REVIEW: Premier + Royce outdid themselves again with ‘PRhyme 2’
The legendary DJ Premier links up with Detroit rapper Royce da 5’9” for a second time in his storied career with the highly-anticipated sequel, PRhyme 2, available on March 16th from Bad Half Entertainment and PRhyme Records.
Much like the original, PRhyme (2014), which was based around the instrumentation of composer Adrian Younge, the new album is built exclusively around samples from producer/composer Antman Wonder. It also features a bevy of guest appearances, including Roc Marciano, Novel, Cee-Lo Green, and many more.
Anticipation for the project has continued to build since their cross-country tour in 2015, which they followed with the release of the non-album remix, “Wishin’ II” featuring Black Thought. As described in the track itself, the song was recorded in July 2014 and was initially supposed to feature the lead emcee of The Roots. Unfortunately, Richard Nichols, the former manager, and producer for the band died of leukemia before they were able to record his verse.
Royce first announced the project during an interview with Vibe Magazine in 2016 for the 10-year anniversary of James “J Dilla” Yancy’s seminal album Donuts.
Now, the duo has returned with their first album in three years, PRhyme 2, which opens with the “Interlude 1 (Salute)” a pretty basic intro track that details the thought-process behind making the album. It’s followed by the track “Black History,” which kicks off the album with an instrumental that sounds straight out of a 1970’s cop drama.
“1 of the Hardest” is one of the more noteworthy tracks for its combination of 5’9”s lethal lyricism and Preem’s heavy-hitting, classic boom-bap beat.
The lead single “Era,” features 29-year-old Harlem rapper, Dave East, on this insane Preemo beat which pulls samples an eclectic mix including the ’70s disco track “Rocket in my Pocket” by Cerrone, the ’90s throwback “Droppin’ it” by The Bizzie Boyz, and even their own track, “Dat Sound Good,” feat. Ab-Soul and Mac Miller.
PRhyme 2 also does a good job at appealing to an intergenerational demographic, which can be heard on tracks such as “Respect my gun,” blending more modern rap verses with classic hip-hop elements. Preemo shows off his turntable skills with, “W.O.W.,” a scratch-heavy track featuring Yelawolf and various samples from Kendrick Lamar, Rakim, and Xzibit.
“Streets at Night” is basically one long diss track clowning on the younger generation of hip-hop artists, in particular, those who claim they’re the best in the business, including rappers such as Drake, Logic, Chance the Rapper, Post Malone, and Swae Lee.
The second single, “Rock It,” was first introduced via Royce da 5’9″s Instagram in early-February, and is dedicated to the late-Sean Price and J Dilla for their inspiration and music. The beat features samples and interpolations from classic ’90s hip-hop tracks “Scenario” and “Oh My God” by A Tribe Called Quest.
Rapsody joins the pair on the track, “Loved Ones,” which leads in with a rather obvious throwback to a New York classic, ripping the introduction straight from the Mobb Deep track, “Eye for an Eye.” Royce follows with “My Calling,” an introspective track where he professes how he essentially feels like The Blues Brothers… “on a mission from God.” Preem then takes things down to the “dirty” South on the track, “Made Man,” featuring Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. and producer Denaun Porter.
The latest single, “Flirt,” features 2 Chainz on this beat featuring samples of the 1997 hit “Luchini (This Is It)” by Camp Lo. Both emcees also manage to exchange verses in a manner that pays homage to two of Eminem‘s biggest hits “The Way I Am” and “Cleaning Out My Closet.”
Royce dedicates the next track to a fellow Detroit rapper and former Slaughterhouse alum, Joe Budden. Named for the talk show, “Everyday Struggle,” features Chavis Chandler on this track about Budden and his beef with Lil Yachty. According to NPR, the track was also originally supposed to include verses by Lil Uzi Vert, who was unable to get involved because of his already busy work schedule. The album closes with the track, “Gotta Love It,” a heartfelt cut about the importance of love.
From beginning to end, the album is just so captivating you can’t but help but go back and play it again. PRhyme 2 is a true hip-hop lover’s delight. Be sure to check it out when it drops tomorrow, March 16th, on all digital streaming services and for physical purchase at FatBeats.com.
LISTEN: PRHYME — ‘PRHYME 2’
Originally published at salutemag.com on March 15, 2018.
