Death Is Certain

Death Is Certain is the second studio album by American rapper Royce da 5'9", released through Koch Records on February 24, 2004.

Death Is Certain
Studio album by
Royce da 5'9"
ReleasedFebruary 24, 2004 (U.S.)
RecordedDecember 2002–January 2004
GenreHip Hop
Length50:36
LabelE1 Music
Producer
Royce da 5'9" chronology
Rock City
(2002)		 Death Is Certain
(2004)		 Independent's Day
(2005)
Singles from Death is Certain
  1. "Hip Hop"
    Released: November 22, 2003
  2. "Death Is Certain Pt. 2 (It Hurts)"
    Released: February 11, 2004

Background

Recording

Released two years after his official debut Rock City, Royce spent his two-year hiatus entangled in a beef with fellow Detroit natives and former allies, D12. Due in part to a battle with depression, Death Is Certain features a sound considerably darker than that heard on his debut. Royce's new sound garnered him considerable acclaim for the album, with most critics calling Death Is Certain his strongest effort. The album is also noted by many listeners to contain both 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. influences in Royce's lyrics.

Later, Royce said he can't listen to the album because it takes him "to a dark place and a dark time". About the process during the production of it: "I like the fact that album happened. It taught me a lot about the creative process. I had no choice but to be honest. I didn’t go into that album the way I go into albums now, where I know exactly what I need to be doing as an artist. I know not to reach for anything, to just be myself. To be honest and be transparent, that’s what I like to do. That’s what I feel will resonate the best. That’s what I did with Death Is Certain, but I didn’t plan to. It was like I was stuck in that mode. I was going through so much. We actually did that album, me and Six July, we did that album in like two weeks. Six of those songs I did within the first couple of days. That was the first batch of beats he played me. I remember they went to the titty bar, and I was just writing all of them. Knocking them down real quick. It was like, so much on my mind, I don’t even think I was focused on being super lyrical. [laughs] I was just spilling. Just spilling shit. And I was super drunk."[1]

Production

The majority of the album was produced by 6 July of Bad Boy Records production team The Hitmen. Other producers featured on the album are Ty Fyffe, Rob "Reef" Teflow, Asar, Mark Bassin, and DJ Premier, who produces the album's lead single, "Hip Hop". Many fans and critics see this as Royce's best work.

Sales

The album sold about 84,000 copies but has had numbers worldwide with over 100,000 copies sold.

Critical reception

Out of 9 reviews, the album averaged a 78.9 which is a generally favorable review according to Metacritic. About the critical acclaim, Royce said: "For the album to have that type of reaction, to resonate with people like that...It just gave me an idea-- when we come in the game, everything is trial and error. It’s going to be from making mistakes. Death Is Certain was a situation where I learned from something that was successful. Most of the shit I know now, I learned from making mistakes. Most of my valuable lessons came from making mistakes."[2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllHipHop link
Allmusic link
IGN.com(9.0/10) link
MVRemix.com link
Prefix Magazine link
HipHopDX.com link
RapReviews.com link
Vibe link
The Source link

Track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro" 0:12
2."Regardless"6 July3:01
3."Throw Back" (featuring Ingrid Smalls)Ty Fyffe4:17
4."What I Know"Reef2:49
5."I Promise" (featuring Ingrid Smalls)6 July3:54
6."Call Me Never!" (skit)Asar1:59
7."Hip Hop"DJ Premier3:47
8."Gangsta" (featuring Cutty Mack)6 July4:42
9."T.O.D.A.Y" (featuring Ingrid Smalls)6 July3:55
10."I & Me"Asar3:28
11."Beef"Mark Bassin, 6 July4:19
12."Bomb 1st"Asar2:59
13."Everybody Goes" (featuring Ingrid Smalls)6 July3:05
14."Death Is Certain Pt. 2 (It Hurts)" (featuring Ingrid Smalls and Cha Cha)6 July4:12
15."Something's Wrong With Him" (featuring 6 July)6 July3:57
Sample credits

Chart positions

Album chart positions
Chart (2004) Peak
position
scope="row"US Billboard 200[3] 161
scope="row"US Independent Albums (Billboard)[4] 5
scope="row"US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[5] 4
scope="row"US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] 39

Singles chart positions
Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Tracks
2003 "Hip Hop" - #98 -
gollark: ... what do you mean "cast" spiders?
gollark: Also, my parents would probably complain if I went "hmm yes I will do drugs now" one day.
gollark: Personally, such drugs seem annoying to get, and I don't really see the attraction, so meh.
gollark: I'm not sure I've actually ever heard anyone use that acronym in any case.
gollark: Nope.

References
  1. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/royce-da-59-talks-bad-meets-evil-chemistry-and-the-dark-legacy-of-death-is-certain-news.99898.html
  2. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/royce-da-59-talks-bad-meets-evil-chemistry-and-the-dark-legacy-of-death-is-certain-news.99898.html
  3. "/chart-history/TLP "Royce da 5'9" Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  4. "/chart-history/IND "Royce da 5'9" Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard.
  5. "/chart-history/TLN "Royce da 5'9" Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard.
  6. "/chart-history/BLP "Royce da 5'9" Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
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