Released 10 years ago
Layers
Royce da 5'9" · 2016
63 min · 17 tracks · hip-hop
A deeply introspective journey where personal struggles intersect with sharp social commentary over intricate beats.
Top tracks — play these first
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Tabernacle Start here — Opening the album with a poignant narrative about loss and reflection, this track sets the tone for the entire project through its vulnerable storytelling.
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America — In this politically charged track, Royce critiques societal issues with biting commentary, making it a standout for its relevance and thought-provoking lyrics.
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Layers — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of peeling back personal layers, showcasing Royce's lyrical dexterity and emotional honesty.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical composition and intricate production but has moments of uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a nearly seven-minute track that sets a reflective tone, featuring layered storytelling and complex rhyme schemes.
- Several tracks incorporate skits that serve as interludes, breaking up the flow and adding context to the themes explored in the songs.
- The production features intricate beats that blend traditional hip-hop elements with modern sounds, creating a rich backdrop for the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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 journey with varied pacing
- personal introspection through layered narratives
- hard-hitting beats for reflection
- emotional depth in every track
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents a significant artistic high point in Royce's career with deep lyrical content.
- Career context
- When 'Layers' was released in April 2016, Royce da 5'9" was experiencing a creative resurgence following his previous album, 'House of Bars'. This album marked a significant moment in his career as it highlighted his maturation as an artist, showcasing his storytelling prowess and emotional depth after years of navigating the complexities of fame and personal challenges.
- Stylistic neighbors
- J. Cole· Big Sean· Kendrick Lamar
Tracklist
- 1 Tabernacle Start here 5:19
- 2 Pray 4:05
- 3 Hard 5:51
- 4 Startercoat 3:36
- 5 Wait 3:12
- 6 Shine (skit) 0:27
- 7 Shine 5:18
- 8 Lincoln (skit) 1:57
- 9 Flesh 3:31
- 10 Hello (skit) 1:29
- 11 Misses 4:09
- 12 Dope! 4:03
- 13 America 4:23
- 14 Layers 4:20
- 15 Quiet 4:07
- 16 Gottaknow 3:55
- 17 Off 3:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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