Book Of Ryan
Royce da 5'9" · 2018
65 min · 20 tracks · hip-hop
A reflective journey through personal trials interwoven with sharp lyricism and soulful production, showcasing the depth of a seasoned storyteller.
Top tracks — play these first
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Caterpillar Start here — This collaboration with Eminem highlights both artists' lyrical prowess, blending introspection with bravado while tackling themes of growth and perseverance.
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Boblo Boat — In this track, Royce reflects on nostalgia and the complexities of his upbringing, encapsulating his storytelling ability with vivid imagery and emotional depth.
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Strong Friend — This poignant track addresses mental health and vulnerability among men, showcasing Royce's commitment to open dialogue about societal pressures in a heartfelt manner.
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Stay Woke — Here, Royce tackles social justice issues with urgency and clarity, demonstrating his role as a voice for change within the hip-hop community.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends personal storytelling with strong production, though its skits disrupt the overall flow.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate soulful samples and layered production, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The sequencing includes three skits that break up the flow, creating pauses for reflection between more intense lyrical performances.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic exploration of personal themes
- introspective moments for reflection
- soulful production with depth
- wave-like pacing through storytelling
- thought-provoking insights throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
- dislike skits interrupting flow
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — The album showcases Royce's depth and received significant critical acclaim.
- Themes
- Detroit upbringing· mental health dialogue· nostalgic reflections
- Career context
- Book of Ryan is Royce da 5'9"'s sixth studio album, released after a series of critically acclaimed projects that solidified his reputation in hip-hop. Following the success of Layers (2016), this album represents a culmination of his artistic evolution, blending introspective themes with intricate wordplay. At this point in his career, Royce had also gained recognition as part of the supergroup Slaughterhouse and collaborated with numerous high-profile artists.
- Stylistic neighbors
- J. Cole· Big Sean· Kendrick Lamar
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Strong Friend
Royce shifts from personal reflection to addressing societal expectations placed on men regarding emotional expression.
This shift not only deepens the narrative but also challenges traditional notions of masculinity in hip-hop, pushing for broader acceptance of vulnerability.
Tracklist
- 1 Intro 1:29
- 2 Woke 1:33
- 3 My Parallel (skit) 1:09
- 4 Caterpillar Start here 4:43
- 5 God Speed 3:10
- 6 Dumb 3:06
- 7 Who Are You (skit) 2:36
- 8 Cocaine 3:33
- 9 Life Is Fair 2:47
- 10 Boblo Boat 4:42
- 11 Legendary 3:26
- 12 Summer on Lock 3:44
- 13 Amazing 3:44
- 14 Outside 3:19
- 15 Power 6:42
- 16 Protecting Ryan (skit) 3:19
- 17 Strong Friend 2:38
- 18 Anything/Everything 2:10
- 19 Stay Woke 3:15
- 20 First of the Month 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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