Death Is Certain

Death Is Certain stands as the sophomore studio project by American hip-hop artist Royce da 5'9", officially released on February 24, 2004, through Koch Records. The recording sessions took place from December 2002 to January 2004 at Isolation Records, Nation Studios in Detroit, and MPA Studios. The majority of the album’s production was overseen by Carlos "6 July" Broady, a member of Bad Boy Records' renowned production collective The Hitmen. Additional contributions came from producers Jason "Asar" Qualls, Ty Fyffe, Rob "Reef" Tewlow, Mark Bassin, and DJ Premier, who crafted the lead single "Hip Hop". Featured guest artists include Ingrid Smalls, 6 July, Cha Cha, and Cutty Mack. Commercially, the album reached number 161 on the Billboard 200 and climbed to number 39 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Background

Following a two-year gap after his debut effort Rock City, Royce was embroiled in a public dispute with Detroit rap group D12. This phase of his life, marked by emotional turmoil and bouts of depression, heavily influenced Death Is Certain, resulting in a notably darker atmosphere compared to his initial release. Critics widely praised the album as Royce’s most compelling work to date, highlighting its lyrical nods to icons such as 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G..

In retrospective interviews, Royce has expressed difficulty revisiting the album because it symbolizes a bleak chapter in his life. He characterized the creative process as spontaneous and unfiltered: "That project came together quickly. It taught me a great deal about artistic honesty. Six July and I completed it in roughly two weeks; I wrote six tracks within the opening days. My writing was rapid—I wasn’t aiming for intricate lyricism—I was simply pouring everything out while heavily intoxicated."

Critical reception

The critical response to Death Is Certain was largely favorable. On Album of the Year, a platform that compiles professional reviews, it garnered an average score of 70 out of 100 based on four critiques.

Royce Da 5'9"'s thoughts on the album

Royce da 5'9" finds revisiting Death Is Certain challenging due to its connection with a difficult personal period. He emphasizes the album’s raw nature, produced swiftly over two weeks with minimal preparation, reflecting an honest and emotionally charged creative phase fueled by significant alcohol consumption. Despite its acclaim, Royce regards the album as a pivotal lesson in transparency within artistry and recognizes it as a moment where vulnerability became an artistic asset.

Track listing

Sample credits

• "Regardless" incorporates elements from "Love and Happiness" by Al Green alongside re-sung components of "Lose Yourself" by Eminem
• "Hip Hop" samples "Overture" composed by Jerry Goldsmith
• "I & Me" features re-interpreted parts of "Against All Odds" by Tupac Shakur
• "T.O.D.A.Y." includes samples from "Ike's Mood 1" by Isaac Hayes and re-sung elements from "B.I.G. Interlude" by The Notorious B.I.G.
• "Beef" contains re-sung portions of "What's Beef" originally by The Notorious B.I.G.

Charts

Template:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chartTemplate:Album chart

Chart (2004)	Highest position