90059

Album: 90059 (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title track of Jay Rock's second album 90059, this is named after the zip code of his hometown of Watts. The song was produced by by frequent collaborator Tae Beast of Top Dawg Entertainment in-house production team Digi+Phonics and features Lance Skiiiwalker.
  • The song's music video features fellow TDE artist SZA driving a masked and straightjacketed Jay Rock to an abandoned area where she frees him. The clip's concept references the rapper's long-awaited and often-delayed second studio album. "You haven't seen Jay Rock in four years," Top Dawg Entertainment President Dave Free told MTV News. "You've seen him on features and small pieces like that, but you haven't seen him in four years with his own material. So, the concept was, he's been gone and he's insane at this point. Then, SZA metaphorically broke him out, or mentally broke him out."
  • Jay Rock raps about little kids ("snotty nosed rascals") carrying guns ("big ratchet toters") in his hood. MTV News asked Rock why this was important to highlight. He replied: "Because I was one of them. Growing up in the hood, young n----s is out here starving, trying to get it. I was one of them, trying to do what I had do to make a dollar."

    "I feel these young n----s out here that be trying to grind. I respect it. That's why I touched on that. Everything is a repeated cycle, but I still try to be that big brother that might come through like, 'You could do the right thing.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Bob Dylan Lyric Quiz

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.