Book of Ryan

Discussing the album in a Vibe interview weeks prior to the release of his sixth album Layers in April 2016, Royce stated Book of Ryan will be a "very personal one" and more introspective than his previous discography, saying that "it's really, really a lot of the stuff that I want to share".{{cite web|last1=Centeno|first1=Tony|title=Royce Da 5'9″ Says His Second Album of 2017 Will Be More Personal Than "Layers"|url=http://www.vibe.com/2016/04/royce-da-59-second-album-2016-book-of-ryan/|website=Vibe.com|date=April 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2016}} He also stated that the album was approaching completion and was going to be released the same year. Little was said about Book of Ryan until after two years of delays for unknown reasons, the tracklist and cover art were revealed on March 22, 2018, after the collaborative release of PRhyme 2 with producer DJ Premier as a part of the duo PRhyme.{{cite web|last1=Harling|first1=Danielle|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46295/title.royce-da-59-shares-tracklist-for-book-of-ryan-calls-it-his-greatest-piece-of-work|title=Royce Da 5'9" Shares Tracklist For "Book Of Ryan" & Calls It His "Greatest Piece Of Work"|website=HipHopDX|access-date=27 March 2018|date=March 22, 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Mojica|first1=Nick|title=Royce 5'9" Unveils 'Book of Ryan' Project Tracklist Featuring J. Cole|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/03/royce-59-book-of-ryan-cover-tracklist/|website=XXL|access-date=27 March 2018|date=March 22, 2018}} On the same day, it was also announced that Royce, along with producers Mr. Porter and S1 (both who did production for Layers), are serving as executive producers for the album.

On April 25, Royce officially revealed the producers for Book of Ryan.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/royceda59/status/989392349209022464|title=@Key_Wane @SymbolycOne @DJKhalil @mRpOrTeR7 Fuse808Mafia Cool n Dre 808 Ray @Boi1da @illmindPRODUCER @Antmanwonder @SRbeats|last=Montgomery|first=Ryan|date=April 25, 2018|website=Twitter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427181605/https://twitter.com/royceda59/status/989392349209022464|archive-date=27 April 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018}} The next day on April 26, Royce announced the featured artists on the album.{{cite web|last1=Findlay|first1=Mitch|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/royce-da-59-confirms-eminem-pusha-t-and-more-on-book-of-ryan-news.48822.html|title=Royce Da 5'9" Confirms Eminem, Pusha T & More On "Book Of Ryan"|website=HotNewHipHop|access-date=26 April 2018|date=April 26, 2018}}

The lead single, "Boblo Boat" featuring J. Cole, was released on March 23, 2018.{{cite magazine|last1=Sapaonara|first1=Michael|title=Royce Da 5'9" Enlists J. Cole for New Track 'Boblo Boat': Listen|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8257728/royce-da-59-boblo-boat-new-song-j-cole|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 13, 2018|date=March 23, 2018}} A music video for the single, directed by Cole, was released on Apple Music and Royce's official Vevo channel three days later on March 26.{{cite magazine|last1=Sapaonara|first1=Michael|title=Royce Da 5'9" & J. Cole Reminisce About Old Times in 'Boblo Boat' Video|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8260972/royce-da-59-boblo-boat-video-j-cole|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 13, 2018|date=March 26, 2018}} In "Boblo Boat", the two artists focus on reminiscing on their childhood while the video centers on a group of children going to a local carnival and walking around the park while simultaneously getting into trouble, with frequent references to the Boblo Island Amusement Park. Comedian Cedric the Entertainer makes a cameo in the video as a security guard, who also contributed additional vocals at the beginning of the song.

"Stay Woke", the second single featuring female Detroit singer Ashley Sorrell, was released on April 13, 2018.{{cite magazine|last1=Robertson|first1=Darryl|title=Royce da 5'9" Celebrates Sobriety On "Stay Woke" Feat. Ashley Sorrell|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/04/royce-da-59-stay-woke-ashley-sorrell/|magazine=Vibe|access-date=April 13, 2018|date=April 13, 2018}} In the song, Royce talks about his documented past struggles with alcohol addiction, while celebrating how long it has been since he became sober. In an interview with HotNewHipHop on April 13, 2018, Royce elaborated on the choice of "Stay Woke" being the second single for Book of Ryan:

“Stay Woke” is more like an excerpt off the album. When you listen to the album in its entirety, “Stay Woke” serves as a commercial. Like a small gap in the story, just for you to hear some bars for a second.{{cite web|last1=Findlay|first1=Mitch|title=Royce Da 5'9's "Book Of Ryan" Is His Most Important Album Yet|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/royce-da-59s-book-of-ryan-is-his-most-important-album-yet-news.47732.html|publisher=HotNewHipHop|access-date=April 16, 2018|date=April 13, 2018}}

The third single, "Dumb" featuring Shady Records rapper Boogie, was released on April 19, 2018. It describes Royce and Boogie's frustration with the music industry. Joel Zela of 2DOPEBOYZ described the song being a "bar-for-bar" collaboration and also noted the production, calling it "piano-driven".{{cite web|last1=Zela|first1=Joel|title=Royce 5'9" & Boogie Go "Dumb" On New Banger|url=https://2dopeboyz.com/2018/04/19/royce-59-boogie-dumb-banger/|publisher=2DOPEBOYZ|access-date=April 19, 2018|date=April 19, 2018}} The fourth and last single, "Caterpillar" featuring Eminem and King Green, was released and accompanied by a music video on May 3, 2018.{{cite magazine|last1=Clark|first1=Trent|title=Royce Da 5'9 & Eminem Lyrically Spaz In "Caterpillar" Video|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46703/title.royce-da-59-eminem-lyrically-spaz-in-caterpillar-video|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=May 3, 2018|date=May 3, 2018}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 84/100{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/book-of-ryan/royce-da-59|title=Reviews for Book of Ryan by Royce da 5'9|website=Metacritic|access-date=June 19, 2018}}

| rev1 = Exclaim!

| rev1score = 9/10{{cite web|last1=Wallace|first1=Riley|title=Royce 5'9": Book of Ryan|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/royce_da_59-book_of_ryan|publisher=Exclaim! Media}}

| rev2 = HipHopDX

| rev2score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|last1=Ketchum|first1=William|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3149/title.review-royce-da-59s-book-of-ryan-is-a-pensive-graphic-novel|title=Review: Royce Da 5'9's "Book Of Ryan" Is A Pensive Graphic Novel|work=HipHopDX|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 15, 2018}}

| rev3 = HotNewHipHop

| rev3score = 88%{{cite web|last1=Findlay|first1=Mitch|title=Royce Da 5'9" "Book Of Ryan" Review|date=9 May 2018 |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/royce-da-59-book-of-ryan-review-news.49604.html|publisher=HotNewHipHop}}

| rev4 = JOE

| rev4score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|last1=Lavin |first1=Will |url=https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/book-of-ryan-is-autobiographical-perfection-as-royce-da-59-proves-his-superiority-176877 |title=Royce Da 5'9" proves he's Top 5 DOA with the unf*ckwitable Book of Ryan |work=Joe |date=May 5, 2018 |access-date=May 5, 2018}}

| rev5 = XXL

| rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last1=Gibbons|first1=Chris|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2018/05/royce-5-9-book-of-ryan-album-review/|title=ROYCE 5'9" POWERS 'BOOK OF RYAN' ALBUM WITH BRUTALLY HONEST BARS|work=XXL|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=May 14, 2018}}

}}

Upon its release, Book of Ryan was met with widespread acclaim from music critics, receiving a score of 84 from review aggregator Metacritic.{{Citation|title=Book of Ryan by Royce da 5'9|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/book-of-ryan/royce-da-59|language=en|access-date=2018-09-05}} Will Lavin of JOE stated that Book of Ryan "proves Royce Da 5’9” is a Top 5 dead or alive rapper, no question. Wearing his heart on his sleeve throughout, the album is an introspective gift that not too many people are capable of giving. Combining transcendent lyricism with incredible instrumental choices, it's an excellent example of how beats and rhymes are supposed to marry one another."

Book of Ryan debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200, with 19,000 album-equivalent units, which included 11,000 pure album sales.{{Cite news|first=Kyle|last=Eustice|title=Hip Hop Album Sales: Rae Sremmurd's "SR3MM" Makes Top 10 Billboard 200 Debut|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46840/title.hip-hop-album-sales-rae-sremmurds-sr3mm-makes-top-10-billboard-200-debut/amp-context|work=Hiphopdx|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=November 3, 2018}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Standard edition{{cite web|title=Book of Ryan by Royce da 5'9" on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/book-of-ryan-bonus-track-edition/1360464920|website=iTunes Store|location=(US)|access-date=April 16, 2018|date=March 22, 2018}}

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = {{duration|m=54|s=59}}

| title1 = Intro

| note1 =

| writer1 = {{hlist|Ryan Montgomery|Anthony Reid}}

| extra1 = AntMan Wonder

| length1 = 1:29

| title2 = Woke

| note2 =

| writer2 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Dwane Weir}}

| extra2 = Key Wane

| length2 = 1:32

| title3 = My Parallel (Skit)

| note3 =

| writer3 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Denaun Porter}}

| extra3 = Mr. Porter

| length3 = 1:09

| title4 = Caterpillar

| note4 = featuring Eminem and King Green

| writer4 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Marshall Mathers|Larry Griffin Jr.|King Green|Stuart Lowery}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|S1|Epikh Pro}}

| length4 = 4:43

| title5 = God Speed

| note5 = featuring Ashley Sorrell

| writer5 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter|Ashley Sorrell|Lowery}}

| extra5 = Mr. Porter

| length5 = 3:10

| title6 = Dumb

| note6 = featuring Boogie

| writer6 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Griffin Jr.|Anthony Dixson|Lowery}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|S1|Epikh Pro}}

| length6 = 3:07

| title7 = Who Are You (Skit)

| note7 =

| writer7 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter|Robert Glasper}}

| extra7 = Mr. Porter

| length7 = 2:36

| title8 = Cocaine

| note8 =

| writer8 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Nikki Grier|Khalil Abdul-Rahman|Erik Alcock|Daniel Seeff}}

| extra8 = DJ Khalil

| length8 = 3:33

| title9 = Life Is Fair

| note9 =

| writer9 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Abdul-Rahman|Eduardo Earle|Sam Barsh}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Fuse|DJ Khalil}}

| length9 = 2:47

| title10 = Boblo Boat

| note10 = featuring J. Cole

| writer10 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Jermaine Cole|Rayshon Cobbs Jr.|Marcello Valenzano|Andre Lyon}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|808-Ray|Cool & Dre}}

| length10 = 4:42

| title11 = Legendary

| note11 =

| writer11 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter}}

| extra11 = Mr. Porter

| length11 = 3:26

| title12 = Summer on Lock

| note12 = featuring Pusha T, Jadakiss, Fabolous and Agent Sasco

| writer12 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Terrence Thornton|Jason Phillips|John Jackson|Jeffrey Williams|Nicholas Warwar|Tarik Azzouz|Clemm Rishad}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|StreetRunner|Tarik Azzouz}}

| length12 = 3:44

| title13 = Amazing

| note13 = featuring Melanie Rutherford

| writer13 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Melanie Rutherford|Griffin Jr.|Lowery}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|S1|Epikh Pro}}

| length13 = 3:44

| title14 = Outside

| note14 = featuring Marsha Ambrosius and Robert Glasper

| writer14 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter|Marsha Ambrosius|Glasper|Keyon Harrold}}

| extra14 = Mr. Porter

| length14 = 3:19

| title15 = Power

| note15 =

| writer15 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Matthew Samuels|Brett Kruger|Zale Epstein}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|Boi-1da|The Maven Boys}}

| length15 = 6:42

| title16 = Protecting Ryan (Skit)

| note16 =

| writer16 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter|Glasper}}

| extra16 = Mr. Porter

| length16 = 3:19

| title17 = Strong Friend

| note17 =

| writer17 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter}}

| extra17 = Mr. Porter

| length17 = 2:38

| title18 = Anything/Everything

| note18 =

| writer18 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Porter}}

| extra18 = Mr. Porter

| length18 = 2:10

| title19 = Stay Woke

| note19 = featuring Ashley Sorrell

| writer19 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Ramon Ibanga Jr.|Adam Feeney|Sorrell}}

| extra19 = {{hlist|Illmind|Frank Dukes}}

| length19 = 3:15

| title20 = First of the Month

| note20 = featuring T-Pain and Chavis Chandler

| writer20 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Faheem Najim|Chavis Chandler|Weir|Sorrell}}

| extra20 = Key Wane

| length20 = 4:21

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Bonus track edition

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 65:25

| title21 = Caterpillar (Remix)

| note21 = featuring Logic and King Green

| writer21 = {{hlist|Montgomery|Sir Robert Hall II|Griffin Jr.|Green|Lowery}}

| extra21 = {{hlist|S1|Epikh Pro}}

| length21 = 5:11

}}

• "Cocaine" features additional vocals by Nikki Grier.
• "Boblo Boat" features additional vocals by Cedric the Entertainer.

• "Woke" contains samples of "Woke Up This Morning", written and performed by Alabama 3.
• "Caterpillar" and "Caterpillar (Remix)" contain samples of "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", written and performed by Gil Scott-Heron; and portions of "Ring the Alarm", written and performed by Tenor Saw.
• "Dumb" contains samples of "Just Playing Dreams", written and performed by The Notorious B.I.G.
• "Boblo Boat" contains samples of "A Day in the Park", written by Michał Urbaniak, and performed by Urszula Dudziak; and excerpts from the documentary "Boblo Memories", written and narrated by Mort Crim.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM4Aq0PItbU|title="Boblo Memories"|via=www.youtube.com}}
• "Amazing" contains samples of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", written and performed by Tears for Fears.
• "Power" contains samples of "Eazy-Duz-It", written by MC Ren and performed by Eazy-E.
• "First of the Month" contains samples of "1st of tha Month", written and performed by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes|title=Book of Ryan|type=liner notes|others=Royce da 5'9"|year=2018|publisher=Heaven Studios, Inc. / eOne Music}}

General personnel

{{Div col}}

• Ryan Montgomery – composition, executive producer, A&R direction
• Denaun Porter – composition, executive producer, producer (tracks 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16–18)
• Larry Griffin Jr. – composition, co-executive producer, producer (tracks 4, 6, 13, 21)
• Akino Childrey – co-executive producer, management, marketing
• Brian Jones – recording
• I.V. Duncan – recording
• Morning Estrada – recording
• Mike "Kuz" – recording
• Sal Buscemi – recording
• Ryan Highland – recording
• Alexander "Smitty Beatz" Smith – recording
• Mike Strange – recording (Eminem vocals)
• Juro "Mez" Davis – recording (J. Cole vocals)
• Kevin Luu – recording (Marsha Ambrosius vocals)
• Mauricio Iragorri – mastering
• Steve Baughman – mastering
• Brian "Big Bass" Gardner – mastering {{small|("Caterpillar")}}

{{Div end}}

Additional personnel

{{Div col}}

• Tresa Sanders – publicity
• Chelsea Donini – digital marketing
• Mike Saputo – art direction, design
• Bruce Seckendorf – business management
• Roger Mendoza – business management
• Cindy De Sabato – business management

{{Div end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Royce da 5'9"}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2018 albums

Category:Royce da 5'9" albums

Category:Albums produced by Illmind

Category:Albums produced by Symbolyc One

Category:Albums produced by Frank Dukes

Category:Albums produced by Boi-1da

Category:Albums produced by Mr. Porter

Category:Albums produced by Key Wane

Category:Albums produced by DJ Khalil