, that's every time the house nigga wins
Associates financial success with industry dominance.
Flood in a drought, love in the club, Crip Blood gun talk
Mixes contrasting elements of hip-hop culture.
Ladies and gentlemen! Hip-Hop in one bar
Summarizes hip-hop's complexities in a single line.
I've been fuckin' with this game for a long time, and I'm impatient
Reiteration of impatience in dealing with the music industry.
I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
Reiterates urgency for wealth within a year's span.
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
Directly questions the location of owed money.
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
Repeats the demand for owed money.
I put a cease and desist on this industry shit
Wants to halt certain practices in the industry.
Me makin' a friend means I'll just make an enemy quick
Anticipates hostility in industry relationships.
When niggas think they finna be big, they image is switched
Observes rapid changes in artists' public images.
They go from gettin' beat by a nigga to sweet to a cinnamon whip
Describes drastic shifts in an artist's behavior.
They actin' like they got the Vanna White in "Wheel of Fortune"
Compares industry actions to a game show.
But actually they spinnin' the script
Highlights the manipulation of narratives in the industry.
I tell the, DJ to play mines or we gon' spray ya
Threatens consequences if his music isn’t played.
And that's on every MC's mind, they just don't say it
Believes other artists share his sentiments but don't voice them.
I flame spots, my brain lies and the top is on fire
Confidence in lyrical prowess; boasting.
How you gon' say Nickel Nine ain't risin'?
Asserts his rise in the rap scene.
Rappers no longer have to be on the block lyin'
Comments on the changing nature of rapper authenticity.
You get yo' ass whoopped on the net, you a pop icon
Condemns the consequences of online confrontations.
I spaz like I got the right rhyme
Expresses intense emotion in his rhymes.
I flash like I shot Nikon
Compares his flashiness to a high-quality camera.
I call my motherfuckin' man my money so money stand out
Associates his associate as "money" to stand out.
While I got my motherfuckin' hand out!
Implies asking for help in earning money.
I've been fuckin' with this game for a long time, and I'm impatient
Repeated expression of impatience and frustration in the industry.
I'ma kill somebody if somebody don't make me real rich this year
Repeats the urgency for substantial wealth within the year.
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
Repeats the demand for owed money.
Where my money at? Where my money nigga?
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