Royce Da 5'9" "Success is Certain"

We know that two thing are certain in this world, forever and for always, and that is death and taxes. But for this Mc’s fifth solo album Success is Certain, and it should be, or else that would be a definite crime.  If the instrumentals don’t get you psyched for this first song, or the fact that T Barker is manning the drums, the lyrical aspect should with verses that are “Legendary.” “God melted a Rubic’s cube into fluid and threw it in my intuitive brain/I’m eating food for moving music in a gratuitous lane.” The hook can go on forever, and it really wouldn’t matter because they don’t care, but “Now everybody wanna believe me, but they don't really know what’s in my heart.”  He raps about being compared to fiddy on the following track because of his relationship to Marshall, but in terms of delivery and the lyrical I would like to say he reminds me more of Tech N9ne. The sound is based on studio horns, synth, strings and a choir that could more likely be found in a state of evanescence. Other than liking the chorus, featuring his mentor, and its relatability, I have “Writer’s Block.” The next song is a horn-based, circus style instrumental, that calls out the disc jockey primadonnas: “When the DJ's think they bigger stars than the artist/Ridin around in Ferraris doin more A&R'in than the A&R's,” and yes, there are a couple scratches during these bars; asking “Where My Money?” This song is the doctor, the verses may be in the “E.R.” but “As long as I'm aliiive, - the game gon' be breathin'./Even though it's [gasps] - wheezin'!” Jive at Weezy? Kid Vishiz and some of those SFX touches that Eminem has been known to add to his songs. We move on to a soulful-piano lead track that relays an interesting tale of drive and determination of a boy named Kenny who wanted to be a runner; the song keeps a consistent pace as his verses train “On The Boulevard.” The song sounds like it features John Legend, but features Nottz and Adonis, and maybe Loretta? "I Ain’t Comin Down"(More). The next song is a heartfelt tribute to Proof, or Deshaun Dupree Holton, with instrumentals that lay low as the verses take the toll as “Security.” The backing vocals are also filled with soul, but not by anyone you may know. I like the old-school production values in this next track which might be because Royce boasts “I’m into DMC, runs in the family” and suggests “I should run a marathon backwards so I could/See what 2nd place look like.” Well the song shouldn’t really come “Second Place” when it comes to quality. “I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down” as well, but this is another personal vignette, very moving, and not just because the arpeggio of piano, but what is revealed in the verses.  “Rather you the man, you're the mechanic; people treat money like oxygen/When they got it they take it for granted. (HUUUHHH!) - But then lose it and panic!/So spoken, G. - I look at him like superman.” There is a DJ Premier Remix Instrumental and Remix of “Writer’s Block.” This must be a DJ that actually scratches because several tracks ago he was rapping about those that get paid to preach, but not practice. The album is very cohesive, and is worth practically every second spent listening to it; I would recommend checking it out.