royce da 5'9"-rock city (version 2.0)

i n f o

label........: n/a
date ripped..: 03.18.2007
date released: 00.00.0000
url..........: n/a

release size.: 74,3 MB
encoder......: Lame 3.97 V2
bitrate......: avg. 163kbps
mode.........: Joint-Stereo

tracks.......: 15
source.......: CDDA

ripper.......: n/a

n o t e s

Finally arriving with a full-length after appearing on
records with Eminem, Dr. Dre, Method Man, DJ Premier,
and even Willa Ford, Royce da 5'9" makes the most of
his growing exposure on Rock City [Version 2.0]. The
disc was meant for release in 2000, but after label
intervention and multiple problems with the final
product, it took a massive overhaul of the tracks and
production to arrive at the final version of Rock
City, hence the subtitle [Version 2.0]. But the wait
was worth it, as Eminem's old hype-man steps out of
his friend's shadow on the awesome tracks here.
Boasting a voice like vintage LL Cool J but without
the grit, Royce tells intriguing tales of
self-reflection that have become a staple of Detroit
MCs. His smooth delivery is complemented by the liquid
funk production, carrying his vocals over a bed of
bouncing beats and sensual synths courtesy of DJ
Premier and the Neptunes, among others. The rollicking
hometown anthem "Rock City" includes Eminem on the
snappy chorus, but the verses are pure Royce as he
waxes philosophical his role in the Motor City scene.
The funky "Mr. Baller" brings the Clipse and Pharrell
Williams into the picture, and Royce holds his own and
more against the production mastermind and his
protΘgΘs. And "Boom" was fantastic as a single, but
the new album version reveals what a multi-layered
masterpiece DJ Premier put together for the Detroit
MC. But most tracks don't necessarily stand out on
Rock City; instead they act more as a pieces of a
complete picture of an MC that is still actively
connected to the underground. From the beats to his
rhyming style, Royce rarely attempts to do anything
that resembles commercial rap. The awesome "Take His
Life" is a perfect example; the harsh beat and sparse
piano samples carry Royce's thoughtful defense of his
murder fantasies with an eerie clarity, but despite
being one of the best songs on the album, it could
never survive as a single. This is rarely a detriment,
although a few tracks suffer from being indistinct
because of his attitude towards hooks and poppy
touches. But when the songs are as powerful as
"Soldier's Story," it's hard to argue with his method.
Royce had been unfairly labeled as an Eminem creation
in the past, but Rock City [Version 2.0] reveals an
exciting voice that has little in common with his
former running buddy. Instead, he brings the
underground to the mainstream and crafts an album that
isn't perfect, but is an endearingly gruff, dense, and
promising debut.
(AMG)

d a t a

#    t r a c k  n a m e                         t i m e

01-  It's Tuesday                        [03:02]
     (produced by Nashiem Myrick)
02-  Rock City ft. Eminem                       [04:13]
     (produced by Red Spyda)
03-  Off Parole ft. Tre Little                  [06:06]
     (produced by The Neptunes)
04-  My Friend (produced by DJ Premier)         [03:30]
05-  You Can't Touch Me                         [03:56]
     (produced by Poke and Tone aka Trackmasters
06-  Mr. Baller ft. The Clipse, Pharrell, Tre   [04:26]
     Little (produced by The Neptunes)
07-  Let's Go ft. Twista                        [04:18]
     (produced by Carlos Broady)
08-  D-Elite (produced by Tyrone Fyffe)         [01:42]
09-  Take His Life ft. Tre Little               [04:21]
     (produced by Reef)
10-  Nickel Nine Is... (produced by Reef)       [04:56]
11-  Boom (produced by DJ Premier)              [03:56]
12-  Soldier's Story (produced by Reef)         [04:18]
13-  Who Am I (produced by Carlos Broady)       [03:44]
14-  Life ft. Amerie (produced by Ayatollah)    [05:20]
15-  King Of Kings                 [04:07]
     (produced by Melvin ''Doc Soose'' Tucker)

      74,3 m e g s                   t o t a l  [61:55]


This NFO File was rendered by NFOmation.net

royce da 5'9"-rock city (version 2.0)

i n f o

label........: n/a
date ripped..: 03.18.2007
date released: 00.00.0000
url..........: n/a

release size.: 74,3 MB
encoder......: Lame 3.97 V2
bitrate......: avg. 163kbps
mode.........: Joint-Stereo

tracks.......: 15
source.......: CDDA

ripper.......: n/a

n o t e s

Finally arriving with a full-length after appearing on
records with Eminem, Dr. Dre, Method Man, DJ Premier,
and even Willa Ford, Royce da 5'9" makes the most of
his growing exposure on Rock City [Version 2.0]. The
disc was meant for release in 2000, but after label
intervention and multiple problems with the final
product, it took a massive overhaul of the tracks and
production to arrive at the final version of Rock
City, hence the subtitle [Version 2.0]. But the wait
was worth it, as Eminem's old hype-man steps out of
his friend's shadow on the awesome tracks here.
Boasting a voice like vintage LL Cool J but without
the grit, Royce tells intriguing tales of
self-reflection that have become a staple of Detroit
MCs. His smooth delivery is complemented by the liquid
funk production, carrying his vocals over a bed of
bouncing beats and sensual synths courtesy of DJ
Premier and the Neptunes, among others. The rollicking
hometown anthem "Rock City" includes Eminem on the
snappy chorus, but the verses are pure Royce as he
waxes philosophical his role in the Motor City scene.
The funky "Mr. Baller" brings the Clipse and Pharrell
Williams into the picture, and Royce holds his own and
more against the production mastermind and his
protégés. And "Boom" was fantastic as a single, but
the new album version reveals what a multi-layered
masterpiece DJ Premier put together for the Detroit
MC. But most tracks don't necessarily stand out on
Rock City; instead they act more as a pieces of a
complete picture of an MC that is still actively
connected to the underground. From the beats to his
rhyming style, Royce rarely attempts to do anything
that resembles commercial rap. The awesome "Take His
Life" is a perfect example; the harsh beat and sparse
piano samples carry Royce's thoughtful defense of his
murder fantasies with an eerie clarity, but despite
being one of the best songs on the album, it could
never survive as a single. This is rarely a detriment,
although a few tracks suffer from being indistinct
because of his attitude towards hooks and poppy
touches. But when the songs are as powerful as
"Soldier's Story," it's hard to argue with his method.
Royce had been unfairly labeled as an Eminem creation
in the past, but Rock City [Version 2.0] reveals an
exciting voice that has little in common with his
former running buddy. Instead, he brings the
underground to the mainstream and crafts an album that
isn't perfect, but is an endearingly gruff, dense, and
promising debut.
(AMG)

d a t a

#    t r a c k  n a m e                         t i m e

01-  It's Tuesday                        [03:02]
     (produced by Nashiem Myrick)
02-  Rock City ft. Eminem                       [04:13]
     (produced by Red Spyda)
03-  Off Parole ft. Tre Little                  [06:06]
     (produced by The Neptunes)
04-  My Friend (produced by DJ Premier)         [03:30]
05-  You Can't Touch Me                         [03:56]
     (produced by Poke and Tone aka Trackmasters
06-  Mr. Baller ft. The Clipse, Pharrell, Tre   [04:26]
     Little (produced by The Neptunes)
07-  Let's Go ft. Twista                        [04:18]
     (produced by Carlos Broady)
08-  D-Elite (produced by Tyrone Fyffe)         [01:42]
09-  Take His Life ft. Tre Little               [04:21]
     (produced by Reef)
10-  Nickel Nine Is... (produced by Reef)       [04:56]
11-  Boom (produced by DJ Premier)              [03:56]
12-  Soldier's Story (produced by Reef)         [04:18]
13-  Who Am I (produced by Carlos Broady)       [03:44]
14-  Life ft. Amerie (produced by Ayatollah)    [05:20]
15-  King Of Kings                 [04:07]
     (produced by Melvin ''Doc Soose'' Tucker)

      74,3 m e g s                   t o t a l  [61:55]


This NFO File was rendered by NFOmation.net