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The time has come 
It’s time for me to break down every track off of one of my favourite albums of all time:
Book of Ryan
Hope you enjoy
(My first thread Below
)
It’s time for me to break down every track off of one of my favourite albums of all time:
Book of Ryan
Hope you enjoy
(My first thread Below
)
Before we start this thread, imma shed some light.
Royce is quoted as saying this is his most personal album, and the album he has put the most emotion, time, thought, and money into.
This is Ryan Montgomery’s autobiography in scrapbook form, before he became Royce Da 5’9.
Royce is quoted as saying this is his most personal album, and the album he has put the most emotion, time, thought, and money into.
This is Ryan Montgomery’s autobiography in scrapbook form, before he became Royce Da 5’9.
TRACK 1 - Intro
The opening to Book of Ryan Royce sets the tone by talking about having the ability to evolve, and recognizing he has matured in life. He plays on the term “woke”, by being self aware, but also “waking up this morning” with a fresh outlook on life.
The opening to Book of Ryan Royce sets the tone by talking about having the ability to evolve, and recognizing he has matured in life. He plays on the term “woke”, by being self aware, but also “waking up this morning” with a fresh outlook on life.
TRACK 2 - Woke
This continues the play on being “woke” from the intro track, waking up in the morning and thinking for yourself. Some nice punchlines in this one and solid production from KeY Wane.
This continues the play on being “woke” from the intro track, waking up in the morning and thinking for yourself. Some nice punchlines in this one and solid production from KeY Wane.
TRACK 3 - My Parallel (Skit)
This is pre much the opening to the story of Book of Ryan, talking about the values he’s learned as he’s developed throughout the years of his life, addiction and mental health get brought up and are consistent themes throughout the album
This is pre much the opening to the story of Book of Ryan, talking about the values he’s learned as he’s developed throughout the years of his life, addiction and mental health get brought up and are consistent themes throughout the album
TRACK 4 - Caterpillar (feat. Eminem & King Green)
To quote Royce himself: (continued)
To quote Royce himself: (continued
)
(cont’d)
“The theme of the song is ‘Don’t disrespect the caterpillar to praise the butterfly. Marshall falls a little bit more into that category than I do, but both of us are caterpillars..you’ll praise these guys but gotta tear us down…where do you think his style came from?”
“The theme of the song is ‘Don’t disrespect the caterpillar to praise the butterfly. Marshall falls a little bit more into that category than I do, but both of us are caterpillars..you’ll praise these guys but gotta tear us down…where do you think his style came from?”
TRACK 5 - God Speed (feat. Ashley Sorrell)
I’ll say first, Royce sounds so smooth on this beat by denaun porter
This track is basically Royce telling us how he overcame his shortcomings and is finally able to prove all his doubters from the past wrong.
I’ll say first, Royce sounds so smooth on this beat by denaun porter
This track is basically Royce telling us how he overcame his shortcomings and is finally able to prove all his doubters from the past wrong.
TRACK 6 - Dumb (feat. WS Boogie)
Beat is fuckin dope and samples “Still DRE” how tf can you go wrong with that. Royce & Boogie go off about what they find wrong with the world and flex their lyrical ability at the same time. Solid single from the album.
Beat is fuckin dope and samples “Still DRE” how tf can you go wrong with that. Royce & Boogie go off about what they find wrong with the world and flex their lyrical ability at the same time. Solid single from the album.
TRACK 7 - Who Are You? (Skit)
While furthering the story, Royces son tells him that he questions whether or not he truly knows who his dad is, therefore asking “who are you?”
While furthering the story, Royces son tells him that he questions whether or not he truly knows who his dad is, therefore asking “who are you?”
TRACK 8 - Cocaine
This is my personal favourite track of the album and is a response to his sons question. He beautifully tells the story of his dads Cocaine addiction which gives his son perspective on him as a Father.
Top 10 Hip Hop
This is my personal favourite track of the album and is a response to his sons question. He beautifully tells the story of his dads Cocaine addiction which gives his son perspective on him as a Father.
Top 10 Hip Hop
TRACK 9 - Life is Fair
More of Royce explaining his rough upbringing, while on the same note saying “I never said life is fair” He also reminisces on the times his parents went out and they were babysat by there aunt who let them get away w things, and was a lot more fun.
More of Royce explaining his rough upbringing, while on the same note saying “I never said life is fair” He also reminisces on the times his parents went out and they were babysat by there aunt who let them get away w things, and was a lot more fun.
TRACK 10 - Boblo Boat (feat. J Cole)
This is another beautiful track, Royce importantly tells the story of his first taste of alcohol, which will spiral out of control into an addiction later on in life. J Cole brings in one of his best features ever.
This is another beautiful track, Royce importantly tells the story of his first taste of alcohol, which will spiral out of control into an addiction later on in life. J Cole brings in one of his best features ever.
TRACK 11 - Legendary
Royce touching on how he became, and the multiple ways you can become legendary, over some more denaun production. More sweet punchlines, I love when Royce talks his shit.
Royce touching on how he became, and the multiple ways you can become legendary, over some more denaun production. More sweet punchlines, I love when Royce talks his shit.
TRACK 12 - Summer on Lock (feat Pusan T, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Agent Sasco)
Every feature kills it, basically just more punchlines and top tier rapping from everyone on the track, doesn’t do much to advance the narrative. Still salty about Push only doing the hook lol.
Every feature kills it, basically just more punchlines and top tier rapping from everyone on the track, doesn’t do much to advance the narrative. Still salty about Push only doing the hook lol.
TRACK 13 - Amazing (feat. Melanie Rutherford)
Top 3 track of the album, produced by S1 & Epikh Pro. Royce visits his childhood home & neighborhood, celebrating how far he’s come since he used to live there. The hook to this song is incredible, and is very inspiring.
Top 3 track of the album, produced by S1 & Epikh Pro. Royce visits his childhood home & neighborhood, celebrating how far he’s come since he used to live there. The hook to this song is incredible, and is very inspiring.
TRACK 14 - Outside (feat. Marsha A., R. Glasper)
Royces son asks if he fears anything. Royce lists his fears & explains he wasn’t there for him much as a Father, and worries he isn’t proud of him. He goes to say all he wants is for his son is to have a better life than he did.
Royces son asks if he fears anything. Royce lists his fears & explains he wasn’t there for him much as a Father, and worries he isn’t proud of him. He goes to say all he wants is for his son is to have a better life than he did.
TRACK 15 - Power
This is a very impactful track, Royce recalls a couple certain holiday evenings, filled with abuse & his father getting arrested. Royce hasn’t ever been so vulnerable on a track. At the end he explains to his son how these events game him “Power”.
This is a very impactful track, Royce recalls a couple certain holiday evenings, filled with abuse & his father getting arrested. Royce hasn’t ever been so vulnerable on a track. At the end he explains to his son how these events game him “Power”.
TRACK 16 - Protecting Ryan (Skit)
Royce recalls his older brother Gregs first encounter with prison, and how Greg stabbed someone to protect him. Greg blames him for being arrested because he was protecting his little brother. Royce finally gets to thank his brother at the end.
Royce recalls his older brother Gregs first encounter with prison, and how Greg stabbed someone to protect him. Greg blames him for being arrested because he was protecting his little brother. Royce finally gets to thank his brother at the end.
TRACK 17 - Strong Friend
This track highlights how it’s important to check up on your strong friend. With themes of suicide & depression, Royce explains how he was always the strong friend & feels as though he (cont’d 1/2)
This track highlights how it’s important to check up on your strong friend. With themes of suicide & depression, Royce explains how he was always the strong friend & feels as though he (cont’d 1/2)
(2/2)
has rarely been checked on by others. He starts to have major doubt & begins to question just how far his closest friends would go for him.
This track is very self aware and raises awareness for mental health in a poetic way.
has rarely been checked on by others. He starts to have major doubt & begins to question just how far his closest friends would go for him.
This track is very self aware and raises awareness for mental health in a poetic way.
TRACK 18 - Anything/Everything
This track touches on everything the album has already talked about: his childhood, neighborhood, and alcoholism. Also touching on systemic racism, how other black men around him are dying for nothing, and how he feels like they don’t own anything
This track touches on everything the album has already talked about: his childhood, neighborhood, and alcoholism. Also touching on systemic racism, how other black men around him are dying for nothing, and how he feels like they don’t own anything
TRACK 19 - Stay Woke (feat. Ashley Sorrell)
Royce touches on how he has overcome his addiction, and feels liberated from his demons. On the flip side talks about how he will start breaking down in tears thinking about his childhood, also referencing his regret for his (1/2)
Royce touches on how he has overcome his addiction, and feels liberated from his demons. On the flip side talks about how he will start breaking down in tears thinking about his childhood, also referencing his regret for his (1/2)
(2/2)
infidelity during his marriage. Essentially is the closing track of the album.
Produced by !llmind & Frank Dukes.
infidelity during his marriage. Essentially is the closing track of the album.
Produced by !llmind & Frank Dukes.
TRACK 20 - First of the Month
Taking inspiration from Bone Thugs N Harmony’s “1st of tha month”, Royce recalls how good it feels on the first of every month, cause he would get paid. He says how he “was panicking yesterday, but now he’s happy as hell”. (Cont’d)
Taking inspiration from Bone Thugs N Harmony’s “1st of tha month”, Royce recalls how good it feels on the first of every month, cause he would get paid. He says how he “was panicking yesterday, but now he’s happy as hell”. (Cont’d)
(Cont’d)
The song dissects the term “money can’t buy happiness”, with Royce stating how now that he’s rich, he’s realized the statement rings true, and when he’s paid all his worries leave him. At the end of the day money does buy happiness.
The song dissects the term “money can’t buy happiness”, with Royce stating how now that he’s rich, he’s realized the statement rings true, and when he’s paid all his worries leave him. At the end of the day money does buy happiness.
(Bonus Track - Caterpillar Remix (feat. Logic)
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Thank y’all for baring with me on my first thread lmfao, I appreciate you all a lot and if anything I just hope this puts more people onto this incredible album.
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(END OF THREAD)
@Royceda59 thx for the album dude
