Success Is Certain
Royce da 5'9" · 2011
40 min · 11 tracks · hip-hop
A confident blend of introspective lyricism and gritty beats, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of urban life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Legendary Start here — Kicking off the album with a powerful declaration, this track sets the tone for Royce's assertive exploration of personal success and resilience.
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Merry Go Round — This track delves into the cyclical nature of life and struggles, blending catchy hooks with reflective verses that highlight Royce's storytelling strength.
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I Ain’t Coming Down — With its defiant lyrics about perseverance against adversity, this song exemplifies Royce's determination and refusal to succumb to pressures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyricism and production but doesn't fully stand out in the broader hip-hop landscape.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and emotional shifts.
- Lyrically, Royce employs intricate rhyme schemes and storytelling techniques, often switching between personal reflections and social commentary.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response elements, enhancing the dynamic between Royce's verses and the production.
- 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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6/10
- 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- gradual builds and payoffs
- dynamic emotional journeys
- immersive storytelling experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked a resurgence in Royce's career after his collaboration with Eminem.
- Career context
- By the time Royce da 5'9" released Success Is Certain in January 2011, he was experiencing a resurgence following his collaboration with Eminem on the track 'Hell: The Sequel'. This album marked his fourth studio effort and solidified his position in the hip-hop landscape as a respected lyricist known for his complex wordplay and thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- J. Cole· Big Sean· Kendrick Lamar
Tracklist
- 1 Legendary Start here 4:49
- 2 Writer’s Block 4:35
- 3 Merry Go Round 2:40
- 4 Where My Money 3:14
- 5 ER 2:54
- 6 On the Boulevard 3:47
- 7 I Ain’t Coming Down 3:44
- 8 Security 3:39
- 9 Second Place 3:46
- 10 My Own Planet 3:36
- 11 I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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