Book of Ryan | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 4, 2018 | |||
Recorded | 2013–2018 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 65:25 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Royce da 5'9" chronology | ||||
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Singles from Book of Ryan | ||||
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Book of Ryan is the seventh studio album by American rapper Royce da 5'9". It was released on May 4, 2018 by Royce's own label Heaven Studios and eOne Music. [3] The album features guest appearances from artists Eminem, J. Cole, Pusha T, Jadakiss, Fabolous, T-Pain, Logic, pianist Robert Glasper, Chavis Chandler, Agent Sasco, King Green, Ashley Sorrell, Melanie Rutherford, and Marsha Ambrosius. Meanwhile, the production was handled by a wide array of producers, including Mr. Porter, S1, Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, DJ Khalil and Frank Dukes, among others. Upon its release, the album received critical acclaim.
Discussing the album in a Vibe interview weeks prior to the release of his sixth album Layers in April 2016, Royce stated Book of Ryan will be a "very personal one" and more introspective than his previous discography, saying that "it's really, really a lot of the stuff that I want to share". [4] He also stated that the album was approaching completion and was going to be released the same year. Little was said about Book of Ryan until after two years of delays for unknown reasons, the tracklist and cover art were revealed on March 22, 2018, after the collaborative release of PRhyme 2 with producer DJ Premier as a part of the duo PRhyme. [5] [6] On the same day, it was also announced that Royce, along with producers Mr. Porter and S1 (both who did production for Layers), are serving as executive producers for the album.
On April 25, Royce officially revealed the producers for Book of Ryan. [7] The next day on April 26, Royce announced the featured artists on the album. [8]
The lead single, "Boblo Boat" featuring J. Cole, was released on March 23, 2018. [9] A music video for the single, directed by Cole, was released on Apple Music and Royce's official Vevo channel three days later on March 26. [10] In "Boblo Boat", the two artists focus on reminiscing on their childhood while the video centers on a group of children going to a local carnival and walking around the park while simultaneously getting into trouble, with frequent references to the Boblo Island Amusement Park. Comedian Cedric the Entertainer makes a cameo in the video as a security guard, who also contributed additional vocals at the beginning of the song.
"Stay Woke", the second single featuring female Detroit singer Ashley Sorrell, was released on April 13, 2018. [11] In the song, Royce talks about his documented past struggles with alcohol addiction, while celebrating how long it has been since he became sober. In an interview with HotNewHipHop on April 13, 2018, Royce elaborated on the choice of "Stay Woke" being the second single for Book of Ryan:
“Stay Woke” is more like an excerpt off the album. When you listen to the album in its entirety, “Stay Woke” serves as a commercial. Like a small gap in the story, just for you to hear some bars for a second. [12]
The third single, "Dumb" featuring Shady Records rapper Boogie, was released on April 19, 2018. It describes Royce and Boogie's frustration with the music industry. Joel Zela of 2DOPEBOYZ described the song being a "bar-for-bar" collaboration and also noted the production, calling it "piano-driven". [13] The fourth and last single, "Caterpillar" featuring Eminem and King Green, was released and accompanied by a music video on May 3, 2018. [14]
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 84/100 [15] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Exclaim! | 9/10 [16] |
HipHopDX | [17] |
HotNewHipHop | 88% [18] |
JOE | [19] |
XXL | [20] |
Upon its release, Book of Ryan was met with widespread acclaim from music critics, receiving a score of 84 from review aggregator Metacritic. [21] Will Lavin of JOE stated that Book of Ryan "proves Royce Da 5’9” is a Top 5 dead or alive rapper, no question. Wearing his heart on his sleeve throughout, the album is an introspective gift that not too many people are capable of giving. Combining transcendent lyricism with incredible instrumental choices, it's an excellent example of how beats and rhymes are supposed to marry one another." [19]
Book of Ryan debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200, with 19,000 album-equivalent units, which included 11,000 pure album sales. [22]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" |
| AntMan Wonder | 1:29 |
2. | "Woke" |
| Key Wane | 1:32 |
3. | "My Parallel (Skit)" |
| Mr. Porter | 1:09 |
4. | "Caterpillar" (featuring Eminem and King Green) |
|
| 4:43 |
5. | "God Speed" (featuring Ashley Sorrell) |
| Mr. Porter | 3:10 |
6. | "Dumb" (featuring Boogie) |
|
| 3:07 |
7. | "Who Are You (Skit)" |
| Mr. Porter | 2:36 |
8. | "Cocaine" |
| DJ Khalil | 3:33 |
9. | "Life Is Fair" |
|
| 2:47 |
10. | "Boblo Boat" (featuring J. Cole) |
|
| 4:42 |
11. | "Legendary" |
| Mr. Porter | 3:26 |
12. | "Summer on Lock" (featuring Pusha T, Jadakiss, Fabolous and Agent Sasco) |
|
| 3:44 |
13. | "Amazing" (featuring Melanie Rutherford) |
|
| 3:44 |
14. | "Outside" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius and Robert Glasper) |
| Mr. Porter | 3:19 |
15. | "Power" |
| 6:42 | |
16. | "Protecting Ryan (Skit)" |
| Mr. Porter | 3:19 |
17. | "Strong Friend" |
| Mr. Porter | 2:38 |
18. | "Anything/Everything" |
| Mr. Porter | 2:10 |
19. | "Stay Woke" (featuring Ashley Sorrell) |
| 3:15 | |
20. | "First of the Month" (featuring T-Pain and Chavis Chandler) |
| Key Wane | 4:21 |
Total length: | 54:59 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
21. | "Caterpillar (Remix)" (featuring Logic and King Green) |
|
| 5:11 |
Total length: | 65:25 |
Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [25]
General personnel
Additional personnel
Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [26] | 27 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [27] | 136 |
New Zealand Heatseeker Albums (RMNZ) [28] | 7 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [29] | 52 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [30] | 78 |
UK Albums (OCC) [31] | 70 |
US Billboard 200 [32] | 24 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [33] | 3 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [34] | 14 |
Ryan Daniel Montgomery, known professionally as Royce da 5'9", is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Montgomery is currently one half of the rap duo Bad Meets Evil with fellow Detroit rapper Eminem, and is one half of the hip hop duo PRhyme with producer DJ Premier. He was also one quarter of the Shady Records hip hop group Slaughterhouse with Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Kxng Crooked. Alongside his recording career, Montgomery served as a ghostwriter for the likes of Puff Daddy and Dr. Dre. Online magazine About.com ranked the rapper as one of the "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)".
Bad Meets Evil is an American hip hop duo composed of Detroit-based rappers Royce da 5'9" (Bad) and Eminem (Evil). Bad Meets Evil was formed in 1998, thanks to the duo's mutual friend, Proof. The group's name comes from the song "Bad Meets Evil" on the Slim Shady LP in 1999, which featured Royce da 5'9". Their discography consists of one extended play (EP) and four singles. In 1999, the duo released a double non-album single, "Nuttin' to Do" and "Scary Movies"; the former peaked at 36 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, while the latter peaked at 63 on the UK Singles Chart and was featured on the soundtrack of the 2000 horror comedy parody film Scary Movie.
This is the discography of American rapper Royce da 5'9" consists of 8 studio albums, 6 collaboration albums, 11 mixtapes and 30 solo singles, including 14 as a featured artist, and 18 music videos.
Recovery is the seventh studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on June 18, 2010, by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. It serves as a direct follow-up to last year’s Relapse (2009). Production of the album took place during 2009 to 2010 at several recording studios and was handled by various record producers, including Alex da Kid, Just Blaze, Boi-1da, Jim Jonsin, DJ Khalil, Mr. Porter, and Dr. Dre. Eminem also collaborated with artists such as Pink, Lil Wayne, Slaughterhouse and Rihanna for the album.
"Rock City" is a song by American rapper Royce da 5'9", released as the third single from his debut album, Rock City , which was released in 2002 through E1 Music and Game Recordings, after another record label had turned down his first version of the album. The song also features vocals from rapper Eminem, becoming Eminem's debut appearance on one of Royce's solo albums. The single was released on January 5, 2002, the same date as its same titled album was released. "Rock City" charted at #99 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart in 2002. Not counting Bad Meets Evil or Slaughterhouse songs, "Rock City" is Royce da 5'9"'s most successful single chart-wise.
"No Love" is a song by the American rapper Eminem, featuring fellow American rapper Lil Wayne, from Eminem's seventh studio album Recovery (2010). It was released as the third official single from the album. It impacted radio on October 5, 2010. "No Love" was produced by American hip hop record producer Just Blaze. The song samples "What Is Love" by Haddaway. It features the chorus of the song as the backing vocals. "No Love" reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has sold more than a million digital downloads in the United States. It was ranked the 8th best song of 2010 by Complex.
Hell: The Sequel is the debut extended play by Bad Meets Evil, an American hip hop duo composed of Royce da 5'9" and Eminem. It was released on June 13, 2011, in some countries, by Shady Records and Interscope Records and it was released on June 14, 2011, in the United States. The EP incorporates various styles such as hardcore hip hop and horrorcore. In May 2011, the album's title and artwork was revealed. The EP features the executive producers Eminem and Mr. Porter, with production handled by Bangladesh, Sid Roams, Havoc, DJ Khalil, The Smeezingtons and Supa Dups, among others.
"Fast Lane" is the lead single by hip hop duo Bad Meets Evil, a group composed of Royce da 5'9" and Eminem, from their first EP Hell: The Sequel. The single was produced by Eminem, Supa Dups, and Jason "JG" Gilbert, and released on May 3, 2011 by Shady Records. It features uncredited vocals by Sly Jordan on the chorus. A music video was created by director James Larese of music video direction group Syndrome. The music video features animated visuals and kinetic typography, with cameo appearances by Mr. Porter and Slaughterhouse. Fans and critics considered it a return to Eminem's Slim Shady alter ego. Texas rapper Chamillionaire released a remix.
"Writer's Block" is the first single by Royce da 5'9" that was released on March 29, 2011. The song appears on his fifth studio album, Success Is Certain that was released on the record label Gracie Productions. The song features rapper Eminem, though he only sings the hook and speaks in the intro. It is produced by StreetRunner, and co-produced by Sarom Soundz. "Writer's Block" charted at #199 in the UK and #4 in the US on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles charts. "Writer's Block" is available as a digital download from iTunes, there is no CD single for the song however.
Success Is Certain is the fifth studio album by rapper Royce da 5'9" released on August 9, 2011. The first single is "Writer's Block" featuring Eminem, which was released in March 2011. Production for the album came from DJ Premier, Mr. Porter, Eminem, Nottz, Streetrunner, The Futuristiks and The Alchemist among others. Guest appearances include Eminem, Joe Budden, Kid Vishis and Travis Barker.
Welcome to: Our House is the second and final studio album by hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, consisting of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9". The album was released on August 28, 2012 via Shady Records and Interscope Records. This would also be their only major label album before disbanding on April 26, 2018.
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is the eighth studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on November 5, 2013 by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The album is Eminem's last to have the involvement of independent label Web Entertainment. It serves as a sequel to his third album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000). Recorded from 2012 to 2013 with several producers, Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin served as executive producers for The Marshall Mathers LP 2. It features guest appearances from Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Nate Ruess, and rapper Kendrick Lamar, among others.
Shady XV is a hip hop compilation album performed by various artists of Shady Records. The double disc album was released on November 24, 2014, by Shady Records and Interscope Records. The album was released in honor of the label's 15th anniversary and as its 15th project. The compilation consists of two discs, the first featuring new material from Shady Records artists such as Slaughterhouse, Bad Meets Evil, D12 and Yelawolf, as well as the label's founder Eminem. The second disc includes the label's greatest hits, also featuring former Shady Records members. All previous and current members of the label are represented on the album.
PRhyme is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo PRhyme, consisting of Royce da 5'9" and DJ Premier. The album was released on December 9, 2014, through their own record label PRhyme Records. The album features guest appearances from rappers Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, Common, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Slaughterhouse, Mac Miller and soul singer Dwele. PRhyme features production by DJ Premier, as well as samples from psychedelic soul composer and producer Adrian Younge. The album was supported by the single "Courtesy". A sequel, PRhyme 2, was released on March 16, 2018.
"Detroit vs. Everybody" is a song by American rappers Eminem, Royce da 5'9", Big Sean, Danny Brown, Dej Loaf and Trick Trick, featured on the 2014 Shady Records compilation album Shady XV. Produced by Statik Selektah and Eminem, it was recorded in Ferndale, Michigan, Oak Park, Michigan and Brooklyn, New York. The song was released as the fourth and final single from the album on November 11, 2014.
PRhyme 2 is the second studio album by American hip hop duo PRhyme, consisting of Royce da 5'9" and DJ Premier. Produced entirely by DJ Premier, the album features samples composed by producer AntMan Wonder. It was released on March 16, 2018 via their own record label PRhyme Records and INgrooves Music Group, and is a sequel to the eponymous album PRhyme. The album features guest appearances from rappers 2 Chainz, Big K.R.I.T., Dave East, Rapsody, Roc Marciano, Yelawolf, Chavis Chandler, bassist Brady Watt and singers Novel, CeeLo Green and Denaun Porter.
"Caterpillar" is a song by American rapper Royce da 5'9", released as the fourth single from his seventh studio album Book of Ryan (2018). The song features guest vocals from rappers Eminem and King Green. The song is produced by American record producers Symbolyc One and Epikh Pro, and was released for digital download through iTunes on May 3, 2018.
Kamikaze is the tenth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on August 31, 2018, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records, and without prior announcement. The album features guest appearances from Joyner Lucas, Royce da 5'9", Jessie Reyez, and uncredited vocals by Justin Vernon from the band Bon Iver. Eminem, credited as Slim Shady, and Dr. Dre served as executive producers, while production was handled by Eminem himself alongside a variety of producers such as Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Ronny J, Mike Will Made It, frequent collaborator Luis Resto, and others.
Music to Be Murdered By is the eleventh studio album by American rapper Eminem. It was released on January 17, 2020, by Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. It was released with no prior announcement, in a similar fashion to his previous studio album Kamikaze (2018). The album was produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre, amongst other producers. It features guest appearances from Skylar Grey, Young M.A, Royce da 5'9", White Gold, Ed Sheeran, the late Juice WRLD, Black Thought, Q-Tip, Denaun, Anderson .Paak, Don Toliver, Kxng Crooked and Joell Ortiz. The album's title, cover art, and concept are inspired by Alfred Hitchcock and Jeff Alexander's 1958 spoken word album Alfred Hitchcock Presents Music to Be Murdered By. The album was supported by two singles: "Darkness" and "Godzilla". Alongside the album's surprise release, Eminem also released the music video for "Darkness", which revolves around the 2017 Las Vegas shooting from the point of view of the perpetrator Stephen Paddock alternating with Eminem's own.
The Allegory is the eighth studio album by American rapper Royce da 5'9". It was released through eOne Music on February 21, 2020. It features guest appearances from Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, KXNG Crooked, Cyhi the Prynce, DJ Premier, Eminem, Grafh, Sy Ari da Kid, T.I., Vince Staples, Westside Gunn, and Cedric the Entertainer among others. Production was handled by Royce da 5'9" himself on all of the album's tracks, making it his first album to be entirely self-produced.
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