Album Preview: Royce Da 5'9's "Success Is Certain"

Hear our thoughts on Nickel Nine's upcoming independent release.

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Image via Complex Original
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Intro

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"Legendary" f/ Travis Barker

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"Legendary" f/ Travis Barker

Produced by: Eminem, Travis Barker, Luis Resto

Complex says: Screeching guitars and Travis Barker's banging drums kick off this album right. Royce spits a hook with a sing-songy kinda flow as DJ scratches fill in the background screaming "I'm legendary." Nickel has got plenty on his mind as he celebrates the death of his enemies and drops lines like, "Throw your body around the room like Jamiroquai/Yes I believe the naked truth look way better than the best dressed lie."

"Writer's Block" f/ Eminem

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"Writer’s Block" f/ Eminem

Produced by: StreetRunner, Raymond “Sarom” Diaz

Complex says: This previously leaked and shamefully ignored track sounds like a Bad Meets Evil cut that could have made Hell: The Sequel if Eminem would have thrown a verse on it. But then again, there's no need for too much Shady assistance because Royce holds it down. The frantic, paranoid beat is the perfect background for Nickel as he once again proves that he has quietly mastered the "screaming at the top of my lungs while double timing flow." This is a banger for sure.

"Merry Go Round"

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"Merry Go Round"

Produced by: Eminem

Complex says: Another sing-songy hook that doesn't sound forced. Royce reflects on the ups and downs (okay fine, mostly downs) of his years in the rap game. "I have tried in vain...never had success," he laments. But he doesn't stop there. He goes in detail about how he went from being in love with basketball to being, "An ignorant ass nigga addicted to alcohol." He even talks about the infamous interview his manager Kino gave back in the day which inadvertently ruined Royce's relationship with Dr. Dre. "I went from writing for Dre/On the sideline, feeling forgot about, listening to 'Forgot About Dre.'" Royce lets it all out on here.

"Where My Money"

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"Where My Money"

Produced by: 88-Keys

Complex says: Although the production on this is way more upbeat than most of the other songs on here, it's still Royce all the way. A continuation of the previous track, Royce talks about being in the rap game a long time, but never getting his real payday. He even compares himself to the landlord from Coming To America and hip-hop to a lousy tenant, "YOUR RENTS DUE MUTHAFUCKA!!" He also promises to kill someone if he doesn't get rich this year. Shady watch your back!

"ER" f/ Kid Vishis

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"ER" f/ Kid Vishis

Produced by: Sounwave

Complex says: Royce rhymes alongside his brother on a song that's a cross between Lil Wayne's "Dr. Carter" and Royce own low-key classic "Taxi Driver." He kicks things off rhyming about picturing himself in scrubs and performs a couple surgeries on lesser rappers before resurrecting Vishis for a verse.

"On The Boulevard" f/ Nottz & Adonis

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"On The Boulevard" f/ Nottz & Adonis

Produced by: Nottz

Complex says: The hook on here sounds almost like something Cee-Lo would sing. Meanwhile, Royce, Nottz, and Adonis all spit story-telling verses about Kenny, a good kid that stays out of trouble. As Royce says, "You ain't never gonna hear 'Oh my God they killed Kenny!' Bitch this ain't South Park!" Not to ruin the story, but this one has a couple nice twists to it.

"I Ain't Coming Down"

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"I Ain’t Coming Down"

Produced by: The Futuristics

Complex says: Hanging out with Eminem hasn't just increased Five Nine's cash flow, but it must be helping his song writing skills as well. This song has another one of those sing-songy hooks that proves Royce has grown as an artist. And like "Merry Go Round," Royce reflects on his past as he talks about the "hate on Royce era" in Detroit and how he was looking stupid on that Beef DVD. But ultimately, Royce knows that he's on to bigger and better things and he won't let negative forces hold him down anymore.

"Security"

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"Security"

Produced by: Mr. Porter

Complex says: This song is about a friend of Royce's who passed away. Someone who was just like him, a gangster who was "train-wreck reckless." That friend was Proof. The beat on here has a sample that wails "Security!" Nickel breaks up his verses by thinking back to all the times him and Proof ran into security, including the time they both got arrested for gun possession. He even talks about how he was crying like a baby at Proof's funeral. This one is a touching tribute to a lost friend.  

"Second Place"

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"Second Place"

Produced by: DJ Premier

Complex says: From the jump you can obviously tell this is a DJ Premier beat. It's got that perfect post-2000 Preemo sound as Royce adds yet another memorable Premier collaboration to his catalog. Since most of this album is heavy-handed and deals with serious topics, it's refreshing to get the classic shit-talking Royce we all know and love. Still, he's in a much better mood than usual, "Victory laugh/Even my photographers happy, picture me mad!"

"My Own Planet" f/ Joe Budden

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"My Own Planet" f/ Joe Budden

Produced by: Mr. Porter

Complex says: A snappy beat from Mr. Porter—who also handles hook duties—makes this the most club-friendly song on the album (even if it's not really that club-friendly). Nickel kicks things off rhyming about how, "I did a bid for drunk driving/But that ain't a problem now I'm drunk flying." Meanwhile, Joe Budden spits, "Let me give the chicks a message"—actually how about you don't since you and Esther Baxter had the ugliest breakup ever?

"I've Been Up, I've Been Down"

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"I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down"

Produced by: The Futuristics, Alex da Kid

Complex says: "I've been up, I've been down, I don't give a fuck," explains Royce on the closing track on this album. Once again he's in an introspective mood, and rhymes about growing up with his abusive addict of a father who turned his life around and gave Royce inspiration. And although Royce has had been down in the valleys before, he's certainly going through the peak of his career right now.

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