Rhode Island men’s basketball sixth-year guard RJ Johnson released his single “Rhody Boys” on Jan. 30, referencing the team’s full roster throughout. A month later, I can confidently bring you my breakdown of the song’s lyrics, since Genius somehow hasn’t already jumped all over it.
Official lyrics, transcribed by me, annotated by me, to the best of my ability:
[Intro]
(brrt)
(brrt)
(brrt)
(brrt)
(brrt)
yuh
(come on)
(hm, FM)
yuh
YUH
[Verse 1]
I’m the king of my city like DK, he putting on for the ‘Ville
Johnson references second-year guard Damone King and King’s hometown of Louisville, Ky.
If you reach, I teach, but you might learn if TC going for steals
Johnson references seventh-year guard Tyler Cochran, the 2023-24 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, who has been a magnet for steals throughout his career. Cochran currently leads the Atlantic 10 Conference in total steals and steals per game, highlighted by a program single-game record of nine steals against Stonehill College on Nov. 11, 2025.
J-Harper, rook on fye, you hear sirens know this ain’t no drill
Johnson references his teammate, first-year guard Jalen Harper. In his first season, Harper has seen strong bench minutes and been a key contributor at times.
I’m screaming, ‘Allstate,’ we in good hands when J-Five shooting the pill.
Johnson references the insurance company Allstate and its iconic slogan, “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate.”
Johnson also references fourth-year Jonah Hinton, who wears the number five for the Rams. Hinton has been Rhody’s biggest deep threat this season, with a program-record tying nine three-point makes against Saint Louis on Feb. 17 being his magnum opus.
They call me two-two paid, like need no money, bout tall as the tree on the hill
Johnson references himself and his jersey number of 22, comparing his wealth to the height of a “tree on the hill.”
Got bad boys like the Pistons, call Mo Sow cause all they gon know is to kill
Johnson references the “Bad Boy Pistons,” an era for the Detroit Pistons from 1986 to 1992, where the team was notorious for physical defense and aggressive play.
Johnson also references fifth-year forward Mouhamed Sow, whose season was cut short due to injury.
Used to have dreams of touching the moon. I saw Keey jump, and I knew it was real
Johnson references fifth-year forward Keeyan Itejere; his high-flying ability has created numerous highlight-reel dunks around the rim this season.
How you get buckets without making moves? AC get 20. That boy don’t chill
Johnson references fifth-year forward Alex Crawford, who hasn’t scored more than 14 points in a game this season.
[Chorus]
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
[Verse 2]
I got a sniper on the loose (brrt, brrt), where B-Lo at?
Johnson references first-year guard Barrett Loer, questioning where he is. The talented freshman showed flashes in the preseason and was thought to be a potential key cog off the bench this season. Instead, Loer has played sporadically. He played six minutes against La Salle University on Saturday, over a month after his previous appearance. With just four appearances this season, and no known injury issues, many have wondered what gives.
Tryna ball just like I’m Jimmy
Johnson references fourth-year guard Jimmy Ball, who has not appeared in a game since his sophomore season. Could we see the walk-on one more time before graduation? Only time will tell.
If we took a loss, they needed that
URI’s 12-15 overall record and 6-8 conference record include numerous losses that the team needed to grow from. Rhode Island’s season has been characterized by surprise wins and poor losses; the team’s struggles against bottom-of-the-conference opponents such as La Salle, Loyola University Chicago and Fordham University have soured a potentially strong season.
Tripp coming with a lot of sauce, gon dress it up like where the season at?
Johnson references third-year swingman Jahmere Tripp, who was the team’s leading scorer for a short stretch before suffering an injury. Tripp’s talent to score at all three levels and finesse for his size have been missed as the team hopes to have him back to finish the regular season and compete in the A-10 Tournament.
Myles Corey, vet, one-of-one, it’s a bad scene tryna reenact
Johnson references sixth-year guard Myles Corey; his veteran presence and one-of-one tenacity and aggression on offense have been one of the most consistent things about the Rams’ offense this season.
[Bridge]
If we outside
If we outside
If we outside
If we outside
We outside
We outside
We outside
Where Drissa at?
Johnson references fifth-year forward Drissa Traore, questioning where he is at. Unfortunately, the answer is likely behind the three-point line. Traore is 2-13 from distance this season, accounting for over half of his field goal attempts. In limited minutes this season, his shot selection on offense has been curious, given the success rate.
[Verse 3]
Jae a Cranston baby, he put R.I. on the map
Johnson references second-year guard Jaymien Aponte and his hometown of Cranston, R.I. The walk-on was a pure scorer for Cranston High School West, scoring a career-high 26 points to take down Coventry High School in 2024 for his team’s first playoff win since 2019. As the only in-state product on the roster, it could certainly be said that Aponte is putting R.I. on the map.
Hall of Fame flow, Von Perry, Spring, Mass.
Johnson references first-year forward Javon Perry and his hometown of Springfield, Mass. Springfield is home to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, hence “Hall of Fame flow.”
Big Moek, I can’t wait to have you back, baby
Johnson references second-year center Moek Icke, who has not appeared in a game while working back from a heart surgery that sidelined him for the entirety of his freshman year.
[Chorus]
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
Rhody boys come on, baby, Rhody boys let’s go
