The failure of his debut album convinces Columbia not to invest in him. Royce da 5'9" returns independent and is still one of the most talented young MCs to come out of Detroit after Eminem, yesterday friend, today enemy after a feud with the D12 which ends on the street and leads to prison Royce on one side and Proof on the other, tomorrow friend again. Tomorrow will come much later.
Now, the rapper releases his second album. Rhythms are mainly performed from 6 July, together with DJ Premier, Reef, Asar, Ty Fyffe and Mark Bassin. Guests are Cutty Mack, Ingrid Smalls and Six July. The production is there, it's very-well executed in its best moments and is darker throughout the project, presenting a sudden drop in quality around the central section: Asar and Six July don't hit any rhythm ("I Promise", "Gangsta", "TODAY", "I & Me"). Although not at its peak, Royce boasts solid lyrics and interprets them with a more energetic rapping style than in the past, more focused, sharp, hardcore.
Distributed by Koch, it obtains the favor of critics and audiences (top 40 among rap records, fifth among independents): the record is sold by detractors as one of those mid-2000s AZ projects, where Premier soundscape leads directly to the best track of the LP ("Hip Hop" here, the two don't disappoint), nevertheless, this is a much better job than the previous one. The drum picks up a lot of dust and Royce flows well with a gripping fluid style even with less inspired lyrics than usual, repeatedly paying homage to the hip-hop of the past.
Highlights: "Regardless", "Throwback", "Hip Hop", "Death Is Certain, Part 2 (It Hurts)", "Something's Wrong With Him".
Rating: 7/10.
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