After years of dropping heady raps and multi-syllabic lyrical miracles, 2018 showed off all of Royce Da 5’9. PRhyme 2 gave listeners brutally macho bars and clever punchlines alongside sole producer DJ Premier, while Book of Ryan delivered a newer side to the Detroit veteran rapper, as he thoughtfully demystified his personal life and gave a laser-sharp focus to storytelling.
While PRhyme 2 might’ve been more of the same Royce, one who sits comfortably big-headed on top as a lyrical rapper’s rapper, Book of Ryan packaged a more lyrically interesting side to Royce, one who revealed his inner and past familial struggles, detailing personal subjects as addiction and childhood abuse. So it’s no surprise that with his latest effort, The Allegory, Royce makes a through-line between these two styles.
And also unsurprisingly, it works well for him.
On the album’s first song, “Mr. Grace Intro,” Royce samples a short lesson that Derrick D. Grace II teaches his daughter on financial literacy, before a gunshot cues triumphant horns that blare above various rattles and tappings, setting the stage for Royce’s free form rapping. Royce is stern but airy, introducing his album as “the allegory of the cave theory, by Plato” in which he aims to reveal “actors standing behind me controlling nothing but shapes.”
To Royce, the actors are financially literate young rappers with inflated egos (“Your video got 4 million hits, Oh shit! Somebody told you you’re rich,” he raps on “Pendulum”), formulaic Spotify rappers (“You an algorithm, you niggas everything the culture isn’t,” he raps on “FUBU”), and those who maintain the status quo of crippling systems (“White kids graduate to relationships and tons of perks, black kids just aggravated and had to take a ton of percs,” he raps on “Upside Down”).
On The Allegory, Royce aims at those oppressors through a handful of interludes that set-up how each song fits within the overall theme of the album. Each skit and correlating song serves to either showcase the power of knowledge or the dangers of ignorance. This approach works best with tracks like the label-hating, phony-exposing “Tricked,” which follows Eminem interlude speaking on white artists being recognized over their black originators on “Perspective,” and the incredibly tough Conway the Machine-assisted “FUBU,” which comes just before a white man’s racist rant on “A Black Man’s Favorite Shoe.”
For the most part, Royce is unafraid to reach political and social moral high ground. His criticisms are best heard on “Pendulum,” which sees an unapologetic Royce compare both personal experiences and peer relationships to social media to a pendulum that swings to attack those at the top as much as those at the bottom. “I was still a slave just 400 years ago,” he raps, “going massive for a cracker wearing a robe / and I just did a deal for my masters and my soul.” On “Tricked,” he’s quick to reveal the fallacies of modern society, though he does questionably blame vaccines for his son’s autism (“From day one at the hospital they target our children, say they gon’ immunize them they somehow get autism”).
The most obvious story surrounding The Allegory is the production, which is is entirely handled by Royce Da 5’9 himself. His first endeavor into producing, Royce lends boom-bap drum patterns and soulful samplings to much success, though there are a few mishaps. “I Don’t Age,” has a frantic synth melody fluttering about a piano loop and flat boom-bap drums, but is occasionally broken up by an annoyingly loud harp sample. “Dope Man” is a recreation of funky ’70s drug pusher anthems, à la Curtis Mayfield, sampling Ohio Players and an Ice Cube vocal to make for a barrage of noise that doesn’t sound like it found its proper footing. Whenever Royce finds the right sample on The Allegory, like the soulful “Over Comer,” it soars over the track and aids in a nostalgic spoon-feeding of boom-bap that doesn’t feel dated, although never forward-thinking and mostly stripped back.
The Allegory is an album that defines Royce Da 5’9 as a wise artist who raps his lessons as a teacher, albeit, a confident and aggressively punchy one. He’s hungry here, rapping with intense passion and enunciating his sharpest social critiques with excitement. Alongside a star-studded cast of lyrical sparring partners made up of contemporaries like T.I., Vince Staples, CyHi the Prince and all of Griselda, The Allegory plays out as Royce’s most consolidated offering yet.
A definite career high-point for a rapper whose résumé spans over 20 years.
Great album just wish he didn’t put his anti vaccine conspiracy theories in it. Besides that absolutely loved it
As usual, a dope project from a an artist who should be in the mainstream eye, as far as that goes. Dude is legendary on the mic for a reason
We need to stop putting so much value in “mainstream” status. Most of the artist we consider mainstream are getting fucked by their labels, and half of them are here today, gone tomorrow.
Good Album but this even got a better rating than MTBMB??? Site is trash!
Cuz it is better
Its not though. I’m a huge Royce fan but this album is boring af. Maybe it’s the beats because he produced it.
I feel sorry for your ears Kenny G
Classic? If kendrick made it they would have gave it a 5 lol this is way better than Damn! This is a press play style album. Press play and listen no need to skip songs. Phenomenal album. 5/5
Besides the anti vaccine shit, this album is dope. It makes you think. Great production that will only get better as Royce progresses in that area. His flow is so effortless it sounds like he’s just talking to you. So much to go through here.
Y’all forgot to mention that he produced the entire album himself…which is a first for him
“ The most obvious story surrounding The Allegory is the production, which is is entirely handled by Royce Da 5’9 himself.”
Benny the Butcher bodied Royce on Upside Down. I’m a long time Royce fan btw
But no-one is touching Benny at the moment
He is becoming more ‘woke’ but he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
I wish it was shorter, but nothing on here is wack. Great album 4.3/5
Didn’t hear the whole thing so I won’t leave a rating, but I wasn’t really feeling what I heard. Maybe I’m just at the age where new music doesn’t really move me anymore, but compared to Death is Certain which is a classic all the way through, this didn’t feel very classic.
Overall i like the album, but most of the beats are not that good imo. Upside down, black savages and overcomer are REALLY good, but most of the rest is boring.
I loved Book Of Ryan which is in my top 10 favourite albums of all time. But this project is not half as good as Book Of Ryan.
This album is ?
Very good album
Nice album
Big fan of Royce but I don’t feel this album at all. I mean it got good joints here and there but excerpt black Savage it’s not that transcendent.
I give it 3 for the effort and Royce performances.
Great album expect nothing but that from Royce now he’s so underrated I keep saying ppl sleep on him lyrically he’s one of the best and I got lotta respect for Benny now FUBU is my favorite but there are many I could also say that about real talk
Not his best
Royce is a decent to very good mc, and that’s as far as it goes.
I noticed that since he became friend with Eminem he is being overrated a little bit though
Since he became friends with em? Dude’s been friends with him for decades. Your ignorance is showing.
Nah son … him and Royce were cool but had mad beef until after Proof died. You ain’t never heard HOW COME by D12. Don’t tell this man he’s ignorant when you ain’t telling the whole story bro.
They were best friends before the beef, genius. Go play in traffic.
I was never a very big fan of Royce until the Book of Ryan. Always knew he was great lyrically but his songs never did it for me. Seems to me the sobriety really did take his game to the next level, this is the best album so far this year, and I know it will still be one of the best in December.
Worse album he’s put out to date, a far cry from the glory days of Death is Certain, Bar Exam, and Street Hop.
None or No One is Intelligent, Subjecting, and Humble enough to write a Review about any Artist Whether, He or She Elite, Great, Average or Below Average, After 48hrs of someone’s Artistry being Released….That’s Truly Arrogant, This Website is more Commercial and More Commercial Than HIPHOP, Who are the Writers…This Website is Fake HIPHOP TMZ, You will Trash Drogas Waves, Wale’s Artistry, Downplay Rapsody’s Genius,Don’t speak of EMcees like Aesop Rock, AB Soul, Eminem’s Pen-game, You don’t Bring light on Underground Artists who live, breathe, and live again for the Art of HIPHOP…..like Ras Kass said….My Metaphors are Meta5’s….I don’t think many of these writers are Qualified to breakdown and Critique Great Emcees, Build up the Culture of HIPHOP, instead of tearing it down with your 4.2’s scores or 3.8’s…What Albums have You Released, You cats can’t perspire and release the blood, sweat and tears these EMCEES put into their Craft….Where’s The Oldschool Source Magazine reviewers At…You can’t utter the Words Five Mic’s…Say Nas’ Classic “I Need One Mic” 5 times…You’ll still be incapable ….RespectTrue artists who aren’t Puppets, You Promote Negativity, You never post about Little Brother, Immortal Technique, or The Shield Enforcers….!!! Study an Albums for weeks if not a couple of months…They Create an Album for months or maybe a couple Years Like Kendrick Lamar and Y’all Give A Review in a Day or Two….Your Credibility Has been Answered and no need to be in Question…Y’all Ain’t HIPHOP
This the realest shit ever said on this site, and them ignorant motherfuckers probably won’t even acknowledge this. Everything that needs to be said has been said, thank you 5th SUN.
And to quote Royce:
“Remember, the effort has to go into the art, not the wave
Everybody talking ’bout they own their masters
But if the music don’t age well, it don’t matter
It’s like you own a hundred percent of nothing
Know your value”
So a 4.2/5 is disrespectful now.
You’re deffo a kid who grew up receiving participation trophies.
Real talk bro
Mature sound. I might not agree with everything he raps, but it’s nice to have an album like this in the game.
Banging this in southern California playa…album is so dope top 2 bottom every track it’s so deep love it homie is sober. This album was needed in the game at this time especially 4 the old heads masterpiece 4 me I needed this album 3 good albums for 4 me this year so far em Wayne and this 1 waiting on that Jada Ignatius…this album is in my rotation been playing since it dropped mad knowledge dropped here on this album appreciate it Royce’s..talks about mental health autism mutherfuckers need 2 get right especially if u got kids of your own
Tried getting into Royce after Em fell off a few years back. Could never do it. Dude rhymes just a bit off beat and tries to cram way too much in. Pass for me.
sorry to hear that you have gone deaf
Your ears don’t work
I agree. At times, his rapping is unimpressive.
Did you just say he rhymes off beat?
Y
Classic
Royce consistency with the bars is insane .Album fire Ya’ll sleeping tho on Boldy James – The Price of Tea In China (produced by The Alchemist)
It’s definitely insane. Knocks most albums right off the competition scale.
The anti vaccination stuff kills the entire vibe of the album and makes me question Royce’s intelligence
Do your research clown.. keep vacinating your children, i know people first hands whos children started to regress the DAY after theyre immunisation shots.. fucking sheep
This has literally never happened
Wow! You are an idiot! LOL.. It literally happens all the time dumb ass. SMDH.
Then why has big pharma specifically got departments dedicated to paying out hundreds of millions in vaccine damage compensation?
Wow you’re a retard… because SOME people have a bad reaction to certain vaccinations, just like with ALL medicines. Vaccines save lives, and btw infectious diseases don’t give a fuck what race you are. Royce is doing nothing but hurting the black community with this anti-vaxxer bullshit.
Unfortunately a lot of people still remember the Wakefield et al study connecting vaccines to autism–one of the most discredited studies of all time. Wakefield lost his medical license, and everyone involved took their name off it. There were so many procedural errors, conflicts of interest, and ethical violations. But, this shouldn’t turn you off from the album. It is one of the most important and layered albums in recent memory.
You let 2 bars sway your entire opinion of a 60+ minute audio body of work. Your intellect isn’t to be questioned by any stretch. You’re simply an imbecile.
Along with Benny,Willie,Roc and Lil Eto….they killing it right about now…i love this album…keep wavin that flag Royce…5 mics
A few songs on here really go hard but there’s just too much going on with a lot of these tracks. They’re almost too busy. I don’t know if I’d revisit most of this album but for now I’d say it’s got enough to be above average but not much more.
Yes
Dope
Yeah
40 years in rap ans no one classic. He IS wack and he will be for ever wack!!
Well, imo At least he has Prhyme (the first one) lol.
He had 2 classics: “Death Is Certain” and the 1st Prhyme drop. Now he has 3. Clown.
Royce is your definition of a wack rapper?..Stop it bruh lmao
Classic
I hate when idiots try to sound smart and start talking about socialism and politics. This album is straight garbage.
MAGA maggot alert
Stay Ignorant! 2thumbs up
Stand out album. You can experience Royce’s growth with each project that he drops. This one is especially unique, because of his production on it. This album will go over lots of heads because of the mature content/societal unveiling of it all. I applaud Royce for his growth, longevity, and much deserved success. And people are getting so wrapped up about his stance on vaccinations and autism. Look, you don’t have to agree with him on it, but don’t let it be the reason why you choose not to support this or him in general. I don’t greatly agree with the anti-vaccination shit going around, but then again, I don’t have a immediate autistic family member. If so, my mind may operate different on research and beliefs, to each his own.
So many layers. Unreal
An honest review from someone who has spent the last 15 years getting people hip to Royce – this is not his best album. It’s got some great bars on it, great beats and great guest appearances. But I gotta give it a 4. Just a little too racial for me at times. Royce can rap about what he wants to rap about, it’s his life and his career so I aint mad at him as a white hip hop fan – but it’s a bit much for me.
why do white people take offense when a black man is speaking truth about systematic racism or encouraging his people to do better or teaching his people the real truth about our hidden history by no means are we saying we hate white people or any other race, we cant never build our people up or love and praise our people without white people taking offense to it gotdamn can we be great!! u would want the same thing for your people, truth hurts it sounds like im pretty sure his best friend Eminem ain saying hey Royce it would be a classic if u didn’t speak on or bring awareness to social inequality etc.
First and foremost you diagnosed my comment without understanding the context. I’m not trying to play skits full of old racist recordings and get myself killed! You can make your point without overdoing it. He overdid it.
This is no disrespect brother but I don’t think he made this album for you. This is a powerful album. A masterpiece.
Bullshit. No “powerful” album would be promoting anti-vaxxer crap. All Royce is doing is setting back the black community by breeding even more mistrust in the very medical advances that demonstrably reduce rates of infectious disease transmission. Royce isn’t doing you or any black people any favors by spewing this crap and keeping racial division alive and well. Nothing he did here was original because it’s the SAME FUCKING THING every other “woke” black rapper is doing: “white people are the devil and poor little oppressed us for being black.” FOH. He is masterful at rapping. That’s all he’s actually bringing to this album.
How tf is Royce being an Anti-vaxxer hurting the black community, or anyone for that matter?
No disrespect taken. The album is full of absolutely monster bars so it was for sure for me LOL
From top to bottom, Phenomenal ! 5/5
Before listening I pull up the tracklist and thought it would be too long (like Em’s album) but after listening to it, I wished it was longer. So many gems dropped and it didn’t lag once. I really hope ppl actually appreciate this because it’s amazing 5/5
Give this man his perfect rating because he produced the whole album with only 1.5 year experience and it sounds like he got years under he belt along with superb Lyricism as always!!! give this man his flowers u cheated him out of a perfect rating on Book Of Ryan which was a Masterpiece!!
Give this man his perfect rating because he produced the whole album with only 1.5 year experience and it sounds like he got years under he belt along with superb Lyricism as always!!! give this man his flowers u cheated him out of a perfect rating on Book Of Ryan which was a Masterpiece!!
Facts Bro!
Wow man. This album is incredible. I don’t understand the ratings on this site. Lol. This album is a masterpiece. Probably the best album since Daytona
This is dope! Mad album and was shocked when found out Royce produced most of it. Already better producer than J Cole lol Really good beats, great features and the lyrics…. the lyrics are insane. Will take many listens to dissect it all but this shit is dope
Royce has been on a Ghostface like run with his and the Prhyme albums. This album is the best of the bunch I say. 4.5 at the least and up around 4.8 for me. Amazing content and matching music. His albums have changed my life for the better literally. Not many artists I can say that bout.
This album is ??, dense and layered. Takes multiple listens to catch everything and you might have to Google some ish. Great project and great production throughout
Dope album
My bad that comment was directed to theonefoo.
Instant classic. Very important album that older heads should put the younger generation onto.
“…they say you are what you eat, well I never ate GOAT!!!”- I Don’t Age
Its just a shame that we dont have more artists with this kinda range and depth Congrats Royce thats Back2Back2Back Classics!!!!
Woah dude… I commented on the wrong comment. How do you delete comments?
What is this anti-vaxxer bullshit?! Royce only hurting his own community with these unfounded conspiracy theory mindsets that do nothing but breed more mistrust and keep racial tensions alive. Book of Ryan was so much better than this unoriginal album that sounds like it was made by a master lyricist trying to copy whatever EVERY OTHER “woke” black rapper is doing/has done.
You really don’t have a clue about true Hip Hop culture! Go educate yourself, read up on the true history and take pride in Your people! Stop absorbing ? the bullshit and step out the box! Pathetic!
Absolutely Dope ? Royce has absolutely smashed It on this one! Upside Down, Tricked etc etc! This is fucking HIP HOP MUSIC right here! Fuck those chart topping agenda pushing fakes, this is what the culture is truly about!
I used to be a huge Royce fan from Death is Certain till the early slaughterhouse days but for the longest time now he keeps sounding more and more like a standup poet weaving together words in a spoken poetry way. wish he would get back to actually rapping.
Anti vax bars? Gonna be a no from me dog. I’ve fucked with all of Royce’s albums but I’m not supporting this shit.
That moment you realize one of your favorite emcees is a gullible, tinfoil hat-wearing anti-vaxxer 🙁
classic album
Don’t tell me he is preaching against the use of vaccines please. Why rappers are so extremely ignorant when it comes to certain topics but sudddenly felt “woke” because they watched a documentary?
In the era of COVID-19 it’s pretty messed up to be putting out antivaxxer rap. I have trouble listening to Nas and Freddie Gibbs’ too b/c of their antivax stances.
It’s always messed up to thorw out antivaxxer comments. Only people with 0 scientific knowledge (in other words complete ignorants on the topic) would do that. I don’t care how good you rap, if you are a top 5, top 10 or top 20 all the time… putting out such comments just proves that despite having huge skills to rap you are moron and your intelligence is below average.
First it became a trend to be a flat earth believer and now this..
Did you ever stop to think that not everyone’s a fucking dumbass sheep like yourself?
Good but I like JadaKiss album better?
Good album
Im gonna check for this. That Black Savage w/ Cyhi and Tip is tiiight.
Royce is the type of rapper around over 40 (around 50 in this case) who likes to speak about niccas sleeping and proud of himself for being “woke” while he was sleeping himself and abusing his body through drugs use and being a materialist as well for aeound 40 years.
Now he comes here to preach about 25 year old kids have been knowing for a while. Some rap artists… Smh
I have always had respect for this platform and how it promoted the culture
Enjoyed first listen but had no lasting appeal.
3/5 at most
How does someone go from Book Of Ryan and PRhyme 2 to this crap? Smh
Classic. But y’all will trash the album just because one of his beliefs don’t go with your. That just shows how big of bitc*es y’all are and don’t deserve to rate albums. Royce is a certified GOAT.